search icon
Back to Press Releases

New Sage Copilot: Driving Efficiency & Growth for SMBs and Accountants with Generative AI

Sage Copilot will lead SMBs and Accountants into the generative AI era by automating routine tasks, offering key insights for growth, and enabling better decision making and enhanced productivity.

South Africa, Johannesburg (February 28, 2024) – Sage (FTSE: SGE), the leader in accounting, financial, HR and payroll technology for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), today announces the introduction of its new generative AI-powered productivity assistant, set to revolutionise accounting, finance and people management processes, and empowering customers to make smarter business decisions.

For small business owners, CFOs, accountants, and HR leaders, Sage Copilot will act as a trusted member of their team, handling administrative and repetitive tasks in ‘real time’, whilst recommending ways to make savings and drive business improvements. It will create more time and space for customers to focus on growing and scaling their businesses.

The AI-powered assistant automates workflows, identifies errors and generates actionable insights unique to each business and accountant’s practice. Sage Copilot helps with forecasting, cashflow management and generating and sending invoices with simple, natural language commands. Users can be confident knowing that in the development of Sage Copilot accuracy, security, expert support and trust have been prioritised every step of the way, with robust encryption, access controls, and compliance with data protection regulations.

Sage CEO, Steve Hare said: “Sage Copilot revolutionises small and mid-sized businesses and accountant productivity by bringing trusted AI into the heart of their operations—automating tasks and providing insights to fuel growth and efficiency. It's not just an AI feature; it's a commitment to building a future where businesses can focus on their goals, supported by AI they can trust from Sage.”

SMBs around the world cite cashflow and getting paid as their top priorities. Sage Copilot will provide users with proactive options to improve cash flow; these include suggestions to accelerate customer payments, enhance working capital and support smarter financial decisions.

Some Other Key Features of Sage Copilot will include:

  • Intelligent understanding: Uses natural language to interpret commands conversationally, customising responses to each user’s specific situation for a more tailored experience.
  • Task management and automation: Simplifies organising tasks with personalised lists, prioritising them based on urgency, and automating repetitive tasks, saving time and effort.
  • Communication and collaboration: Helps prepare and send messages with the right tone and timing, sending personalised customer invoices or employee reminders in seconds rather than hours.
  • Data Analysis, Reporting, and Insights: Provides insights and custom reports to support decision-making, including quick cash flow analysis and recommendations for financial improvements.
  • Integration with other apps: Integrates with other apps and services, such as Microsoft Office, creating a seamless workflow for users. Sends email invoices without having to leave the window you’re in.
  • Personalised recommendations: By learning from user interactions and preferences, Sage Copilot offers advice to help improve budgeting and financial planning and deliver better financial outcomes.

For accountants, Sage Copilot will revolutionise collaboration and communication with clients. By automating the data collection and aggregation process, it will significantly reduce the time and effort spent on these manual tasks, while also minimising errors that might occur.

Caroline Armstrong, Director at Infinitas Accountants said: "I have seen what Sage has been building and it is exciting to know that it won’t just be SMBs who will be able to get ahead in their businesses with Sage Copilot.  The use of Sage Copilot will elevate my role as a strategic partner even further, allowing me and our firm to support our clients' financial success more accurately and confidently.”

 

Notes to Editors

  • Availability: Sage Copilot will be available in the UK later in 2024 as part of Sage for Small Business and Sage for Accountants suites. We look forward to the anticipated global roll-out of Sage Copilot and are excited to start delivering the power of AI to our customers so they can focus on what truly matters: growth and financial success.
  • Demo: To see Sage Copilot in action, visit our product page here.
  • Sage’s Technology & Innovation Vision: Sage’s technology and innovation vision is to enable SMBs and Accountants to have even more impact on their organisations, by transforming accounting from a profession limited by cycles, to one that adds continuous strategic value.
  • To learn more about our vision hear from our Chief Technology Officer, Aaron Harris: Watch video.
  • EVP and Managing Director for Sage AME, Pieter Bensch said: "Sage is well-positioned for the next generation of AI, which we expect will bring significant productivity benefits for small to medium business and their accountants. Our intention is to lead the industry through continued investment in solutions and strategic partnerships that harness the power of AI, helping us to build on our strong pipeline across the region. By integrating AI across our cloud-based solutions, we will empower businesses to achieve efficiency, productivity, and profitability through intelligent automation, predictive insights, and personalised experiences. We look forward to the anticipated global roll-out of Sage Copilot and are excited to start delivering the power of AI to the nation’s businesses so they can focus on what truly matters: growth and financial success.”

 

About Sage Group

Sage exists to knock down barriers so everyone can thrive, starting with the millions of small- and mid-sized businesses served by us, our partners and accountants. Customers trust our finance, HR and payroll software to make work and money flow. By digitising business processes and relationships with customers, suppliers, employees, banks and governments, our digital network connects SMBs, removing friction and delivering insights. Knocking down barriers also means we use our time, technology, and experience to tackle digital inequality, economic inequality and the climate crisis. Learn more at www.sage.com.