Sage 100 Automation: API Alternative for Accounting Data Export, Reports, and ERP Integration

Introduction

Sage 100 is a business management and accounting ERP platform used by small to mid-sized companies for financial management, inventory, sales orders, purchasing, and reporting. While Sage 100 provides tools like Visual Integrator and ODBC for data export, many organizations need automated workflows that go beyond manual exports or require integration with cloud systems. Browser automation provides a reliable solution to automate accounting data export, generate and export financial reports (including Crystal Reports), and sync Sage 100 data with external systems—directly through the Sage 100 web or hosted interface—enabling streamlined operations without custom integration projects.

Why Use Browser Automation for Sage 100?

• Limited API Access: Sage 100 has no native REST API; browser automation offers an alternative to ODBC and Visual Integrator
• Accounting Data Export: Automate export of GL, AR, AP, inventory, and transaction data to Excel, CSV, or external systems
• Report Automation: Run and export standard reports, Crystal Reports, and Business Insights Explorer data views on a schedule
• ERP Integration: Sync Sage 100 data with cloud ERP, accounting systems, data warehouses, or BI tools
• Dashboard-Only Features: Business Insights Explorer, Report Master, and some export options are only available through the interface
• Bulk Operations: Process large volumes of transactions and reports without manual intervention
• Nightly Exports: Run scheduled exports and reconciliations during off-hours
• Cost Avoidance: Avoid expensive custom ODBC/ETL projects or middleware

Setting Up Sage 100 Automation

Connect to your Sage 100 web or hosted interface (Sage 100cloud, hosted desktop, or web portal) and automate data export workflows:

import { chromium } from 'playwright';

const response = await fetch("https://api.anchorbrowser.io/api/sessions", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "anchor-api-key": "YOUR_API_KEY",
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    'headless': false,
    'proxy': { 'type': 'residential', 'country': 'US' }
  }),
});

const { id } = await response.json();
const connectionString = `wss://connect.anchorbrowser.io?apiKey=YOUR_API_KEY&sessionId=${id}`;

const browser = await chromium.connectOverCDP(connectionString);
const context = browser.contexts()[0];
const ai = context.serviceWorkers()[0];
const page = context.pages()[0];

await page.goto("https://my.sage.com");

await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
  prompt: 'Log in to Sage 100 (or Sage 100cloud) using the provided credentials. Complete any MFA or security verification and wait for the dashboard or main menu to load.'
}));

Automating Accounting Data Export

Export General Ledger, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and transaction data:

const exportAccountingData = async (page, ai, config) => {
  const { module, dateRange, outputFormat } = config;
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Navigate to the ${module} (General Ledger, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, or Transactions) section in Sage 100`
  }));
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Set date range ${dateRange.start} to ${dateRange.end}. Run the inquiry or report. Export or use the Export/Email option from the printer drop-down.`
  }));
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Export as ${outputFormat || 'Excel'} (or CSV, Word, ASCII). Include account numbers, amounts, dates, references, and department/project codes if available.`
  }));
  
  const download = await page.waitForEvent('download', { timeout: 15000 }).catch(() => null);
  return download ? await download.path() : null;
};

const exportGeneralLedger = async (page, ai, dateRange) => {
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Navigate to General Ledger or Report Master in Sage 100'
  }));
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Run Trial Balance or GL Detail report for date range ${dateRange.start} to ${dateRange.end}. Select Export/Email from the printer drop-down. Export to Excel.`
  }));
  const download = await page.waitForEvent('download');
  return await download.path();
};

Exporting Reports and Crystal Reports

Run and export standard reports, Crystal Reports, and Report Master reports:

const exportReports = async (page, ai, reportParams) => {
  const { reportName, reportType, dateRange } = reportParams;
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Navigate to Reports in Sage 100. Select ${reportType || 'Standard'} report: ${reportName}`
  }));
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Set parameters: date range ${dateRange?.start || 'start'} to ${dateRange?.end || 'end'}. Run the report.`
  }));
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Use Export/Email from the printer drop-down. Export as Excel, PDF, or CSV. Wait for download.'
  }));
  
  const download = await page.waitForEvent('download');
  return await download.path();
};

const exportCrystalReport = async (page, ai, reportName, dateRange) => {
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Navigate to Crystal Reports or custom reports. Open report: ${reportName}`
  }));
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Set date range ${dateRange?.start} to ${dateRange?.end}. Refresh and run. Export to Excel or PDF.`
  }));
  const download = await page.waitForEvent('download');
  return await download.path();
};

Business Insights Explorer Data Export

Extract data from Business Insights Explorer Data View grids:

const exportBusinessInsightsData = async (page, ai, config) => {
  const { dataView, filters } = config;
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Navigate to Business Insights Explorer in Sage 100. Open the Data View: ${dataView}`
  }));
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Apply filters: ${JSON.stringify(filters || {})}. Display the data grid.`
  }));
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Select the data (or use SHIFT/CTRL to select rows). Use Export or right-click Export to export selected rows to Excel or CSV.'
  }));
  
  const download = await page.waitForEvent('download');
  return await download.path();
};

Syncing Sage 100 Data with External Systems

Export Sage 100 data and sync with cloud ERP, accounting, or data warehouses:

const syncSage100ToExternal = async (page, ai, syncConfig) => {
  const { module, dateRange, targetUrl } = syncConfig;
  
  const exportPath = await exportAccountingData(page, ai, { module, dateRange, outputFormat: 'csv' });
  if (!exportPath) return { synced: 0, error: 'Export failed' };
  
  const fs = await import('fs');
  const csvContent = fs.readFileSync(exportPath, 'utf8');
  const records = parseCSV(csvContent);
  
  const response = await fetch(targetUrl, {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
    body: JSON.stringify({ records })
  });
  return { synced: records.length, status: response.status };
};

Collecting Transaction Data

Extract transaction data for analysis and reconciliation:

const collectTransactionData = async (page, ai, criteria) => {
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Navigate to transactions in Sage 100. Set filters: type ${criteria.type || 'all'}, date range ${criteria.startDate} to ${criteria.endDate}, module ${criteria.module || 'all'}`
  }));
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Extract transaction data: transaction number, date, type, account, amount, reference, customer/vendor, department. Return as JSON or export to Excel.'
  }));
  
  const download = await page.waitForEvent('download', { timeout: 10000 }).catch(() => null);
  return download ? await download.path() : null;
};

Nightly Export and Reconciliation

Run scheduled exports and reconciliations:

const runNightlyExport = async (page, ai, exportConfig) => {
  const { reports, dateRange, outputDir } = exportConfig;
  const results = [];
  
  for (const report of reports) {
    const path = await exportReports(page, ai, { reportName: report, dateRange });
    results.push({ report, path });
    await page.waitForTimeout(2000);
  }
  return results;
};

Best Practices

• Security: Use secure credential storage and support MFA where required for Sage 100 access
• Rate Limiting: Add delays between exports (3–5 seconds) to avoid overwhelming the system
• Data Validation: Verify exported data completeness and accuracy before syncing to external systems
• Error Handling: Implement retry logic for transient failures, session timeouts, and export errors
• Export Formats: Sage 100 supports Excel, Word, CSV, ASCII—choose the format best suited for your target system
• Nightly Timing: Schedule exports during low-usage windows to avoid contention with users
• Audit Trail: Log all automation actions and retain exports for audit and compliance
• ODBC Alternative: When ODBC is not available or complex, browser automation provides a flexible extraction path
• Interface Updates: Monitor for Sage 100 interface changes and update scripts accordingly

Resources

• Anchor Browser Documentation - Complete API reference and guides
• Anchor Browser Playground - Try browser automation in your browser
• Sage 100 - Official Sage 100 product page

Conclusion

Browser automation provides a flexible alternative to ODBC and Visual Integrator for Sage 100 data export. By leveraging intelligent browser agents, you can automate accounting data export, run and export standard and Crystal Reports, extract Business Insights Explorer data, and sync Sage 100 data with external systems—workflows that traditionally required manual exports or custom integration. Whether you need to export GL for reconciliation, run nightly reports, or sync inventory with a warehouse system, browser automation enables efficient data management for organizations using Sage 100.

Start automating your Sage 100 workflows today and streamline your accounting and ERP data export!