Consultant eNews

News and Resources for Consultants

Awards Time!

Jan 10

Posted by Joe Abler in PR / Announcements | No Comments

It’s time once again to hand out hardware to our award winners. Once a week over the next month we will announce winners for new Tabs3 and PracticeMaster unit sales, new Client Server sales, culminating with the grand finale, Reseller of the Year. Our thanks to all of you for your efforts in 2010!

Now, our first award! Our Client Server Reseller of the year had a terrific year selling CSV. Their efforts broke last year’s impressive record for the most CSV sales by any reseller in a single year. Without further ado:

Client Server Reseller of the Year – Harry Salavantis & Stephanie Cleveland, Resource Advisors, Albany NY

Here are your top CSV resellers in order of finish:

• Harry Salavantis & Stephanie Cleveland, Resource Advisors, Albany NY
• Sandra Adams & staff, Affinity Consulting Group, Coral Gables FL
• Britt Lorish & staff, Affinity Consulting Group, Roanoke VA
• Paul Purdue & Mary Jo Blohm, Attorney Computer Systems, Dundee MI

Congratulations to Harry and Stephanie on a job well done. Thanks to Paul and Mary Jo, Sandra and Britt, along with their staffs as well!

Version 16 Information & Resources

Jan 4

Posted by Joe Abler in General | No Comments

For those of you using and supporting Version 16 Beta, be sure to take advantage of the many new resources already available in our Knowledge Base.  Article R11355 has links to Version 16 articles covering several topics including:

  • Introduction to New Features
  • Contact Management Overview
  • E-mailing Tabs3 Statements
  • All About WorkFlows
  • Version 16 Frequently Asked Questions

At this time, Version 16 is only available as beta software.

Tabs3 Accounts Payable Version 16 & Nelco Checks

Jan 4

Posted by Joe Abler in General | No Comments

Version 16 of Tabs3 Accounts Payable System (APS) has added a memo field for each invoice and the ability to print the memo field on APS checks.  Version 16 also provides Bank Account configuration options to choose the new check layout when necessary, and allows automatic switching to the new format (L1572) when a specific check number is reached.

Since this feature requires new Nelco checks (www.NelcoSolutions.com/Tabs3), you should make your users (both old and new) aware of this so that they can plan accordingly when ordering APS check forms.  Specifically, old users shouldn’t buy a large batch of the current check format if they want to use the new memo field in Version 16.  The current check format will not accommodate the format for the new memo field.

1099 File Change

Dec 9

Posted by Joe Abler in General, Tips | No Comments

Although 1099-MISC forms have not changed, there has been a change to the format of the file used for transmitting 1099-MISC forms electronically. If your firms use the Accounts Payable Software “Create 1099 Disk File” program to submit their 1099-MISC forms, be sure they download the updated Version 15.3 Accounts Payable Software (APS) from our download site before processing their 1099-MISC forms. They can access our download site from within the software by selecting Help | Internet Resources | Software Update.

Increased performance using Secure Clients

Nov 29

Posted by Joe Abler in Tips | No Comments

We recently made a change to Version 15.3 that improves the performance of Secure Clients in Tabs3 and PracticeMaster. Previously, non-managers may have noticed reduced performance the longer they had the program open, depending on the number of Secure Clients in the database. With the recent change, performance will be more consistent in all areas throughout the day.

If you know of a firm that utilizes the Secure Client feature, encourage them to download the latest update. You might become their hero. Version 16 also has the same Secure Client performance improvement.

Maintenance and Updates

Nov 29

Posted by Joe Abler in General | No Comments

Firms updating from older versions of Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Software to Version 15 currently receive six months of maintenance with their update.  Beginning with the release of Version 16, updates will come with four months of maintenance.  Now is a great time to encourage firms to update to Version 15.  If a firm updates now, they will receive a full six months of maintenance, and their update cost will be less.  (Update costs increase each version a firm falls behind.)  In anticipation of a first quarter release, they will also be eligible to receive Version 16 at no charge when updates are sent.

Platinum & SQL

Nov 10

Posted by Joe Abler in PR / Announcements | No Comments

Hopefully everyone has had a chance to download and test the beta of Version 16.  There are a few changes you may notice when working with the beta.

First, we are changing the name of our Client Server Version (CSV) to Platinum. 

Second, we are adding a new STI Server product.  It will be a 64-bit SQL option in addition to the 32-bit option that we currently sell.  Once Version 16 launches, the STI Server name will change to the Platinum Server, and the new 64 bit SQL server will be called the Platinum SQL Server.

This is why we are making these changes: 

  • Many firms have a preference for SQL.  In many cases it’s just the SQL brand that they know, and in other cases they are also familiar with the SQL technology.  An SQL version of CSV should be attractive to these firms.
  • When Client Server is the name of the product, the firm begins the sales conversation with questions about technology.  FairCom is not a household name, so we start by selling people on FairCom.  We often don’t even get to the great CSV benefits, e.g. faster reports, HotBackup, etc.
  • The main contact at many of our firms isn’t especially technical, and they assume they already have Client Server because their software is installed on a server.  Because they already have it, they then ignore the lead generating CSV newsletter articles, emails, promotions, etc.
  • 64-bit servers are becoming more prevalent, and we need to have an option for firms that are considering this technology.

    • New marketing information will be distributed for the new Platinum SQL Server within the next several weeks.  If you have clients that might be interested in beta testing the Platinum SQL Server, please e-mail the firm’s contact information to [email protected] and specify SQL.

    Understanding Client Server Version (CSV) Webinars

    Nov 9

    Posted by Joe Abler in PR / Announcements | No Comments

    Philip Allendorfer, Director of Development for Tabs3 and PracticeMaster, will discuss the benefits of CSV and explain the technology behind CSV features like HotBackup and Report Accelerators.  Phil does a great job of explaining how the technology works.  If you have CSV prospects or clients with questions about CSV, they should attend, especially if they have technical questions.  This is a great opportunity for you and your clients to get your questions answered by the expert!  There will be a session on November 11, and another on December 14.  Learn more and register for this webinar at this site: 

    http://csv.eventbrite.com

    Accepting Credit Cards Webinars

    Nov 9

    Posted by Joe Abler in General, PR / Announcements | No Comments

    Bruce Policky, Product Manager for Tabs3 and PracticeMaster, will show your clients how to process credit card payments and trust deposits in Tabs3 in an upcoming webinar on November 10, and again on December 15.  He will also talk about ways to accommodate state bar guidelines for accepting trust deposits via credit card.  Credit cards are a great way for your clients to improve cash flow and reduce the time they spend on collections.  Be sure to let them know about this!  For more information and to register, click here: 

    http://creditcards.eventbrite.com

    Taskbill Reminder

    Oct 26

    Posted by Joe Abler in Knowledge Base, Tips | No Comments

    On a regular basis, new formats for our Taskbill software are added or modified.  If you have requests from one of your clients for a new or modified format, please contact our Support Department to see if it is already available.  Or, you can see the list of various Taskbill formats we currently support in our Knowledge Base Article R10435 – Tabs3 Taskbill Product Information.