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July 2024

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Letter from the President

Letter from the President

Summertime

Training, Planning, Backing Up, and Living in the Clouds

   During the summer months our support team is frequently involved in assisting many of our customers in critical, time sensitive tasks such as payroll and billing. 

 

   These tasks are being performed by users who are covering for people who are on vacation.  We always try to assist in any way we can. 

 

   Obviously, it is beyond the scope of normal support to teach someone an entire application.  That does not happen very often and, if it does, we will do anything we can; even to the point of running your payroll for you!  In those cases, we do need to charge additional for our services. 

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We have posted many “Academy Webinar” video tutorials on our support website to assist the temporary replacements with additional assistance. 

 

Visit:  Academy Webinars | CF Data Support Site

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   My point for all of this is to make sure you plan for vacation and other unexpected staffing issues by incorporating internal backup for operating the system. 

 

   Vacations are one example of why this is necessary. 

 

   Unexpected illness or turnover can also present problems. 

 

   As much as we try to assist, there are internal procedures in your organizations with which we are not familiar.  Vacations are a good test to determine how well your team members can cover for each other.

   On the topic of backup, we again had a few instances in the past few months of companies that experienced system issues and did not have the proper backup, causing days, if not weeks, of extra work and much unnecessary added expense.

 

   We have found a common theme in many backup problems. 

 

   In one case, people get out of the routine of backing up because they never needed the backup.  This is just like not paying for insurance because you never collect! 

 

   The second scenario happens more often.  In this case, there have been changes to your operating environment and the backup procedures have not kept up. 

 

   Now is a good time to review your backup procedures with your IT support. A FULL backup of the D1 folder should be done.

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   Another great way to guarantee you have a successful and current backup would be to move to STRUCTURECloud! 

 

   About 35% of the C/F Data customer base have moved to STRUCTURECloud and have been able to offload all, if not most of their IT management responsibilities such as backup and anti-virus. 

 

   With STRUCTURECloud you can access STRUCTURE from any device that has internet access. 

 

   You needn’t worry about maintaining a server to run STRUCTURE or concern yourself with costly server upgrades.  You no longer have to worry about constantly paying to increase your disk storage space.  Speed and performance are never an issue with STRUCTURECloud. 

Want to learn more?  Give me a call at 781-974-1541 or email eric@cfdatasystems.com

Enjoy the summer!

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Eric Goldstein

Eric Goldstein

President
C/F Data Systems

Office News

News from the Office

Welcome Our New Support Team Members

Zakera Sharpe

Office Dispatcher

Zakera is the newest member of our Support Team!

 

After earning her bachelor’s degree in communications in Business from Southern New Hampshire University, she earned an internship at Harvard University as a Media Technology Specialist.

 

She was employed at Granite Telecommunications as an Information Technology Specialist for six years.

 

She was then invited to join the team here at C/F Data Systems.

 

As the newest team member, she is engaging and open to learning more about STRUCTURE every day.

 

In her free time, Zakera enjoys going to the gym, traveling, and spending time with her family.

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Stacie Tidwell

Support Consultant

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Please join me in welcoming Stacie Tidwell to our team.

 

Stacie joined the support staff back in March and has already hit the ground running.

 

Prior to joining C/F Data she had been working for a flooring contractor and using STRUCTURE for over a decade as a customer.

 

Born and raised in Colorado, she has worked in the construction industry for over 25 years.

 

She and her husband decided to make the permanent move to Wichita, Kansas in 2012 to be closer to family.

 

Stacie will be helping to solve problems throughout STRUCTURE but is specializing in Quotes, Roll Inventory, Job Costing, and Project Management.

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Her happy places are with her hubby and pups, golfing, life at the lake and in the gym.

Upcoming Holidays

The C/F Data Systems offices will be closed on:

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  • Thursday, July 4th - Independence Day

  • Friday, July 26th - Summer Outing

  • Monday, September 2nd - Labor Day

    

              The Support Team will not be available on these days.

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C/F Data Forms

Bob from C/F Data Forms is on vacation from July 1st thru 7th and will not be accepting or processing orders during this time.

Celebrating 45 Years of C/F Data Systems: A Milestone in Innovation by Marilyn

July 1979

  • Major League Baseball held the 50th All-Star Game in Seattle.

  • Sony introduced the Walkman.

  • C/F Data Systems launched its pioneering accounting software for the construction industry.

  • Marilyn, our VP of Operations, was preparing to enter high school.

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C/F Data Systems: From the Basic 5 to Comprehensive Solutions

In 1979, C/F Data Systems introduced what we affectionately call the "Basic 5":

  • Accounts Payable

  • Accounts Receivable

  • Payroll

  • General Ledger

  • Job Cost

These foundational modules were just the beginning. Recognizing the importance of Purchase Orders, we integrated this functionality early on, allowing seamless connection with Payables and Job Costing. If you're still managing Purchase Orders outside of STRUCTURE, let's discuss how we can streamline your process. We're currently testing the capability to import from spreadsheets directly into the PO module—reach out if you're interested in this new feature.

For HVAC and other service companies, Work Orders became an essential addition to STRUCTURE. It underwent a significant overhaul ten years later, introducing an interactive Dispatch board and updated Work Order prints through third-party software. This partnership has been pivotal for our future printing solutions for all reports and forms. If you're looking for modernized reports, our Cloud version of STRUCTURE offers new and upcoming options.

Project Management:
A Customer-Driven Innovation

The introduction of the Project Management module resulted from collaboration with customers who wanted their project managers to focus on their own jobs without accessing all job cost reports. Over the last 15 years, trust has grown, and most companies now appreciate having all job-related information in one place. If you haven't yet explored the Project Management application, or if you need a refresher, check out my presentation from the last user group meeting in the Academy Webinars or User Group sections of our support website.

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Quotes, Proposals, and Roll Inventory: Expanding Horizons

My focus over the past 15 years has been on developing the Quotes and Proposals and Roll Inventory applications for the flooring industry. I've built strong connections with users and look forward to expanding these solutions to other industries.

Embracing Mobile and Cloud Solutions

As user needs evolved, we introduced mobile applications for time collection, work orders, and change orders, as well as barcode scanning for Roll Inventory. The transition to a cloud environment promises exciting new capabilities.

Looking Ahead: Sharing Knowledge and Expertise

With five months left until I celebrate 30 years at C/F Data Systems, I'm committed to sharing my knowledge of STRUCTURE. I'll be recording more "How To" videos and making them available on our support website at C/F Data Support. Check out the existing resources and stay tuned for more.

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Here's to 45 years of innovation and excellence at C/F Data Systems, and many more to come.

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New 'Line Complete' Option in Bid Entry

     

We are excited to announce a new enhancement in our Quotes module that will help streamline your bidding process and ensure accuracy in your entries. Introducing the 'Line Complete' option in the Bid Entry program (QPE)!

 

What is the 'Line Complete' Option?

The 'Line Complete' option allows you to easily identify when all necessary information has been added for a particular Pricing Item (PI) line. When you check the 'Line Complete' box, the corresponding line will change from blue to yellow, giving you a clear visual indication that the line is complete.

 

How to Enable the 'Line Complete' Feature

To take advantage of this new feature, you need to enable it in your control file settings.

 

Here’s how:

  1. Access Control File Questions: Navigate to the control file questions section in STRUCTURE.

  2. Locate QCQ/#3162: Find the control file question QCQ/#3162.

  3. Enable Feature: Answer the question with a 'Y' to activate the 'Line Complete' option.

 

We believe this new feature will greatly improve your efficiency and accuracy in the bid entry process. If you have any questions or need assistance with enabling the 'Line Complete' option, our support team is here to help.

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What is Positive Pay?

Positive Pay is a fraud prevention service provided by banks to protect against check fraud. It involves the automatic comparison of checks issued by your company with those presented for payment, ensuring that only authorized checks are cashed.

 

How to Get Started

To implement Positive Pay in your General Ledger module, simply provide us with your bank’s upload specifications. Our team will review these specifications to ensure seamless integration with your banking partner.

 

Cost and Formats

This valuable service is available for a setup fee, typically $250. We support both CSV and fixed-width file formats, giving you flexibility in how you manage your data.

 

Next Steps

  1. Gather Your Bank’s Specs: Contact your bank to obtain the upload specifications for their Positive Pay program.

  2. Send Us the Specs: Forward the specifications to our support team.

  3. Integration and Setup: Our team will review the specs and set up your Positive Pay service.

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Exciting Update: Positive Pay Programs Now Available in Our General Ledger Module!

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This new feature will greatly enhance your financial security and streamline your accounting processes. If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to our support team.

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We are thrilled to announce a new enhancement to our General Ledger module that will bring even more security and efficiency to your financial operations. STRUCTURE now offers Positive Pay programs!

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Removing the Vendor Number from the Check

     

If you already use our Positive Pay programs and your bank requests that the vendor number be removed from the body of your checks (typically prints above the payee name and address), this can be accomplished by changing a control file question.

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How to Remove the Vendor Number

To stop the vendor number from printing on the body of your check, you need a system administrator disable it in your control file settings.

 

Here’s how:

  1. Access Control File Questions: Navigate to the control file questions section in STRUCTURE. (HMQ for Administrator Only questions.)

  2. Locate HMQ/PAY/#3063: Find the control file question HMQ/PAY/#3063.

  3. Disable Feature: Answer the question with a 'Y' to omit the vendor number from the check.

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Enhance Your Payment Process with VSV

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We would like to introduce you to a powerful tool within our software that can streamline your payment process and give you greater control over your vendor payments: the Select Vouchers for Payment (VSV) program.

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Why Use VSV?

If you typically pay your vendors by selecting individual vouchers, using the VSV program is essential. Many customers rely solely on the Cash Requirements Report (VCR), which provides a comprehensive overview of your cash needs but can be too broad for precise voucher selection.

 

Benefits of Using VSV

  • Targeted Payments: VSV allows you to specifically flag the vouchers you want to pay, ensuring that only the selected vouchers are processed.

  • Efficiency: Running VSV before the Pre-Check Cash Requirements Report helps you avoid the time-consuming task of sorting through a wide range of vouchers in the VCR.

  • Control: By selecting vouchers in VSV, you maintain greater control over your cash flow and vendor payments.

 

How to Use VSV

  1. Navigate to VSV: Go to the Select Vouchers for Payment (VSV) screen in STRUCTURE.

  2. Select Vouchers: Flag the individual vouchers you want to pay.

  3. Run Pre-Check Cash Requirements Report: After selecting the vouchers in VSV, run the Pre-Check Cash Requirements Report by PAY CODE to finalize your payment selections.

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By incorporating VSV into your payment process, you can ensure that your vendor payments are accurate and efficient. We encourage all our customers to take advantage of this feature to optimize their financial operations.

 

If you have any questions or need assistance with using VSV, please contact our support team. We are here to help you make the most of your STRUCTURE experience.

Best Practices for Report Review
  1. Run Preliminary Reports: Generate and review preliminary reports for any program you are working in. Look for any data that seems incorrect or incomplete.

  2. Cross-Check Data: Compare the report data against your original records to ensure consistency and accuracy.

  3. Seek Assistance: If you notice any discrepancies or have questions, contact our support team before proceeding with the update. We are here to help you resolve any issues quickly.

 

Benefits of Reviewing Reports

  • Prevent Data Issues: Avoid the hassle of fixing data errors after they have been updated.

  • Maintain Data Integrity: Ensure your records remain accurate and reliable.

  • Enhance Efficiency: Save time and effort by addressing issues early in the process.

 

We strongly encourage all our customers to make report review a standard part of their workflow. By doing so, you can ensure the integrity of your data and the smooth operation of your business processes.

 

If you have any questions or need assistance with report review, please do not hesitate to reach out to our support team. We are dedicated to providing you with the best possible support.

Review Your Reports

     

At C/F Data Systems, we are committed to helping you maintain accurate and reliable data. We want to remind you of the importance of reviewing your reports before running any updates in our software.

 

Why Reviewing Reports is Crucial

Before you run updates, taking the time to review the generated reports can help you:

  • Identify Errors: Catch any discrepancies or errors in your data before they are permanently recorded.

  • Ensure Accuracy: Confirm that all information is correct and complete, avoiding potential issues down the line.

  • Save Time: It is much easier and quicker for our support team to assist you with any corrections before the update is run.

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Support Tips

Webinars

School is Out for the Summer,

But Learning Continues with Recorded Webinars!

We hope you're enjoying the summer season!

 

Typically, the C/F Data Systems support team offers a series of weekly live webinars during the summer, known as the Summer Academy.

 

This year, we're taking a break from live sessions, so "school is out for the summer." However, your opportunity to learn and enhance your skills with STRUCTURE is far from over!

Dive into Our Recorded Webinar Library

Even though we're not hosting live webinars this summer, our support site features a comprehensive library of over 40 previously recorded webinars. These sessions cover all the essential modules of STRUCTURE, including:

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  • General Ledger (G/L)

  • Job Cost

  • Accounts Payable (A/P)

  • Accounts Receivable (A/R)

  • Payroll

  • Purchase Orders

  • Work Orders

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Benefits of Recorded Webinars

  • Flexibility: Access webinars anytime that fits your schedule. Learn at your own pace and revisit the content as needed.

  • Comprehensive Coverage: Each webinar is packed with valuable information, tips, and best practices to help you make the most of STRUCTURE.

  • Expert Guidance: Learn from our experienced support team members who provide in-depth explanations and demonstrations.

 

How to Access the Webinars

  1. Visit Our Support Site: Academy Webinars

  2. Browse the Library: Explore the extensive list of recorded webinars available.

  3. Select and Watch: Choose the webinars that interest you and start watching!

 

Whether you're looking to brush up on specific modules or explore new features, our recorded webinars are a great resource to keep your knowledge sharp and your operations running smoothly.

 

We hope you take advantage of these resources and continue your summer studies with STRUCTURE. If you have any questions or need further assistance, our support team is always here to help.

 

Thank you for being a valued member of the STRUCTURE community. Enjoy your summer and happy learning!

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Support Contact Information

Phone: 800.370.4357 | 781.337.7200 | Email: support@cfdatasystems.com

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The phone lines are open from 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday (ET). Email support is available Monday through Friday 8:30am to 7:00pm.

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Support may be unavailable Monday (9:00am-9:30am) and Thursday (8:45am-9:45am) for staff meetings.

Trade Shows

Trade Show News

Starnet Annual Membership Meeting

This past May, a team from C/F Data Systems had the pleasure of attending the Starnet Annual Membership Meeting at the beautiful Omni Resort in Amelia Island, Florida.

 

This trade show for flooring contractors was a fantastic opportunity for us to connect with both our valued STRUCTURE customers and potential new clients who are members of Starnet.

 

Our Team at the Event

The C/F Data Systems team included:

  • Eric, President

  • Kenny, Chief Operating Officer

  • Vic, VP of Sales

  • Marilyn, VP of Operations

  • Jena, Director of Customer Support

  • Erin, Senior Support Representative

 

Engaging with Our Customers

Throughout the event, our team enjoyed meeting with many of you, our loyal customers, and learning about your experiences with STRUCTURE. We were thrilled to help you find ways to increase efficiency, offer support for any issues, and provide demonstrations of both the base STRUCTURE system and our exciting new, yet-unreleased STRUCTURECloud.

 

Highlights of the Trip

  • Customer Interactions: It was incredibly rewarding to see so many happy and satisfied customers. Your feedback and enthusiasm inspire us to continue improving our products and services.

  • Demos and Support: We provided live demos, answered questions, and offered on-the-spot support, ensuring that our customers left with valuable insights and solutions.

  • Connecting with Prospects: Meeting prospective customers was equally exciting. We enjoyed discussing how STRUCTURE and STRUCTURECloud can meet their needs and enhance their business operations.

 

A Memorable Experience

The Starnet Annual Membership Meeting was not only productive but also a lot of fun. The beautiful setting of Amelia Island and the warm hospitality of the Omni Resort added to the overall enjoyment of the event. Our team returned inspired and energized, looking forward to continuing our work with all of you.

 

We are grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many wonderful people and share our passion for STRUCTURE and STRUCTURECloud. Thank you to everyone who took the time to meet with us. We look forward to seeing you at future events!

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Kenny and Vic happy to unveil the new STRUCTURECloud.

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Marilyn, Shalene from Interior Surfaces, Jena, Erin, and Eric in the booth.

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Marilyn, Nicole from Poindexter, and Erin.

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Marilyn with Carlo from Business Interiors.

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Kenny and Erin on the lawn.

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Erin and Marilyn enjoying the beach.

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