July 2026
Celebrating
America's 250th
In This Issue
Podcast:
Letter from the President
Building on a Strong Foundation
A New Season of Innovation Begins at CF Data
​As we move through an exciting summer at CF Data Systems, I want to take a moment to thank all of our customers for your continued partnership and support. The first half of 2026 has been filled with meaningful progress across our products, services, and customer initiatives, and we are looking forward to an even stronger second half of the year.
One event I am particularly excited about is our upcoming User Group Conference on September 9-10.
This year's conference will bring together STRUCTURE users, industry partners, and our team for two days of learning, collaboration, product updates, and networking.
Whether you're looking to discover new ways to leverage STRUCTURE, learn about upcoming enhancements, or connect with other contractors facing similar challenges, the User Group Conference offers tremendous value.
We're also adding a fun twist this year with a Topgolf event on the afternoon of September 10. It will be a great opportunity to unwind, network with fellow attendees, and continue conversations in a more relaxed setting.
​
If you haven't registered yet, I encourage you to visit www.cfusergroup.com and reserve your spot. We have an exciting agenda planned and look forward to seeing many of you there.
In addition to the conference, we are preparing for one of our most significant product milestones of the year:
​
The Sandbox release of the next generation of STRUCTURECloud.
​
Beginning in late July, we will begin opening access to the Sandbox environment for customers to get an early look at the future of our cloud platform.
​
This preview program is designed to provide users with a first glimpse of the next generation of STRUCTURECloud and to give our development team valuable feedback as we continue to refine the platform.
The Sandbox will be available to all customers at no cost. While it will showcase many of the innovations we have been working on, not all functionality will be available initially. Certain modules and features will still be under development and will be introduced over time as we move closer to full release.
Our goal is to make this an interactive process. By giving customers early access, we can gather real-world feedback that helps ensure the next generation of STRUCTURECloud delivers the experience and capabilities our users need most.
We will share additional details regarding access, available functionality, and participation as we get closer to the late July launch date.
Thank you again for your continued trust in CF Data Systems. We remain committed to investing in our products, supporting your success, and building the tools that help construction companies thrive. I look forward to connecting with many of you at the User Group Conference this September and sharing more about the exciting future ahead.
Sincerely,
​​​Kenny Akinnagbe
​
Kenny Akinnagbe
President
CF Data Systems
News from the Office
Postmarked by December
If your company uses BRAINS for automated email delivery, please read this important notice.
​Microsoft is continuing to enhance email security and is retiring Basic Authentication for email services. As a result, organizations that rely on Basic Authentication for automated email delivery will need to transition to a modern, secure authentication method.
To ensure uninterrupted email functionality within BRAINS, CF Data is migrating customers to Postmark, a secure email delivery platform. This transition is designed to be seamless and does not require you to create, manage, or pay for a Postmark account.
What You Need to Know:
-
If your BRAINS system has already been configured to use Postmark, no action is required.
​​
-
If you have not yet been set up with Postmark, please contact Kevin at Kevin@cfdata.net as soon as possible.
​​
-
If you are unsure whether your system has been migrated, we encourage you to reach out, and we will be happy to verify your status.
Why This Matters:
Once Microsoft fully retires Basic Authentication, any BRAINS automated emails that are still using this method will stop being delivered. This change is expected to impact affected customers beginning in December.
We'll help ensure your system is ready before the deadline.
STRUCTURE Backups
Is Your STRUCTURE Software Being Backed Up Nightly?
Are you confident that your IT team includes STRUCTURE in their nightly backup strategy?
​
It is always a good idea to periodically verify that STRUCTURE and its associated components are being backed up properly. For IT professionals unfamiliar with STRUCTURE, it can be easy to overlook critical elements of the software without realizing the potential impact. A hardware failure, database corruption, ransomware attack, or other catastrophic event could result in significant data loss if proper backups are not in place.
​
In addition to the STRUCTURE files, it is important to ensure that the associated SQL database is also included in the backup plan. Without both components, restoring the system and maintaining business continuity may not be possible.
​
With the growing risks organizations face every day—from failed hard drives and accidental deletions to cybersecurity threats—we cannot emphasize enough the importance of maintaining reliable nightly backups of your STRUCTURE system. Taking a few minutes to confirm your backup strategy today can help protect your data and ensure continuity of operations when the unexpected occurs.
​
PLEASE NOTE:
If you use STRUCTURECloud,
there is no need to worry about backing up STRUCTURE.
We do it for you automatically!
The following documents will help you ensure that you are backing up STRUCTURE and the SQL database properly:
New STRUCTURE Users?
Bringing a new employee on board?
One of the best ways to help them become productive quickly is to get them connected to the CF Data Support Website (cfdatasupport.com) on day one.
As part of your onboarding process, be sure to register every new STRUCTURE user for the Support Website.
Once they have access, encourage them to watch the Orientation to STRUCTURE video, located under How-To's > General. This introductory video provides a great overview of the system and helps new users build confidence before they begin working in STRUCTURE.
John Lord, Bob Tabor, Marilyn Kelland and Jim Kelland at the 2026 CASNY Golf Outing
The Support Website also includes a wealth of training resources organized by application. Under the How-To's section, users will find instructional videos, step-by-step guides, and helpful information tailored to the modules they use every day. Additional learning opportunities, including recorded educational sessions, are available in the Webinars section.
A few minutes spent exploring these resources can save hours of training time and help new employees get up to speed faster. Make the CF Data Support Website part of every new hire's onboarding checklist and set your team up for success from day one.
Trade Show News
AHSG / Commercial Member Summit
September 20–23 | San Antonio, TX
Starnet Fall Membership Meeting
October 22–24 | San Antonio, TX
Summer Office Closure
Please note that CF Data offices will be closed for our Company Outing on Friday, August 7.
During this time, our Support team will not be available, and normal operations will resume on the following Monday.
We encourage customers to plan accordingly, and we thank you for your understanding as we honor the team who makes this all possible.
The Future of
STRUCTURE Payroll
The Future of Payroll
Dear Valued Customer
Over the past several months, we have shared updates regarding our long-term payroll strategy. Despite these announcements, I have spoken with several customers who were either unaware of our plans or had questions about what they mean for their business. I wanted to take a moment to personally explain our direction and outline the path forward.
In order to better position CF Data to continue delivering best-in-class construction accounting, job costing, project management, reporting, cloud services, and integrations, CF Data will no longer be investing in the future development of STRUCTURE Payroll. Instead, we are focusing our efforts on providing customers access to leading payroll solutions that integrate seamlessly with the STRUCTURE platform.
Over the last year, CF Data has established preferred partnerships with ADP, Trayd, Miter, and Lumber. These organizations provide modern payroll, workforce management, HR, compliance, onboarding, and benefits solutions while integrating with STRUCTURE to ensure payroll information continues to flow into accounting, job cost, and reporting processes.
Each of these providers brings unique strengths to the marketplace, giving our customers the flexibility to select the payroll solution that best aligns with their organization's needs. In addition, all of our preferred partners offer exclusive discounts and incentives to CF Data customers, helping provide additional value as organizations evaluate their future payroll strategy.
To provide customers with ample time to plan, CF Data will continue supporting STRUCTURE Payroll through December 31, 2027. There is no immediate action required for customers remaining on their current STRUCTURE platform. Customers can continue operating as they do today while evaluating future options and determining the payroll solution that best fits their business.
The Next Generation of STRUCTURECloud
Looking ahead, another important consideration is the next generation of STRUCTURECloud.
Built from the ground up as a modern web-based platform, the next generation of STRUCTURECloud will deliver enhanced reporting and analytics, browser-based access from anywhere, an improved user experience, expanded integration capabilities, and a foundation for future innovation across the entire STRUCTURE ecosystem.
STRUCTURE Payroll will not be available within the next generation of STRUCTURECloud. As a result, customers planning to migrate to the new platform will need to implement a third-party payroll solution as part of their migration strategy.
While STRUCTURE Payroll will continue to be supported through December 31, 2027, customers pursuing a move to the next generation of STRUCTURECloud may need to transition to a payroll partner before that date. Depending on your migration timeline, this transition may occur before December 31, 2027. We encourage customers to begin evaluating payroll options early to ensure a smooth and well-planned migration.
Our team is available to answer integration questions, discuss available partner options, and coordinate introductions with our preferred payroll partners.
Included with this letter is a detailed Frequently Asked Questions document that addresses many of the common questions we have received regarding this transition, including timelines, partner options, integrations, pricing considerations, and what to expect moving forward.
While our payroll strategy is evolving, our commitment to our customers remains unchanged. We believe this approach provides access to stronger payroll solutions while allowing CF Data to continue investing in the accounting, job costing, project management, cloud, reporting, and innovation that have always been at the core of our business.
Thank you for your continued partnership and trust in CF Data. We look forward to supporting your business for many years to come.
​
Sincerely,
Kenny Akinnagbe
President
CF Data Systems
​
Frequently Asked Questions
Is STRUCTURE Payroll being retired?
Yes. After careful consideration, CF Data has made the decision to retire STRUCTURE Payroll.
We will continue supporting STRUCTURE Payroll through December 31, 2027, providing customers with ample time to evaluate alternatives and plan a transition.
Why is CF Data retiring STRUCTURE Payroll?
Payroll has become increasingly complex due to changing tax regulations, compliance requirements, workforce management needs, and evolving employee expectations. By partnering with dedicated payroll providers, we can offer customers access to best-in-class payroll solutions while continuing to focus our development efforts on construction accounting, job costing, project management, reporting, cloud services, and integrations.
Do I need to switch payroll providers immediately?
No. Customers currently using STRUCTURE Payroll may continue using it through December 31, 2027, provided they remain on a supported STRUCTURE platform.
However, customers planning to migrate to the next generation of STRUCTURECloud should be aware that STRUCTURE Payroll will not be available in that environment. Those customers will need to select and implement a third-party payroll solution as part of their migration planning.
When must I move to a new payroll provider?
The answer depends on your organization's technology roadmap.
Customers remaining on their current STRUCTURE platform may continue using Structure Payroll through December 31, 2027.
Customers planning to migrate to the next generation of STRUCTURECloud will need to implement a third-party payroll solution before their migration, as STRUCTURE Payroll will not be available in the new platform.
Regardless of platform, all STRUCTURE Payroll customers should plan to transition to an alternative payroll solution no later than December 31, 2027.
Can I move to the next generation of STRUCTURECloud and continue using STRUCTURE Payroll?
No. Structure Payroll will not be available in the next generation of STRUCTURECloud.
Customers planning to migrate to the new platform will need to select a third-party payroll provider before or during their migration process. CF Data's preferred payroll partners—ADP, Trayd, Miter, and Lumber—offer solutions that integrate with STRUCTURE and are designed to support this transition.
How does the retirement of STRUCTURE Payroll affect my move to the next generation of STRUCTURECloud?
Customers currently using STRUCTURE Payroll should factor payroll replacement into their overall migration plans.
Because STRUCTURE Payroll will not be available in the next generation of STRUCTURECloud, payroll selection and implementation should be completed before moving to the new platform. CF Data can answer questions regarding integrations, coordinate introductions with our preferred partners, and help ensure customers understand the available options.
Will CF Data continue supporting STRUCTURE Payroll until the retirement date?
Yes. CF Data will continue supporting STRUCTURE Payroll through December 31, 2027. Customers can continue to operate their payroll processes as they do today while planning for a future transition.
What payroll providers does CF Data recommend?
CF Data has established preferred partnerships with ADP, Trayd, Miter, and Lumber. These providers offer a variety of payroll, workforce management, HR, onboarding, benefits, and compliance solutions designed for construction companies.
How do I choose the right payroll provider?
Every company has different payroll and HR requirements. We encourage customers to research the available options and determine which solution best fits their business. CF Data is happy to answer questions about integrations, coordinate introductions, and arrange meetings with our preferred partners.
Will payroll still integrate with STRUCTURE?
Yes. Our preferred payroll partners integrate with Structure, allowing payroll information to continue flowing into accounting, job cost, and reporting processes.
Will there be any cost savings from retiring Structure Payroll?
In most cases, customers should not expect significant savings related specifically to STRUCTURE Payroll, as payroll has historically represented a relatively small portion of overall STRUCTURE licensing costs.
However, customers currently using TimeLinc may realize savings if they choose a payroll provider that includes integrated time tracking and workforce management capabilities, eliminating the need for separate TimeLinc licenses.
Do your payroll partners offer any incentives to CF Data customers?
​Yes. All of CF Data's preferred payroll partners offer exclusive discounts and incentives to CF Data customers. Details vary by provider, and our team can coordinate introductions so you can learn more about the programs available.
Am I required to choose one of
CF Data's preferred payroll partners?
No. While CF Data recommends ADP, Trayd, Miter, and Lumber because of our established partnerships, integrations, and exclusive customer discounts, customers are free to select the payroll provider that best meets their business needs.
If you choose a payroll provider outside of our preferred partner network, CF Data will work with you and the provider to determine the best approach for integrating payroll information with STRUCTURE. Integration capabilities, implementation requirements, and available functionality may vary depending on the provider selected.
Will I lose access to my historical payroll data?
​No. Your historical payroll information will remain available within your Structure system and records.
Can I continue using STRUCTURE after I move to a new payroll provider?
Absolutely. The retirement of STRUCTURE Payroll does not impact your ability to use STRUCTURE's accounting, job costing, project management, reporting, cloud, or other core functionality. Our preferred payroll partners are designed to work alongside STRUCTURE through integrated workflows.
What if I have questions?
Please contact your Account Manager or the CF Data team. We are happy to answer questions, discuss integration options, and coordinate introductions with our preferred payroll partners.
Our Payroll Partners : How to Contact Each One to Find Your Fit
Lumber
Meghan Schoen
262-220-3265
Miter
Sarah Rassenfoss
832-392-7971
Trayd
Russell Brisco
512-708-0815
ADP
Jason Rizk
203-228-1480
The Next Steps...
1. Continue operating as normal.
STRUCTURE Payroll will continue to be supported through December 31, 2027, and there is no immediate action required for customers remaining on their current STRUCTURE platform.
2. Review your future technology plans.
As your organization plans for the eventual move to the next generation of STRUCTURECloud, keep in mind that STRUCTURE Payroll will not be available in that environment. Payroll replacement should be incorporated into your migration planning process.
3. Learn about our preferred payroll partners.
CF Data has established preferred partnerships with ADP, Trayd, Miter, and Lumber. Each provider offers unique capabilities, and all provide exclusive discounts and incentives to CF Data customers.
4. Conduct your evaluation.
Every organization has different payroll, HR, workforce management, and compliance requirements. We encourage customers to research the available options and determine which solution best aligns with their business needs.
5. Contact CF Data with questions.
Our team is available to answer integration questions, discuss available partner options, and coordinate introductions with our preferred payroll providers.
6. Develop a transition plan.
Whether you plan to remain on your current platform through December 31, 2027, or migrate to the next generation of STRUCTURECloud sooner, we recommend establishing a payroll transition timeline well in advance to ensure a smooth implementation.
Support News
What is the Best Way to Run a WIP Report in STRUCTURE?
WIP reports can be run directly through JMG – Master Report Generator or JRX – Master Report Export if you are looking to see the work in process for the entirety of the job.
​
If you are looking to see a WIP report with just the activity from 2025, for example, you must run the WIP from JMF – Summary Report by Date.
JMF will allow you to enter the date range for costs, billing, and receipts. You can choose to Exclude Jobs with No Activity in the date range entered.
Selecting the Include boxes under Job Date will only include jobs entered within that date range on the report. This is looking at field #3 of JJE – Job Maintenance.
Once you have entered this information in the Select New Date Range screen, you can run the JMG or JRX from the JMF screen. This will take the date range you entered into consideration when calculating the Billing to Date, Receipts to Date, and Costs to Date on your WIP report.
Please keep in mind that running the report for Open Jobs is looking at the status of the job today, not what it was as of the end date entered in JMF.
Check out the JMG – Master Report Generator webinar on the Support website in the Webinars section under Job Cost.
Do you still need to do 2025 Fiscal Year End?
As you continue through your month-end closing process, this may also be a good time to review whether your company is approaching the point where the fiscal year should be closed. Month-end closing keeps your current accounting periods moving forward, but fiscal year-end closing should be handled with extra care. Before taking that step, it is important to confirm that all months for the fiscal year have been reviewed, updated, and tied out as completely as possible.
Please keep in mind that once a fiscal year is closed, it cannot be re-opened. Because of this, you should not close the year until your accountant has provided all final year-end entries and has approved the closing of the fiscal year. These entries may include adjusting entries, reclassifications, depreciation, accruals, or any other corrections needed before the year is finalized. Closing too soon could prevent necessary changes from being entered properly.
If you do not yet have your accountant’s final entries or approval, you may want to focus on tying out your Accounts Receivable aging, Accounts Payable aging, and Job Cost reports to the General Ledger. This will help ensure that your balances are accurate and that any differences can be reviewed before the fiscal year is closed. Taking the time to reconcile these areas now can help make the year-end process smoother and reduce issues later.
In the Year End section of the Support website, there is a Fiscal Year End section with a number of How To’s related to closing the Fiscal Year.
Q: I am a project manager, is there a way I can get a report of everything received into the warehouse daily for my jobs?
If you are using the Roll Inventory application, you or your STRUCTURE Admin can set up the IRA – Inventory Receiving Alert to run daily through BRAINS. The IRA report can be set to run at the end of each day to email you a report showing all the material received into the warehouse that day for all of your jobs.
This report can also be set up to run by sales rep.
Specific set up instructions can be found on the Support website in the Quotes section under How To’s.
The customer support website, where you can find the videos and How To’s referenced is: www.cfdatasupport.com
Job Cost Reporting Update:
Legacy Job Cost Report Generator Reports Being Retired
As part of our continued efforts to streamline reporting and enhance flexibility within STRUCTURE, beginning with STRUCTURE Version 18.13.05 the following Job Cost Report Generator reports will be deactivated:
-
Job Information (JOR)
-
Work in Process (JWW)
-
Single Line (JJR)
Don't Worry—These Reports Are Still Available
Although these legacy report options are being retired, you can continue producing the same information using the Master Report Generator (JMG).
JMG offers a more flexible and powerful reporting environment, allowing you to generate these reports while taking advantage of enhanced customization and ongoing improvements. By consolidating report development into JMG, we're able to provide a more consistent reporting experience across STRUCTURE while reducing the need to maintain multiple reporting platforms.
Need Help Getting Started?
We've prepared a Master Report Generator (JMG) guide that walks you through creating these reports. We encourage you to review the attached PDF to become familiar with the process.
If you have any questions or would like assistance recreating your existing reports, our Support Team is happy to help.
Support Contact Information
Phone: 800.370.4357 | 781.337.7200 | Email: support@cfdatasystems.com
​
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.
​
Support may be unavailable Monday (9:00am-9:30am) and Thursday (8:45am-9:45am) for staff meetings.