November 2002	Vol. 2 No.11

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SAVE TIME (LOTS OF IT) WITH NEW WINDOWS VERSION 7.4 … AND BE THANKFUL YOU'RE ON TiMEsavr!

Last month we told you that for each full day you now spend operating version 7.3, you could be cutting up to an hour from your schedule with new 7.4. Pretty strong claim?  Well, a client recently sent us a pretty strong endorsement of 7.4, citing specific features that help him shrink keyboard time:

"Changing the setups (multiple templates and ranges for ledger accounts) on consolidated cost analysis in TransAction Plus and the CA/SF cost analysis reports is a big plus!  The improved setup of Smart Feeder's user-defined reports is also a big help.   And I really like the drill-down feature in these UD reports. Amazing how much faster I can do things with the drill-down/edit features!"

— Daryl Ellis, Controller, Jorgensen Land & Cattle, Ideal, S.D.

If you renewed your TiMEsavr Service Agreement for 2002, you 're already enjoying 7.4's vital improvements.  If not, don't waste any more time. Get back on board today.  If you have any questions concerning TiMEsavr, amount of your payment to renew, etc., please contact us.
PS:  Check FBS Web site for a complete list of 7.4's key changes.

IT'S THAT 'SPECIALS' TIME OF YEAR, FOLKS. AND WITH SAVINGS THIS BIG ON MULTIPLE-MODULE BUYS, THE WORD ISN'T INTEGRATE – IT'S INTEGREATLY!

For a limited time—choose from two outstanding offers, each dispelling notions of price being a barrier to investing in ag's leading integrated management information system.

SPECIAL NO. 1: Buy one program, get a second at HALF PRICE; buy two, get a third program FREE!  Save up to $1,200.  Earn 60 days of free support.   Buy any FBS program listed below and you can get a second one of equal or lesser value at 50% OFF.  Or, buy two programs and you'll get a third one of equal or lesser value absolutely FREE.  A great opportunity to get started with your integrated MIS!

SPECIAL NO. 2: Buy the complete e.CLIPSE management information system. Save $1,390.  Get a FREE Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC.  Two days of on-site training are included in the package. (Free SST Stratus software is also included with crops version.)  This is our first special on e.CLIPSE and one that hands you a turnkey integrated MIS at unprecedented savings.
    For full particulars on both specials, including details on individual programs, features and benefits, call 800.437.7638.  Since these are time-limited offers, don't wait until it is too late!

Have you checked your Client Appreciation Program (CAP) credit lately?  If you've been on the TiMEsaver Service Agreement for three years, paid each invoice by June 30 and haven't redeemed any of your CAP credit, you've accumulated the maximum 40% discount toward the purchase of any FBS program.  Amount of credit is determined by the number of years spent on TiMEsavr and accordingly would currently be 10, 20, 30 or 40%. If you don't know your actual TiMEsavr credit/discount, contact your FBS sales representative at 800.437.7638 or sales@fbssystems.com.  By combining this opportunity with Special Offer No.1 (above), you could add another module for extra savings up to $798!  So set your CAP for maximum savings. But here again, time is vital!  Contact us today.

Last year's drawing for this $599 top-of-the-industry item from Compaq spurred such interest that we've decided to do it again.  All you do to qualify is fill out a brief form you'll find at the FBS Web site.  Takes you about a minute and a half.  No purchase is required.  The drawing will be done on computer at 4:00 p.m. (CST), Mon., Mar. 3^rd, 2003.  The winner will be notified immediately.  Registrations will be accepted through 12:00 p.m., Mar. 3^rd.
    Don't miss this opportunity to earn a premier prize for a pittance of information.  Visit our Web site to register now!

2002 tax forms and 2003 tax tables – The 2002 payroll tax forms and 2003 tax tables will be shipped with the Payroll 7.0 (Windows) and 9.0 (DOS) upgrades in December, 2002, and not with the FBS 7.4 (Windows) and 6.52 (DOS) upgrades mailed in October and November.  If you are on a current support plan, the updates will be mailed to you as soon as they are available.  You should test the printing of your forms through your current taxforms software at this time and order your tax forms through your favorite supplier.  Please refer to your payroll manual, Chapter 12 (Tax Forms), and the Introduction/Frequently Asked Questions section for information on printing and printers.
    Network Payroll Users – The integration between Payroll and TransAction Plus on networks has been enabled on the FBS 7.4 upgrade. You will no longer need to edit the location and file name when you post to the general ledger. Instructions are included with the upgrades.  If you have any questions, please call the FBS support line (800.437.7638, ext. 2) or e-mail support@fbssystems.com.
    941 Filers – The FBS 7.4 upgrade includes an update to the payroll taxform software to print the 2002 941 Form.

CROPSHOP TRAINING

If you are interested in learning more about how managerial accounting can be used in your cropping operation, or would like to be notified of CROPSHOP training in your area this winter, contact Norm Brown at 800-437-7638  ext. 101 or norm@fbssystems.com.

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SOFTWARE Q&A – WITH Q'S FROM YOU, OUR CLIENTS!

Departing from our usual policy of fielding questions from individual clients, we're addressing a general topic which is on nearly everyone's mind this time of year.

Q.

What year-end procedures do I need to do?

a.

There are several reports you should check at year's end (or any time for that matter).  Remember you can do "drill-downs" and edit entries from the report screen. 1.  Be sure your check conciliation report agrees with your latest bank statement. 2.  Run a user-defined report for undefined entries (check the box in the upper right of the      report parameter screen).  Thereport should be blank. 3.  Be sure your balance sheet "balances." 4.  Run a ledger account detail report recapped by centers.  Be sure all the centers that recap      are in that ledger account. 5.  If you have Accounts Payable and/or Accounts Receivable modules, compare the AP      and/or AR detail report with the total in that Accounts Payable or Accounts Receivable      ledger accounts.  You may have entries other than AP and AR entries in those accounts,      so they may not match. Other procedures to do include: 1.  If you use the Payroll module and pay taxes on a cash basis, on December 31 you need to      make a reversing entry to "back out" the accrual posting for payroll taxes expensed and      accrued to employer's FICA, Medicare, FUTA, SUTA and any employer contributions      made to a pension or cafeteria plan.  A "reversing journal entry" means that when you      rollover to the new year, the entry will reverse itself. 2.  You can start a new accounting file at any time and "re-rollover" ending/beginning balances      as often as needed. 3.  If your fiscal year begins January 1, you need to run a net income statement for the current      year (2002) and post an adjustment entry to retained earnings on January 1, 2003, for the      amount of 2002 net income. – Cheryl Brown, Support Technician Call in your questions (800.437.7638) or e-mail them to support@fbssystems.com.