ACOM Extends Archiving Module to Check Software

by Alex Woodie

ACOM Solutions' iSeries division is launching new software this month that will give its OS/400 payment software the same archiving capabilities that its forms software has. The new archiving module for ACOM's EZPayManager/400 lets companies store copies of their checks, deposit slips, or other related forms on their OS/400 server, and print or distribute them electronically as needed. The new module ships December 15.

ACOM introduced an archiving add-on for its forms management software, called the EZeDocs/400 eArchive Module, in October 2002. But when it came to EZPayManager/400, which enables printing of secure magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) checks and transmission of payments and related information over the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network, customers had to do their own archiving, often in a standard filing cabinet.

All that has changed, now that ACOM has brought its EZeDocs/400 eArchive Module to EZPayManager/400. With the new archiving module, users can have their check, remittances, deposit stubs, and other forms generated by EZPayManager/400 automatically stored as PCL documents in a folder on their OS/400 server's integrated file system. The close integration between the software and the server lets archives be created directly from the initial payment run.

All that is necessary to use the archive module is to add an "archive" command to the electronic check form template of EZPayManager/400, says James Scott, vice president and general manager of ACOM's iSeries division, located in Atlanta (the company's headquarters are in Long Beach, California).

But archiving would serve no purpose if it weren't easy to retrieve the document. As customers, employees, or business partners request duplicate copies of pay stubs or checks, users of the EZPayManager/400 archive module can distribute those copies quickly, by e-mail, where the document is attached as PDF document, or by fax. Or the user can send the document to the printer (where it's converted to PDF again) and then mail the hard copy. All of these capabilities, and more, are delivered via a Windows interface.

Finding archived checks is convenient, thanks to search capabilities that ACOM has built into the product. Users are able to find the right documents by doing searches for specific check numbers, check dates, customer numbers, recipient/payee names, amounts, or sequence numbers. The new archive module also includes an address book, password protection, delete and purge capabilities, confirmation screens, and the capability to send multiple documents at the same time.

ACOM's Scott says the new software is well-suited for people who manage the disbursement money. "Questions about payments are constant, and with the archive module the questions can be answered without ever going to a file cabinet for a hard copy," Scott says. "Duplicates can be sent right from the desktop with just a few keystrokes."

Pricing for the EZPayManager/400 archive module starts at $4,450. For more information, go to www.acom.com.

Sponsored By AFFIRMATIVE COMPUTER

For tough production and warehouse environments, Affirmative introduces the industrial-strength YEStablet wireless thin client. Featuring a magnesium alloy case and shock protection boot for industrial applications, the new YEStablet supports 5250 and 3270 emulation with built-in GUI and touch-screen keyboard. The USB port supports barcode scanners and other data collection devices. Vehicle mount and wearable options are also available. Visit www.affirmative.net for more information.