Intersoft Systems, Inc.
  • Products
    • INTERAC for Construction
    • INTERAC for General Business
    • INTERAC for Franchises
    • INTERAC for Public Accounting
    • INTERAC Payroll Solutions
  • Services & Support
    • Support Request Form
    • Implementation
  • News & Articles
    • Case Studies
    • Slide Share Articles
  • About Intersoft
  • Contact Us

Intersoft Systems
​News & Articles

Keeping your data secure with the Tandberg RDX family.

6/23/2016

0 Comments

 
If you have ever had a drive go bad, or had a folder full of key files deleted without a backup, you know what a setback it can be. In some cases you may be able to recreate the lost data, but it takes valuable time. In other cases, it may be gone forever.  

Losing critical business data can be a real problem for businesses, which makes having a reliable backup plan in place a priority. The Tandberg RDX family provides a reliable, easy to implement, and scalable solution to manage your backup requirements. This family of products utilize a removable hard drive cartridge technology with up to 8 media bays.
RDX® QuikStor™
RDX® QuikStor™
For lighter loads, where a single drive is sufficient, the QuikStor may be the ideal choice. It is available in both internal and external models with either SATA or USB3.0 interfaces. This model is ideal for individual servers or workstations. The external drive offers the option to have a portable/mobile solution. The QuadPAK™ rack mount kit allows up to 4 of these individual drives to be rack mounted.

RDX® QuikStation™
For situations where a single drive is not enough, the QuikStation provides multi-bay options with either 4 or 8 drive bays. These units are capable of baking up multiple workstations or servers and can be configured as multiple drives, or as a single large volume drive. 

Nicknamed "the Swiss Army Knife of Data Protection," it is so versatile that users can configure the appliance in up to 10 unique modes. The RDX QuikStation provides removable data protection for any or many systems on the same network. The removable disk array emulates 10 configurable storage types, offering users versatility and expanded compatibility. The RDX-based appliance can look like a tape library or autoloader, virtual RDX drives, stand-alone tape drives, generic disk drives, or a combination of tape and disk. Media spanning allows users to store up to 24TB** with a single backup set
PictureRDX® QuikStation™4
RDX® QuikStation™
RDX® Media
RDX® Media
The entire family of RDX products utilize the same family of drive cartridges, making it really easy to manage a disk rotation, upgrade to add additional capacity, or simply to archive a drive in secure location. To accommodate varied requirements, RDX offers a variety of media types and capacities. 

RDX media is offered in three different versions:
  • HDD-based versions with capacities from 500GB to 3TB
    These traditional hard disk drive models work just like the standard drives in your server or workstation and they offer the highest capacity options. 
  • SSD-based versions with capacities from 128GB to 512GB
    Solid State Disks may be the right choice where higher data transfer rates are required, or in rough environments where resistance to shock, heat, dust, or humidity can be an issue. 
  • WORM (write once, read many) media with capacities from 500GB to 1TB
    Write Once media is the ideal choice for archiving data that must be kept safely, without the option for it to be deleted or overwritten. It meets regulatory compliance requirements, and with its higher capacities, it reduces the number of media required.

AccuGuard™ Server for RDX®
For individuals managing their own backup, or for a centralized backup solution, the AccuGuard Server provides a very easy to use solution. It uses a familiar Windows interface to create a backup job, select the files and folders to be included, and create a backup schedule. 

Restoring from a backup is equally simple. Whether you need to completely restore the full system, or just selected data files. AccuGuard Server provides an install wizard which does all the work. An easy-to-use GUI helps to configure, manage and control backup jobs and recovery processes. A comprehensive help menu provides users with instructions and guidance.
AccuGuard™
AccuGuard™ Enterprise for RDX®
If your backup requirements include a number of servers and workstations, AccuGuard Enterprise will allow you to manage the backup routines for your entire workgroup environment from a single application. It works very much like the server edition, except that it accommodates multiple servers and workstations. 

AccuGuard Enterprise is easy to install and easy to use. There is no need for installing software on the client side. So, every new client or remote workstation can be easily integrated into the enterprise-wide backup environment. All backup jobs and tasks are management and monitored from a central backup server or workstation. Email notification is issued after each job has finished informing the administrator about the results.

AccuGuard Enterprise offers full flexibility on creating multiple backup jobs for systems, files and folders or databases, numerous scheduler options and multiple backup targets, like local disk, RDX QuikStor, RDX QuikStation or NAS systems and network shares. Point in time recovery allows restoring selected files and folders from a specified backup date, and full system recovery restores entire systems from scratch.
Summary
Whether your backup needs are for a single workstation or server, or you need to manage the backups for an entire workgroup, the Tandberg RDX® family has a solution for you. 
  • Install QuikStor™ on each individual machine for localized backups.
  • Use QuikStation™ with 4 or 8 media bays to expand the system to accommodate multiple systems or the entire workgroup.
  • Take advantage of the flexibility offered with the removable drive cartridge technology for drive rotation and off-site storage. 
  • AccuGuard™ software provides an easy to implement, user friendly solution to manage the backup routines. 

Don’t get caught in a bad situation when a system crashes and its data is lost, or when someone inadvertently deletes the wrong file or folder. Protect your vital data with a proven backup solution.
0 Comments

Selecting an Appropriate Scanner

6/14/2016

0 Comments

 
What type of scanner is best suited to your requirements?
Choosing a Scanner
​As you consider the move to an electronic document management system, selecting an appropriate scanner becomes an important consideration. While there are lots of options, they aren’t all created equal. There are some key capabilities that should be taken into consideration as you select the right scanner for your needs.
Scanners
Flatbed vs Sheetfed
​In most business applications, the goal is to eliminate the handling and storage of all that paper. When it comes to scanning volumes of paper, a sheet fed scanner is the only way to go. Most sheet fed scanners are capable of handling mixed document sizes, so you don’t have to worry about sorting and separating documents before scanning. While there may be occasions that require scanning something that won’t go through a sheet feeder, the vast majority of business scanning will be paper documents.

​To accommodate both, there are scanners which feature both flatbed and sheet fed scan options. Most of the multi-function printer/scanner/copier systems will provide both features. Since many of these are also network capable, they are also easily shared with a workgroup. In working with the INTERAC Document Management System, Intersoft recommends sheet fed scanners, particularly for the personnel who are processing accounts payable invoices, or payroll.
Scanners
Shared vs Personal
The hours saved through productivity gains should be the primary consideration in determining who should have a personal desktop scanner. In most cases, they will quickly pay for themselves in labor hours saved.
​
The most efficient workflows may necessitate a personal desktop scanner. For example: When processing incoming accounts payable invoices, it may be easiest to scan them as they are being entered into accounts payable. It would not make sense to get up and go to a shared scanner across the office between each entry. When scanning is part of the routine data entry process, a personal desktop scanner will be the right choice.

A shared network scanner may be the perfect solution for those on the team that only occasionally need to scan a document, or for scanning large batches of documents all at once. This feature may already available in your existing copy machine. If so, there is no reason not to take advantage of it. 
Scanners
Stand-alone vs Multi-function
While it may sound attractive to have all the functions of a printer/scanner/copier/fax machine combined, when it needs to reside on your desktop, size matters. 

Having a dedicated small form factor desktop scanner may prove advantageous. The extra size and features of the multi-function units may just get in the way. For the same reason, you may decide against a flatbed scanner for high volume scan users. 

Before investing in hardware, consider the workflow requirements of each user and select the appropriate scanner options to meet their needs. 

Canon Scanners
0 Comments

How to Get a Grip on Your Job Costs

6/7/2016

0 Comments

 
An Interview with Tim Law from Intersoft Systems 
Published, December 5, 2014 by Adam Bluemner (Find Accounting Software

What’s the worst part of losing a grip on your contracting company’s job costs?

Billable costs not making it to the final invoice? The difficulty of identifying which jobs are actually making money? The productivity-killing chore of reassembling ill-managed records?

How about all of the above?

Managing job costs is difficult for any contracting business. After all, the very nature of contracting conspires against making it an easy task. Job work is complex and dynamic. Conditions change. Costs fluctuate.

It’s a constant business challenge. But contractors who give the problem serious attention gain major advantages over competitors who haven’t done the same.

I spoke with Tim Law, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Intersoft Systems to dig deeper into the job cost software opportunity. Tim is an expert on the topic. Intersoft Systems provides accounting and management software and has a particularly strong focus on meeting the needs of construction businesses. Tim has spent the last 8 years consulting with companies to help them leverage technology to improve management tasks such as job costing.

Q:  How has construction job costing changed in the last 10 or 15 years?

No doubt, the last 10 to 15 years have seen some dramatic changes in technology, and there doesn’t seem to be any end in sight. While many of the changes have brought incremental improvements, some have been real game changers.

The broad acceptance of mobile devices like smart phones and tablets is changing the way things are being done in the field. These are also driving a whole new class of web-enabled software platforms which allow the field to be connected to the rest of the enterprise.

In our experience, electronic document management has been one of the most significant software enhancements in recent years. Beyond becoming a standard feature, this capability offers significant benefits across the entire organization.

Converting all those paper archives to a digital format not only saves the costs associated with maintaining all that paper, it also makes that documentation readily available to the entire team.

Q:  How can contractors use job costing to improve the way they do business?

We like to say: “An accounting system is only as good as the information you can get out of it”. Beyond just capturing income and expenses, a true job cost system must be able to provide accurate and timely information about the jobs in progress.

Things like:
  • Tracking costs by phase or cost code to monitor how each portion of the job is performing.
  • Comparing these costs with estimated costs to monitor estimating accuracy or spot problems on the job before it’s too late to address them.
  • Monitoring billings to ensure accuracy and avoid over payments.
  • Comparing historical data can provide all sorts of performance assessments.

Having a system that enables you to create reports in formats that are meaningful to the various team members is critical. Experience has shown us that every company has slightly different preferences for how they want their reporting data presented. This may be the most important consideration for a good job cost system.
INTERAC Job Manager
The INTERAC Job Manager provides an example of the type of Job Cost reporting available in software products designed specifically for contractors.
​Q:  Do general contractors and subcontractors need different types of software for job costing?

In general, the core aspects of a job cost system are the same for both general contractors and subcontractors. However, there are unique requirements in almost every situation. That is one of the reasons that Intersoft Systems chooses to offer our construction suite in an à la carte model, allowing each contractor to select the appropriate applications to address their particular requirements.

While the core job cost functionality is the same for all, there are a series of specialty applications that may be added to fill out the necessary functionality.

For example:
  • General contractors may want the Subcontractor Control system to help them manage contracts, track subcontractor insurance status, and manage the billing cycles.
  • Heavy contractors will likely utilize the Equipment Cost system to help manage the revenue, costs, and maintenance for their fleet of machinery.
  • Specialty contractors may have a need for an inventory control system to manage the inventory for their maintenance and repair operations. There is a good reason why there are so many viable options in construction accounting and job cost software. It is important for a contactor to select a system that has the appropriate applications to address their specific needs.

Q:  Is there an advantage to having job cost software integrated with other core accounting and business applications?

Having a fully integrated job cost accounting system offers significant advantages.
  • Data flows seamlessly between integrated applications
  • Eliminates the need for multiple entry.
  • Reduces errors
  • Streamlines the entire accounting process
  • Allows for more sophisticated reporting by having data from interfacing applications available

Integration may mean that one vendor provides all the applications as a unified solution. However, most modern systems are also capable of integrating with 3rd party applications, so you can utilize systems from multiple vendors, and still have an integrated solution.

For example: There are lots of specialized estimating systems that can easily share their estimating data with a variety of job cost systems. Integrating time clock systems with payroll is another common scenario.

Q:  How can contractors tell the difference between good and bad job cost software?

There are a few simple questions that can help a construction firm to determine whether they are being adequately served by their job cost accounting system.

Does it provide:
  • Timely job cost reporting that enables you to proactively address issues on a job rather than reacting after it is too late to make a difference?
  • Financial reporting information that satisfies you, your banker, your bonding agent, owners, or general contractors you may be working for?
  • The tools necessary for your accounting staff to be efficient at providing all this information?
If the answer to any of these questions is no, then it may be time to reevaluate.

Q:  What kind of results can contractors expect when they add job costing software or upgrade to a better program?

There are lots of benefits that come with having the appropriate construction accounting software. It should make the accounting staff more efficient, the management team more effective, and the organization more profitable.

For example, just taking advantage of the electronic document management system brought all of the following business results to one of our long-time users:
  • The Document Management Approval System has been a very effective tool in streamlining the entire approval process. Incoming documentation is scanned immediately, coded with the appropriate vendor information and routed directly to the appropriate project manager for review and approval. Each project manager receives an email reminder and they are able to log into their Approval System inbox remotely to review and release documents 24/7. They no longer need to return to the office to access and review their paperwork.
  • The AP clerk is able to monitor all the pending documents and hold the appropriate people accountable. As the invoices are approved and released, they flow directly into the AP process for payment.
  • DMS has been a great productivity enhancement, allowing the accounting staff to be much more efficient, processing the same volume of work with 20% fewer people.
  • In addition to the savings in personnel costs, document management is also saving about $2,000 per year in storage costs for the 20 boxes per year of archives that are no longer being generated. As the remaining archives are replaced by DMS, the net savings will grow to $20,000.
0 Comments

    Categories

    All
    Accounts Payable
    Check Writing
    Cloud Computing
    Construction
    Data Storage & Backup
    Document Management
    EPayCard
    Equipment Cost
    General
    Hardware Solutions
    Job Cost
    Payroll
    Positive Pay
    Reporting
    Scanner
    Tax Forms & Filing

    Archives

    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014

    View my profile on LinkedIn

    RSS Feed

Intersoft Systems, Inc. 
PO Box 1050, Beaverton, OR 97075
(800) 547-6429  |  sales@intersoftsystems.com
  • Products
    • INTERAC for Construction
    • INTERAC for General Business
    • INTERAC for Franchises
    • INTERAC for Public Accounting
    • INTERAC Payroll Solutions
  • Services & Support
    • Support Request Form
    • Implementation
  • News & Articles
    • Case Studies
    • Slide Share Articles
  • About Intersoft
  • Contact Us