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​News & Articles

A Complete Certified Payroll Solution

4/12/2016

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INTERAC Construction Payroll
​If your company processes payroll in excess of $2,000 for employees working on government funded construction projects, Certified Payroll reporting will be required to comply with the Davis-Bacon Act. To be in compliance, it is important to know the “prevailing wage” rates for the contract, and how to generate and submit the appropriate reports. Your Payroll software plays a critical role in managing this process.
Here are a few things to look for in a certified payroll solution:
  • A Rate File 
    Because there are differing rates based on the locale, as well as the different classifications of work, keeping track of the appropriate pay rates is best automated using a rate file. This will allow the payroll system to define appropriate rates by any combination of job, phase, work classification, and union. Pay rates and fringe benefits for certified jobs are likely to be different from non-certified jobs. 
  • Certified Jobs automatically utilize certified rates. 
    With the rate file implemented, the payroll system automatically selects the appropriate rates based on the defined criteria. This eliminates the need to manually key the appropriate rates and all the potential data entry errors that come with it. There may be cases where an employee is making more than the prevailing rates. The payroll system should be able to compare the employee’s standard rate with the defined certified rates, to select the higher of the two.
  • Certified reporting is included in Payroll
    A construction payroll system must be able to generate the mandatory certified payroll reports for the various agencies. These reporting tools should be integrated, making it a simple part of the routine payroll process.

If you are struggling with certified payroll requirements, we would invite you to let Intersoft Systems show you how the INTERAC Construction Payroll System can make it easy. Our Construction Payroll system is tailored to the unique requirements of the construction trades and integrates with our complete INTERAC Construction Accounting System.

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Canon DR-C225 - An ideal scanner for the INTERAC Document Management System.

3/24/2016

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Canon DR-C225download brochure
​Intersoft Systems recommends the Canon DR-C225 scanner as an ideal option for general purpose scanning all across the company. Whether in the corporate office, the accounting department, or remote offices, this scanner is well-suited for use by individuals or small workgroups to modernize paper-based processes, helping to increase efficiency and productivity. When combined with the INTERAC Document Management software, DR-C225 scanner users can benefit from its small size and ease of use in scanning documents into the INTERAC Applications. 

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Scanning Documents through Remote Desktop (Terminal Server) Connections

3/15/2016

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Intersoft Systems recommends a Terminal Server implementation for workgroups using our INTERAC accounting suite. The addition of the Document Management System and the need to scan documents to applications on the server has made “remote scanning software” a critical piece of the system. ​
Remote Scan to Terminal Server
The Challenge:
Because desktop scanners are typically attached to the local PC, they aren’t seen by the server operating system. This means that applications, like the document management system, running on the server can’t see these desktop scanners. All it takes to overcome this challenge is a small piece of software to enable the server to access these scanners. 

The Solution:
With a remote scanning application, users can use the scanners on their desks with their Terminal Server applications, just as if they were connected to the server. OCR Solutions’ Virtual Scan application is an ideal solution.

Network attached multi-function copier/printer/scanner/fax machines will certainly provide scanning capabilities to a workgroup, but they don’t provide the convenience and efficiency that comes with having the scanner on the user’s desktop. The time lost in walking back and forth to the scanner, or waiting your turn, can easily be eliminated by having low cost desktop scanners available to each user. This is particularly important for the personnel responsible for the bulk of the scanning volume. 
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Employee Payroll Deduction Management Made Easy

3/8/2016

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Payroll Deduction Management
If managing payroll deductions is an ongoing nightmare every pay period, let us show you how you can automate the process with INTERAC Payroll Deduction Management System. 

​The integration between Payroll and Accounts Payable allows the system to automatically allocate each employee’s deductions to the appropriate vendors, consolidating them for payment through the standard accounts payable process. It is all built into INTERAC, so it is easy to set up and manage.

Assign each payroll deduction to the appropriate accounts payable vendor.
  • Federal, state, and local taxes
  • Insurance and benefits
  • Garnishments and child support

Payroll automatically consolidates all the deduction transactions and submits them to the assigned vendors in accounts payable.
  • Common deductions may be assigned to all employees. 
  • Unique deductions may be assigned to individual employees, as needed.
  • Many deductions can be set to calculate automatically, not requiring any further data entry during the payroll process.

Utilize the typical accounts payable process to disburse the payments to each vendor.
  • Utilize direct deposit with vendors to further automate the process.
  • The Document Management System will automatically store a copy of the check or direct deposit statement in the vendor file.
  • Accounts Payable will also generate the standard direct deposit file for Electronic Child Support Payment for upload.

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See why we like the HP ML350 Gen9 Server

2/25/2016

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Take a quick look at the HP ProLiant ML350 Gen9 Server, a premier 2P server, delivering a class-leading combination of performance, availability, expandability, manageability, reliability, and serviceability.

When you need to increase your business productivity and improve operations while balancing your employees’ mobility, and security needs, all within your limited IT budget, the HP ProLiant ML350 Gen9 Server delivers a class-leading combination of performance, expandability, manageability, reliability and serviceability making it the choice for INTERAC applications. 

ML350 Gen9 Server leverages the Intel® Xeon® E5-2600 v3 processors with up to 70% 1 performance gain, plus the latest HP DDR4 SmartMemory offering up to 14% 2 performance increase. Additional support for 12 Gb/s SAS, embedded 4x1GbE NIC with a broad range of graphics and compute options. 

The ML350 Gen9 Server is ideal for mission critical applications like your INTERAC accounting suite.

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Process vs. Habit: The Neuroscience Behind Your Software Selection

2/16/2016

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Published on Friday, December 27, 2013 by Adam Bluemner,  Managing Editor at Find Accounting Software. 
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Read original article
​In small businesses, where employees wear many different hats, processes are sometimes just habits formed over the years.
Source: BlueLinkERP.com, “The Importance of Evaluating Processes During the Inventory Management Software Search
​
When I came across this quote from Mark Canes, President at Blue Link Associates, it immediately caught my attention. Why? Simply put, it nails one of the main issues facing any business. Essentially: If you’re not careful, it’s often inertia rather than reason which dictates how things get done.
​
Mark went on to elaborate:
For the most part, processes are agreed upon, collective ways of performing a task – something that has been discussed and analyzed in order to achieve a particular end goal and often in such a way that adds value. On the other hand, a habit is an action repeated regularly as part of a routine and is most likely performed in a subconscious or unintentional manner.​
This insight is applicable to all types of business management issues. However, it grabbed me because it starts to solve some riddles related to business software I’ve long considered:
  • Why do some companies invest successfully in technologies that truly help solve their core business issues, while others miss the mark so wildly?
  • And, how can two companies—often in the same line of business and facing the same challenges—vary so dramatically in terms of the benefit they derive from the same piece of software?
These are complicated questions. There are lots of factors that contribute to their answers. However, it’s clear that we need to pay attention to the difference between crafting processes versus relying on unexamined habits.

The reality is that companies who begin their software selection without focused attention on process evaluation generally don’t end up making the best possible software decision. The reason why is actually fairly basic; they’re simply not looking for the right thing. The old saw is that repeating the same behavior and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity. Companies expecting improvement while sourcing a solution to support the status quo, unfortunately, meet the same definition.

Additionally, if your business doesn’t seriously evaluate existing processes, you’re unlikely to effectively leverage your software—even if you do stumble on a good fit. Automation features, new workflows, improved approvals control, and advanced reporting capabilities are all great— but they require the willingness to invest the time in understanding a new way of going about things in order to deliver benefits.

Interestingly, modern neuroscience asserts that it is, in fact, our old unexamined habits which are often responsible for obstructing optimization:
Neuroscientists have traced our habit-making behaviors to a part of the brain called the basal ganglia, which also plays a key role in the development of emotions, memories and pattern recognition. Decisions, meanwhile, are made in a different part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex. But as soon as a behavior becomes automatic, the decision-making part of your brain goes into a sleep mode of sorts.
Source: NPR, “Habits: How They Form And How To Break Them”​
In other words, our habits trigger a biological mechanism that limits our ability to assess our behavior, literally decreasing our chances to break negative patterns and improve.

The act of evaluating software can initiate the opposite effect. A software purchase isn’t just an opportunity to increase technical capabilities. It’s also a disruption to our routine. If we allow it to, it can present the opportunity to seek out true process improvement, while providing a system for effecting the changes we identify as beneficial.

Understanding the subtle difference between processes and habits—and even what neuroscience says on the subject—is nice. But real value comes from translating the idea into action. Applying these concepts to software evaluation provides the opportunity.

How do you transform a long-held, potentially limiting habit into an optimized process? It begins with active analysis. Leverage your software purchase as an opportunity to seek out improvement; start with a self-check where you critically answer the following questions:
  • What’s driven your interest in thinking about changing software? Is it an upcoming support contract termination or a similarly external factor? Or, are you responding to the recognition of a need to improve how things are done?
  • Have you modeled your processes to look for opportunities to improve?
  • Users generally don’t want to be viewed as complainers. Have you given them permission to identify broken processes and bad habits that need updating?
  • Are you working with vendors to get their take on areas to improve which you may have missed or are you just seeking out a match for a pre-established set of features?
  • Are you seeking out software that will allow you the flexibility to adapt processes and continually improve, or will your options lock you into bad habits?
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Are You Taking Full Advantage of Your Document Management System?

2/9/2016

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Real world examples of the benefits of the electronic Document Management System directly from INTERAC users.

Doing More With Fewer People

Everyone is trying to do more with fewer people, and in these times, the need for efficiency is even more critical. Time spent filing, searching for documents, re-filing, and managing the boxes full of archives is time wasted. The Document Management System can dramatically improve efficiency.
  • “We have benefited from DMS in several key ways. Most importantly, the time saved in the accounting process has made it possible to handle the same volume of work with 4 staff instead of 6. That is a significant savings in both time and dollars. Utilizing DMS has made it possible for each of them to remain at their desks instead of spending time at the file cabinets.”
  • “Most importantly, we have implemented the new process without adding additional personnel. While the AP department was concerned about the upfront time required to attach images to all transactions, they quickly realized that the back-end savings were so great, that they now love the system.”
  • “After a year’s work there were roughly 40,000 documents stored in DMS. No longer are people away from their desks trying to locate paperwork; now they are all able to retrieve what they need directly from INTERAC. In fact, all the paperwork is being shredded after it is scanned into DMS, eliminating all the time and expense of filing the steady stream of paper that flows through the office.”

Ease of Access for All Sorts of Documentation 

The INTERAC Document Management System integrates with each of the core accounting applications to allow documents to be linked directly to transaction records, and also to the application’s master records. 

Documents linked to transactions will follow that transaction wherever it is posted in the system. So an accounts payable invoice linked to the AP transaction will also be viewable from General Ledger or Job Cost as the transaction is posted to these interfacing transactions. 

All kinds of documentation may be linked to the master records. These categories are user defined, and can easily be configured to suit your specific requirements: 
 - Accounts Payable links to vendor records, creating an electronic vendor file.
 - Accounts Receivable links to customers, creating an electronic customer file.
 - Payroll links to employee records, creating an electronic employee file.
 - Job Cost links to jobs to create an electronic job file.
 - General Ledger links to specific accounts to store work papers and account related documents. 
  • “Through Terminal Services, even the people in the remote offices are able to retrieve the documents they need, so they no longer need to interrupt someone in the accounting group to help them locate it. This has been another factor in the improved productivity of the accounting team.”
  • “The DMS system allows us to easily store and recall literally thousands and thousands of W-2’s, 1099’s, brokerage statements, handwritten notes and work papers. Previously we had returned all of this information to the client and rarely retained copies because of the burden of copying and storing these documents.“
  • “Area managers and supervisors are now able to review all their invoices through Job Manager, significantly reducing calls and interruptions in the accounting office. All the documentation they need is now directly accessible to them through their Job Manager connection. There is no longer any need to keep copies of everything in the field offices.”
  • “All the staff began using DMS as they learned the system, so now it is second nature to look in DMS when documentation is needed. Everything is being kept in DMS, even non‐accounting related documents, because it makes them easy to store and retrieve.”

Simplify Distribution with Integrated Email Capability
Not only does the INTERAC Document Management System store documentation, it also allows you to email documents directly from the system. Emailing is an option right in the print dialog window as you generate new documents, or also in the various master record control screens. Any document in the DMS library can also be emailed directly from the Document Management System. The INTERAC system can be set to automatically send copies of check stubs to both employees and vendors. 
  • “The ability to email documents directly from the INTERAC applications makes it quick and easy to send backup information internally as well as to customers and vendors. This has greatly reduced the turn-around time to respond to questions and issues. Emailing also provides a record of what has been sent and when.”

Electronic Approval System 

The Electronic Approval System built into Document Management is a great way to streamline the Accounts Payable invoice approval process. Each user can have their own approval system in box to which invoices needing their approval can be sent. In addition, the system will send a notification email when new documents are pending. 
  • “A primary goal of DMS was to enhance the accounts payable process. One of the main challenges was getting incoming vendor invoices approved for payment in a timely fashion. Frequently the project managers were not in the office or readily available to review and approve their invoices. Paperwork was often misplaced as it was routed from desk to desk. Keeping track of all this flow of paper was very inefficient. DMS remedied these issues. The Approval System has been a very effective tool in streamlining this entire process. Incoming documentation is now scanned immediately, coded with the appropriate vendor information and routed directly to the appropriate project manager for review and approval. Using the automatic DMS email notification, each project manager receives an email reminder that documents are pending. Now 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. Project managers are now able to log into their Approval System in‐box remotely, allowing them to review and release documents 24/7. They no longer need to return to the office to access and review their paperwork.”

    Streamlining Accounts Payable Invoice Approvals
  • “The primary issue addressed by the Document Management System was the need to manage the Accounts Payable process at the main office in a timely fashion, while having the appropriate field staff review and approve the invoices for payment. Implementing the Document Management System eliminated the need to keep copies of the documents in the field offices, which made it possible for vendors to submit their invoices directly to the accounting office for payment. This significantly streamlined the entire Accounts Payable process. Now the accounting staff have immediate access to all the documents from within the INTERAC applications, so they never have to leave their desk to find what they need.
    Multi-Office AP Processing & Approval 
  • Area managers and supervisors are now able to review all their invoices through Job Manager, significantly reducing calls and interruptions in the accounting office. All the documentation they need is now directly accessible to them through their Job Manager connection. There is no longer any need to keep copies of everything in the field offices.”
    Avoiding Overpayment of AP Invoices 
  • “We’ve seen the most benefits from DMS in scanning our AP invoices. Because the invoices are scanned at the time they are keyed, any Project Manager can view the invoices at any time through Job Manager. They can compare prices and quotes from the past, check delivery dates, etc. Even though it was possible to verify this info in the past, it required walking back to AP, pulling a specific invoice and check copy and researching at that point. Therefore, seldom did anyone take the time or effort to do this. With DMS, there is no doubt we’ve saved significantly by scanning the invoice copies. The owner enjoys reviewing scanned invoice copies periodically in his down time to ensure we are receiving accurate pricing on such items as rentals, fuel, and material.”

Automatically Generate and File Check Copies, W2’s and 1099’s 
With INTERAC document management, the system will automatically generate and file copies of all the checks, W2’s and 1099’s. In Payroll they are linked directly to the employee master record. In Accounts Payable, they are linked to the vendor record. 
In addition to the cost of printing, the time saved in filing and maintaining paper archives can be eliminated. It also makes these documents easy to locate when they are needed. You always have the option to print a copy, if a hard copy is required. 

Reduce Archival & Storage Expenses
One of the key benefits of a Document Management System is the savings that comes from eliminating the costs of managing a paper archive. When you consider the cost of printers, supplies, file cabinets and boxes, and all the space they take up, it adds up. Adding to that all the hours spent filing, searching, and managing all that paper, the actual costs may be more than you realize. 
  • “With a volume of about 600 invoices and 120 checks per week, DMS has eliminated five double wide file cabinets full of paperwork that no longer has to be filed and stored. This has also helped to eliminate documents that were frequently ‘lost in the shuffle’. Not only do the documents not get lost, there is no longer a need to locate paperwork in the files and then re‐file it when a review is necessary. Once it is attached to a record through DMS, it is always available to anyone who needs it. 
  • The Document Management System more than pays for itself every year just in man hours saved from not needing to file, locate, re‐file, and store all those cabinets and boxes full of paper.” 
  • “To deal with the 100 -120 boxes of AP related paper being generated every year we went live with DMS for accounts payable for all 9 of our companies. Thru the 1st 11 months we captured over 100,000 images which are available to our users through Accounts Payable, Job Cost, General Ledger and Depreciation.” 

Other Resources
INTERAC Document Management System White Paper
How Much Does All That Paper Really Cost?
Top 10 Benefits of a Paperless Office
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Affordable Care Act Reporting

1/26/2016

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1095-C
​Firms responsible for payroll processing are also likely to have been impacted by the new Affordable Care Act reporting requirements. While the IRS has issued an extension of the due dates for 2015 ACA reporting, the requirements must still be met. 

If you are dealing with the reporting changes mandated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), it is also likely that you still have some questions. The answers to several of the most common questions were provided by Iris Tilley in her article “IRS Releases Final 2015 ACA Reporting Forms and Instructions”.

To comply with these filing requirements, Intersoft has implemented a number of changes to the INTERAC Payroll system. 
  • New fields added to the employee master file record to store all of the information that is required on the 1095 forms.
  • Information can be added manually into the employee record using the Master File Maintenance program.
  • Information can also be imported into the employee’s record from an Excel or CVS file using Interlink Master Import.
  • Year end 1094 and 1095 forms will be produced through the Complete Laser Forms software. Pre-printed forms will not be supported. 

​Compiling Employee’s Data
To simplify the initial setup, spreadsheet templates may be used to import both the employee’s information and the covered individuals (dependents) information. For your convenience, Intersoft has made sample templates and instructions available for download. Contact Intersoft Systems support to request a copy.

Laser 1094 and 1095 Forms
INTERAC Payroll will generate the forms as part of the Laser Forms package. If you currently license that product the required forms are included. To add the Laser Forms Package to your INTERAC system, complete and submit your order.

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INTERAC Reporting Made Easy

1/19/2016

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An accounting system is only as good as the information you can get out of it. Report Manager makes your INTERAC reports library readily accessible to those who need the critical management data, without requiring them to have access, or learn to use the rest of the accounting applications.
​
Customizable Reports Menus
Each user gets their own custom menu of reports. They only see the reports that are authorized, so they don’t have to sort through the entire library to find the reports they need. Report Manager groups the reports by source application, like payroll, or accounts payable, making it easy to locate the one you need. Adding and removing reports is also very easy.

Instant Access
Instead of having to interrupt someone in the accounting department every time an updated report is needed, each user can execute any of their reports on demand. Reports will always be current, using the most recent data from accounting, and there is always the option to set special data filters on the reports at run time.

Security Controlled Access
INTERAC security settings control which users have access to Report Manager. Easily select which reports each user is allowed to see. Select first by application and within the application, which specific reports are to be enabled. The lists are easy to set up and maintain, so even non-accounting users can always have access to the data they need.

Here is the link to a brief Report Manager video overview to illustrate how it works. 

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Extension of the Due Dates for 2015 ACA Reporting

12/29/2015

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The IRS has extended the reporting dates for 1094 and 1095 filing, giving you some additional time to get your information together and the reports submitted. 

Specifically, this notice extends the due dates for: 
  1. Form 1095-B, Health Coverage, from February 1, 2016, to March 31, 2016
  2. Form 1095-C, Employer Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage, from February 1, 2016, to March 31, 2016
  3. Form 1094-B, Transmittal of Health Coverage Information Returns, from February 29, 2016, to May 31, 2016 (paper filing), or from March 31, 2016, to June 30, 2016 (electronic filing).
  4. Form 1095-B, Health Coverage, from February 29, 2016, to May 31, 2016 (paper filing), or from March 31, 2016, to June 30, 2016 (electronic filing).
  5. Form 1094-C, Transmittal of Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage Information Returns, from February 29, 2016, to May 31, 2016 (paper filing), or from March 31, 2016, to June 30, 2016 (electronic filing).
  6. Form 1095-C, Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage,  from February 29, 2016, to May 31, 2016 (paper filing), or from March 31, 2016, to June 30, 2016 (electronic filing).
  7. This notice also provides guidance to individuals who might not receive a Form 1095-B or Form 1095-C by the time they file their 2015 tax returns.

Read the entire IRS notice.
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IRS 2016 Standard Mileage Rates for Business

12/21/2015

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The Internal Revenue Service has issued the 2016 standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2016, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car, van, pickup, or panel truck will be:
  • 54 cents per mile for business miles driven, down from 57.5 cents for 2015.
  • 19 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, down from 23 cents for 2015.
  • 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations.

Read the full post from the IRS.
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Managing Documents Using INTERAC Manager Apps

12/15/2015

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The INTERAC manager applications, HR Manager, Job Manager and Equipment Manager are excellent reporting tools, particularly for non-accounting users, but they also offer the ability to manage related documentation.
 
Each of these manager applications includes the ability to view, scan, and add documents through their integration with the Document Management System.
  • HR Manager provides access to manage all sorts of documents associated with the employee master record.
  • Job Manager handles documents linked to the job master record, like contracts, and change orders as well as documents linked to the transactions, for things like the invoices for materials, and subcontractors.
  • Equipment Manager allows users to manage all the equipment related documentation from the Equipment Cost system.​
Click here for a quick overview of these document management features.

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Time To Order Tax Forms

12/8/2015

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It's that time of year again. With the holiday season upon us, and the end of the year approaching, it is time to begin preparing for year-end tax filing. In addition to the W2 and 1099, you may also be required to provide the new ACA 1095 forms this year. Get ahead of the game and order your forms early. 

For our INTERAC users, Intersoft Systems recommends ordering your forms supplies from CFI. Following are links to their compatible forms:
  • Complete Laser W2 stock
  • Complete Laser 1099 stock
  • Complete Laser ACA 1095 stock

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Security in the Cloud

11/20/2015

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By Adam Stern, founder and CEO of Infinitely Virtual
Originally posted to the Cloud Strategy Magazine blog on July 10, 2015

It’s now part of the conventional wisdom that cloud computing has altered the IT delivery model. The steady embrace of the cloud among businesses large and small does not, however, mean that organizations can or should let their guard down on matters of security and data protection. While cloud server hosting provides compelling benefits, security is an essential part of any discussion of cloud adoption. Mitigating security risks is imperative to creating a comfort level among CIOs and CISOs, to transition applications and data to the cloud.

Applications, systems, and data all have different security thresholds.  Even in highly regulated industries such as health care or financial services, there are cases in which virtual servers make sense. For example, web, mobile, and social can be moved to a virtual server without the same degree of security concern as there is for regulated information or mission critical applications.

When deciding whether an application, product, or service belongs in a cloud server, CIOs, and CISOs must consider:
  • Type of data or application
  • Service-level agreement
  • Security environment
The decision to move to the cloud, especially the public cloud, should depend on the sensitivity of the data and the level of security offered by the cloud provider. The final question should be whether the business value offsets the risk.

Cloud service providers (CSPs) are beginning to put a greater emphasis on security protections, with technologies such as clustered firewalls and intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS). In the cloud’s infancy, CSPs touted scalability, initial cost savings, and speed. But the prospect of enhanced security in the cloud — indeed, that the better cloud deployments now mean that data is safer in the cloud than on a typical unsecured desktop — has altered the conversation. Organizations assessing cloud service providers can now seek out CSPs whose security controls mitigate the risks of moving to the cloud.

When considering a move to virtual server hosting, CIOs and CISOs need to check for audits of a CSP’s security controls. Look for providers who have passed the SSAE (Standards for Attestation Engagements) No. 16 Type II audit, one of the most rigorous auditing standards for hosting companies. The audit confirms the highest level of service and reliability attainable for a virtual server hosting company. To be SSAE compliant, a hosting provider should offer SSL capability, enterprise-level, application level protection, hardware firewall, IP-restricted FTP, managed backups with 14-day retention, advanced monitoring, and multi-level intrusion prevention.

In addition, an increasing number of CSPs are using the American Insti­tute of Certified Public Accountants’ Service Organization Control process (SOC), the organization’s certification of controls with verification for cloud environments. Some of the larger cloud service providers now publish SOC reports on their security controls. Mandates from CIOs and CISOs may be required before SOC reports are published by all cloud providers.

Now more than ever, cloud service providers are realizing that managing security is fundamental to facilitating cloud adoption. Those cloud providers concerned about safeguarding their clients’ data and applications are taking steps to mitigate those risks with tight security controls and transparency regarding those controls.

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Is now the time to upgrade to Windows 10?

11/6/2015

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While it is important to keep up with technology and there are certainly benefits to taking advantage of upgrades, sometimes it pays not to be an early adopter. This seems to have been the case with Windows 8 and may also be true for Windows 10. We are seeing major computer vendors recommending older versions of the operating systems like Windows 7 to solve or avoid issues with the upgrades.

Here are a couple of articles that might be of interest:
  • PC tech support tell customers to avoid Windows 10 (ZDNet)
  • Dell and HP representatives ask customers not to upgrade to Windows 10 (WinBeta)
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Intersoft Named Premier Partner for Canon

10/19/2015

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Intersoft Systems is proud to again have been named a Premier Partner for Canon imageFORMULA scanners for the 3rd consecutive quarter. Canon scanners have proven to be an excellent choice to integrate with the INTERAC Document Management System. Should your organization be in the market for scanning solutions, we would be happy to assist.

If you haven’t already implemented the Document Management System, there are lots of benefits you are missing out on. You might be also surprised at what you are spending to create and maintain all those paper archives.
 
Here are a few additional resources that might be of interest:
  • Streamline the Accounts Payable Invoice Approvals Process
  • Avoiding Over Payment of AP Invoices
  • Doing More With Fewer People
  • Reduce or eliminate archival and storage expenses associated with all that paper
                              

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IRS Releases Final 2015 ACA Reporting Forms and Instructions

10/13/2015

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Written by IRIS TILLEY (Barran Liebman LLP) - 9/22/15

As many employers are all too aware, ACA reporting has been looming on the horizon for some months now. However, preparations have been exceedingly difficult because employers have been left only with draft forms and outdated instructions as a framework for their planning. On September 17, 2015, the IRS finally remedied this situation by issuing final reporting forms and instructions for 2015. While these final forms and instructions are filled with typical IRS minutia, we have summarized the top takeaways here (along with a little background information to set the stage).
  1. What is ACA reporting, and does it matter to my company?
    Today, references to ACA reporting relate to a set of forms the IRS is using to enforce the tax penalties under the ACA. This reporting is separate from and in addition to the IRS’s mandate that larger employers report the cost of some health coverage on employees’ Forms W-2. Instead of reporting only the cost of coverage, this reporting is used by the IRS to determine which employers are offering health coverage to their full-time employees and which individuals had health coverage in a given year. Through the reported information, the IRS plans to enforce the individual mandate, which requires individuals to maintain health coverage or pay a tax, and the employer mandate, which penalizes applicable large employers (ALEs) who do not offer health coverage to a sufficient number of their full-time employees or offer coverage that is either unaffordable or insufficient. Employers with an average of 50 or more full-time and full-time equivalent employees on business days in the proceeding calendar year (i.e., applicable large employers or ALEs) and all employers with self-insured plans are required to report. For the upcoming reporting cycle, this means that employers with a sufficient employee count in 2014 have an obligation to report information related to the offers of health coverage they made to full-time employees in 2015. Employers with insured plans are not required to report whether an employee or his or her dependents actually enrolled in coverage; that information is left up to the insurers to report. ALEs with self-insured plans will report both offers of coverage and enrollment information. Smaller employers with self-insured plans will only report actual enrollment.


  2. Isn’t the IRS going to delay this reporting again? 
    No, the IRS is not likely to delay reporting again. It has stated that it will not impose penalties where an employer makes a good faith effort to comply, but the IRS’s affirmative step in releasing final forms and instructions signals that employers will not see an additional delay in reporting requirements.


  3. When are the forms due? 
    The forms are due in early 2016 for offers of coverage made in 2015. Employers will distribute Form 1095-C to employees on a W-2 schedule, which is February 1, 2016 for 2015 forms. Form 1094-C is a transmittal form which will not go to employees but which will go to the IRS. Both Forms 1094-C and 1095-C will go to the IRS on the same schedule in February or March of 2016, depending upon whether the employer or insurer files the forms electronically.


  4. Are the final forms different from the draft forms? 
    A few boxes have been moved around from their positions on the draft forms, but the final forms are not substantively different than the draft forms.


  5. What do the final instructions do with HRA Reporting? 
    The final instructions clarify that employers sponsoring both an insured major medical plan and a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) do not need to issue separate forms for each of these offerings. The prior instructions indicated the opposite.


  6. Do I really need to report COBRA offers of coverage? 
    Whether COBRA is a reportable offer of coverage depends on whether an employee has terminated employment. Where an employee has terminated employment, the final instructions clarify that an employer would not report that it had offered coverage to an employee in a given month based solely on COBRA coverage. However, where an employee is an ongoing employee who lost health coverage due to a reduction in hours, COBRA would be reported.
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The Affordable Care Act & INTERAC Payroll

10/6/2015

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The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has mandated major changes to the reporting requirements of companies that process payroll. 
Intersoft has been working on changes to INTERAC to comply with the filing requirements 2015. These changes are included in the new INTERAC.NET program which began shipping in September.

The following updates were made to INTERAC Payroll to comply with the ACA reporting requirements:
  • New fields added to the employee master file record to store all of the information that is required on the 1095 forms.
  • Information can be added manually into the employee record using the Master File Maintenance program.
  • Information can also be imported into the employee’s record from an Excel or CVS file using Interlink Master Import.
  • Year end 1094 and 1095 forms will be produced through the Complete Laser  Forms software. Pre-printed forms will not be supported.  (Laser Forms license required - Laser Forms Package Order)

Compiling Employee’s Data
Spreadsheet templates may be used to import both the employee’s information and the covered individuals (dependents) information. For your convenience, these templates and instructions are available for download. Contact Intersoft Systems support to request a link.

Laser 1094 and 1095 Forms
The forms will be produced as part of the Laser Forms package. If you currently license that product you will receive those forms as part of the year end update. Complete the Laser Forms Package Order to add this option to your INTERAC system.
ACA Setup
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Prevent Check Fraud with Positive Pay!

9/22/2015

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Positive Pay
If you have experienced check fraud, you will appreciate the value of positive pay account reconcilement.

You don’t need be one of the victims of check fraud which impacts corporate America every year. Criminals too often accomplish their mission is by counterfeiting or changing valid checks that were written on corporate accounts. When checks are presented to the bank for payment, if the bank can’t visually see a problem with the check, they have no way of determining that it has been altered, or what the original information should have been. 

In response, most banks have implemented electronic reconcilement programs, allowing companies to provide their bank with a file containing a complete list of their valid check data. If the check is not in the file, it doesn’t clear the bank! This virtually eliminates the problem of stolen or counterfeited checks. INTERAC software includes positive pay capabilities in both Accounts Payable and Payroll, so users can take advantage of this powerful security feature.

Positive pay can save both the money and time lost in dealing with check fraud. If you have experienced it, you understand. If you haven’t experienced it yet, it’s only a matter of time. Take full advantage of this important security measure and protect your company.

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Is Your Data Secure?

9/10/2015

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Picture
How much of your business critical data is scattered across a variety of personal computers and servers throughout your organization? How do you get all that data backed up and secured? Well Tandberg Data offers a series of RDX products which can take care of this for you.

RDX QuikStation 4
The Tandberg RDX QuikStation 4 is just one model in the RDX family, but it is worthy of consideration. 
  • The system includes 4 individual drive units which will accommodate a variety of removable cartridge sizes. 
  • The removable hard drive cartridges are easily changed, so keeping an off-site backup drive rotation is no problem.
  • The system utilizes 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports, so installation is simple.
  • The AccuGuard software is very user friendly, making it easy to set up your backup routines, and retrieving data is easy, because it uses a familiar Windows Explorer interface. 
  • Selecting the appropriate files, folders, or drives to include in a backup is also a simple process, using the familiar Windows Explorer interface. 
  • Backup jobs can be set to run automatically, and scheduled during down time. 

When the time comes to upgrade your systems, or if you are just looking for a better way to manage your backup needs, we would recommend the RDX solution. Contact Intersoft Systems if you want more information, or have questions. Links to some additional resources are included below.

Additional Resources:
Tandberg RDX QuikStation 4 – Benefits
Tandberg RDX QuikStation 4 - Datasheet
Tandberg Data AccuGuard – Automated Backup and Recovery Software
RDX Media – Removable Disk Cartridge Options


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