How does Create A Check work with my accounting application?
Create A Check 10 takes text and/or print stream data from your accounting program and reformats it so that it can be printed as a check or used to create a file for ACH payments. Because the data it receives from your accounting application generally contains only the payee, stub and amount information, Create A Check not only has to format the placement of that data, it has to add the account, bank and MICR information to the check. This information is input by the user during the setup of CAC and is stored in the CAC database.
When you print a check from your accounting program, Create A Check receives that check via two methods. The first is what is called “print to file”, where your accounting app can actually send the check print to a file on the hard drive. Once this file is created, it is then submitted to Create A Check and can be processed into checks. The second method uses what is called a virtual printer driver, which captures the print stream from your accounting app and submits it to Create A Check for processing. Both work well but which one is used depends on how your accounting software works.
When processing the payment data received from your accounting app, Create A Check combines that data with the account, bank and MICR data in its own database and places it all together using a preprogrammed format. The result is a complete check on blank check stock or an ACH file that can now be submitted as payments.
What versions of Create A Check are still supported.
Versions 7, 8, 9, and 10 are all supported but versions 7 and 8 have some caveats. Versions 7 and 8 are not supported on Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008.
What is an output engine and what can I do with it?
The Create A Check 10 Output Engine is a concept that allows the modularization of the different types of output Create A Check is capable of. For instance, you may want to print a manual check to your local printer. That would be “Printed Output” and it would use a Printer Output Engine. You may want to send ACH payment remittance via email. That would be “Email output” and would go through an Email Output Engine, etc.. By modularizing and classifying things this way, it makes using Create A Check easier – although it may require more setup in the beginning.
The Output Engine concept also separates the processing of the above items from the Create A Check program and allows you to distribute these tasks to other computers on your network. This can have numerous benefits, depending on the scenario in which you implement them. Because the Output Engine compiles the print job coming from Create A Check and then submits that job directly to the selected printer, it can improve remote printing over slow network connections. An Output Engine can also more completely secure a check printer and allows for greater connectivity options. Output Engines can run using different user accounts, Windows users do not need to be given network access to the devices an Output Engine will use to complete its task.
What is an Output Monitor?
An output monitor is simply a program that monitors the Create A Check database for items to process. When it sees there is something ready to go, it launches the Output Engine that corresponds to the type of items it finds.
How can I back up my Create A Check system?
There are two parts to the Create A Check system: The installed folder and the database. Backing up both is simply a matter of making copies of each. For the installed folder (c:CAC10 by default) make sure that Create A Check is not running and simply make a copy of it somewhere. To backup the database, there are two extra steps. First, you’ll need to stop the CACDATA service on the computer that hosts the PostgreSQL database. Once the service is stopped you can make a copy of the CACDATA folder (c:CACDATA, by default). After you have your copy of that folder, you can go back and start the CACDATA service on the computer. To restore these folders, and this is if your complete installation is lost, you’ll need to install Create A Check 10 from the original installation source. Once you have the program installed, you need to stop the CACDATA service and overwrite the newly installed CACDATA and CAC10 folders with your backup copies. When complete, you can start the CACDATA service and call Piracle Technical Support for assistance with reauthorizing your system (moving or recovering the database causes the system to require reauthorization as a security precaution).
Does the Create A Check PostgreSQL database work alongside other SQL servers?
Yes. It will not conflict with installations of other databases.
Upgrade questions
Can I run my old version of Create A Check along with the new version?
Not on the same computers. You can install the systems side by side on the same network as long as each system resides on separate computers. Upgrading a computer with an older version will remove the existing version and replace it with the version you are upgrading to.
Can I migrate my data to a new server during the Create A Check 10 upgrade?
Yes. You will first need to upgrade your current installation to Create A Check 10, then install Create A Check 10 on the server you want to move to. After both servers have a running installation, you need to stop the CACDATA service on each server and copy the c:CACDATA folder (default location) from the old server to the new, overwriting the existing one. Start the CACDATA service on the new server and call Piracle Technical Support for help with reauthorizing the system.
What are the major between Create A Check 10 and prior versions?
Create A Check 10 is completely rewritten using Delphi 2010 and uses a more reliable and secure PostgreSQL database. These changes provide for maximum stability and security on the newest Windows operating systems. New features include standard ACH and Positive Pay modules (XT), email remittance of ACH payments, the ability to distribute printing and other output types on multiple computers and an updated user interface.
How long will the upgrade take to complete?
A stand alone or server upgrade should be finished in about 15 minutes. If you need to upgrade the Create A Check client computers, they should take under 5 minutes each.
How can I get support for my Create A Check 10 software?
You may email support@piracle.com or call us at 1-800-621-5720. We are open Monday thru Friday 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM MST.