Tales From Tech 2 - Issue: 20

In today's special anniversary edition, I want to tell you a little about a very special something that our Program Development Department has just announced.

This special something is PowerChurch Plus Version 8.5. (Insert cheers and applause here.)

This new update is now available and it has some fabulous new features that I know you're really going to like. In fact (and I may not be the brightest bulb in the flowerbed), I think it's safe to say that you're going to love it. There's the ability to e-mail groups, print 1099s, backup to CD-R and CD-RW drives plus a whole lot more.

Anyway, thinking about my cousin Joshua and his near-sighted water buffalo reminded me of that old saying: If at first you don't succeed, get out of the kitchen.

E-MAIL GROUPS

Alexander Graham Bell's first words during the very first telephone conversation were "Mr. Watson, come here; I want to see you." I wonder what the subject line of the very first e-mail was. Maybe it was "here is the information you requested" or perhaps it was "you can earn $10,000 a week working from home."

In spite of the nearly overwhelming amount of junk e-mail (also known as SPAM) that now infiltrates most of our e-mail inboxes, e-mail is still a wonderful and effective tool for reaching groups of people.

Version 8.5 includes the capability of e-mailing groups. So, if you need to remind all the choir members of practice Wednesday night or if the pastor just wants to SPAM the entire congregation, it's easier than ever to get your work done with PowerChurch Plus.

NOTE: Unfortunately, this feature doesn't work with Web based e-mail services like those provided by Yahoo and Hotmail. Also, because some Internet Service Providers (such as AOL and Juno) use proprietary systems that are not compliant with Internet standards to send and receive e-mail, it is not possible to use this feature with those services either.

PRINT 1099s

Sometimes churches have to hire individuals or independent contractors to provide needed services for the church. (Perhaps the pastor's sermon on volunteerism was forgotten just after the church picnic.)

Since you may not be considering these individuals as employees, you might find yourself needing to print a 1099-MISC form for them at the end of the year.

But, as you sit, slaving away on your typewriter filling in information on 1099-MISC forms, do you feel like Gutenberg working on his printing press? Well, in Version 8.5 you can automatically print information on the 1099-MISC form for the Accounts Payable vendors that require them. Isn't that remarkable?

NOTE: There are a number of different 1099 forms, such as the 1099-MISC, the 1099-B and the 1099-DIV. Version 8.5 is only designed to print information on the 1099-MISC form, but it's probably the most commonly used 1099 form and it may be the only one you ever need to print. Also, please note that the 1099-MISC form is printed for Accounts Payable vendors. It cannot be generated for information entered in Payroll.

BACKUP TO CD-R AND CD-RW DRIVES

Floppy disks may never go the way of the 8-track tape player, but recordable and rewritable CD drives are quickly becoming the preferred method for backing up important documents and information.

It's always been possible to copy your PowerChurch Plus folder to CD-R or CD-RW, but why go through all those steps? In Version 8.5 you can make your backup from within the program to a floppy disk, a high capacity disk (such as a ZIP disk) or even to a CD-R or a CD-RW. Wow!

PLUS A WHOLE LOT MORE

Wait! That's not all. If you order now (or later), we'll include the capability of changing the background image in the software, taking attendance using a barcode reader and even entering contributions using a check reader.

NOTE: Please note that our Program Development Department did everything they could to make it possible to read barcodes and checks using rubber bands and shaving cream, but it never worked. So, to use these features, you'll need the appropriate hardware. To find out more, just go to http://www.powerchurch.com/hardware/.

IN CLOSING

If you've heard enough and you're ready to order, just give us a call or place your order online. Our new online store is at http://www.powerchurch.com/catalog/. We're taking orders now and should be shipping Version 8.5 in just a few days. If you are upgrading from Version 8, the price is $69 (US) plus $5 shipping and handling. If you are currently using Version 7 or an earlier version, the cost is only $149 (US) plus $10 shipping and handling.

If you want to know more before ordering, watch your mail for an announcement coming soon, check our newly redesigned Web site at http://www.powerchurch.com or just give us a call at (800) 486-1800.