Upgrade path from V7 to V11

[Denyse]

I would like to know the upgrade path from V7 to V11 and what if any proceedures must be followed. Are the data files the same, do they have to be converted, etc. Is there a set progression of steps to be followed? I would like to make this as easy as possible. Presently V7 is installed on Server 2000 machine and V11 will be installed on Server 2008 machine. The clients will be upgraded from XP Pro to Win7 Pro. Thank you in advance for any assistance.

[NeilZ]

I would like to know the upgrade path from V7 to V11 and what if any proceedures must be followed. Are the data files the same, do they have to be converted, etc. Is there a set progression of steps to be followed? I would like to make this as easy as possible. Presently V7 is installed on Server 2000 machine and V11 will be installed on Server 2008 machine. The clients will be upgraded from XP Pro to Win7 Pro. Thank you in advance for any assistance.

The good news is that you can upgrade directly from v7 to v11. The install will automatically update the database to the new version. Since you're going to be loading it on a new machine, I'm going to give you an easy way to do this.

First on the WinSvr 2008 machine, locally map the drive that should already be shared from the Server 2000 machine.

Then install v11 on the new machine. Prior to starting up v11, share the Powerchurch directory in preparation for installing the version across the network. Grant full access to all users, Powerchurch will maintain its own user permissions, you don't need to use network permissions to do this.

Start v11, when it asks if you are upgrading from a previous version, select YES. It will then search for the older version of Powerchurch. If it can't find it, then manually find the mapped drive to v7. The program will then pull the data from v7, convert it and load the v11 database. The program will then close.

Now go to every networked machine, locally map the new v11 directory, then run the NETSETUP11 program found in the Powerchurch\pcplus11\Install directory.

Hope this helps.

[Denyse]

Many thanks Neil. It appear straight forward enough. I had heard there was some concern about upgrading from v7 to v9. Something about the way the new version handled accounts?? Our accountant advised us to hold off the upgrade at the time. However, with the new hardware and software we will be implementing it only seems logical to proceed. I'm just on a fact finding mission at this time. I expect to be ready sometime this summer.

[NeilZ]

Many thanks Neil. It appear straight forward enough. I had heard there was some concern about upgrading from v7 to v9. Something about the way the new version handled accounts?? Our accountant advised us to hold off the upgrade at the time. However, with the new hardware and software we will be implementing it only seems logical to proceed. I'm just on a fact finding mission at this time. I expect to be ready sometime this summer.

Paul,

there have been a lot of changes, and a major overhaul of the payroll system in v11. If you ask some of the Fund Accounting 'savvy' people here, all the changes since v7 have been for the better.

As far as the areas I work with, mostly everything outside of accounting, the changes have made it much easier to track contributions, attendance, and so on !!

[wms7328]

I can attest to the fact that V11 is far superior to V7. I think V11 was the best improvement that has been made in several versions. The payroll changes alone are worth the upgrade. Many improvements have been made to allow you to complete things without switching between sections. A good example is ability to add a vendor from the enter transactions screen.

I would not hesitate to make the upgrade as soon as possible. I can say that PC folks are the best software company I've dealt with for any software. They listen to their customers and give them upgrades that are useful, not upgrades that some programmer likes that changes things just for sake of change.

[Denyse]

I've no doubt V11 is better to work with than V7 and that the transition period for those that work with it will be short. I'm still trying to track down the source of the comment regarding "duplicate accounts" or something to that affect created during conversion process.

[Tracy]

I'm not sure where the reference is. Here's a quick explanation.
If you have multiple funds (01, 02, 03, etc...) and say your bank account is 1110-000. In fund 01 it's named Main bank account, in fund 02 it's named Building Account. You have these on the same account in PowerChurch because they are the same real world bank account. The conversion to 9 and higher names this account to the first fund it was found in "Main bank account". In the notes on the account in PowerChurch, you'll see what the other funds had named them.
If you currently have this type of situation in the chart of accounts running consolidated reports can be very confusing. It is possible to convert the V7 to V11, view the results, if you see something needs to be changed, you can move that funds account to a new number in V11 and put the old name back.

[Denyse]

Thanks Tracy, you've jogged my memory. Here is the link to solve the problem.
http://powerchurch.com/support/kb/kbvie ... icle_id=53