Check Scanning and more

jeffkoke · Post by **jeffkoke** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 11:47 am

Here's an idea to toss about...

Will PC+ currently (or in the future) work with other check scanners?

I'm researching the possibility of purchasing a check scanner that will:
1. Read the MICR line and
2. Generate a picture image of the check. (For final validation of contributions)

NOTE: Item 2 would be an external process to the PC+ Contributions module. At least initially. If it is considered a good idea, perhaps it might be included in a future release. The computer would store the check's image as a separate function.

I have found a scanner that does this, however it apparently interfaces to the computer via a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface). I've worked on many computer systems that have SCSI, so I'm comfortable with it. But if PC+ won't/can't use that interface, the point is moot.

So, good idea? Other thoughts?

Thanks,
Jeff

Post by **Jeff** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 12:24 pm

Jeff,

Why are you wanting to store an image of the check? We were approached a while back by Agora Services, they have a product called Joash where you basically would do the contribution entry in their system then import the contributions into PowerChurch. Their product converts the checks into electronic deposits so you don't have to physically deposit the checks in the bank. I believe their product also stores an image of each check as well. We have not pursued working with them because no users have been asking us to and their fees seemed a bit high compared to what you would pay the bank.

Here is a link to their joash product: http://www.agoraservices.net/templates/ ... 1280&mast=

NeilZ · Post by **NeilZ** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 1:22 pm

Jeff wrote:Jeff,

Why are you wanting to store an image of the check? We were approached a while back by Agora Services, they have a product called Joash where you basically would do the contribution entry in their system then import the contributions into PowerChurch. Their product converts the checks into electronic deposits so you don't have to physically deposit the checks in the bank. I believe their product also stores an image of each check as well. We have not pursued working with them because no users have been asking us to and their fees seemed a bit high compared to what you would pay the bank.

Here is a link to their joash product: http://www.agoraservices.net/templates/ ... 1280&mast=

Interesting, still someone has to be there to scan the checks, and any cash offerings from envelopes or loose in the plate would still need to be counted and sent to the bank. I have to say that with PC+, doing the verification of the contributions and the checks is very easy. I really can't see adding a middleman that would cost additional money.

And now, with the Check21 requirement, I believe all checks have to be cleared in 3 days, so deposits can no longer be held as they used to be.

jeffkoke · Post by **jeffkoke** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 2:11 pm

Jeff wrote:Jeff,

Why are you wanting to store an image of the check?
.
<snip>
.
Here is a link to their joash product: http://www.agoraservices.net/templates/ ... 1280&mast=

Jeff,

Thanks for the link and answer.

I'm looking for another checks and balance (pun intended) validation. If we have a copy of the check (after its been deposited), our final validation process can reference the check, if needed.

At one time we were making copies of the checks. This is quite time consuming and generates a lot of confidential paper. I wanted to consider creating an image of the checks electronically and do it when the scan took place.

Make sense?

Jeff

jeffkoke · Post by **jeffkoke** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 2:14 pm

NeilZ wrote:Interesting, still someone has to be there to scan the checks, and any cash offerings from envelopes or loose in the plate would still need to be counted and sent to the bank. I have to say that with PC+, doing the verification of the contributions and the checks is very easy. I really can't see adding a middleman that would cost additional money.

Absolutely. I still see the man-in-the-loop not going away.

I'm just trying to solve a problem we're having using current technology.

Jeff

Post by **Jeff** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 2:39 pm

Do you have a link to the scanner you found?

The routines as they are in PC+ work off of keyboard input. The program really doesn't know the entry came from the MICR reader, it just thinks someone can type really fast.

What would you have in mind for integrating such as a scanner?

jeffkoke · Post by **jeffkoke** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 2:45 pm

Jeff wrote:Do you have a link to the scanner you found?

What would you have in mind for integrating such as a scanner?

This one is probably overkill, but if it exists...I expect something lower on the food chain to exist as well. It uses the SCSI interface, getting the MICR numbers to PC+ and the OCR image to the computer (using another software) might be interesting.

Here's the link:
http://www.visionshape.com/cs500.html

I've also looked that the Joash site.

Jeff

Post by **Jeff** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 4:37 pm

I've done a little looking around, I didn't know so many of these products existed. The one that would look the most promising is one from MagTek here is a link to it: http://www.magtek.com/products/check_re ... rimage.asp

The price is right, looks to be about $400 - 500. The only thing I don't like about the MagTek is that it connects via a COM port. Many new computers are not shipping with COM ports anymore. Their website mentions a USB option but I could not find any information on this. It might be a USB to COM adapter. Programming wise they have an OCX that looks to be free of charge for us to use. I was able to download it from their website and their was not mention of liscensing restrictions. I couldn't find much documentation on it other than a VB example program.

I found another scanner I really liked and called their sales department about it. Unfortunately, I think it is more expensive than most people would pay.It runs via USB, scans both sides of the check and has an optional endorsement module. But to use it we would have to pay a $1000 liscense fee to use their API, and the scanners would be $1300 without the endorsement feature or $1500 with the endorsement feature.

NeilZ · Post by **NeilZ** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 11:45 pm

Jeff wrote:Programming wise they have an OCX that looks to be free of charge for us to use. I was able to download it from their website and their was not mention of liscensing restrictions. I couldn't find much documentation on it other than a VB example program.
.

Go with the MagTek ... they seem to want to sell their scanners by providing a way for software makers to actually make money selling software with great features !!

jeffkoke · Post by **jeffkoke** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 11:15 am

Jeff wrote:I've done a little looking around, I didn't know so many of these products existed. The one that would look the most promising is one from MagTek here is a link to it: http://www.magtek.com/products/check_re ... rimage.asp

The price is right, looks to be about $400 - 500. The only thing I don't like about the MagTek is that it connects via a COM port. Many new computers are not shipping with COM ports anymore. Their website mentions a USB option but I could not find any information on this. It might be a USB to COM adapter.

Jeff,
Thanks for the pointer. I'll have a look. We currently have the MagTek model PC recommends.

Jeff