Contribution Options

[Bonesteel]

Hello All,

We are currently using V9, and have been very happy with it, but I'm looking to automate the contributions aspect of our Parish and need some help with the options available to us.

The manual entry of the envelop data is the primary problem. We would like to either outsource the process or provide a scanning process to improve it.

For the outsourcing option, I have our envelop company (DP Murphy) which will scan and enter all the envelop data for a fee. They could then provide the data for input in to Powerchurch. What I can not find is a way in which this data could be imported into Powerchurch. Is this possible, and is anyone doing it?

If we keep it in house, we need to be able to scan the envelop information. The only scanning option I see in Powerchurch is for the hardware to scan the actual checks. Does anyone have an integrated option for the scanning of bar-coded envelops?

Thanks in advance,

Jon Bonesteel
Immaculate Conception, Montclair, NJ

[NeilZ]

Hello All,

We are currently using V9, and have been very happy with it, but I'm looking to automate the contributions aspect of our Parish and need some help with the options available to us.

The manual entry of the envelop data is the primary problem. We would like to either outsource the process or provide a scanning process to improve it.

For the outsourcing option, I have our envelop company (DP Murphy) which will scan and enter all the envelop data for a fee. They could then provide the data for input in to Powerchurch. What I can not find is a way in which this data could be imported into Powerchurch. Is this possible, and is anyone doing it?

If we keep it in house, we need to be able to scan the envelop information. The only scanning option I see in Powerchurch is for the hardware to scan the actual checks. Does anyone have an integrated option for the scanning of bar-coded envelops?

Thanks in advance,

Jon Bonesteel
Immaculate Conception, Montclair, NJ

Currently there is no way to import such data into Powerchurch, the only option is from Paperless Payments for online donations.

Just for some background, how are you currently handling your contributions counting and data entry? Are you doing them in two separate steps and/or locations ?? How many weekly contributors do you see ??

This may give us long time users some background info so we can give you an idea on how to handle this without paying a fee to an outside company.

[Bonesteel]

Currently there is no way to import such data into Powerchurch, the only option is from Paperless Payments for online donations.

Just for some background, how are you currently handling your contributions counting and data entry? Are you doing them in two separate steps and/or locations ?? How many weekly contributors do you see ??

This may give us long time users some background info so we can give you an idea on how to handle this without paying a fee to an outside company.

They are currently manually entered in to Powerchurch, but this past year we had multiple data entry issues, so we are going to automate it. They are all done here, but our envelop company does offer an off site service. We process about 800 envelops a week. I would like to maintain the reporting capabilities within Powerchurch, but may have to give it up if there is no way to import the data.

Thanks,

Jon

[NeilZ]

Currently there is no way to import such data into Powerchurch, the only option is from Paperless Payments for online donations.

Just for some background, how are you currently handling your contributions counting and data entry? Are you doing them in two separate steps and/or locations ?? How many weekly contributors do you see ??

This may give us long time users some background info so we can give you an idea on how to handle this without paying a fee to an outside company.

They are currently manually entered in to Powerchurch, but this past year we had multiple data entry issues, so we are going to automate it. They are all done here, but our envelop company does offer an off site service. We process about 800 envelops a week. I would like to maintain the reporting capabilities within Powerchurch, but may have to give it up if there is no way to import the data.

Thanks,

Jon

Who does the entry ?? Is this done when the envelopes are opened, and the data entered there, or is this done later by someone else.

Also, by data entry issues, exactly what do you mean ?? I've found in the past that user training is the key, also having a dedicated team of counters who do the counting does also help as they are familiar with the system and how it works.

[Bonesteel]

Who does the entry ?? Is this done when the envelopes are opened, and the data entered there, or is this done later by someone else.

Also, by data entry issues, exactly what do you mean ?? I've found in the past that user training is the key, also having a dedicated team of counters who do the counting does also help as they are familiar with the system and how it works.

Thanks Neil,

The actual operation is not at issue here. Bottom line is we wish to automate the process and I'm looking for options.

I'm assuming the Foxbase database would allow an import of data, but I don't see where anyone has done this. Do the Powerchurch staff ever do custome development for a fee?

Jon

[Zaphod]

You can actually interface with the Foxpro tables using the Foxpro ODBC driver from Microsoft. But, we generally don't recommend doing that. There are a lot of validations that occur in the data entry process that you'd effectively be bypassing by importing a data file. The first thing that comes to mind is any pledges you have. When you enter data, PowerChurch looks to apply contributions to any pledges you have set up. This wouldn't happen in your scenario, and you'd have to apply all of those manually.

Also, you'd have to be VERY careful to maintain data integrity of your envelope numbers, as those link back to your Membership files. If the offsite service isn't totally in sync with your Membership list, you're going to cause real problems.

Those are just a couple of examples. So, we ask that you not do external data writes because we can't guarantee that everything won't blow up.