April 15 - Now you can use the incredibly easy and fast mail merge letter-writing program without having to worry about whether you've sufficiently proofread the document. You'll see that we've added a spell-check button to the letter-writing screen. (Mail merge_>Letters to Merge File). This comes via a request from a Filpac user. The spell-check function uses a standard American English dictionary, with an option to add your own words and spellings. No special installation is required -- simply download and install the most recent update.

Check-writing in Filpac

Oct 12 - If you download the most recent version of the program, you'll notice that there's a separate Accounting item across the top menu. The Financial Reports section of the Reports Menu has been moved here, as well as the Accounting Maintenance section of the Tools Menu. Also included is a check-writing option that can be installed on your system. (Price: $245)

Here are some questions we've been asked about the new check-writing option

Would I be required to order special computer-printable checks for each account or could I manually feed existing checks?

You can manually feed existing checks IF they are two-part. There's a feature that enables you to set up your check forms for each account.

When you say "each account", are you referring to my 5 accounts at the Party AND my 10-12 candidates/clubs?

Yes. You can set up multiple checking accounts for multiple campaign accounts at no additional charge.

I write checks manually. Always have. Why would I want this feature?

You can continue using your current checks. When you do a check run, you can skip the printing and simply mark the checks as "issued". When your bank statement arrives, you can clear the checks in your system. This enables you to run reports that match your bank statement (or at least show where you're off). The time savings will be tremendous for treasurers of multiple campaigns with large, complex reports.

Will I have to go back to enter and clear all past checks?

No. If you've been entering check numbers with each disbursement, the Rebuild Account feature will enable you to automatically clear checks older than 60 days. If you haven't been entering check numbers, there's probably no reason to do so unless you're trying to balance a report. In that case there's a browse feature where you can fill them in quickly.

You mentioned customization. What does that mean?

Since this is a new feature, it will require some additional tweaking, which we will be more than happy to do.

Does the software list standard check sizes like it does for Avery labels?

The software includes a screen to set up your check form. There's no standard menu, although we can see it evolving that way.

Would it be easy to switch from printing a check from one account to printing a check from another account?

Everything is account-specific; checks are printed only from the account in the current session. To print checks from another account, you'll need to switch to that account.

Why are you charging for this feature? In the past, updates have been free.

To keep our prices affordable for local candidates and small PACs, we're "modularizing" the software so that customers can purchase only the features they need. The check-writing feature is the first part of a general accounting module that will be sold separately to those customers who want to combine their Filpac data with their business accounting. It will not be packaged and sold at our basic installation price. Write this down: If we change our minds and reverse this policy in the next six months, we will refund the purchase price to customers who renew their warranty/support agreement in 2007. (The price refunded will be the lesser of $245 and the warranty price you pay for 2007.)

This does not change our Free Upgrade policy. Upgrades of existing program modules will continue to be free to customers with current warranty/support agreements.

Will this affect the price I pay for annual support?

That is yet to be determined. HOWEVER, Current Filpac customers who purchase the check-writing module by Nov. 15 will pay no additional support fee for 2007.

New precinct features in Filpac

July 31 -- Version 4.24 sets up a new lookup table for precincts (Reports->File Search->Main 2). In addition, we're organizing the precincts so that you can search by target category or rank, using the precinct analysis scheme set up by Joe Curran years ago. The goal of this scheme is to target the precincts that are most volatile (high ticket-splitters) from the least important (base Dem, low ticket-splitter) and everything in between. Then you can go about planning your mailings and get the accurate counts that you need to meet your budget.

This is shaping up to be a challenging year for Republicans. If you're in a competitive race, or one that could become competitive, our precinct targeting scheme is one of the tools that will make the difference in a close election.

Electronic Filing

Our goal is to eventually meet all state- and federally-mandated electronic filing requirements. Every form. Every state. For both PACs and campaigns (Republican campaigns in our case.)

Needless to say, this takes time. So we’ve placed first priority where our current paying customers are required to file electronically. If we haven’t yet provided electronic filing software for your state, it’s either because your state isn’t accepting electronic filings or because you’re not yet required to file electronically. If you have received electronic filing information or software from your Secretary of State or State Board of Elections, please let us know.

Generally, electronic filing involves a simple transmission of a very small file containing the names addresses, dates and amounts - the very same info reported on paper filings. The difference is that the state wants to make sure that the file you send will easily and correctly import into their system. So the state will either issue their own software for candidates to use, or they will "certify" vendors and then direct candidates to purchase software from one of the certified vendors.

If your state requires vendor certification, we will earn that certification on your behalf. If your state issues its own software, our first attempt will be to see if we can import your data from Filpac into the state-issued software, from which you can easily conclude the filing transaction. If your state merely issues "filing guidelines," we will work within those guidelines and see that your filing is accepted without errors. Multiple-site Filpac licensing

Perhaps you’re one of the many who have taken advantage of the unique import-export features of Filpac, which enable you to transfer database updates between non-networked computers. Or maybe you’ve been copying your Filpac database periodically and pasting it on another computer. Both methods are OK by us, since we make no effort to enforce a "one computer" rule. With the following stipulation: we support only those locations covered by our warranty agreement. If you’ve paid a $200 warranty fee, then the import/export features of Filpac are not covered on the assumption that you’re using only one computer. Coverage for additional systems is $100 each per year. So if you want warranty support for the Filpac system at the campaign office and at the treasurer’s home, then your annual maintenance fee is $300 (still a bargain by any standard), and that would cover the import/export utility. (This, of course, would not apply to inter-office network workstations, which share the same database and program.)