Spring 2006

KVS HOT LINE
Spring 2006 Volume 17/Issue 2
Next Generation of Enterprise Edition to be
Spotlighted at 2006 User Conference
An unveiling of the new Enterprise
Edition General Receipts system will
take place at the 2006 KVS User
Conference, to be held Aug. 21-23 in
Amherst, NY. Planning for the Enterprise Centralized Collection system is also on the agenda for this
year’s forum.
Clients from around the country
will converge at 9 a.m. Monday Aug.
21 at the Buffalo/Niagara Marriott,
where three days of seminars will be
held. In addition to the topics mentioned above, the conference will
feature training sessions on Enterprise Edition Financial systems, as
well as Budget Preparation, Payroll
Projection, Position Control, Human
Resources and Attendance, and CQ
Report Writer systems. Other subjects will include capital projects/
grant (multi-year) tracking, year end
procedures, and technical issues. A
“boot camp” for new KVS clients
will be offered to familiarize new
customers with procedures within the
company. As always, third party
vendors will be on-hand, and will
hold sessions describing their solutions which can be used in conjunction with KVS software. Sign-ups for
individual meetings will also be
available.
This year’s theme is “Enterprise —
The Next Generation,” and you
guessed it: the dinner and entertainment on Monday night will have a
“Star Trek” theme. Come dressed as
your favorite character from the TV
shows. Dinner will be held at the
Beaver Island Clubhouse, located on
a beach setting in nearby Grand Island, NY, which happens to be a
KVS client. Transportation and dinner are included in the conference
price, as well as a continental breakfast and lunch each day, and a cocktail party on Tuesday.
The conference fee is $395 per person if registered by Friday July 21.
After that date, the fee is $425 per
pers on. To register, go t o
www.kvsinfo.com and select the
“User Conference 2006” image
shown above. Then click on Register
Online or Print Registration Form, if
you prefer to register by mail. Make
your hotel reservations before July
29 and ask for the KVS User Group
rate to save approximately $70 per
room.
For more information, please call
Terri Zaprowski at 800-999-9587 or
email tzaprowski@kvsinfo.com.
Children of KVS employees came to work
with their parents on
April 27 for “Bring
Your Child To Work
Day”. Meeting with
KVS President Ed
Warnke, seated, from
left, are: Dean Gionis;
Carter Jones; Joey Balbierz; Matt Weimer;
and Melanie Fonner.
President’s Message
by Ed Warnke
We are becoming very excited
about the planning of the 2006
KVS User Conference, as it has
been two years since we hosted
the last one in August of 2004.
In those two years, KVS has redefined itself as a state-of-the-art
solution provider, with the 2005
introduction of the Enterprise Financial Management System and
the momentum of over 30 implementations. The introduction of
the Enterprise General Receipts at
this year’s conference will be another example of that progress. At
the same time, we have also completed over 300 enhancements in
virtually every module in the system, as well as many interfaces
with third party products.
All of these applications and
enhancements will be reviewed in
the 50 workshop and training sessions scheduled for the conference, and I encourage you to attend the three-day meeting, as it
will be a valuable, informationpacked event.
Over the next few months, KVS
will attend many of the conferences and trade shows in your
area. Please stop by and give us
your feedback as to how we can
improve our relationship with
your community.
In the meantime, if you have
any suggestions or comments, you
can email them directly to me at
ewarnke@kvsinfo.com .
KVS Hotline
In The Spotlight
Support Team - Financial Management
The new product and ever-growing
the developers and especially make
representatives visited various client
number of Enterprise version clients
use of Oracle Project Leader Dennis
sites for training, they discovered
over the past year has led KVS to
Ching’s expertise, as the capabilities
that there was a need for additional
expand its Financial Management
of the Oracle software are still being
flexibility within the purchasing apsupport efforts by adding some new
realized.
proval process. A set of specificapositions.
tions was soon created by support
Currently, the team is made up
reps and developers and was sent
of Support Representatives Mark
to the clients to review. After
Wozniak, Carrie Hamill and
support reviewed and incorpoKelly Hanna, Quality Assurance
rated the clients’ changes, the
Specialist Carol Abato, and Condevelopers went to work proversion Specialist Denise Margramming the new enhancements.
shall. While Mark, Carrie and
Once testing was completed,
Kelly support the software and
Carol gave an overview of the
train clients, Carol’s time is primodule to the support reps. Evemarily spent testing the software
ryone’s participation resulted in
and Denise is dedicated to the
the new Workflow Processing
conversion of client data for StanModule which was just released
dard version clients upgrading to The Enterprise Support Team, from left: Carrie Hamill, in May.
Enterprise.
“Like with all of our systems,
Carol Abato, Kelly Hanna, Mark Wozniak and Denise
The team’s efforts are assisted Marshall.
we listen to clients and that’s
by Project Managers Catie dewhat leads to the success of the
The Financial Management SupGuehery and Joanne Jones, who are
software,” Ida noted. Client input at
port team operates a little differently
involved with coordinating dates for
the regional and national user conferfrom the rest of support in that it has
both the conversion process and
ences has also contributed to Finanan additional layer of testing intraining schedule. Recently, Support
cial Management software enhancevolved. While the rest of the support
Analyst Hilary Hansen has been rements.
team tests all changes immediately
cruited to educate the developers on
Although there have been some
after programming by the developthe KVS General Receipts system
bumps in the road, such as issues
ers, Carol’s position in the Financial
which will be unveiled in the Enterwith year-end processing encumManagement team provides a quality
prise version at the upcoming nabrance carry-overs, Ida said clients
assurance testing phase first. Once
tional conference in August. In addiare extremely satisfied with the prodshe has approved the software, it
tion, KVS has created another supuct overall. “I think it’s important to
then goes to the representatives for
port representative position to keep
point out that there may have been
further testing. Carol is also involved
up with the increase of clients.
bumps, but they have been worked
with internal review and training of
“It’s really a group effort between
out and client satisfaction is very
new features which often involves
the developers, support reps and the
high,” she stated. That success, Ida
interactive discussions.
clients,” said KVS Vice President of
added, can be attributed to a support
“There is probably more interacOperations Ida Taylor about the Fiteam of people who work hard at
tion because the product is new,” Ida
nancial Management support objecresolving issues to the clients’ satissaid. For example, when support
tive. Team members often work with
faction.
repre
See our Next Issue for
Support Challenge 2006 Results
2
KVS Hotline
PROFILE: Carol Abato
When Carol Abato was hired in
2002, her position of Quality Assurance Specialist for the Enterprise
version was a brand new one at
KVS. Situated as a testing “middle
man” between the Enterprise developers and support representatives,
Carol acts as a communicator, involved in customer requests, testing
the software, and discussing the
feasibility of implementing changes
with the developers.
“I was skeptical about adding a
testing person to the Enterprise
team initially,” explained Ida Taylor, Vice President of Operations.
The position’s prescribed lack of
interaction with the clients concerned her. Could Carol’s input be
in the best interest of the client,
rather than her own personal opinions? But it is precisely Carol’s interest in the needs of each client that
has led to having more involvement
with them, and to her success. “She
is very focused on meeting the clients needs and it surprised me!” Ida
stressed. “This is a role not many
people could have come into and
done such a great job,” she added.
“I think it’s neat that I’m one of
the first who gets to see the product
and work with it,” Carol said when
asked what she enjoys about her
job. She said she finds it exciting to
see something grow from an idea to
a client using it. “It’s nice to know
the
that your hard work paid off and
that you are satisfying a need or
requirement for a municipality.”
In Carol’s time off, she can often
be found working hard in her garden. She is married with a teenage
son and daughter, and lives close to
KVS offices.
Prior to her coming to KVS, Carol
spent 24 years testing Oracle products designed for the legal industry.
She found the move to be an easy
transition, since some of the accounting systems were very similar,
and since she was accustomed to
software support and training as
well. “When I started here, this was
a new product which had not gone
through much testing yet,” Carol
said. “I was involved with training
the first clients when they were going live on the system, and also
have been involved with training a
few support reps and programmers.”
In fact, Carol will often give an
overview of new software features
to support reps and will train them
when there is a major change or
enhancement. She also assists support reps by phone when they are
training at client sites, if needed,
and occasionally assists with incoming client calls. “They help me too,”
Carol pointed out. “We have good
communication all around.”
When asked about the things she
finds difficult about her job, Carol
couldn't think of much. “I have to
switch gears a lot but I can adapt
when priorities change,” she said. “I
go with the flow and I think I’m a
patient person for the most part.”
Mark agrees. “She never seems to
get rattled, no matter what the situation,” he said.
A recurring comment from some
of Carol’s co-workers is that she is
absolutely thorough. “Carol is very
detail-oriented — that’s why she
3
does a great job,” Dennis remarked.
“She is the best QA I’ve worked
with,” he emphasized.
Considering that Carol’s job is all
about checking the details which
often creates more work for the developers, these glowing comments
are somewhat remarkable. Carol
herself conceded, “I’m looking to
break the software and fix it. I double check the developers work to
create a product that does what it is
supposed to do.” Dennis admits that
while he wouldn't say Carol makes
his job any easier, she is doing exactly what she is supposed to do. “If
we didn't catch the problems she
catches, they would come back to
haunt us 1,000 times,” he said with
a laugh. “Basically what we all
want is a stable product and she
does contribute a lot.”
“She is someone you can count on
and have full faith in when she
gives you the green light that something has been tested and approved
up to the level of her highest of
standards,” Mark stated. “She absolutely knows the system inside and
out, and she is my best resource for
anything Enterprise related.”
♦
Who’s Installed
on Enterprise
...since our last issue:
Town of Bedford, MA
Borough of Hanover, PA
Village of Irvington, NY
Village of Millerton, NY
Schuyler County, NY
City of Shepherdsville, KY
Village of Suffern, NY
Town of Wheatfield, NY
KVS Hotline
KVS Welcomes New
Employees
Rose LeRoy has been hired as
of June 1 as a Support Representative for the Enterprise Financial
Management system.
Welcome to the team!
Fixed Assets Presentation
Draws Crowd at NYS
GFOA Conference
Over 100 attendees at the recent
New York State Government Finance Officer’s Association conference came to hear KVS President Ed Warnke speak on
“Tracking Your Fixed Assets.”
Warnke delivered the presentation
on April 11 at the annual conference in Albany, NY.
The presentation focused not
only on the requirement to identify
and inventory assets, but how to
implement a systematic approach
to record inventoried assets, capital assets, and composite assets,
and the impact on reporting capital
assets.
This was the fourth time that
Warnke presented at the conference, and the topic he selected was
met with great interest. As a result,
the NYS GFOA has invited
Warnke to submit an article on the
topic for publication in their quarterly magazine. The magazine,
called The Newsletter, is distributed to over 1,100 GFOA members.
“I think this topic draws interest
because many municipalities have
partially implemented an asset
tracking system for GASB 34 reporting purposes, but have struggled to consistently maintain an
asset tracking system,” said
Warnke.
Look for Warnke’s article in the
next issue of The Newsletter.
Client Interaction Was Highlight of 2006 WNY User Group
by Bill Becker, Regional Marketing Manager
Thirteen local communities were
represented at the day-long Western
New York KVS User Group, held
May 2 at the Village of Orchard
Park, NY.
Government employees from the
City of Jamestown in the southern
tier spanning to the Town of Pendleton in the north took advantage of
this opportunity to share experiences
and review KVS software. KVS
President Ed Warnke began the
meeting with an update on the state
of the company and discussed the
progress of the Enterprise systems.
He reviewed the steps clients need to
take to upgrade to the Enterprise Edition, and gave an overview of the
next KVS systems to be developed
for the new version. I then gave a
short demonstration on the Enterprise Budget Preparation module.
Dave Lessinger, KVS Director of
Client Services and Support, presented some of the 400 plus enhancements and upgrades made to the systems over the past year. Clients reported that this provides them with a
refresher on enhancements that they
may have missed at the time when
they were first released.
This was the first local user conference among clients using the Enterprise Financial Management system,
and KVS Vice President of Operations Ida Taylor showed our current
Enterprise clients the latest enhancements that have been made to the
software.
Nearly all of the attendees stated
that what they liked best about the
meeting was the interaction with
other municipalities, and the opportunity to get each other’s input. In
some cases, client questions were
answered by other clients, confirming the important benefits of this
type of exchange.
Many of the clients said they have
made plans to attend the national
user conference in August and said
they are looking forward to the three
day event.
KVS would like to thank the Village of Orchard Park and Donna
Shine for hosting the user group.
Thank you also to the attendees for
submitting your comments and suggestions, all of which will be taken
into consideration for future conferences.
KVS Clients Attend National GFOA In Montreal
by Dean Gionis, Regional Marketing Manager
The National GFOA 100th Annual
Conference was held May 7-10
in Montreal, Canada. KVS President
Ed Warnke and myself attended and
showcased the Enterprise Financial
Management System as an exhibitor
at the event. We were very pleased to
see several clients there, including
Peter Naum (Bedford, MA), Marcus
Serrano (Peekskill, NY), Steve Conti
(Pound Ridge, NY), Marion DeMaio
and Sandra Gomez (Ardsley, NY)
and Jim Mills (Watertown, NY).
The event attracted hundreds of
guests from the US and Canada, and
also hosted representatives from the
4
Middle East and Europe. Municipal
finance officials and managers are
brought together at the conference
for educational sessions led
by internationally recognized authorities and consultants. The event
affords an opportunity for networking with vendors in a trade show setting. KVS has participated in this
event for many years, as it is an excellent forum to keep in touch with
our clients and to make contact with
other municipalities that may be
looking to improve their information
technology solutions.
User Conference 2006
TO:
All KVS Clients
DATE:
June 27, 2006
SUBJECT:
2006 KVS National User Conference
The entire staff at KVS is pleased to personally invite you to share in the excitement of the 2006 KVS National
User Conference. Enclosed in this packet:
Registration Form
3-day Conference Agenda
Workshop/Seminar Descriptions
Haven’t registered yet? Training & Planning Sessions available include the following topics:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Unveiling Enterprise General Receipts
Hands-on training Enterprise Edition - Financial Management
Planning session for KVS Enterprise Phase IIB – Centralized Collection
KVS System Enhancement Review and Enhancement Planning
Technical Update and Workshops
Application Training
• Payroll – FLSA, Benefit Tracking, Human Resource
• Centralized Collections – Reporting, Tax Title
• Fixed Assets – GASB Reporting
• Grant / Capital Project / Escrow Multi-Year Tracking and Reporting
Cyberquery Training – New class formats
Third Party Vendors
Open meeting room schedules
Important Deadline – July 29, 2006:
•
•
Early Registration Discount expires
KVS Conference Special Hotel Room Rate expires
Contact Information:
Conference registration questions:
Conference questions / suggestions:
Hotel information and reservations:
Buffalo visitor information:
tzaprowski@kvsinfo.com
itaylor@kvsinfo.com
Buffalo/Niagara Marriott
1340 Millersport Hwy.
Amherst, NY 14221
Phone: 800-334-4040
Or Register On-line at www.buffaloniagaramariott.com
(Group Code KVSKVSA)
www.buffaloathome.com
COCKTAILS
DINNER & ENTERTAINMENT
RETURN BUS LOADING
(Standard and
Enterprise edition)
Budget Prep
Cyberquery
Whys & How
of
Preparing for
Enterprise -
GIS Mapping
Integration of KVS
Systems
BREAK
System Requirements
& Licensing
3:00 – 3:15 p.m.
Enhancement /
Local Conference
Review
Tips & Tricks
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
9:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Training Camp
for the New
KVS Client
Financial
Management General Ledger
& Multi-Year
Tracking
Enterprise
Centralized
Collection
BUS LOADING
3:154:45
1:153:00
Training
Session
4:45 – 5:15 p.m.
KVS Demonstrations
Schedule a Meeting
One-on-One
w/Support
Client to Client
B – Boardroom
C, D – upstairs
Ballroom B, C, D
Windows VISTA
KVS Web Site
Internet Cafe
Exhibit Area
Ballroom III
LUNCH - By the Pool (weather permitting) – Alternate Ballroom IV
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Ballroom II
Technology Update
BREAK
Enterprise General Receipts
10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
10:30 – 10:45 a.m.
10:45 – 11:45 a.m.
Ballroom I
REGISTRATION - Ballroom V
Welcome/State of the Company
Agenda Review/Operations Update
8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
9:00 – 9:30 a.m.
9:30 – 10:00 a.m.
Enterprise
Security, Setup &
Workflow
Bells & Whistles
of Formatting
Cyberquery
Ballroom V
AGENDA – August 21, 2006
Spec Session
Electric to UB –
Combined
Billing
Training Camp
for the Newly
Hired KVS
User
(upstairs)
(Boardroom)
FLSA
Processing &
Setup
Payroll –
Training
Session
(Benefits Accrued,
Benefits Paid &
Attendance)
User Defined
Setup, Benefit
Tracking Setup
& Reporting
Payroll /
Human
Resource–
Training
Session
Ballroom E
Ballroom A
Day 1
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
KVS Demonstrations
One-on-One
w/Support
Client to Client
Schedule a Meeting
B – Boardroom
C, D – upstairs
Ballroom B, C, D
Windows VISTA
KVS Web Site
Internet Cafe
Vendors
Exhibit Area
8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
3:454:45
2:303:30
1:152:15
10:4511:45
9:0010:30
Cyberquery
Beginner
Enterprise
Financials
Training
Session
PR – Position
Control & PR
Projection
Setup
Payroll
Cyberquery
Beginner
Enhancement / Local
Conference Review
Tips & Tricks
Payroll
Ballroom V
Enhancement / Local
Conference Review
Tips & Tricks
BREAK
Utility Billing
Enterprise
Centralized
Collection
Planning Session
HAPPY HOUR @ Vendor Exhibit Area
Vendor Session
3:30 – 3:45 p.m.
Vendor Session
Disaster Recovery
Planning
LUNCH – Ballroom IV
Fixed Asset
Management –
GFOA Tracking
Matrix Imaging
Solutions
Outsourcing
Document
Processing
Ballroom III
Enterprise
Budget
Preparation
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Training
Session
Collections &
Utility Billing
Cyberquery
Beginner
Ballroom II
Enhancement /
Local Conference
Review
BOLT
Enhancement /
Local Conference
Review
Parking Tickets
Collection –
Add’l Features
& Reporting
Training
Session
PAFR, AltSorts,
Comm tracking,
Financial
Management
Reporting
Training
Session
Ballroom I
VISIT THE VENDORS - Breakfast
AGENDA – August 22, 2006
Enterprise
System
Administration
UB Work
Order
Training
Session
Accounts
Receivable
Training
Session
Sneak Peek Microsoft
Windows
VISTA
Enhancement /
Local Conference
Review
Enterprise
Fixed Asset
Management
Training
Session
Enterprise Purchasing
Training
Session
- Followed by
Hands On -
Enterprise
General
Receipts
Training
Session
(upstairs)
(Boardroom)
Permits &
Inspections
Ballroom E
Ballroom A
Day 2
KVS Demonstrations
One-on-One
w/Support
Client to Client
Schedule a Meeting
B – Boardroom
C, D – upstairs
Ballroom B, C, D
Windows VISTA
KVS Web Site
Internet Cafe
Vendors
Exhibit Area
2:004:00
11:0012:30
9:3010:45
Enterprise
Workflow
Management
Training
Session
Enhancement /
Local Conference
Review
Financial
Management
Enterprise
Edition
(repeated session)
Bells &
Whistles of
Formatting
Cyberquery
Ballroom III
N/A
N/A
Ballroom V
Enterprise
Bank
Reconciliation
Management
Training Session
N/A
LUNCH – Ballroom IV
Vendor Session
On-line Collection
Via Web Sites
Vendor Session
12:45 – 1:45 p.m.
Advanced
Features
Cyberquery
Ballroom II
CONFERENCE CLOSING REMARKS – Ballroom IV
9:00 – 9:15 a.m.
Ballroom I
VISIT THE VENDORS – Breakfast
8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
(upstairs)
(Boardroom)
Debt Relief &
Retirement
Module
Spec Session
PR – Quarterly &
Year End
Balancing
Training Session
Massachusetts’
Tax Title
Processing
(repeated session)
Enterprise
Centralized
Collection
Planning
Session
Enhancement /
Local Conference
Review
Financial
Management
Standard Edition
Ballroom E
Ballroom A
Day 3
Training Session
AGENDA – August 23, 2006
Cyberquery – Advanced Features
Cyberquery Advanced training will take you to the next level. Learn about using parameter entry,
defining fields, file interaction and more. This workshop is recommended for current users of the report
writer.
Cyberquery – Beginner – By System
Cyberquery Beginner level training will include the basic use of Cyberquery Version 7.21, creating a
sample report, and report sharing on the KVS web site. This workshop is recommended for users new
to the report writer.
Cyberquery – Bells & Whistles of Formatting
Cyberquery Bells & Whistles will include the formatting of reports with Cyberquery Version 7.21and
exporting to Excel.
Cyberquery – Budget Preparation Reports – Standard and Enterprise Edition
Cyberquery provides alternate formatting for your budget preparation reports. This session will focus
on the creation of these reports using multiple year comparisons and will incorporate some of the bells
and whistles of the formatting session.
Debt Relief Retirement Module - Spec Session
Interested in this new module? Join our advisory team to discuss the requirements for a new Debt
Relief and Retirement module to record and track BANs and Bonds issued, amortized and integrated
with the Budget and General Ledger modules.
Disaster Recovery Planning
This session will discuss the steps necessary to get you up and running after a disaster or system failure.
We will review what data should be backed up and when, what software products will be needed, offsite
storage, and running your KVS applications from an off-site location.
Electric to Utility Billing - Combined Billing - Spec Session
You wanted one system to bill utilities and electric. Join us to review this new enhancement which
includes the option for one consumer master file, combined registers and bills, and more.
Enhancement / Local Conference Reviews – By System
- Tips and Tricks
Enhancement Reviews are a 3-part workshop to include a review of completed enhancements, questions
and specific procedural items from regional conferences and discussion of suggested and planned
enhancements. We’ll also be reviewing some tips and tricks that you may not know about.
Enterprise Centralized Collection - Planning Session
Phase 2B of the Enterprise enhancement is ready to begin and we want your input. Join us to review
possible enhancements to the Centralized Collection system as we begin to upgrade it to our Enterprise
version.
Enterprise System Administration
This session will discuss system administration procedures for clients using Enterprise. Topics will
include proper backup and restore procedures, installing KVS updates and patches, verifying the
current software level, printing, and a review of supporting system requirements such as IIS, Internet
Explorer, and Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Enterprise – Security, Setup and Workflow
This session will focus on the various options available in User Security, Group Security, Municipal
Workflow and approval and the newest KVS Module – Group Workflow Processing. Whether you are
a current user or anticipating conversion, this session will provide options to consider.
Fixed Asset Management – GFOA Tracking
Join our very own President, Ed Warnke, for a repeat performance of the presentation he gave at the
New York State GFOA conference. This session will address what to consider when automating the
recording of additions, transfers and disposals of inventory and capital assets.
GIS Mapping Integration of KVS Systems
Learn how to integrate the KVS Systems such as Compass - Assessment Administration, Permits &
Inspections, etc., with GIS systems via the currently available AcuODBC option. This workshop will
discuss the specifics and advantages of this integration.
Microsoft Windows VISTA – Sneak Peek
This session will introduce you to the upcoming release of Microsoft Windows Vista and Microsoft Office
12. Both are considered major product releases – the discussion will include a brief overview of new
features, major changes and enhancements, system requirements, new version feature list, and upgrade
options.
Training Camp for the New KVS Client
This workshop is focused on the municipality who will be working with KVS for the first time. It will
include a corporate review, management overview on the integration available, and information on the
services provided to ensure your success. Project managers and support personnel will review the
process and answer your questions.
Training Camp for the Newly Hired KVS User
This workshop is focused on the newly hired person who will be working with KVS for the first time.
It will include a corporate review, management overview on the integration available, and information
on the services provided to ensure your success. Support operations, who to call, and how to use the
documentation will be only a few of the items you will become familiar with.
Why & How of Preparing for Enterprise - System Requirements & Licensing
This presentation will not only look at the latest system requirements, but will tell you why and how to
consider implementing the new KVS Enterprise Version. We will look at hardware and system
minimum requirements and recommendations for both the server and PCs. We will also discuss Oracle
licensing issues – both requirements and optional products. The remainder of time will be spent “oneon-one” with your configuration.
Training Sessions Accounts Receivable
Do you have this system, but haven’t yet received training? This training session will cover the basic
functionality, setup and maintenance of Accounts Receivable Miscellaneous Billing and Collection.
Bank Reconciliation Management - Enterprise
This training session will focus on the new enhancement changing Check Reconciliation to a Full Bank
Reconciliation option.
Budget Preparation - Enterprise
Do you have this system but haven’t yet received training? This training session will cover the basic
functionality, setup and maintenance of Budget Preparation. Learn how to add detail and memos to
your budgets to provide a more complete information packet.
Collection - Additional Features & Reporting
This training session will focus on some “forgotten features” of the Centralized Collection system.
Some items to be discussed include payment options such as Account Pay and Multi Pay, reporting
options such as statements, and various display options including the new printing of the Current Bill
Detail screen.
Financial Management – General Ledger & Multi-Year Tracking
Grant / Capital Projects / Escrow
In addition to reviewing the enhancements of the Enterprise General Ledger, we will be discussing the
availability of multi-year tracking within your general ledger. This session will include detailed review
and options for setting up grants, capital projects and escrow accounts. To review multi-year tracking
within Standard Edition, see registration to schedule a meeting.
Financial Management Reporting - PAFR, Alt Sorts, Commodity Tracking
Join municipal financial managers to discuss the availability of analysis and managerial reports
available as standard options within the various KVS systems. This session will include detailed review
and practical examples of using Alt Sort categories for reporting, Commodity Tracking and Public
Access Financial Reporting models.
Fixed Asset Management - Enterprise
This training session will cover the basic functionality, setup and maintenance of Fixed Asset recording,
depreciation, transfers and disposals.
General Receipts - Enterprise
After seeing the completed Enterprise General Receipts module, join us for a more in-depth review.
We’re also allowing some play time for this latest Enterprise phase.
Massachusetts’ Tax Title Processing
With help from our MA clients to the East, we’ve completed the changes for Tax Title processing. Join
us to review the setup, processing and reporting options available.
Payroll – FLSA Processing & Setup
Interested in paying adjustments according to the Fair Labor Standards Act? This session will outline
the processing and calculation of FLSA. Setup procedures will be reviewed to help you implement.
Payroll - Quarterly & Year End Balancing
Tired of researching problems at the end of a quarter or at W-2 time? Join KVS Payroll Support for a
session on Payroll balancing! This session will outline good balancing procedures for each payroll and
month-end in addition to quarterly and annual procedures.
Payroll – Human Resource – User Defined Setup / Benefit Tracking Setup &
Reporting (Benefits Accrued, Benefits Paid and Attendance)
Do you have these systems, but haven’t yet received training? This training session will cover the basic
functionality, setup and maintenance of the Human Resource Tracking, User Defined Fields, Benefit
Time and Employee Benefits Paid Tracking.
Payroll - Position Control &
Payroll Projection Setup
Do you have these systems, but haven’t yet received training? This training session will cover the basic
functionality, setup and maintenance of both Position Control and Payroll Projection. Learn how to
track information based on positions available, including vacant, and then apply new rates and update to
Budget Preparation.
Purchasing - Enterprise
Ready to implement Enterprise? This training session will cover the basic changes in Accounts
Payable, Purchase Order and Requisitions from the Standard to Enterprise Edition.
UB Work Order
Do you have this system, but haven’t yet received training? This training session will cover the basic
functionality, setup and maintenance of Utility Meter Work Orders.
Workflow Management - Enterprise
Workflow is taken to the user level. The standard Enterprise allows for approvals by municipality.
Now with this new module, it’s taken to the user level. If you have different approval or quote
requirements for different departments, see how this new module will help you.
Vendor Sessions Matrix Imaging Solutions – Outsourcing Document Processing
Matrix Imaging Solutions will discuss the benefits of outsourcing your document printing and mailing.
On-line Collection via Municipal Web Site
KVS interfaces for an Internet-based application that enables municipalities to collect property and
school taxes directly from the taxpayer through the municipal web site. There is no third-party
collection of payment, no credit card discount and no taxpayer transaction fee or surcharge.
Exhibit Area Internet Café
Log on, check messages, check out the KVS website or just surf the net.
KVS Website
The newly updated KVS website will be available hands-on for your review. Give us your comments and
suggestions.
Microsoft Windows VISTA – Sneak Peek
Microsoft Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 12. Both are considered major product releases – take a
test flight.
Vendors
Visit the Booths of Supporting Vendors
Schedule a Meeting Room KVS Demonstrations
Need to take a look at an add-on module? Schedule a demonstration with our Regional Marketing
Managers. A sign-up sheet will be available at the KVS Vendor Booth.
KVS / Client or Client to Client Meetings
Schedule a meeting room with KVS or reserve a meeting room to meet with one or more clients. A sign up
sheet will be available. Sign-up will begin at Registration and will remain available throughout the
conference.
User Conference 2006
Registration Form
Register Today!
KVS User Conference 2006
When: August 21 – 23, 2006 9:00 a.m.
Where: Buffalo/Niagara Marriott
Registration Fee: $425 for three days
Register by July 21st and it’s only $395 !
Dinner at “Beaver Island Clubhouse” – August 21
(Dinner for guests available at additional charge)
Registration Includes Continental Breakfast and Lunch Each Day
Make your hotel reservations now!
Buffalo/Niagara Marriott
1340 Millersport Hwy.
Amherst, NY 14221
Phone: 800-334-4040
(Ask for KVS USER GROUP RATE)
- RESERVING UNTIL 7/29/06
- Room Rate - $106 / Night
- ***$179/ Night after 7/29/06***
- Free Airport Shuttle
- Free Parking
Or Register On-line at www.buffaloniagaramariott.com (Group Code KVSKVSA)
Registration available on-line at www.kvsinfo.com
or by mail using the form below:
KVS Information Systems, Inc.
Attn: User Conference 2006
821 Maple Road, Williamsville, New York 14221
KVS User Conference 2006 Registration Form
Name:
Fee Enclosed: $
Municipality:
Bill Me Later: $
PO #:
Attending Dinner: (Included In Registration Fee) (Circle One)
No. of Addl. Guests at $50 each
Yes
No
___I will not be attending. Please remove my name from the conference mailing list.
User Conference 2006
Meeting Room Request
Municipality:
___________________________________________
Contact Person:
___________________________________________
Please schedule a meeting room for the following: (For training opportunities, please see conference
agenda.)
Sales Demonstration for the following modules:Payroll Projection / Position Control
Attendance Tracking
CRM – Citizen Response
Management
Requisitions
Work Order Management
Budget Preparation
Permits & Inspections
Fixed Asset Management
Tax Collection
Accounts Receivable
UB – Electronic Debit
Payment
Other:
Meeting for the following:
Subject:
Client Attendees:
KVS requested attendees:
Support
Tech Support
Joanne Jones, Implementation Project Manager
Catie DeGuehery, Implementation Project Manager
Cheryl Weimer, Implementation Manager
Dave Lessinger, Director of Client Services and Support
Jerry Fonner, Director of Technical Services
Ida Taylor, Vice President – Operations
Ed Warnke, President
Other, ___________________________________________
I would like to schedule during the following timeframe: (Please include date and times)
Please tear this form out and fax to 716-626-1973.
KVS Information Systems, Inc.
Phone (716) 626-1976 Fax (716) 626-1973
KVS Hotline
PA Awards COSTARS Contract To KVS
The Pennsylvania Department of
General Services (DGS) recently
awarded KVS a COSTARS-6 Software Contract. This makes it possible for municipalities in Pennsylvania who are members of the COSTARS program to purchase KVS
software.
COSTARS stands for Cooperative
Sourcing to Achieve Reductions in
Spending. It is a service provided by
the PA DGS for local procurement
units throughout the state to purchase
supplies and services from vendors
awarded contracts. These local public units can register for the service
for free at www.dgs.state.pa.us/
costars.
By registering, local agencies can
take advantage of lower prices, have
the assurance of using established
vendors without the need for bids,
and benefit from a broad selection of
suppliers and a simplified purchasing
process. An agency can make a purchase simply by issuing a purchase
order directly to the contract supplier.
Currently, there are over 3,000 local public procurement units taking
advantage of the contracts and these
benefits. KVS is one of only a few
software vendors recently awarded
the four-year contract.
News of contract award was a frequent topic of interest at the PA
GFOA State Conference in May,
which was attended by KVS Regional Marketing Manager Bill
Becker.
Southeastern User Group Led To Many Enhancement
Ideas
by Bob Milheim, Regional Marketing Manager
The Lexington History Museum in
Lexington, KY, was a charming setting for the Southeastern KVS User
Group, held April 11. The day-long
conference was attended by 24 KVS
clients from all across Kentucky and
Ohio.
After a company update by KVS
President Ed Warnke and an overview of the Enterprise Budget Preparation module by myself, KVS Director of Client Services & Support
Dave Lessinger reviewed program
enhancements from the past year.
Many clients took advantage of this
opportunity to share enhancement
suggestions for the software. Their
requests will soon be posted on the
KVS website located under UG Info
and “Regional Replies” in the dropdown box. These suggestions will
also be presented for discussion at
the 2006 KVS User Conference in
August.
Software demonstrations were presented in another area of the museum
for any interested parties.
It was great to see many of our
longtime clients and the many new
ones interact, and we hope to see all
of you in Buffalo this summer.
Indiana Conference Provides Networking Opportunities
By Bob Milheim
As many as 210 Indiana clerk
treasurers attended the Indiana
League of Municipal Clerk Treasurers (ILMCT) Conference held April
23 at the Marriott Hotel and the Century Convention Center in South
Bend
Bend, IN. This activity packed event
was an excellent opportunity for
KVS to spread the word about its
software solutions in Indiana.
The conference agenda featured
See Indiana on page 7
5
Welcome New Clients
Village of Suffern, NY
Village of Holley, NY
Mentor Public Library, OH
Willoughby-Eastlake Public
Library, OH
Euclid Public Library, OH
Upcoming Shows &
Conferences
Visit KVS Regional Marketing
Managers at the following sites:
Pennsylvania League of Cities
June 21-23
Pittsburgh, PA
Bill Becker
Tennessee Municipal League
June 25-27
Nashville, TN
Bob Milheim
Association of Public
Treasurers of the US &
Canada
July 22-26
Memphis, TN
Bob Milheim
PMAA Annual Conference &
Trade Show
Sept. 10-13
Hershey, PA
Bill Becker
Tennessee GFOA
October 25-27
Franklin, TN
Bob Milheim
KVS Hotline
Technical Update
by Jerry Fonner, Director of Technical Services
Take A Tour of the KVS Support Forum
After welcoming many new customers over the past year, we felt that it
would be a good time to take a tour of
the KVS Online Support Forum.
The KVS Support Forum is a secured site within the KVS website –
www.kvsinfo.com, and is designed for
use by our customers and support staff.
From any page on our website, you
can either click on the Support Forum
link in the red bar at the top of the
screen, or go the Support tab and click
on Sign In. If you do not have a username and password, simply click on
the Request Access link and we will
create an account for you.
answers to some of the most common support questions in each category. Under the Technical section,
you’ll find installation instructions
for AcuGT, Cyberquery, and Oracle,
as well as many other technical support documents.
The Support Staff link is next. This
page lists each support representative
along with their area of expertise. It
also lists modules with the names of
who supports each product. Email
links are available for each representative, and clicking on the person’s
name will take you to their bio listed
on the Staff Bios page, the next link.
the Support Forum is the Submit New
Incident drop-down. Use this to submit
new support incidents over the internet
by category. Incidents submitted
through the website are automatically
forwarded to the lead support rep for
each category. Support reps will respond via email or phone if necessary.
As you can see, the KVS Online
Support Forum is full of useful information and is continually being expanded. We welcome your suggestions
on how to further enhance our online
support capabilities.
AcuPrint Discontinuing
Support for Version 2.x
Screen shot of Support Forum site at www.kvsinfo.com
Once signed in, the Enhancements
page displays a list of selected system
enhancements which is updated regularly. Customers can then use the links
in the yellow Support tab bar to navigate to other information quickly.
The next page that you will come to
is the CQCS Reports page, which lists
Cyberquery reports that have been developed by both KVS support representatives and customers. The reports
are listed by category, with each one
showing a sample, a description of its
purpose, and the query code required
to create it.
The FAQ pages are the destination
of the next link. Selecting a category
from the drop-down list will display
an-
Current User Group information
can be found by clicking on the UG
Info link on the Support tab. This
page has information about the upcoming national KVS User Conference, and about each of our regional
user groups. Select the region from
the drop-down box or select Regional Replies for details on issues
that were raised at recent conferences.
The last link on the Support Tab
takes you to our FTP site allowing
you to transfer files to/from our secured ftp server. One of our representatives can assist you with this
feature.
Also available from every page in
6
AcuPrint recently announced that
they will be discontinuing support
for their version 2.x product line.
This product has been in use since
1998 and is currently being used
by a number of KVS customers.
KVS has worked out an agreement with AP Technologies to extend support through the end of the
year allowing customers time to
budget for the upgrade. The extension will also give them an opportunity to learn about their new
product, SecureCheck Pro, at the
KVS User Conference this August.
SecureCheck Pro offers numerous enhancements including a new
secure watermark feature, additional print elements, and several
new add-on options. Add-ons include Secure Software Print which
is a software only version of AcuPrint that supports any PCL5e
compatible printer, and Secure Image which produces a .PDF image
of your AcuPrint forms.
KVS has secured special upgrade
pricing for our customers. Pricing
and upgrade information is available through your KVS Marketing
Manager.
KVS Hotline
had to change the deduction
amount once, but thought it was
changed back.
Caller’s Corner
by Dave Lessinger
General Ledger - Standard
Q: I’m planning on closing out my
year end but was not sure what reports to balance to.
A: A copy of the month end and year
end balancing procedures can be
found on the Support tab of the KVS
website under General Ledger FAQs.
These can be used as a guide to help
with balancing.
Payroll/Human Resources
Q: An employee’s state retirement
deduction was under-withheld. I
What’s
Hot
A: The deduction amount was previously changed in Deduction File
Maintenance and should not have
been. For one time changes, use the
F7 Deduction key in Transaction Entry.
Collection
Q: A payment was collected on
Feb. 28, but should have been entered as March 1. A void for the
payment was entered on March 1,
rather than Feb. 28, accidentally.
How do we fix this?
sal” menu option, and void the original payment on Feb. 28. Then reenter the payment on March 1.
Indiana (cont’d from page 5)
classes on human resources policies
and break out sessions by the IN
State Board of Accounts School on
topics such as utility billing, collection and budget preparation.
The League elected new officers
for next year, and the conference was
an obvious success for the clerk’s
and vendors attending, with meaningful training and networking opportunities.
♦
A: Reverse the void entered on
March 1 using the “Receipt Rever-
System Enhancements
COLLECTION
ENTERPRISE FINANCIALS cont’d
PARKING TICKETS
Send delinquent notices for user
specified purposes
Upload parking tickets written
through T2 Parking Tickets system
ELECTRIC
AP/GL Distribution Report
changed to have “Include” list, as in
Voucher Detail Report
Copy account data from an existing account to a new account
Reverse option for budget adjustments
Consumption updates to Collection
Taxable field
Year and period can be added for
prepaid vouchers
ENTERPRISE FINANCIALS
Requisition forms can be printed
Report only on vendors with
1099s printed using new “1099
Vendors Only” option in the Vendor Activity Report.
Default depreciation method
added to Asset Class Code setup
New prompt in voucher forms print
asks for Check ID range
Year-To-Date Bank Report shows
beginning balance, deposits, disbursements, and transfers
Specific accounts or account ranges
may be increased or decreased using Account Table feature
GENERAL RECEIPTS
Print a receipt book for a specified
GL account range
7
PAYROLL
New Associated Benefit prompt
will report hours taken on the accrued associated benefit
Time Input Worksheet Report displays in Windows format with
additional reporting options
Sort break options in Transaction
Edit Report print the GL Distribution and Payroll Certification after each break
Attach files to employee records
with new attachment screen
KVS Hotline
KVS Makes Best Places To Work List For 2006
The collections from the KVS
“dress-down” funds so far this year
were distributed to “Sleepout for
the Homeless,” the SPCA, the
MDA Lockup, and the American
Heart Association Heart Walk. Upcoming donations are planned for:
May - Bikathon for Roswell
June - Moving Miracles
August - Avon Breast Cancer
Walk
Please contact Cindy Miller at
cmiller@kvsinfo. com or 800-9999587 with donation suggestions.
For the second year in a row,
KVS was named one of the best
places to work in Western New
York by Business First newspaper.
A finalist in the medium-size
category, KVS was among only 21
other companies to make it through
the qualifying process. To qualify,
companies had to have a high
number of employees complete an
anonymous online survey focusing
on topics such as team and manager effectiveness, individual contribution, and retention risk, to
name a few. A market research
company located in Wichita, Kansas, analyzed the responses to arrive at a final score which indicates
how engaged employees feel in
their jobs.
Employee comments which were
singled out from the surveys include the following:
“KVS is a family-friendly employer which is really appreciated
by the employees. Several employees have been permitted to adjust
their work schedule to allow for
childcare issues.”
“Management truly has an open
door policy and is always willing
to discuss and try to solve any employee problems that arise.”
KVS currently has 44 employees
with 14 of them employed at the
company for 10 or more years.
Contributors: Bill Becker, Jerry Fonner, Dean Gionis, Dave Lessinger, Bob Milheim, and Ed Warnke.
KVS Hotline is a publication of KVS Information Systems, Inc., 821 Maple Road, Williamsville, NY, 14221. Please direct all
submissions, suggestions and inquiries to Newsletter Editor Stephanie Hooley. Contact KVS at (800)999-9587 or 716-626-1976,
fax at 716-626-1973 or email shooley@kvsinfo.com.
821 Maple Road
Williamsville, NY 14221
KVS Information Systems Inc.
8