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We would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Holiday Season!

What is Harvest? by Jay Lam, Intermediate Consultant

What is Harvest?

  • Harvest is a reporting tool that reads an XML file and transposes the data into a visually appealing report.
  • Harvest runs on Windows or Unix systems.
  • Harvest is Database independent.
  • Harvest at its core is a C# console application which includes ActiveReports object libraries.  It's these object libraries that make up harvest.
  • ActiveReports is a product from Data Dynamics.  The Professional Edition of ActiveReports for .NET is licensed per developer, and distribution is royalty free. This means that customers do not have to pay a yearly fee to use ActiveReports.

Why was Harvest created?

  • About three or four years ago, a developer attended a Peartree training course on UniQuery.
  • He concluded that there must be a better way of creating reports especially for the PICK world.
  • For non-PICK programmers, it was hard to create reports.  It could take a while to understand the concepts behind UniQuery and PICK.
  • Existing PICK reports look plain and dull.  There is no colour or style.

What are the Advantages of using Harvest over our PICK related reporting tools?

  • PICK programmers don't have to worry about printers, PCL codes, HEX codes, paper and formatting details.
  • Harvest reports are visually more appealing.  You can add images or colour to your reports.
  • Harvest designer allows programmers and non-programmers to easily create and customize existing reports.
  • Harvest reports are re-usable.
  • Harvest reports can be saved into different formats: PDF, MS Excel, MS Word, Rich Text File, Text File, HTML.
  • Harvest reports can accept various inputs: XML/OLEDB/ODBC.
  • Harvest reports can be faxed, e-mailed, printed, displayed: Internet Explorer or Adobe viewer.
  • Less tree cutting.
  • Saves time.

What are the requirements for Harvest?

  • .NET framework 1.1 Service Pack
  • Web Service Enhancement 2.0
  • Internet Explorer 6.0
  • OS: Windows 2000 Pro: Faxing workers better with Windows 2003
  • Computer/Processor: 133 MHz or higher Pentium-compatible CPU
  • Memory: at least 64 MB of RAM; More memory means faster report generation
  • Disk Space: 10 MB free space
  • Database Platform: UniData 5.x or higher. D3 7.2 or higher
  • Display: VGA or higher resolution monitor
  • Keyboard: Required
  • Mouse: Required

The Deadline is Approaching: Have You Reformatted Your Cheques Yet?

In January 2008, a new Cheque Imaging process will be implemented in Canada. Cheques will be filled out and deposited the same way, but the clearing process will differ.  An image of the cheque will be transferred to the 'drawee' institution, rather than the physical cheque itself.

To prepare for the new system, cheques have to be standardized.  Businesses have until June 30, 2007 to make the changes.  Note that the deadline has been changed from December 2006 so that you have adequate time to make the changes. 

To prepare your business for cheque imaging, first reorder your cheques.  When you receive the new cheques, verify whether or not any of the information on your Peartree software needs to be altered. You can do this by reprinting a small hold file of cheques on the new forms. Also, you will need to see if the date is in the same format indicated on the cheque form.

If any software changes are required, please send us one of your new cheque forms, or the template provided by your printing company, and we can quote the changes for you. We are able to install the cheque software changes on your test database at any time, then implement the changes on your live account when you start using the new cheques.

As with any software change, the earlier the better! 

For more information on the new cheque specifications, go to www.cdnpay.ca. If you have any questions, please contact Bridget Behm at 519-743-2444 ext. 242 or at brb@ptsoft.com.
 

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Peartree Software Inc · 550 Parkside Drive, Unit 8A · Waterloo, ON · N2L 5V4 ·
Ph 519-743-2444 · Fx 519-743-3656