Working Overtime?
There’s no need with these multi-function software solutions

In an effort to meet members’ every life need, child care and privateschool education have become common church-provided services. Of course, the more services a church provides, the more it costs to keep the boat afloat. That’s why, with such increasing demands on their campuses, most pastors agree: ‘If there’s a way to save money, let’s do it.’ Fortunately, one of the simplest ways to cut back on costs is by investing wisely in computer software. Choosing programs that do double duty in the church office, sanctuary and classrooms saves hundreds — even thousands — of dollars in the long run. Here are just a few options worth considering.

KEEP EVERYONE INVOLVED — EVEN ON THE NET!

Blackbaud’s Education Administration lets you organize your admissions process, store detailed student information, create schedules, produce demographic, statistic and analytical reports, print report cards, transcripts and much more. You also can offer parents the ability to view student grades, attendance and conduct information securely over the Internet.

Other product features include Admissions Office, which captures information necessary to make enrollment decisions regarding your prospects and applicants and maintain a comprehensive record of each contact; Student Billing, designed to Microsoft’s latest specification for Windows; and School Store Manager, an integrated, easy-to-use point-of-sale solution for the bookstore, snack bar, cafeteria, athletic store or anywhere else on campus purchases are made. For more information, log on to www.blackbaud.com or call 800.443.9441.

GROW WITH THE FLOW

As the demands on your facility grow — as a place to host weddings, community events and church functions — EMS scheduling software from Dean Evans & Associates Inc., can help you perform miracles every day. Windows-based EMS lets you manage all the details, from rooms to vehicles and resources, plus share event information and manage the schedule with one program thanks to its automatic conflict resolution function. This innovative program also lets you print clear, concise reports (including calendars) and can be integrated with Microsoft Office and e-mail. Call 800.440.3994 for a free evaluation kit, or log on to www.dea.com for details.

PAY YOUR BILLS AND SAVE MONEY?

It’s possible with ShelbyMICR from Western Business Systems and Shelby Systems. ShelbyMICR streamlines your payment process and makes the hassles of conventional check writing a thing of the past. Using an MICR laser printer and Shelby’s Windows-based software, you can significantly reduce the time required to process checks while reducing costs by 5 to 15 cents per check. Printing checks from blank copy-alert paper enhances security and reduces inventory.

Changes to company name, address, phone or band information can be made easily and securely. Best of all, Shelby MICR is compatible with your existing accounting system. For more information or to order, call 800.999.0940.

MANAGE YOUR MONEY WITH A NAME YOU TRUST

Released in May, QuickBooks Nonprofit Editions — QuickBooks Premier: Nonprofit Edition 2003 and QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions: Nonprofit Edition — are the first QuickBooks products specifically designed to help nonprofits manage their finances. Specialized features include a nonprofit-specific Unified Chart of Accounts, improved budget tracking, grand/donor management, streamlined reporting to give your organization the greatest insight into your operations (including IRS Form 990 preparation), and many more features using the new nonprofit Navigator tool and Menu. Both programs are available at leading retailers or by calling 888.2.INTUIT.

IT’S YOUR PROGRAM — YOU DESIGN IT!

Since 1978, Computer Resources LLC has been providing software and service to schools. Its offerings include Modular Management System For Schools (MMS), a powerful, fully integrated administrative software suite used by thousands of schools nationwide. You choose only the suites you need, including Master File, featuring 96 pre-defined fields and 14 user-defined fields to maintain student data and information, and Attendance Reporting, which accepts input from multiple sources, uses your school’s attendance codes and prints both built-in and custom reports. Also available is Student Scheduling to maximize the use of your resources, teachers and rooms while scheduling the most students possible; Discipline Monitoring, an easy-to-use system that keeps tabs on disciplinary issues in your school; quick and easy grade calculation, class ranks, credits and GPAs with Grade Reporting; Health Management, a complete system for managing healthcare records; and Fee Accounting, which lets you keep close track of fees and materials assigned to students for billing purposes. Fee Accounting even lets you print itemized statements, invoices and receipts with check numbers and record payments throughout the year. To request a free demo or to learn more, visit www.cri-mms.com.

TURN DONATIONS INTO DOLLARS

When a member gives his or her items to your church instead of selling them at a yard sale, it’s a win-win situation. Now, thanks to ItsDeductible Deluxe Edition software from Intuit, members can be sure their commonly donated items — clothing, appliances, stuffed animals and more — receive fair market value. In fact, ItsDeductible guarantees users will save at least $300 on their taxes or get their money back. Tithe Tracker, another handy ItsDeductible feature, helps members gauge their giving. Call 800.976.5358 or log on to www.itsdeductible.com for details and ordering information.

A TEXT-OVER TECHNOLOGY LEADER

EasyWorship displays songs, scripture, sermon notes, video clips and even full-length DVDs. Its industry-recognized easy-to-use interface lets you begin building your worship service schedule with just a click of the mouse! EasyWorship works intuitively — just choose a song and a scripture, build a schedule, click, and “go live" to your projection screen.

This powerful program displays anti-aliased broadcast-quality text over video, DVD, VCR, graphics and even live feed from cameras. With more than 100 transitions, EasyWorship is unique in that it blends videos, text, DVD, video clips and cameras, and with a click of the mouse switches to any of these media. Complete with nursery alert and scrolling message banner, EasyWorship offers a non-distracting way to make your worship flow, either with scheduled or on-the-fly capabilities. To powerfully multiply the impact of every worship service — without the stress and hassles without the "learning curve" presented by some software options — consider EasyWorship. Free support and upgrades are available. To learn more, log on to www.easyworship.com.

FROM PRESCHOOLERS TO SENIORS, YOU’RE COVERED

HeadMaster from ACS Technologies lets users fulfill their day care through K-12 needs from administration to accounting and registrar duties. HeadMaster lets you manage student, teacher and parent information centrally and automate grading, reporting, class scheduling and attendance. HeadMaster even offers complete billing capabilities and lets you directly connect your administration and your classrooms. The experts at ACS say all these features were designed let you focus on the heart of your school: the students. For more information or to order, call 800.736.7425 or log on to www.acstechnologies.com.

EASY-TO-INSTALL E-MAIL GUARDIAN

Watchdog ISP, a division of Digital Systems Support, recently released enhanced versions of its Watchdog e-mail and Web-filtering appliances. Watchdog ISP reviews every attribute of an e-mail, from the subject line to the message body, to filter up to 22 categories of distasteful materials, including criminal activity, crude/tasteless content, gambling/wagering, pornography, obscenity, weapons and violence. Watchdog ISP is compatible with all mail servers, and installation takes 15 minutes or less. For more information, visit www.watchdogisp.com.

A SIMPLER SOLUTION TO SCHOOL MANAGEMENT

Logos School Management from Logos Management Software is a powerful, user-friendly system for efficient record keeping and maintaining communication with the students, families and staff in any size school. Drop-down menus, scroll lists and pop-up windows are just a few of the features that make Logos School easy to learn and even easier to use. Its “Print Reports” window shows the many Family and Student information reports you can print. The Cabinet, Category and Drawer scroll lists give quick access to other types of reports (Accounts Receivable, Staff and so on). Plus, Logos School runs on a single computer as well as on a network. For more information and a free CD demo, log on to www.logoslbe.com.

CATCH (AND KEEP) THEIR ATTENTION

It’s easy to do with SundayPlus Version 2.3, the latest installment in the popular SundayPlus lineup. SundayPlus lets you superimpose text over movie files with preloaded sample clips — just drag and drop any lyrics or titles directly to a movie cue and it will play with the usual SundayPlus simplicity. Text can be configured with drop shadows and outlines for better visibility over the constantly changing background of motion video. And while you’re at it, add any MP3, AIFF, WAV or MIDI file to the SundayPlus CueList to add background music behind announcements or for sound effects for the morning drama. Order SundayPlus online at www.sundayplus.com, or call 877.274.7277.

TAKE IT TO THE WEB

If you’re looking for truly full-service solution, Schoolway provides a fully integrated Web-hosted application for private school administration. Schoolway’s comprehensive solution modules include accounting, admissions, development, grading, attendance and scheduling. Delivered from a single Oracle database via a Web-hosted model, SchoolWay offers one-stop access your school’s entire data collection. To learn more, call 800.339.6102 or log on to www.schoolway.com.