PITNEYA Conversion Program
Version 2.0

The PITNEYA program is used to convert expense transactions from a Pitney Bowes A-10000 machine to be compatible with the TABS III Import Data from Data Capture Devices program. The PITNEYA program can also be used to convert expense transactions from the Pitney Bowes Star 190 Carrier Management System, the Pitney Bowes G-300 series machines, the Pitney Bowes J-700 system and the AMS 24 Mail Management System.

NOTE: The PITNEYA conversion program assumes that the fields are defined for the following information on the Pitney Bowes system:

Translation Date = Date used for the transaction in TABS III

Charge Field = Total amount charged for a transaction (surcharges and discounts are ignored)

Custom Field = TABS III Client/Matter Number, excluding the decimal. For example, 12345678 indicates client 123 and matter 45678 if the TABS III key length is set to 9.5 (9 = total number of  digits including the decimal, 5 = number of digits to the right of the decimal).

INSTALLATION

The PITNEYA interface program (PITNEYA.EXE) must be transferred to the directory on your hard disk where the TABS III program files reside (otherwise you will get a "FILE NOT FOUND" error message). This is done by using the INSTALL program.

To install the PITNEYA Interface program on your hard disk:

1) Insert the Pitney Bowes Interface program disk into floppy disk drive "A" and enter the following commands:

        A:    (then depress the Enter key)
        INSTALL

2) Follow the on-screen instructions to install the software onto your hard disk. The Install program will locate your TABS III software on your hard disk so that the interface program can be transferred to the same directory as TABS III. After the installation process, the message "Installation Complete" will be displayed.

EXECUTING THE PITNEYA INTERFACE PROGRAM


Use the following procedure for conversion:

1) Transfer the data file from your Pitney Bowes System to the directory on your hard disk where your data resides. The data must reside in a file named TRAN_CMS.TXT. For example, if your TABS III data files reside on drive C in a subdirectory called STI, and the TRAN_CMS.TXT file currently exists in a subdirectory called PITNEY on drive C, from the C: prompt, enter:

        CD \PITNEY

To copy the data file to your TABS III data directory, enter the command:

        COPY TRAN_CMS.TXT C:\STI

2) Change to the drive and directory where the TABS III program files reside. For example, if your TABS III program files reside on drive C in a subdirectory called STI, from the C: prompt, enter:

        CD \STI

To begin the TABS III data file conversion, enter the command:

        PITNEYA

3) The first time you run the PITNEYA program, you will be asked to enter the TABS III transaction code number that you use for shipping transactions. Once you specify the transaction code number, the PITNEYA conversion program will use the same value each time you run the PITNEYA conversion program.

4) Next, you will be asked "Are you using Pitney Bowes J-700 system (Y/N)?". If you enter "Y", the PITNEYA conversion program will convert data using the J-700 data format each time you run the PITNEYA conversion program. If you enter "N", the PITNEYA conversion program will convert data using the other data format (the A-10000, Star 190, and G-300 all use the same data format) each time you run the PITNEYA conversion program.

5) If you entered "Y" to the J-700 question above, you will be prompted to enter a command: CD, CV, or Q. If you enter "Q" (for Quit), the program will be aborted.

If you enter "CV" (for Create Validation File), and you are using TABS III version 3.4 or later, this routine will create a client validation data file name CLIENT.DAT. This file will contain a record for each active client/matter that exists in the TABS III Client file.

If you enter "CD" (for Convert Data), the program will look for the TRAN_CMS.TXT file containing the Pitney Bowes data. If the TRAN_CMS.TXT file is found to contain data, the program will display the message "Converting Transactions" followed by a counter as each transaction is read from the file. The files T3EXPKEY.REM, T3EXP.REM, and T3EDESC1.REM will be created which can be merged with the main TABS III data files.   You must then start up TABS III and run the Import Data from Data Capture Devices program.

6) If you entered "N" to the J-700 question above, you will be asked "Is it OK to continue (Y/N)?". If you enter "N", the program will follow the same steps as above for the "CD" command.

NOTE: If you are not using a demo version of the program, the data file will automatically be deleted when the conversion is complete to avoid double-posting of the data.

NOTE: If you want to change the cost transaction code or you decide to use the J-700 system, you can delete the PITNEYA.PRM file. This file is created in your TABS III program directory. This will enable you to go through the setup procedure described above in Step 3 as a first time user of the program.

NOTE: The AMS 24 Mail Management System has the same format as the Pitney Bowes J-700 sytem. If you are using the AMS 24 Mail Management System enter "Y" when asked "Are you using Pitney Bowes J-700 system (Y/N)?".