Tabs3 Device Interface, also known as TBDevice, is our most popular Windows-based cost recovery software. Tabs3 Device Interface software has the ability to convert data from cost recovery devices into a format that can then be imported into Tabs3 using the Merge Tabs3 Remote Data program included with Tabs3.

Tabs3 Device Interface software includes all of the Generic and Custom formats shown in the following table. Therefore, a single copy of Tabs3 Device Interface software can import costs from multiple collection devices, thereby potentially eliminating the need to purchase separate custom interface programs. Even if your particular cost recovery system is not listed, you may very well be able to use one of the Generic formats that import into Tabs3. To determine if you can use one of the Generic or other formats, we recommend providing the file layouts included in our instructions to your cost recovery device provider and ask if they can output to that format. Alternatively, direct the provider to this page where they can review the various formats that we currently handle. Although custom formats can be written, they require custom programming fees. Therefore we recommend working with the existing formats.

Note: The format of the fields are in the Other format and ASCII Variable formats are slightly different, with the Other format including two separate fields for client and matter. Both the ASCII Variable and Other formats include optional phase and task fields in addition to the tcode field, whereas the ASCII Fixed format does not.

Tabs3 Device Interface software supports use of task codes and cost rate tables, has the ability to create validation files and provides multiple format capabilities for the same price as other single format software solutions. We encourage firms to choose the Tabs3 Device Interface software whenever possible.

The WCNVASCV.EXE program is a stand-alone Windows based-program that can convert fee and cost transactions from a specified ASCII format into files that can then be merged into Tabs3 using the Merge Tabs3 Remote Data program included with Tabs3. The format used by the WCNVASCV.EXE program is also included in the Tabs3 Device Interface software by using the ASCII Variable format. For most firms, we recommend purchasing Tabs3 Device Interface software instead of WCNVASCV. However, there are a few older third-party software applications that require the WCNVASCV program (such as older versions of Time Matters). (Note: The File layout for this program is included in the instructions.)

The following programs are separately sold DOS-based cost recovery programs. The CONVASCF and CONVASCV formats are similar to the ASCII Fixed and ASCII Variable Generic formats provided in Tabs3 Device Interface software, but do not include fields for task based billing codes. For most firms, we recommend purchasing Tabs3 Device Interface software instead of CONVASCF or CONVASCV. However, there may be some older third-party software applications that still require the CONVASCF or CONVASCV programs.

The format required by the CONVASCV program does NOT match the format required by the ASCII Variable format provided in the Tabs3 Device Interface software. The format required by the CONVASCF software matches the ASCII Fixed format provided in the Tabs3 Device Interface program.

The EQDCONV Equitrac Copier Interface includes some customization functionality that is currently not available in the Tabs3 Device Interface program. A detailed comparison of Tabs3 Device Interface software and EQDCONV can be found in KB Article R11070 - Using Tabs3 & Equitrac to Recover Costs.

Note: File layouts for the above formats are included in the instructions.

Note: DOS programs cannot be run under a 64-bit operating system. Although they can be installed on a 64-bit server, they must be run from a non-64-bit workstation.

The following interface programs are separately sold DOS-based cost recovery programs. Currently, most cost recovery hardware and software has the ability to format their output to meet the Generic formats our Tabs3 Device Interface software provides. For legacy hardware, the following formats are available.

Note: DOS programs cannot be run under a 64-bit operating system. Although they can be installed on a 64-bit server, they must be run from a non-64-bit workstation.