Fixed Asset Communicator
Fixed Asset Communicator Overview
Fixed Assets Communicator allows users to load new or changed fixed asset information from a standard format, including a file generated from scanned data, data converted from another system, or data from an appraisal company, to the Assets table in the eFinancePlus Fixed Assets system.
In addition, you can download data from Fixed Assets to be used in conjunction with a third-party inventory system. You can then review updated data gathered from a physical inventory and update your asset records by posting them back to Fixed Assets.
Fixed Asset Communicator System Features
Fixed Assets Communicator is an easy-to-use module that accepts third-party data and interfaces with the eFinancePlus Fixed Assets system.
Fixed Assets Communicator includes the following features:
Downloads data in a standard format for use by scanning software. Third parties offer scanning software and equipment that accept a standard format for downloads and use a standard format for uploads.
Uploads scanned asset data and allows you to review and update the data before posting it to the Fixed Assets system.
Uploads appraisal company data in a standard format, without requiring additional conversions or programmer intervention. Uploads can be done regularly.
Posts records to the Assets table in the Fixed Assets system. A posting adds new records to the table and updates existing records with changes.
Generates reports on the data stored in the Asset Upload table in Fixed Assets so that you can correct records as needed before posting.
Enables you to correct and re-post any records that could not be posted initially because of errors.
Menu Options
The Fixed Assets menu in eFinancePlus includes four options for using Fixed Assets Communicator.
These options enable you to download, upload, review, and post fixed asset records to the Assets table in Fixed Assets. This section provides brief descriptions of the four options.
Menu Path: Fixed Assets > Entry & Processing > Communicator > then select an option
Fixed Assets Communicator Options
Menu Option | Details |
|---|---|
Download | Produces a pipe-delimited ASCII text file containing asset records from the eFinancePlus Fixed Assets system. Improvement records are not included in these files. |
Upload | Loads the pipe-delimited ASCII text file provided by a third-party inventory system into a temporary table, the Asset Upload table, in the Fixed Assets system. |
Review | Allows you to print a summary or detail report listing the current contents of the Asset Upload table. You can also update and delete records in the table. |
Post | Moves the records from the Asset Upload table to the Assets table in Fixed Assets. When you run this option, Communicator generates a log identifying any records that were not posted because of errors. You then correct and re-post the records as needed. |
Procedural Outline
Following is a basic outline of the processes used in Fixed Assets Communicator, from start to finish. The outline is intended to summarize how and when the different options are used.
Ensure all prerequisite steps have been completed and that all other users are logged out of the Fixed Assets and Communicator systems.
If you want to pull asset information from Fixed Assets, use the Download option to create a pipe- delimited ASCII text file of assets stored in the Assets table.
Create pipe-delimited ASCII text files for uploading asset records as indicated:
Complete an inventory of assets using a third-party inventory system. The third-party system provides a text file containing either new asset data, changed asset data, or a combination of the two.
Create a text file containing new data from an appraisal.
Convert data from another system to a text file.
Start with Step 3 if you are doing a conversion or just loading appraisal data.
Use the Upload option to move the pipe-delimited ASCII text file to the Asset Upload table in the Fixed Assets system.
Use the Review option to print a list of the assets in the Asset Upload table, then review and update records as needed.
Use the Post option to move the records from the Asset Upload table to the Assets table in Fixed Assets.