Beta testing has started on the new GUI based financial application!

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Tricia

First Option partnered with Looksoftware in November 2011 in order to modernize the former Daprex financial application software. Our programming staff has been working diligently over the past few months and we are at the point where we are ready for a first look.

Looksoftware has been providing dynamic application modernization and integration solutions for customers and application vendors for over 15 years. Their architecture automates the modernization process, providing multi-channel front-end access, requiring no changes to your back-end IBM i, System i, AS/400, iSeries and System z applications.

Looksoftware’s toolset enables programmers to seamlessly blend application modernization with development of new applications. This can be achieved using leading technologies like Open Access for RPG, Microsoft’s .NET and Java, and provides a practical, long-term strategic path forward for all IBM i, System i, iSeries or AS/400 application investments.

First Option has been developing application software for the iSeries for 17 years and we are excited about this new venture. We have rolled out the test version to a select group of users and are getting some great feedback.

Stay tuned for exciting developments…..

Posted in Financial Software | Leave a comment

March Newsletter

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Tricia

First Option has a lot of exciting news this month!

In this issue:

  • We are in the process of Modernizing the Financial Software
  • Have rolled out a new Help Desk and Support System
  • Updated WebCheck with a new look
  • And will be opening an additional Hosting site in Virginia. Details on this New Site and our Hosting product will be in our next newsletter. Stay tuned!

First Option Newsletter

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Tax Reform Act 2012

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Tricia

Payroll Update

The employee fica rate of 4.2% has been extended for the rest of the year.  Since the rate was changed to 4.2% permanently for the January to February period you will not need any programming changes.

Under the terms negotiated by Congress, the law had included a “recapture” provision. This provision was repealed when the legislation was extended through the end of 2012.

Posted in Financial Software, Payroll-Year End | Comments Off

iSeries V5R4 Operating System

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Tricia
IBM announces Operating System V5R4 Software Maintenance support will end September 30, 2013.
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Payroll Tax Holiday Extended

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Tricia

The Congress and Senate have passed the payroll tax cut bill and it is headed for the President’s signature.

With this bill, the employee fica tax rate would remain at 4.2% until the end of the year.

For more info:

2/17/2012 Article Boston.com

 

 

Posted in Financial Software, Payroll-Year End | Comments Off

Upgrade Scheduled for our iSeries Hosted Customers

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Tricia

On Sunday February 19th after the month end back up, we have scheduled the Financial application (formerly Daprex) upgrade.  The upgrade will start at 9:00AM Sunday morning and will take 6-8 hours.  During this time, the application will NOT be available to users.

The upgrade requires that we complete two tasks.  The first is to apply the latest version of the application software using the old upgrade method.  The second is to install two new libraries and a new folder in the IFS for the new upgrade/ PTF java programs.  Both of these tasks will be completed during this upgrade.

When the upgrade is complete, an email will be sent indicating that the application is available.

A reminder of this upgrade will be sent again prior to the 19th.

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Webcheck now has a new look!

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Tricia

We have replaced the old template with the First Option template used on all our websites.

 

Go to http://www.1stoption.com/About/newsEvents.htm and click on Webcheck new template Demo.

 

The functionality has not changed, the only changes made are to the design.   This version of the application will be in production Thursday, February 16th.

Posted in Financial Software | Comments Off

Roll Out of Help Desk Software

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Tricia

On January 25th First Option had a webinar regarding the roll out of our new Help Desk Software.

The recorded webinar is now available at the following link

http://www.1stoption.com/About/newsEvents.htm

There is also a recorded demonstration at the same link called Help Desk Demo

Posted in Financial Software | Comments Off

Financial Software Customer Webinar

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Tricia

Please click the link below to register for our webinar on January 25th at 1:00 EST. The purpose of the webinar is to roll out the new First Option Help Desk Software.

Agenda

* How to Log in
* View Tickets
* Submit a Ticket
* View Knowledgebase
* News
* Troubleshooter
* Account Set Up and Options

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/524414434

For those who cannot attend we will post the recorded version of the webinar on January 27th.

Posted in Financial Software | Comments Off

More Detail Regarding the Fica Payroll Tax Holiday

Posted on December 24, 2011 by Tricia

Under the terms negotiated by Congress, the law also includes a new “recapture” provision, which applies only to those employees who receive more than $18,350 in wages during the two-month period (the Social Security wage base for 2012 is $110,100, and $18,350 represents two months of the full-year amount). This provision imposes an additional income tax on these higher-income employees in an amount equal to 2 percent of the amount of wages they receive during the two-month period in excess of $18,350 (and not greater than $110,100).

This additional recapture tax is an add-on to income tax liability that the employee would otherwise pay for 2012 and is not subject to reduction by credits or deductions. The recapture tax would be payable in 2013 when the employee files his or her income tax return for the 2012 tax year. With the possibility of a full-year extension of the payroll tax cut being discussed for 2012, the IRS will closely monitor the situation in case future legislation changes the recapture provision.

IRS Link to Payroll Tax Holiday

Posted in Payroll-Year End | Comments Off