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Pc Mars Plus for Windows is an enhancement to Pc Mars. It adds complete inventory tracking, livestock production data, crop production data, enterprise allocation, a combine set of books utility, and extra report capabilities.

The software requirements are a Pentium 266 MHz system with 32 meg of RAM if using Windows 95/98 or 64 meg of RAM if using Windows ME/2000/XP/Vista. A VGA monitor and Windows supported printer is also required.

INVENTORY TRACKING

Pc Mars Plus allows you to automatically increase/decrease inventory items (ie: corn, beans, hogs, supplies) when entering cash transactions. The inventory is adjusted by the entry of inventory numbers in transactions (for purchases and sales). "Inventory Actions" can also be entered to track non-cash inventory activities such as transfers, crops harvested, feed fed to livestock and livestock births and deaths. End of month assets and liabilities numbers are automatically calculated and can be displayed and reported at any time. You are able to quickly assign your inventory a FMV and generate a net worth for any month. A screen shot of the inventory action screen is shown below.

LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION DATA

An instant snapshot of monthly livestock numbers are displayed in a spreadsheet-like "check" screen. This shows inventory numbers and changes for both cash and non-cash activity on a monthly basis. From this screen changes in inventory can easily be added or edited and a report printed out.

CROP PRODUCTION DATA

An instant snapshot of crop numbers are displayed in a spreadsheet-like "check" screen. This shows inventory numbers and changes for both cash and non-cash activity on a monthly basis. From this screen changes in inventory can easily be added or edited and a report printed out.

An entry screen is provided for entry of crop production data by field and/or farm. Field acreage, planting, harvest and production data can be entered for owned, cash rented or crop share rented categories. A summary screen and reporting options are also available.

ENTERPRISE ALLOCATION

You can allocate transaction activity that was entered in the GEN (General) enterprise to other enterprises by percent or dollars. The Allocated Enterprise Report has been added to show these allocations.

COMBINE UTILITY

A utility is provided to combine 2 sets of books into one. This can be used to combine fiscal years into a calendar year set of books or to combine two accounting entities into one.

ADDITIONAL REPORTS

• Allocated Enterprise Report - This is the result of the allocation of activity entered under GEN enterprise that has been allocated to corn, beans, hogs, etc. enterprises.
• Enterprise Analysis Report - This report will show an accrued enterprise net by combining cash and inventory transactions.
• Inventory Summary Report
• Inventory Tracking Report - This report shows the all the inventory adjustments from cash transactions and non-cash transactions
• Farm Asset Report
• Farm Liability Report
• Non-Farm Asset and Liability Report
• Financial Summary Report
• Livestock Check Report
• Crop and Feed Check Report
• Crop Production Report

Additional comments

Pc Mars Plus is only for the cash version and simply tracks inventory for the net worth. Your tax reports are still cash basis.

Pc Mars Plus is an enhancement to Pc Mars, so you can still access all past Pc Mars data. The additional features in Pc Mars Plus will simply be "grayed out" because they are not available in your prior Pc Mars data. Additionally, Pc Mars Plus can convert your data from Pc Mars to Pc Mars Plus.

Upgrade Information

Pc Mars Plus for Windows version 2.2 is now available. The major changes from Version 2.0 are listed below.  The changes in Version 2.2 are in blue and listed first.

Payroll

• Advanced Payroll can be added to version 2.2, for more extensive payroll (extra cost)

File

• Enhanced open/view screen for sets of books. Multiple sets of can be backed up.

• Option to preview without making changes when doing “carry over balances”

• Do not default backup drive to drive A if it does not exist

• Improved the "Default Directory" usage in Advanced File Management mode
• Added option to backup to last location used
• Delete only the files associated with Pc Mars prior to backup
• When working in previous years data, the default month is December or last month of the fiscal year
• Improved ease of use of the Create New Set of Books and Carryover Set of Books functions
• Open Set of Books window is now re-sizeable

Options

• Miscellaneous Options
  • Separate choices of matching text option for Vendors and Descriptions
  • Added option to backup to the last location used

Setup

• Track money loaned out through asset loan vendor type.
• A “Labor Description” list separate from the general description list
• Added the ability to setup recurring transactions, discussed under transactions below
• Improved the carrying over of options to the next year
• Added the ability to specify a breeding, market or "both" type of livestock enterprise
• Added the ability to enter miscellaneous notes for employees
• You can now deactivate an account code if the only thing in that code is Unassigned Inventory

Transactions

• Improve bank account default
• Add number to browse filter
• Bi-weekly and custom times added for recurring transaction reminders
• Instead of “add line” to transaction, you now “insert line” (directly below current line)
• Batch check printing now supported for credit transactions
• Multiple Loan vendors can be used in checks
• Floating notepad implemented (tack notes) can be used with each transaction

• Added credit reconciliation

• Browse and Find can focus on payroll transactions only.

• Added recurring transactions.  These are transactions you can set up to repeat weekly or monthly. When the day or the month or week rolls around, a window appears and asks you if you want to add them now, later, or to skip this time.  You can also enter recurring transactions manually from the transaction screens.
• Added the ability to reconcile previous year's checks, making year transitions easier to handle
• Added the ability to enter credit income transactions
• Added the ability to print a check or deposit slip from a credit transaction
• Added the ability to specify a non-bank journal transaction as "cash" so it will appear in all the reports
• The hourly wage is printed on paychecks
• Added the ability to "reuse" transactions from the previous year set of books
• Added the ability to select  a dollar amount and a full date range (Mo./Day/Year) in the browse transaction screen
• Updated state tax tables for Minnesota and Iowa

Reports

• Enterprise sub-total option in selected item reports
• Multi-profit center report
• Date range specifications available on loan reports

• Credit register report

• Updated screen preview now supports a wheel mouse

• Can show the chart of accounts on the report header

• Improve Multi-Year Loan Report - date specification and expired loans in previous years

• Added number of employees to SUTA / FUTA reports

• Added Profit Center Analysis Report
• Added an average per month figure to Livestock Check Report and Crop & Feed Check Report
• Added a Multi-Year Loan Report
• Added the ability to "Join" fiscal years in the Vendor Detail Report and Vendor Summary Report
• Added a Bank Transfer Report
• Added the ability to specify a month range in the Multi-Year Cash Summary Report and Multi-Year Income Statement
• Improved the reports used in church set of books
• Added option to print the current page in the print preview
• If not in "Direct Control of Period" mode, all period options are removed from reports
• Added a SUTA attachment sheet option to the SUTA report
• Save all applicable report options for use the next time report is run
• Removed "long name" in the Bank and Loan Balance Report when used in "Split" mode
• Added an option to print un-cleared checks in the Check Register
• Added an option to print the notes for employees in the Employee Background Data Report

Inventory (new name, was net worth)

• "Live" Net worth – double clicks to inventory screens. Will update if changes are made.
• Improved way to handle double cropping.

• Tillable acres handled differently. User enters tillable acres in a separate place than total acres.

• The “feed” inventory is limited to “feed fed” categories of account codes. There is now a hot-link button for setting up feed fed account codes

• Unassigned assets and liabilities can be displayed in a browse type screen. You can double click on them to see the underlying detail. You can also double click on the net worth screen to see them

• Added the ability to specify a breeding, market or "both" type of livestock inventory

Cash Flow

• Added the ability to specify which budget or cash flow file name (or set of books) to carry-over

Utility

• The program detects whenever a change is made to previous year set of books and offers to calculate and carry-over balances to the current year.  The function can also be run manually
• Added option to export units, weight, bank and loan balances
• Added the ability for the user to check program updates and information on the web and download the latest update patch
• The Combine utility will calculate "cleared" balances, in addition to simple balances

Other

• Made compatible with Windows Vista and Windows 7
• Continue to receive Internet updates/patches and support (for the new version only)

•  More error checking. Crop cannot be changed in field data if production data has been entered. Enterprise cannot be changed in a transaction if inventory has been linked to the entry.

• Improved other error checking and warning messages in many places (2.2)

• Program options are saved when installing over a previous program
• Numerous tweeks and cosmetic changes

Upgrade Prices

• Upgrade from Pc Mars Plus for Windows version 2.0 - $90 (Iowa customers add sales tax ). To order, click on the following: Windows Upgrade Letter. Print it out, follow the instructions, and send it to SoftShell.

New and upgrade prices

• New users who do not have Pc Mars -- $700
• If you have Pc Mars for Windows 2.2 -- $350
• If you have any older version of Pc Mars Plus for Windows -- $100 to upgrade to Pc Mars Plus 2.2
• Iowa residents add sales tax

To order by E-mail click on this link http://www.iowafarmbusiness.org/support/e-mail%20order%20form.htm

Patch updates to Pc Mars Plus Version 2.0

Problems were detected after version 2.0 was released.  Update patches are available to fix these problems, as well as added features. You can tell if any of these affect you by examining the version number, listed under "About Pc Mars Plus" under the Help Menu. Examine the version number and note the changes made for higher versions than yours. Described below are the problems and changes made for each of the versions updates. Note that these update VERSION 2.0 ONLY.

Version 2.0.8.1

A problem was discovered in the backup and restore to floppy disk(s). These problems have been corrected.

Version 2.0.8.2

A problem was discovered when Pc Mars Plus converts a set of books that has PCMINV (Pc Mars Inventory/Production module) data in it. This problem has been corrected. Note that this only affects Minnesota users of the PCMINV program . It will convert some of the applicable data that was entered in the PCMINV data, but some of the data is not applicable and will be blanked out. The PCMINV program can still work with old data that has not been converted by Pc Mars Plus.

Version 2.0.9

1. Fixed a problem with paychecks in "credit" mode showing a negative net check amount on labor reports.
2. Fixed a problem when adding new liability items by clicking underneath the dollar amount.
3. Fixed combine to carry over beginning loan balances.
4. On inventory action screen give a warning when date is not in the fiscal year.
5. On crop production screen, production and yield data are calculated amounts and can't be entered.

Version 2.0.10

1. A problem was discovered with the printing of paycheck stubs in batch printing mode, for which year-to-date totals are calculated.  If there are deductions made from previous paychecks but not in this one, the program may show non-zero amounts for the current paycheck.  This problem only occurs in batch printing mode.  This problem has been fixed.
2. Added a date range selection (in addition to month and period), in the Expanded Labor Report.

Version 2.0.11

1. An option was added to the Bank and Loan Balance Report to show inflows and outflows for all of the bank and loan accounts.
2. Fixed a problem with Detailed Labor Reports printing too far down on the page, past the bottom title.

Version 2.0.12

1. Updated Minnesota state tax table for 2006.
2. Fixed a problem with several of the reports printing too far down on the page, past the bottom title.
3. Added the capability to do double or multiple cropping on the same field.  This is done by entering a different field for the secondary crop, but using the same field name as you used for the primary crop. The Crop Production Report will calculate the correct total acreage if you enter multiple crops this way.

Version 2.0.13

1. Update Iowa state tax table for 2006

Version 2.0.14

1. Update Minnesota state tax table for 2007

If you want to update your program to the latest release (2.0.14) click on the following: Download Update (fix) to Pc Mars Plus

This is a file that updates or fixes your existing Pc Mars Plus 2.0 program file. Just save the file to your desktop. Then run the update program (Plus Update 2.0.14.0.exe) by double clicking on it. It will ask you for the location (folder) containing Pc Mars Plus 2.0. This most likely will be in "PcmWinf". This folder you specify must contain Pc Mars Plus 2.0 in order for the program to be updated.

Patch updates to Pc Mars Plus Version 2.1

Problems were detected after version 2.1 was released.  Update patches are available to fix these problems, as well as added features. You can tell if any of these affect you by examining the version number, listed under "About Pc Mars Plus" under the Help Menu. Examine the version number and note the changes made for higher versions than yours. Described below are the problems and changes made for each of the versions updates. Note that these update VERSION 2.1 ONLY.

Version 2.1.1

1. Added the ability to sort lesser used vendors at the end of the list.  This is done, by placing “|” character in front of the short vendor name.  The “|” character will be stripped from the short vendor name in all of the reports.
2. Added an option to the carryover balances procedure to list the changes made.  A report will go to the preview screen where it can be optionally printed.
3. Added more loan vendor error checking.  You are not allowed to change the short loan vendor name if it is used in a transaction.  Deleting a loan vendor also deletes it from the inventory.  You are not allowed to delete a liability from the inventory if it is in the vendor list.  The loan vendor term is no longer user changeable.  It is determined from the default account code entered.
4. Added an option to either print or not print the chart of accounts in all of the report headings.  This option is selected under “Miscellaneous options”.
5. Changed the name of “Purchased Inventory Allocation” and “Crop and Feed Check” windows. Changed the default name of account code 140 to “Purchased Feed”.  The Crop and Feed Check only looks at account codes 133-139 in calculating data from inventory actions.  Only accounts codes 133-139 are allowed when adding inventory actions from the Crop and Feed Check screen.  Only account codes 140-147 are allowed in Purchased Inventory Allocation screen.
6. Fixed a problem with the Combine procedure dealing with employee notes.

Version 2.1.2

1. Added the ability to print checks with generic / text only printer drivers.  This can be used if dot matrix printers do not work with 7 1/2 inch tractor feed check forms.
2. Added a sort option to selected items and monthly detail reports.
3. Rearranged Check Register screen for clarity and save "last used" options.
4. Added a refresh button to update directory lists in the Open, Backup, and Restore procedures.
5. The program was changed to not use a default backup path if it does not exist.
6. Changed the reconcile screen to accommodate long bank names, save "last used" bank account, and set bank period to zero when transaction is un-cleared.  Added a "mass change" of bank period.
7. "Summary Only" option added to Expanded Labor Report.
8. Updated Minnesota state tax table for 2008.
9. The program changed to not give an error if a blank check or deposit number is entered.
10. Added the restoring of temp files in the "fix bad data files" procedure.
11. Fixed help system to work with Vista operating system.
12. Changed some default window sizes to work with Vista operating system.
13. Added a code signature.  This eliminates error messages when installing on the Vista operating system.

Version 2.1.3

1. Change to SoftShell web address.
2. Fixed problem where Asset & Liability values not getting updated properly.
3. Added "Close" buttons to many of the common used functions to reduce accidental window maximization.  Fixed a problem with "Set Default Size" after a window is maximized.
4. Added the capability of running the program when the larger size font is used (120 DPI scaling).

Version 2.1.3.1

On crop share rented acres, the user now enters the operator portion of production instead of total production.  The yield figures are calculated from the operator's share instead of total production.

If any of these affect you and you want to update your program to the latest release (2.1.3.1) click on the following: Download Update (fix) to Pc Mars Plus 2.1

This is a file that updates or fixes your existing Pc Mars Plus 2.1 program file. Just save the file to your desktop. Then run the update program (Pc Mars Plus Update 2.1.3.1.exe) by double clicking on it. It will ask you for the location (folder) containing Pc Mars Plus 2.1. This most likely will be in "PcmWinf". This folder you specify must contain Pc Mars Plus 2.1 in order for the program to be updated.

Patch updates to Pc Mars Plus Version 2.2

Problems were detected after version 2.2 was released.  A update patch is available to fix these problems, as well as added features. You can tell if any of these affect you by examining the version number, listed under "About Pc Mars Plus" under the Help Menu. Examine the version number and note the changes made for higher versions than yours. Described below are the problems and changes made for each of the versions updates. Note that these update VERSION 2.2 ONLY.

Version 2.2.8

1. The 2 percent reduction of the employee share of social security taxes is extended through December 31, 2012.
2. Fixed a problem where a "table open" error occurred in the conversion of a regular Pc Mars set of books to Pc Mars Plus set of books.  This occurred under the Setup menu, Business Information.

Version 2.2.7

1. The 2 percent reduction of the employee share of social security taxes is extended until February 29, 2012.
2. For non-simplified payroll method, the employer share of social and medicare is not added to the paycheck if the the user blanks out the employee share of social security and medicare.
3. Fixed a problem in FINPACK export (Minnesota users only), where milk units were not being exported correctly.

Version 2.2.6

1. Fixed a problem with network sharing (Paradox user error), caused by enhanced open/view.
2. Changed the calculating of State Tax Withholding with a fixed amount only being entered. (Advanced Payroll only)
3. No longer allow reusing of paychecks from a previous year and recurring paychecks are not carried over from a previous year. This is because of different withholding percentages used in past years.
4. Allow ZIP backup and restore of PLUS set of books in Pc Mars.
5. Added an option for enterprise budgeting – Small business and Church Set of Books only.
6. Added an option for enterprise “Fund” balance reporting – Small business and Church Set of Books only.
7. Changed multiple selection in the Check Register Report to “period” vs. “month” when direct control of the period is enabled.
8. Added a warning when a “zero amount” paycheck is entered and changed the calculation to show withholding in the appropriate Labor Reports.
9. Program change – Now only withholding will be included on paycheck stubs, even if a same name is used in the Vendor List as well as the Employee List.
10. A date range selection was added to the W2 Summary Report.
11. Added an option to the Expanded Labor Report for advanced users to screen out labor deposits occurring in a month or date range. Also this deposit criteria is listed on the top of the deposit portion of the report.
12. Option to specify quarterly FUTA rates for 2011(only), on the FUTA Report screen. For fiscal Set of Books, different FUTA rates and limits can be entered for the two spanned calendar years (under Payroll General Information)
13. Fixed an issue in the Labor Withholding and Deposit Report where the printing of deposits was overrunning past the end of the page.
14. Added a check in Advanced Payroll (only), where labor deposit descriptions cannot be the same as any of the withholding descriptions. Also in Advanced Payroll, a check was added so that pension employer share description cannot be the same as pension withholding description.
15. Additional PLUS Feature – Fixed a combine issue, when a user received a “EmpTable1: Field: Other4 percent’ not found.”

Version 2.2.5

1. Several users received a reconcile error after installing version 2.2.4.  This was due to characteristics of different operating systems.  This patch will correct this issue for all operating systems.
2. Non-simplified payroll users who made manual entries without matching descriptions for Social Security and Medicare withholdings noticed changes to the labor deposit reports.  This patch restores previous method for employer share matching calculations for paychecks entered prior to 1-1-11.
3. Updated new IFBA address for advanced payroll ordering

 Version 2.2.4

This update accommodates the federal 2010 year end tax legislation dealing with social security paycheck deductions.  The new law requires the employee share of social security tax for 2011 be decreased to 4.2% (instead of the previous 6.2%).  The employer's share, or match amount, will remain unchanged at 6.2%.  If any paychecks were entered incorrectly at the 6.2% rate, this update will also handle any offsetting adjustments made prior to March 31, 2011.

Version 2.2.3

1. Removed period column from reports where not pertinent; (when direct control of the period is NOT selected). The period is always displayed on these reports: check register and bank transfer report.
2. The deposit number now prints on the Nelco deposit tickets
3. Nelco check & deposit forms listed in selection box and Nelco order screens are added with hyperlinks to their website.
4. Tack notes are now "word wrapped" for entry and viewing ease.
5. Loan interest rate is printed on loan reports
6. Added an option to print all tack notes on the Year End Detail Report (Cash Version) or Full Year General Ledger (Accrual Version).
7. Added the ability to change a non-multiple loan vendor expense to a multiple loan vendor expense and vice-versa.
8. Enhanced Open/View now will now read books that have been “renamed” to a longer books names than the Pc Mars Plus 8-characters default.
9. Amount column is moved before description column on the credit transaction screen to match the check and deposit entry screens.
10. Fixed an issue with deposit slip printing with blank vendors or descriptions
11. Date format (mm/dd/yy) cannot be overridden by a computer’s operating configuration.
12. On the Restore screen, the "Restore from zip file" check box was moved to the top of the screen.
13. Fixed an issue with the Tack Notes’ “Go To” button when there was no notes ever created.
14. If Account Receivable Program, A/R (interfaced mode) is running with an open set of books, Pc Mars Plus cannot open that set of books at the same time and vice versa.
15. Added a feature under Utility to reset the printer settings. This will reset both the report and check printer option to the Windows default printer. This feature was added because wireless printers were being “lost” when signal dropped out.
16. Updated Advanced Payroll order form
17. Renamed patch installation exe file for improved patch installation
18. Changed 2.2.3 installation so that any “read only” program files that need updated have their attributes automatically changed.

Version 2.2.1

1. Modified program for regular payroll so that state tax tables can be used for state tax withholding after December 2009.  Note that these tables may be out of date, so state withholding calculations may not be correct after December 2009.
2. Fixed problem with employee list (regular and advanced payroll) where certain edit items were not being updated when using the scroll bar to browse employees.
3. Fixed a "looping" error condition in advanced payroll when changing pension type.
4. Fixed a problem converting regular payroll to advanced payroll, when "YES" is entered instead of "CONVERT".

Version 2.2.2

1. Enhanced Open/View is now available in advanced file maintenance mode.
2. Fixed a problem with loan balances not being carried over correctly.
3. Fixed a problem in Alternate FICA report with advanced payroll when using "other" pay types (Advanced Payroll only).
4. Removed shading in the Net Worth Statement that was causing a problem with some printers.
5. Added back in Fica detail to labor reports that was in previous versions of Pc Mars Plus.
6. Fixed a problem with Fica/Fed remaining calculations in detail labor reports.
7. Added back in then "View/Changie ending data" function to net worth.  This is done with a right-click menu option.

If any of these affect you and you want to update your program to the latest release (2.2.8.0) click on the following: Download Update (fix) to Pc Mars Plus 2.2

This is a file that updates or fixes your existing Pc Mars Plus 2.2 program file. Just save the file to your desktop. Then run the update program (Pc Mars Plus Update 2.2.8.0.exe) by double clicking on it. It will ask you for the location (folder) containing Pc Mars Plus 2.2. This most likely will be in "PcmWinf". This folder you specify must contain Pc Mars Plus 2.2 in order for the program to be updated.

For further information, E-Mail IFBA or E-Mail SoftShell.

This page last updated on 2/25/2012