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PC MARS for Windows is a full-featured accounting software designed specifically for farm applications, but with enough flexibility that it may be used for small business applications. Designed for the Windows 9X operating system and above, it features many capabilities available in that platform. The program also works in the Windows Vista, Windows 2000, Windows ME, and Windows XP environments. Pc Mars version 2.1 is now fully 32 bit compatible. (It will not work with Windows 3.1)

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.

CASH OR ACCRUAL:

The software will operate in either a cash basis accounting mode or the fully accrual basis mode; depending on which system is selected during the installation process. The cash system is a simpler and easier to use, whereas the accrual system will handle more complex accrual accounting methods. The accrual system is capable of generating cash basis reports, dependent upon the method of inventory adjustment entries.

BANK, FUND ACCOUNTS:

PC Mars will enable the user to track up to 30 different bank, money market or other fund accounts and their balances. As in the vendor file, new accounts may be added from the data entry screen without exiting to the software setup procedures. As the user enters individual transactions, the data entry screen will display the accessed bank or fund account balance. Procedures are provided to rapidly reconcile information entered into PC MARS with monthly bank statement(s).

CHART OF ACCOUNTS:

The software, either cash or accrual, has several farm or small business charts of accounts that may be selected during the setup process. There are farm charts of accounts that conform to the categories used by the Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota (FinPack) Farm Business Farm Management systems. User may select a totally user defined system as well. The system provides up to 625 account codes.

VENDOR CAPABILITIES:

The software provides the user listing for commonly used vendors, both to facilitate entry time and check printing. There is a separate vendor listing for individual loan accounts. All vendors may be "flagged" for 1099 reporting, and specific reporting capabilities are available for the listing of potential 1099 recipients. New vendors can be added "on-the-fly" without having to enter the software setup procedures. All vendors may be assigned a default account code, easing the data entry routines. The vendor file capacity is limited only to the user's needs or hard drive capacity.

PAYROLL CAPABILITIES:

Users may set up payroll files for an unlimited number of employees; specifying the information necessary to generate the payroll check and the appropriate deductions for federal, state and FICA withholdings as well as a pension and three other potential withholdings. Payroll checks can be printed with a detailed stub. A full compliment of labor/payroll reports are available to users in both the case or accrual versions of the software.

LOAN TRACKING:

PC Mars users are able to track specific loan balances and interest paid on each specific loan. Loans will display in the vendor file, with the *L indicator denoting that this is a specific loan. As with the payroll capability, there is a full compliment of loan reports available for the users to select from. As with the vendor file, the loan list is limited to the users needs and/or hard drive capacity.

ENTERPRISING:

In the farm accounting area, or the small business structure, ability to segregate the business into enterprise segments is a necessity. PC Mars users can define an unlimited number of different enterprises within their business. The reporting capability of PC Mars allows the user to generate reports by enterprise. All account codes may also be defaulted to a specific enterprise, easing the data entry process.

DESCRIPTIONS:

PC Mars users can set up a "pick list" of an unlimited number of descriptions that may be used in either deposit or check transactions. The list insures that the descriptions are identical for search and selective reporting purposes. These descriptions may be added "on-the-fly" as in the case of vendors, and account codes, etc.

PROFIT CENTERS:

During the software setup, PC Mars users may opt to utilize profit center designations in their accounting. A profit center may be a separate segment of an enterprise, i.e. the finishing buildings in the hog enterprise, or a land lease unit. In the flexible "selective" reports capabilities of PC MARS, this allows excellent income/expense tracking abilities.

DETAILING ENTRIES:

Users may track income and expenses to many levels. From vendor, account code, enterprise, descriptions, to profit center. The selective reporting capabilities will support this "sort" level, plus date and bank/fund account selections.

CREDIT TRANSACTIONS:

Transactions involving revolving credit accounts or credit cards can be entered.

INVENTORY CAPABILITIES:

Inventory information can be entered to the level of detail desired by the user. For instance the user can enter total quantity of grain and livestock or detail it by bin or individual livestock group. This inventory information is used to compile a Net Worth Statement using either cash (basis) or market value numbers. In the accrual system, an accurate inventory can be derived at any time from information entered in transactions. Seven screens provided for entry of inventory information.

REPORTING CAPABILITIES:

PC Mars has the normal report capabilities, in either the cash or accrual mode, of any accounting software, but its payroll and loan tracking reports have been designed with versatility in mind. The "selective" reporting capability permit the user to generate reports based on any one of the data entry blocks or any combination.

CASH FLOW PLANNING:

Cash flow planning / budgeting features in PC Mars allows the user to build a annual, monthly or quarterly budget for the accounting year. The system will then generate "comparative" income statements that compare the budgeted amounts with the actual figures for the reporting month and the year-to-date figures.

 

 

OPTIONS AVAILABLE DURING DATA ENTRY

REPORTS AVAILABLE

Summary of Other Features

Prices

Upgrade Information

Pc Mars for Windows (full) version 2.1 is now available. The major changes from Version 2.0 and Version 1.2 are listed below.  The changes in Version 2.1 are in blue and listed first.  Pc Mars will now be sent out on a CD (Compact Disk), unless stated otherwise.

File

Options

Setup

Transactions

Reports

Inventory (new name, was net worth)

Cash Flow

Utility

Other

Upgrade Prices

Patch updates to Pc Mars 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" 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 2.0.1

  1. The "Optional FICA Report - Liabilities and Deposit" gave an incorrect figure for the "Social Security, Both Shares" line (third line from the bottom). This was fixed.
  2. On the "Calculate Paycheck Detail" screen, the "Net Check" figure was in error if you typed in changes into any of the withholdings boxes. Even though the "Net Check" figure might have been wrong, the correct figure was always placed into the underlying paycheck screen. The problem was corrected.
  3. A problem was discovered on check writing using Deluxe #081004 checks. Only one stub was printed instead of two. This occurs when "Deluxe #081004" is showing in the "Check Style" box. If only "#081004" is showing it prints OK. This problem can be corrected by just clicking on the "#081004" in the drop down list, so that only "081004" is showing in the box, instead of "Deluxe #081004". The updated program will work in either case.
  4. A change was also made so that when old sets of books are opened up, the old account code used for combined FICA withholding is now used for Social Security and Medicare Withholding, instead of default code 217. This would only be problem if the account used for FICA was other than the normal default code of 217.

Version 2.0.2

  1. A problem occurs on old sets of books -- blank withholding descriptions and/or account codes are used if the user does not examine payroll general information before entering new paychecks. The program now checks for blank withholding descriptions and/or account codes and fills it with default information.
  2. On the "Calculate Paycheck Detail" screen, when using the "Calculate Gross from Net" feature the program would not recalculate Social Security and Medicare if a change is typed into any other withholding input boxes. The updated program will now recalculate Social Security and Medicare in that case.
  3. On the updated program, a "Reset Values" button was added on the "Calculate Paycheck Detail" screen to make the screen more user friendly. We also made it so that when you are editing existing paychecks and bring up the "Calculate Paycheck Detail" screen, the values are not recalculated until you press the "Reset Values" button or make a change into one of the input boxes.
  4. A problem was fixed where a "Share violation" error was sometimes received when making a new set of books.

Version 2.0.3

  1. This is applicable only if you are updating from Pc Mars for Windows Lite, or Pc Mars for Windows version 1.0. We fixed a problem in the "Move Set of Books" Utility. On Windows 95 and 98 operating system, the sets of books were not being moved properly. This version fixes this.
  2. A change was made to the Year End Detail Report when enterprise subtotals are called for. The program now prints enterprise subtotals even if there is only one line item for an enterprise. Note that this was not a fix to a problem, but some people preferred the report to read this way.

Version 2.0.4

  1. This pertains to printing Y-T-D information on the paycheck stub. We changed it so that all bonus and/or withholding line item totals from previous checks would be printed even though there was some missing bonus and/or withholding line items on the current check. Some people wanted this done.
  2. The date shown when restoring previous version (1.0-1.2) set of books was incorrect. The correct date is now shown.

Version 2.0.5

A problem was discovered with the Balance Sheet Reports. The account code balances were not getting updated if changes are made to the inventory without first inspecting or editing the account code screen. Version 2.05 corrects this problem. NOTE: This only affects Accrual Basis Accounting installations, NOT Cash Basis Accounting installations.

Version 2.0.6

The notepad file was not being backed up or restored. Version 2.06 corrects this.

Version 2.0.7

  1. In Accrual setups, "Unassigned Inventory" line items are automatically added to all inventory groups. This contains all account code activity that is not specified and/or not tracked. This is important so that account code balances are carried over correctly to a new year.
  2. An option was added for backing up to a single compressed "ZIP" file. This reduces the backup size and time and facilitates sending data by E-mail.
  3. An option was added to sort the "Year End Detail Report/Tax Preparation" by period, date, number, entry order, vendor or enterprise.
  4. In CCC Loan vendor setup, the account code defaults to 221 (Iowa and Illinois setup only).
  5. On the inventory screen, an amount will not be calculated for negative units, an error message is given for positive accumulated depreciation, basis value was added for market livestock, and the ending date is displayed in the ending balance column.

Version 2.0.8

  1. Added an improved table rebuild utility. It replaces the rebuild index function under utility menu.
  2. De-activation of account codes or enterprises if they are used in Assets or Liabilities is prohibited.
  3. Added cut/copy/paste editing into all asset and liability entry screens.
  4. Added "right click" mouse menus into all asset and liability entry screens.
  5. Now all CCC Loan balances are listed on the new worth statement.
  6. Adjusted default window sizes, that were not quite right for Windows XP.
  7. The last bank selected account is now saved in the "set of books" settings.
  8. Fixed error message when "data set not in edit or insert mode" was received when pressing F10 after editing a account codes in transactions.
  9. Updated Finpack export codes.
  10. Now when "Test Backup" from "Restore from ZIP file" option is selected the suffix year is automatically added.
  11. Added a standalone utility LOCSHARE.EXE installed in the program directory. This will allow the user to easily modify the LOCAL SHARE setting.

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.

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.

Version 2.0.13

  1. Updated Iowa state tax table for 2006

Version 2.0.14

  1. Updated Minnesota state tax table for 2007

If any of these affect you and you want to update your program to the latest release (2.0.14) click on the following: Download Update (fix) to Pc Mars 2.0

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

Patch updates to Pc Mars 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" 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”.

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. 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.
  3. Added the capability of running the program when the larger size font is used (120 DPI scaling).

If any of these affect you and you want to update your program to the latest release (2.1.3) click on the following: Download Update (fix) to Pc Mars 2.1

This is a file that updates or fixes your existing Pc Mars 2.1 program file. Just save the file to your desktop. Then run the update program (Pc Mars Update 2.1.3.0.exe) by double clicking on it. It will ask you for the location (folder) containing Pc Mars 2.1. This most likely will be in "PcmWinf". This folder you specify must contain Pc Mars 2.1 in order for the program to be updated.

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

 This page last updated on 6/12/08