Over the years, the User Newsletter has had different looks and delivery methods. In 1992, the first newsletter was published and mailed to our users. In 2002, we stopped mailing the newsletter and provided it as a PDF. Now, in 2016, we are excited to announce our newsletter is now a website!
Why the change?
Nothing to download. You don’t need to download a PDF in order to read the content.
Easy to browse articles. You can quickly skim the current month’s content and click on the articles you want to read.
Easy to find information. The new site gives you one-click access to common categories and topics (a.k.a. tags) in addition to a built-in Search box.
Dynamic formatting. We can highlight the most popular articles among all of our readers.
Feedback. You can comment on articles, and see what readers like yourself have to say as well.
Familiar content
All of the featured sections of the newsletter are still included:
Feature Article
Tabs3 Connect
Product Spotlight
Platinum
KB Corner
Quick Tip
Q&A
New features!
The slideshow at the top rotates through important announcements and upcoming events. Click the slideshow to see more information.
In the sidebar on the right, the following features are available:
Search – Use the Search box to find content not specific to a category, or not available in the Tag Cloud.
Popular Posts – Quickly see which articles have the most views.
Recent Posts – Easily access the most recent posts from anywhere on the site.
Categories – View the content you want to see by clicking a category to view related articles. For example, you can click the Quick Tips category to see all of the Quick Tip articles.
Tag Cloud – Click a tag in the Tag Cloud to view all articles with that tag regardless of category. Tags with larger fonts indicate there are more articles with that tag. As we work to populate the site with archived articles, tags will become more relevant.
Archive – Want to view a prior month’s content? Select the desired month. We are currently working on adding prior newsletter articles; links to past newsletter PDFs are available in the interim.
Accessing the Newsletter
Each user will still receive a reminder on the 15th of each month. Clicking the link will take you directly to the newsletter site. Alternatively, selecting Help | Internet Resources | User Newsletter from within the software will also take you directly to the site. Either of these ways will automatically log you in to the newsletter site. However, you can also access the newsletter via your web browser. Simply browse to Tabs3.com, select Newsletters from the Support menu, and then click Access The User Newsletter.
We hope you enjoy the new format. Keep watching for more content in the coming months!
As of June 1, 2016, Software Technology, Inc. will no longer provide phone support for Version 15.3 of Tabs3 Billing and Financial software or PracticeMaster.
If you are still using an older version of the software, now is the perfect time to get up to date with the latest version of Tabs3 and PracticeMaster. You will be surprised at the number of features you’ve been missing! Our Knowledge Base includes What’s New Lists for Versions 17 and 16. Simply visit support.Tabs3.com and click the “What’s New in Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Software” link.
As an added benefit, when you purchase an update for your software licenses, you will receive four months of maintenance, which entitles you to unlimited technical support, software updates and new versions, and access to the exclusive User Newsletter.
If you have any questions regarding the discontinuation of support for Version 15, please contact your local reseller and consultant, or a member of our Sales Department at (402) 419-2200.
Did you know that you can change the font size in rich text fields using your keyboard and mouse? When reading data in multi-line rich text fields, you can quickly zoom in or out to make the text more readable using the following commands:
To enlarge the font size
- Press Ctrl while scrolling up
- Press Ctrl + “=”
- Press Ctrl + “+”
To reduce the font size
- Press Ctrl while scrolling down
- Press Ctrl + “–”
To reset the font size to 100 percent
- Press Ctrl + “0” (zero)
Keep in mind that changing the font size for one rich text field will change the font size for all rich text fields in each program for that user.
Modern technology allows criminals to create forged cashier’s checks that are virtually indistinguishable from legitimate cashier’s checks. As a result, it may take a surprisingly long number of days, even weeks, to catch the forgery. But even when it is uncovered, the victim will still be in the same pickle, since financial institutions will take the position that the person who deposited the check with them is responsible and will charge it back against the depositor’s bank account. This can be devastating, particularly if the account is a law firm trust account.
To help make sure that you or others in your law firm do not fall prey to such devastating consequences, watch the webinar recording to learn more about what to look for in a legitimate check and how to make sure your checks have enough security features to ensure you’re protected against check fraud.
You’ll learn:
- What check security is available
- Common misconceptions of check security
- How to choose which level of check security is right for your firm
- How to print checks directly from Tabs3 software
How often do you find yourself looking for a document that you swore you saved a week ago? Document management makes it easy to find documents that you and your colleagues worked on last week, last month, or even last year. Join our free webinar, presented by Bruce Policky, Product Manager for Tabs3 and PracticeMaster, to learn about this time-saving feature. Reserve your spot at Tabs3.com/DocManWebinar!
Are you looking to increase the speed of your reports? What about going mobile and securely accessing your data while out of the office? Join Philip Allendorfer, Director of Development for Tabs3 and PracticeMaster, as he explains the benefits of Platinum, such as faster reporting, mobile access, and more convenient backups. Reserve your spot at Tabs3.com/PlatinumWebinar!
Join Jason Kuhlmann, Product Management Specialist for Tabs3 and PracticeMaster, to see our upgraded credit card processing service, ProPay! Explore the benefits of accepting credit cards, such as more convenient payment options for your clients and integration with Tabs3 Billing and Trust Accounting software. Both sessions will fill up fast, so reserve your spot at Tabs3.com/CreditCardWebinar!
Many law firms are moving to the subscription-based Microsoft Office 365, which can be conveniently accessed via your computer, the Internet, and smart devices. With Office 365, you never have to worry about paying an additional fee for the newest version – Office 365 is always up to date.
Knowledge Base Article R11520, “Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Integration with Microsoft Office 365,” provides more information on what Office 365 is, including a link to Office 365 information on the Microsoft website; how Office 365 integrates with Tabs3 and PracticeMaster; frequently asked questions; and troubleshooting integration with Office 365.
Our Knowledge Base can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at support.Tabs3. com. You can also access our Knowledge Base while in the software by selecting Help | Internet Resources | Knowledge Base.
Did you know that you can change your Tabs3 and PracticeMaster workspace by specifying whether toolbars are shown or not, and where they are positioned if they are shown? These options can increase the available workspace horizontally, vertically, or both.
Showing or hiding toolbars
From the View menu, a 
indicates that the Status Bar, Application Toolbar, and in PracticeMaster, the PracticeMaster Task Bar is shown. To change which toolbars are shown or hidden, simply click the menu option to change the status of the toolbar.
Changing the toolbar position
The Menu toolbar, Application Toolbar, and in PracticeMaster, the PracticeMaster Task Bar, can all be moved to 
the top, bottom, right, or left of the Tabs3 or PracticeMaster program window. Simply click the toolbar gripper, and drag it to the desired location.
Alternatively, you can drag a toolbar away from any 
side of the program to make it a floating toolbar. When the toolbar is floating, you can optionally move it outside of the Tabs3 or PracticeMaster program window. This allows for maximum workspace, while still having access to all of the available tools.
Results of 2016 National Law Journal Survey Released
In the 2016 National Law Journal Survey, over 7,000 votes were cast by lawyers, paralegals, and other legal market professionals. Tabs3 Billing placed first in the Best Time & Billing Software category, with PracticeMaster placing second in the Docketing & Calendaring Software category, and third in the Matter Management Software category.
“We are thrilled to have Tabs3 and PracticeMaster recognized by the readers of National Law Journal. For over 35 years we have worked hard to develop reliable and quality software for law firms,” said Dan Berlin, President of Software Technology, Inc. “This kind of recognition from the legal community means a great deal to our entire team.”
The National Law Journal provides in-depth coverage of the issues that mean the most to private practitioners, judges, corporate lawyers, government attorneys, and other members of the legal community. They cover federal and state court litigation, U.S. Supreme Court, legislative issues, and verdicts.
Did you know that you can easily split fees and costs between multiple matters in Tabs3 Billing? The Split Billing program provides the ability to enter fees and costs once, but have multiple matters pay for them. You must first determine which client you will be entering fees and costs for; this is your “main client”. Next, determine which clients/ matters will be splitting the bill, and for what percentage each party will be responsible. You can now configure split billing for the client.
To configure clients for split billing
- From the File menu, point to Open and select Client.
- From the Split Billing tab, in the Client ID field, select the desired main client.
- Click the Add button to open the Split Billing Matter window.
- Select the desired Split Matter ID.
- Enter the desired Split Billing Percentages for the split matter.
- Enter the desired Statement Options settings for the split matter.
- Click OK.
- Repeat step 3 for each additional split matter. (Note: This may include the main client.)
- Select the desired Split Fee Options and Split Cost Options.
- Press Ctrl+S.
Fees and costs may be entered before and/or after configuring split billing, but keep in mind that when it comes time to perform the split, only those fees and costs entered for the main client will be split amongst all parties. Additionally, only Type 0 (Normal) and Type 5 (Miscellaneous) fee and cost transactions that are not on hold can be split.
When you are ready, you can run the Perform Split Billing program (Statements | Statement Preparation | Perform Split Billing). Transactions that have already been split cannot be split again so this program can be run as often as needed. The Perform Split Billing program should be run prior to generating statements every time in order to make sure that all transactions are billed appropriately.
If, after performing the split, you need to change the way in which transactions should be split, simply run the Undo Split Billing program (Maintenance | Transaction Related | Undo Split Billing). This program will revert all split transactions for the selected Main Client ID and Split Billing Ref # that are still work-in-process to their pre-split values. This provides a way to easily make adjustments as needed. If you have even one client who splits amounts due with other matters, and you’ve been splitting the fees and costs manually, make your billing easier by using the Split Billing feature in Tabs3.
For more information on split billing features, see Knowledge Base Article R11616, “All About Tabs3 Split Billing,” the Billing Adjustments Guide, and the Split Billing Training Video.
Did you know that you can drag files other than those generated via Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software into the DropBox? This can really come in handy when you are e-mailing multiple files of mixed origins to clients, co-workers, or other third parties; when you want to save related items together in a mutual location; and more.
Once all of the desired files are in DropBox, simply select the files and choose the desired option. If you want to e-mail a group of files in the DropBox, click the e-mail icon to attach all of the files to a new e-mail message. Alternatively, you can drag the icons into the new e-mail message. If you want to save all of the files to a mutual location, click the save icon; you will be prompted to save each file individually.
Note: Files that have been dragged into DropBox are not removed from their original location.
We are excited to announce a new integration through ProPay, a TSYS company. Here are some of the benefits you get with ProPay:
- Fast sign-up process to accept credit cards almost immediately
- Simple, easy-to-understand rates
- Easy reporting
- Simple payment processing
Accepting credit cards can help increase revenue because they are so convenient for your clients. You may find clients willing to pay with a credit card on their way out of your office, and you will certainly receive credit card payments over the phone. The easier it is to pay, the faster you get paid, the fewer collection calls you need to make, the easier it is to collect on outstanding invoices, and the number of write offs you will have to make will be reduced.
If you are interested in accepting credit cards, you can learn more at Tabs3.com/ProPay. To process payments through ProPay, you must be on Version 18 of Tabs3 software.
Did you know the majority of Americans used a credit card in the past month? Americans rely on their credit cards more and more to pay for things like clothes, medical procedures, and now, legal services.
Here are the top three reasons law firms decide to accept credit cards:
- Clients pay faster, which allows firms to spend less time collecting on past due bills.
- Clients are more likely to pay their bill in full, which allows firms to reduce the amount they write off.
- Processing integrated credit card payments through Tabs3 Billing or Trust Accounting Software reduces the likelihood of human error, and saves firms time.
Remember: The easier it is to pay, the faster you get paid. The faster you get paid, the fewer collection calls you need to make, and the fewer write offs you need to process.
If you accept credit cards, there is no better way than with Tabs3. When a credit card payment is entered into Tabs3, it is automatically processed and the funds are deposited into your existing bank account. You do not need to change your existing banking relationships to process credit cards. If you use Tabs3 Trust Accounting Software, you can have trust account payments deposited into a separate account from where processing fees are deducted. This integration takes the guesswork out of bank account reconciliation and helps you comply with many state bars’ rules regarding commingling funds.
With the release of Version 18, we partnered with ProPay, a TSYS company, to provide you with credit card processing that is better than ever.
- No more waiting days to start accepting credit cards. With ProPay, you can start accepting credit cards within minutes.
- No more confusing price structures or price negotiations. With ProPay, rates are low and easy to understand.
- No more lengthy SAQ questionnaires to complete. With ProPay, you only have to complete a simplified annual SAQ questionnaire to achieve PCI compliance.
ProPay also has the ability to add future enhancements and newer technology to Tabs3 software, such as chip card readers. If you’re interested in accepting credit cards, you can sign up in minutes at Tabs3.com/ProPay. If you have any questions regarding processing credit cards in Tabs3, contact your local reseller and consultant, or contact Technical Support at (402) 419-2210.
You open the software and enter your User Name and Password, only to see the message “Duplicate User IDs were found.”
One of the most common support calls we receive is about this message. 
Clicking Yes opens the Active User List where you can select your user name and then click the Reset button, which opens the Active User List – Reset Confirmation window. This window prompts you to verify the user in question is not in the software and that you understand potential data corruption can be caused by resetting the user.
So, why are you receiving this message and why do you have to verify the 
user isn’t in the software when that user is you?
Each user should be logged in only once at any given time. If the software is improperly closed, the User ID remains logged in to the software, thus creating a “duplicate” User ID the next time the user tries to log in. To properly close the software, you can use one of the following: select File | Exit, click the 
(Close) button in the upper-right corner of the application’s window, or press Alt+F4. Alternatively, you can click the Exit button on the Main Task Folder. If this button is not displayed on your firm’s Task Folder, you can customize the Main Task Folder to include the Exit button if desired.
The following items are examples of improperly closing the software:
- Power loss.
- Computer lockups.
- The network connection to the server is broken/interrupted.
- The server is shut down or rebooted while users are still logged in to the software.
If the Duplicate User ID message is received and you choose to reset the user, you should always verify that the user is not in the system. If you reset an active user in the software, this can cause data loss and data corruption that results in Data File Integrity Check Errors and/or Fatal Errors. Because of this, we provide a checklist when resetting a user as a reminder to not reset anyone you are not 100% sure is out of the software. Once you have determined it is safe, you can reset the user and then log in to the software without receiving the message again.
Depending on why the Duplicate Users message is received, you may want to run a Data File Integrity Check.
For more information on resetting users, visit Knowledge Base Article R10789, “Resetting Users.”
If you are new to PracticeMaster, or you want a new employee to get a jump-start on learning about PracticeMaster, Quick Guides are a great place to start when there isn’t time to read everything there is to know right now. A Quick Guide is a short guide that highlights the main points of a specific feature. Graphics are included to help illustrate important menu options, tabs, fields, buttons, and more.
Knowledge Base Article R11130, “PracticeMaster Quick Guides,” provides links to each PracticeMaster Quick Guide as well as the number of pages and a brief summary of the guide. The following Quick Guides are currently available:
- Matter Manager
- Contacts
- Calendar
- Fee Entry
- Timer Window
- Quick Clicks Pane
- Journaling
- Outlook Plug-in
- Tabs3 Connect
Our Knowledge Base can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at support.Tabs3. com. You can also access our Knowledge Base while in the software by selecting Help | Internet Resources | Knowledge Base.
Did you know that you can try out the Tabs3 software you don’t have a license for, without downloading anything new? Maybe you currently use Tabs3 Billing and you want to try Trust Accounting Software (TAS), or you use both Tabs3 Billing and General Ledger Software (GLS) and want to try PracticeMaster, or any other combination. When you install your licenses, a trial version of each program is also installed. This means that you can try out each program before you commit to purchasing a license.
- In Windows 10, Trial Software is accessible via Start | All apps | Tabs3 & PracticeMaster with Sample Data.
- In Windows 8, Trial Software is accessible via the Apps window in the Tabs3 & PracticeMaster with Sample Data group.
- In Windows 7 or earlier, Trial Software is accessible via Start | Programs | Tabs3 & PracticeMaster | Trial Software with Sample Data.
When accessing Trial Software, sample data is included so that you do not have to create your own set of data in order to try out all of the features and includes clients, contacts, transactions, and much more. This lets you jump right in to seeing what the software does, instead of spending time setting up and entering data.
So if you’ve been thinking about other Tabs3 software, try it out at your convenience and see what it can do for your firm!
Thinking about upgrading to Platinum so that you can take advantage of Tabs3 Connect, but just not sure it’s worth the investment? We sure think it’s great, and so do the firms, resellers, and consultants that are already using Tabs3 Connect. Take a look at what others have to say!
“I was overjoyed to discover that I could enter time from my mobile device having only been able to do so from a fixed location at the office. I recall being at the office until 3 a.m. on a number of occasions entering time. Now, if I want to get up at 3 a.m. or any other time, I can enter time, review my time and use other features that are readily available at my fingertips. It is convenient, user friendly and a relief! I’m still smiling. Thank you Tabs3!”
– Adrian Gibson
Attorney at Callenders & Co
“I use Tabs3 Connect every day in my law firm and I am very pleased with how it’s changed the way I access information out of the office.”
– Blanton O’Neal
Attorney at Hood Law Firm
“I like being able to get contact information for clients and attorneys – it is easy to use – easy to call or email contacts.”
– Angela Berg
Managing Paralegal at Law Offices of Molly B. Kenny
“You’ve heard the expression, ‘Don’t leave home without it.’ Well, that’s how I feel about Tabs3 Connect. When I leave the office, I take my wallet, keys, glasses, and Tabs3 Connect (on my iPad). Tabs3 Connect is so information-rich and easy to use, I have stopped lugging around my laptop for most trips out of the office. I use Tabs3 and PracticeMaster to run my consulting and software sales business, and what better way is there to take this important information on the road with me? With all the great features of the Platinum version, it was really Tabs3 Connect that made me move up to Platinum.”
– Don Grady
Tabs3 Reseller and Consultant at Business Assistants, Inc.
“[Tabs3 Connect] works fine and I really like the program. I don’t use it much on the computer as we have remote access but I sure use it on the iPhone and iPad all the time and it definitely helps me capture time that would otherwise get away.”
– Keith Foster
Attorney at The Foster & Buick Law Group LLC
“Adding Fees using Tabs3 Connect is so easy! This feature has helped me to recoup lost time that I can choose to bill or offer as no-charge to help build good will with my clients. Access to the Matter Manager via Tabs3 Connect has been a life saver on more than one occasion – since I have no support staff I have to be on my toes no matter where I am.Tabs3 Connect allows me to make the most of 10 minute breaks when I’m on-site at another location. And I LOVE having all of my 5,000+ contacts available without having to download them to my phone!”
– Monica D’Amore
Tabs3 Reseller and Consultant at D’Amore Consulting
For more information on Tabs3 Connect, contact your reseller, consultant, or Technical Support at (402) 419-2210, or visit Knowledge Base Article R11480, “All About Tabs3 Connect.”
The end of the year can be a busy time for any firm. One of the areas that firms will need to address in the coming months is the filing of IRS 1099-MISC forms. Tabs3 Accounts Payable Software (APS) and Trust Accounting Software (TAS) are designed to help ease the burden of year-end by making it easy to assemble the 1099 reporting information you need. APS and TAS allow you to view 1099 information on reports, print out 1099-MISC forms for filing, or create a 1099 Disk File which can be used to electronically file with the IRS. Using both APS and TAS together allows you to create a combined file by merging your TAS data into APS to run one set of 1099 forms or create a single electronic file.
Continuous 1099 forms can be ordered directly from the IRS. However, for laser printer forms, we recommend ordering 1099 forms from Nelco®. These forms are guaranteed 100% compatible with the APS and TAS software. Likewise, you can order W-2 Wage and Tax Statement laser forms from Nelco. Nelco is a leading expert on W-2 and 1099 reporting compliance rules and regulations. So when you work with Nelco, you won’t have to worry about keeping up to date with all the yearly reporting changes.
Contact Nelco if you have any questions regarding your W-2 and 1099 filing, or to order your forms.
Web: nelcosolutions.com/Tabs3
E-mail: Nelco@NelcoSolutions.com
Phone: (800) 266-4669
For more information about using the 1099 features of APS and TAS, refer to the “1099” Help topics for each program, which include checklists for generating 1099 information.
When you have a client with multiple matters, what do you do when the client sends in a single check to cover all matters? You could get out the calculator to determine how much should go to each matter, and then enter multiple payment records, or you could let Tabs3 Billing do this for you.
When entering a payment for multiple matters, simply enter the payment for one of the matters and then click the 
(Apply Payment to Multiple Matters) button to open the Payment Amounts for Multiple Matters window. Here, you can either enter each Client ID and the corresponding amount of the matter’s Payment, or you can click the Apply Proportionately button to divide the payment amount between all matters shown proportionately based on the amount due.