WinFunds ^TM Frequently Asked Questions

1.  WinFunds ^TM Features
2.  What operating systems and networks does WinFunds^TM work with?
3.  What do we need to have for remote communications to our database?
4.  Describe the hardware/software specifications for the server.
5.  Are there any requirements for the client side of the application?
6.  What time of day can we access our database?
7.  How much data can we store?
8.  What kind of screens and reports will we have?
9.  Can we customize queries and reports with WinFunds^TM?

1. WinFunds^TM Features
WinFunds^TM - An SQL-standard Relational Database Application WinFunds™ was originally developed in 1978 and has continued to evolve into a multi-platform client/server environment utilizing full windowing concepts. WinFunds^TM, provides the highest quality of data integrity and system security, with remote access capability. WinFundsä allows for easy entry and retrieval of information with reports and outputs and is customized for each and every client. It is a customizable application offering tremendous flexibility. While other applications store basic name, address, and receipt information, WinFunds^TM goes far beyond that by incorporating modules for information relative to handling all aspects of fundraising (donors, major donors, grant tracking and foundation support, pledges and sustainer programs) as well as membership (national, regional, chapters). In addition, related activities are managed (special events, volunteer activities, merchandise, publications and subscription sales) and sophisticated selects are made possible for direct marketing, telemarketing and e-marketing through extensive capture of demographic, geographic, and financial information.

GSC's current online capabilities include our web-based interfaces allowing donations, dues, purchases and e-mail communications through the Internet, immediately storing dollars and click through activity.

General Systems' customization of member and fundraising systems, combined with incorporation of all nonprofit revenue stream programs allows for true systems integration. Evidence speaks to the fact that our approach is right because the length of stay of our clients is among the longest in the industry. Our clients have software that fits their needs right from the start, then continues to grow and change with their changing needs.

All of the WinFunds^TM features are provided to our clients through one of the following methods:

• Service Bureau/In-house combination with server at General Systems.
• Service Bureau/In-house combination with the server at client site. General Systems maintaining system operation and production.
• Service Bureau with server at General Systems but client is not on-line.
• In-house System fully maintained by client. General Systems provides support.

WinFunds^TM functionality includes:

• Automatically checks for duplicates when new constituent records are added
• Automatically assigns unique ID numbers to constituent records
• Maintains a complete giving history for a member/donor/constituent
• Creates mail merges using Microsoft Word
• Tracks constituents of multiple types
• Tracks multiple names on an individual constituent record (e.g., family members)
• Tracks multiple contacts on an organization or foundation record
• Tracks multiple salutations for each name/contact on a constituent record
• Tracks unlimited addresses for constituents and the additional names/contacts on their record
• Tracks unlimited phone numbers and e-mail addresses for constituents and the additional names/contacts on their record
• Tracks unlimited interests, demographics, and psychographics for constituents and the additional names/contacts on their record
• Tracks notes for each individual name/contact on a constituent record
• Searches for constituent records by ID, last name, first name, or zip code
• Customizes and secures the constituent overview screen by department
• Maintains a complete history of all interactions with a constituent
• Generates a profile report for a constituent

2. What operating systems and networks does WinFunds^TM work with?
Operating System specifications WinFunds^TM operates and is fully supported under Windows 2000®
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3. What do we need to have for remote communications to our database?
Remote Communications
GSC maintains high-speed Internet access and state-of-the-art security to facilitate Internet connectivity to WinFunds^TM systems hosted at GSC. GSC's network and databases are protected by a CheckPoint FW-1 firewall device. Management of the firewall is outsourced to Internet Security Systems where CheckPoint certified engineers manage the firewall and monitor logs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. This configuration allows for maximum security while allowing access to remote users and remote offices via CheckPoints' secure and encrypted virtual private network (VPN) software.
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4. Describe the hardware/software specifications for the server.
Server
WinFunds^TM is designed to use many different scalable building blocks (rightsizing) to serve each client's needs and requirements. WinFunds^TM uses Oracle® as the relational database management system (RDBMS) for developing, structuring and managing your data. Structured Query Language (SQL) commands are used to query and update that data. Oracle 9i Server platforms are selected for the operation of the database system. This combination of hardware and software represents the server portion of the client/server WinFunds^TM application.
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5. Are there any requirements for the client side of the application?
Client
Each user of WinFunds^TM requires a Graphical User Interface (GUI) PC under Microsoft Windows. Installed on each is software that controls, formats, and manages each user's screen, keyboard, mouse, and voice commands. This front-end combination of hardware and software represents the client portion of the client/server WinFunds application. General Systems uses Sybase Corporation's enterprise product suite PowerBuilder for its Graphical User Interface (GUI) support of Microsoft Windows. Windows-95/98, Windows 2000 or Windows-NT client Intel systems with a minimum Pentium processor, 32 MB of RAM and 1.0 GB of disk storage are recommended.
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6. What time of day can we access our database?
On-Line Access GSC is able to link any number of staff in any number of offices. All users have 24 hour, 7-day access to your database with some down time for scheduled back-ups and other maintenance.
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7. How much data can we store?
File Storage
WinFunds^TM can easily accommodate your current donors and any anticipated growth plus finder files.
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8. What kind of screens and reports will we have?
Programming and Reports WinFunds^TM is very flexible and can be customized to your specifications. We are willing to work with you on the development of screens and reports. WinFunds^TM has the following standard reports that can be modified for your unique requirements. WinFunds^TM List of Reports

• Biographic Profiles (Long & Short)
• Batch Log Summary
• Batches In Balance / Out Of Balance
• File and List Code Counts
• House Package Analysis
  By Campaign
  By Source
  By Segment
• Hi/Lo Package and Segments
• Highest Previous Contribution
  By Date Range / By Amount Range
• Most Recent Contribution
  By Date Range / By Amount Range
• Length Since First Gift
• Most Recent Contribution - By Calendar Year - By $ Segments
• Most Recent Contribution - By Fiscal Year
• Donations In Memory/Honor - Report By Account
• Major Gifts Alert By Data Range

Especially For Membership Organizations
• Members by Expire Date
• Members by State
• Members by Status/Class/Type/Category
• Members by Last Dues Date

9.  Can we customize queries and reports with WinFunds^TM?
On-Line query, selection, output capabilities/restrictions Non-standard or customized queries and reports are handled in two ways: either through General Systems' ad hoc query tool, InfoMaker™, or through a job request to GSC.

InfoMaker allows the end users to have direct access into the WinFunds^TM database to optionally read and write information to the numerous database tables. The InfoMaker interface has a simple point and click graphical design that allows novice users to create reports with no programming experience.

InfoMaker's functionality is greatly enhanced through its integration with the development environment used to program WinFunds^TM. The WinFunds^TM system is able to incorporate InfoMaker reports directly into the application. This allows the users to design reports, then have them built directly into the WinFunds^TM system to be shared by the enterprise.

While all of the data within WinFunds^TM can be made available to InfoMaker users, clients often have a number of complex business rules that may be difficult for novice users to implement. In these situations, functions are coded that handle the selection. The user is able to process and calculate complex queries without being burdened by the complexities of the client's business rules. This ensures consistency throughout the organization and a minimal learning curve.
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