A Brief Overview
Welcome to
RDS Advantage
®
Photo by J. Paul Moore©
Making Ministry Manageable - Version 2014
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Examples of RDS Advantage® features
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For more about RDS Advantage® and RDS Connect®
see www.rdsadvantage.com
Two Ways to Use RDS Applications:
RDS Advantage® applications are installed on your onsite server, and accessed by workstations on your network.
Remote access can be used with Terminal Services,
Remote Desktop or third party remote applications.
Download updates from the RDS website.
RDS Connect® is hosted on a Tier III data center using
Cloud technology. SaSS - this is Software as a Secure
Service. All RDS Advantage® applications and
accounting are included.
Data security, backup, updates, software and hardware
administration are provided as a service.
Use 32 and 64 bit Windows and Mac devices.
RDS Connect®
Your complete hosted-in-the-Cloud church system
• Maximum security and up-time – SaSS (software
as a secure service) hosted on a Tier III data
center
• Use Windows and Apple/Mac
• All that’s needed is an Internet connection
• Automatic daily backup of data
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Reduced hardware (IT) management costs
Unlimited toll-free customer phone support
System upgrades automatically installed
Includes the powerful RDS Advantage features
(Accounting, Check-In, Library, Scheduler, more-more-more)
Backed by 30 years of successful service to
churches and not-for-profit organizations
The Mission hasn’t changed – The Methods have
• Integrated outreach, contact management,
and small group tracking
• Scanned entry for contributions, attendance,
inventory and library
• Advanced fund-accounting, secure audit
• ACH automated entries for all banking
• ‘Kiosk’ Check-In for classes and events
• Credit/Debit card contributions integrated with accounting
• Music, Library, Scheduler, Web calendar, Equipment Maintenance,
Sermon files, and more
• Web integration, VOIP voice messaging, E-mail and other
applications included.
• Mobile Contact Management capability
RDS Advantage is secure
It all begins with security authorization
A ‘multi-company’ system. You can process as many different organizations as you
need, each with its own separate data files. Great for your church plants.
Each user’s ‘username’ and ‘password,’ determine for each user which applications
can be used, the mode of access (add, change, delete, inquire, print, etc.), and the
time of day and range of dates.
Intuitive Desktop Provides Ease of Use
Applications are on top toolbar - listed on drop-down menus
Utility Menu
Applications Menu
Common Systems Menu
Every major system is quickly
accessed from the Applications Menu.
Standard Windows keystrokes and functions are used.
Functions
Icons Provide Instant Actions
The Icon toolbar puts often used functions at your fingertip
The Icons displayed above are the same in all
applications.
• CLEAR FIELDS icon removes all entries in
the data entry fields.
• EXIT icon, ESC key, and the X all exit to the
previous window.
• HELP provides instant and easy access to
hypertext help. Extensive glossary and
‘Tutorial’ helps are included.
• MODE CHANGE icon permits instant change of
mode (inquire, change, add, delete, etc.). Click
on the icon to change mode at any time. Use of
‘Mode’ helps prevent entry errors.
• The WEB icon takes you directly to the
RDS Advantage web site, where you can
download files and other helpful
information.
• LOOKUP icon pops up a lookup window of the
records for the field in which the lookup is
made. Search for any information displayed.
• Click the E-MAIL icon to select one or
more persons to send an e-mail message.
• FIND NEXT moves you to the first, or next
record in the database.
• The GOTO icon takes you directly to any
application in the system - instantly.
• If there is a PHOTO for a family, couple or
individual selected, the camera icon is
black, and their photo can be displayed,
printed or printed in a directory.
• When in an application, the icons that are
unique for that application are displayed
on the right side of the toolbar.
GoTo Function
Click on the GoTo icon on the top toolbar to move directly to any application in the system. You will still
remain open in the application you leave. When you exit that application you will be returned to previous
applications you have open.
Application numbers are two alpha
characters that designate the
system plus a three digit number.
When any Lookup
window is displayed,
as at right and left,
you can search for
any string of text.
More than 1,500 topics of on-line, hypertext help
When in any application, click the ‘Help’ icon or press the F1 function key to display help.
Index, Bookmark, Glossary, Print, and change font sizes are instantly available.
Click on the ‘Tutor’
icon to see
abbreviated help.
Access Help from
the Internet or from
your server.
Every term used in the system is included in the Glossary.
Enter Contribution Checks and Deposit Electronically
Remote Deposit Capture integrates data entry and check deposit in one step
•
Check Scanner identifies each
contributor
•
Copies front and back of each check and
stores images
•
Prints deposit endorsement on back of
check
•
Sends check deposit to bank
electronically
•
Integrated Credit/Debit card and ACH
processing
Accounting entries and bank deposit are handled as one process
On-Line Credit/Debit Card & ACH Contributions
Contributions and payments for fees/tuition easily made from Internet or on-site Kiosk
Recurring payments are supported. User-defined funds & fees to accept payments.
• Receive Gifts &
Payments
• No annual fees
• Low transaction costs
• Integrated with RDS
Accounting
• Your personalized
contribution entry
window
ACH Direct Payment of Contributions
Your contributors can make automated electronic contributions. Use the National ACH Clearing
House Association capabilities of your bank. Contributors authorize payments made directly to
your bank. The bank deducts the contribution from the account of the contributor and deposits
to your account.
Weekly, Monthly, etc. withdrawal by bank
You can send contribution reports to
contributors by e-mail – Great Savings.
• RDS Advantage supports ACH direct payment processing through
Recurring Contributions. Recurring entries eliminate the need to
enter the contribution data over and over in detail.
• With an optional check imager an image of each check is
automatically stored on the computer. Check images can be viewed,
printed, and sent by e-mail to verify entries.
Automatically
Deposited to
your account
‘Membership’ files include up to 9,999,999 organizations
or families with up to 108 individuals in each family.
These records include members, visitors, prospects, contributors. organizations - anyone for
whom it is desired to include information in the database.
The system automatically enters all data it can, (such as city and state) when entering the zip
code. Phone numbers and dates are automatically formatted, and phone area codes entered.
More Powerful, Easier, Reporting and Printing
You do not have to be a computer guru to select records, sort, and print hundreds of report
formats to any printer, print to a file or export data in any file format. Just answer the questions on
the report form to select the records wanted for a report.
From the Print menu, select the
report form. Choose the
records to be included.
Select ‘Print,’ ‘File,’ or ‘Export’
Make the choices for a report,
type a description, and save
for future use.
The next time you want to run
that report, select it by
clicking on the ‘Select Report’
icon on the top toolbar.
Report Selections may be
saved, modified or deleted.
Family, Organization and Individual information is
maintained from one window.
From one window enter, change and inquire information about families, individuals,
organizations, advisories, e-mail and cell phones, photos, activities, attendance, gifts, notes,
contacts and guardians.
For each family, individual and organization you can track an unlimited number of addresses, phones,
e-mail addresses and web sites. Each is identified by type and sub-type groups, and can be included in
reports and e-mail messages.
Quick Entry application speeds integrated tracking . . .
Quickly add visitors and/or new members, record contacts, and enroll
them in one or more activities all on one fast data entry window.
50 visitors to track from Sunday worship?
No problem. The Quick Entry application
provides fast entry of basic information
about families and individuals, then
records the contact made, and enroll in
one or more activities (church school
class, etc.).
These entries trigger the integrated
outreach and contact management
features.
Contact Management supports outreach and ministry
Track contacts with visitors and prospects, all types of ministry to individuals, establish teams for
many types of contacts such as evangelism, home visitation, financial drives, counseling, and more.
All terminology is yours to use. There are almost unlimited applications for this capability.
Define teams, relate contacts
to individuals and unlimited
activities, establish next
contact dates, define types of
contacts, and enter comments
about each contact.
The system displays the total
number of contacts that have
been made to each individual
and/or couple.
Reporting of Contacts is
extensive, including reports,
visitation cards, address
labels, address envelopes and
postcards, and print name tags
-- all based upon contacts.
Use tablets to access Contact records while on the go.
When printing reports, selection criteria is based upon all elements of your stored data.
Communicate with e-mail, text messaging and VOIP voice messaging.
Comprehensive Inquiry Displays All
A comprehensive inquiry shows everything the computer knows about each person, family or
organization- all on one window. See details - see photograph - just a click away. Print information.
Click on the Lookup button on the left side of the window for each area: children and ages,
addresses, e-mail, web sites, phones, employment info, personal dates and information, all the
person’s activities and attendance, contributions, contact records and notebook entries. Click
the camera to see their picture. Only the information for which the user has security access
can be seen.
Store multiple addresses, e-mail, and phones
Multiple addresses, phones, e-mail-- storage, display and print of photographs -- integrated
applications for outreach and assimilation of prospects and visitors, and much more . . . .
Photographs can be stored for all
individuals couples and families.
Photo directories with text can be printed
for membership and activity groups.
Thumbnails can be displayed.
Choose the number of rows and columns
for photo directories – up to 81 photos
per page.
An unlimited number of phone
numbers, addresses, e-mail and
web site addresses can be stored
for each individual and family.
Image formatting software is
included.
“Activities” Track How People Are Involved
An Activity is any event which shows how a person is involved, including classes, boards,
committees, time and talents, spiritual gifts, volunteers, small groups, and more.
• Track an unlimited number of activities – need a million? OK
• Each individual can be enrolled in an unlimited number of activities.
• Each activity can have an unlimited number of people enrolled in it.
• Attendance can be tracked for every activity, including worship services.
• Up to five user-defined attributes of attendance, in addition to present and
absent, can be tracked (e.g., made a reservation, brought a guest, etc.).
• Reports can select by Activity, Activity Type, and Activity Sub-type.
• Leaders of groups can manage their groups remotely (with tablets, for example)
• Attendance can be recorded by scanned bar codes, keychain ID, fingerprint ID, and more.
• Print reports, address labels, name tags, postcards, envelopes, directories with or without
photos for involved and non-involved persons.
• Print reports based upon attendance, non-attendance, attendance percentages, graphical
display for each person for numerous months, and more.
• The capabilities of this section are limited only by your imagination.
See the Insta Check-In system for unlimited check-in capabilities.
Sample Activities Organizational Structure
Organize your activities based on activity groups, activity sub-groups, and
then unlimited activities under each sub-group. Below is an example of how
your Education ministry might look. All descriptions and terminology are
yours.
Activity Type
Education
You can manage spiritual gifts, volunteers, small groups,
and much more, with powerful communication capabilities.
Activity
Sub-Type
Adults
Singles
Activities
Class
Class
Class
Class
Class
Class
Class
Class
Class
Class
Class
Class
Class
Class
Class
Youth
High
Primary
The number of activity groups, sub-groups and activities are unlimited. One of the benefits of this
structure is the ability to sort and select individuals in activities for the purpose of writing
personalized letters, printing reports, address labels, etc., on the basis of Activity group, sub-group,
activity, and each individual’s involvement status and position/function in an activity.
For example, you could choose to write a personalized letter, send e-mail, etc. to all church school
teachers in all adult and singles classes. Any combination is possible based on all these criteria.
Nearly Unlimited Activity and Attendance Reports
Almost unlimited reporting capabilities are included. The records to be included in a report can be
customized to meet your needs on the spot. Each report selection can be saved for repeated use.
There are reports based upon involvement, non-involvement, directories (both text and text with
photos), and statistical and attendance related reports.
In the selection window below just answer the questions to
include the records you want, print order, and whether to
print to a printer, print to a file or export to other
applications such as Word or Excel.
Arrows indicate additional report
options, as shown for ‘involvement
reports.’
Insta Check-In® . . .
Child Security at its best
Identify yourself, print name tag,
receipt and record attendance in
one step. Security by parent or
guardian. Use touch or mouse
monitors.
Express Check-In for instant
processing. Track time of activity.
The whole family can check in at one time. Name tags
are printed (at your option) for each person, and their
attendance automatically recorded for all their
activities for that day. Take photos and store in real
time. Take photos and store with data for guests.
Page parents when needed.
Print Session notes on Check-Out Sheets.
Track health and medical advisories.
Control ratios of students to teacher/staff.
Determine ages, gender, marital status and location.
Insta Check-In® Automates Event Tracking
Use a touch screen or mouse so patrons can easily identify themselves and check in.
Just touch the phone numbers, family
last name, scan keychain ID or use
finger-vein technology to quickly
identify a family or individual.
All family members can be displayed,
then pick the ones for whom name
tags are to be printed and attendance
recorded.
Members and guests can register attendance with tablets.
Every activity in which an individual is enrolled and that
meets on the current day can be displayed. Attendance can
be recorded for as many as desired. For example, record
attendance for Sunday school and worship service.
New Attendees can be entered into the database, and
guests can be entered into the database automatically.
Receipts to pick up and check-out infants and younger children are automatically printed. All the
software needed is included in your RDS Advantage system at no additional cost.
Kiosk Plans Available
A kiosk is a nice way to use Insta Check-In at your entry locations
for activities (Sunday school, worship, nursery, events, etc.).
Instead of purchasing expensive kiosks, you can build your own
for just the cost of materials.
Download from the RDS Advantage website construction plans
for the kiosk shown at the left. If you have members who are
amateur or professional woodworkers they can build these
kiosks for about $100.0 in materials.
On the RDS Advantage website click on ‘News,’ then ‘Articles’ to
download kiosk plans (Kiosk.pdf).
For the next slide show of more features, go to:
“RDSShow2.pps”
or
“RDSShow2.pdf”