Check printing software is becoming more sophisticated all the time. As new research into safe and secure means of transferring payments continues to be explored, check writing programs are being developed to streamline the processes. Check writer software can easily be integrated into your current operations with the right kind of systems. You’ll find many of the check software programs to be user-friendly and a welcomed addition to your operations.

With the expansion of global markets and the need for quick money transfers, you’ll need to stay on top of all the innovation and emerging business check software. To remain competitive you’ll have to find ways to include business check writing software in your operations. As online check printing continues to improve, there are a number of ways you can keep up with check writing software news and trends.

1. Log on to check writing blogs and websites

2. Subscribe to computer check writing publications

3. Sign on for email alerts from providers of check printing software

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Share information with other business check software users

Blogs are increasingly becoming the media of choice for many small business owners looking for quick and efficient means to communicate with other like-minded professionals. Find an Internet blog or website that provides trust-worthy information on check writer software and attracts reliable posting participants.

I recommend: Keep up with all the news that is going on in the checkwriting software industry through regular visits to 2020 Software. The Software & Information Industry Association is the place to go for an exchange of ideas and connections to keep you up to date on the IT development in check writing software programs.

Read up on changes in check software

Check writing software news and trends are popular topics in publications available online and in hard copy print versions. It's a good idea to stay on top of the industry as a whole so that you can know about changes that may be ahead of your current provider's abilities and offer better features as the industry streamlines the processes.

I recommend: Find articles that cover the latest news about how check writing software can facilitate the payroll function in your company at ZD Net. Keep up with the latest software used in business accounting departments at Accounting Software 411.

Receive check writing software alerts

While most business owners are trying to clear out their in-boxes to save time, you should allow at least one information provider to get into your email with alerts about changes and upgrades that others in the industry are employing. You shouldn't miss out on vital business check printing alerts when they are available.

I recommend: Subscribe to Web CPA, the online version of Accounting Today that keeps financial managers on top of the changing technology that affects the industry, including new check writing software. As a member of the Association for Financial Professionals, you'll be able to keep up with all the information about payments and electronic means of making them.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You can use the same check writing program for your personal use that you get for your business, saving you even more on paying your bills at home.

It can save time and money. Check-printing software gives your business the flexibility to print quality bank checks immediately in a secure environment. An added benefit: You're never left with stacks of unused preprinted checks when your bank changes names or you move to a new address.

To get the most out of check-writing software, you need a three-part strategy:

1. Assess your needs based on your accounting system and the number of checks you write.
2. Find a secure solution with maximum flexibility.
3. Purchase a laser printer that can handle required coding quickly and easily.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find compatible programs

Check-writing software must be flexible to enough to deal with multiple bank accounts and different types of accounting software.

I recommend: Contact CheckMaster, which works with any accounting software and will use your own scanned signatures.

Seek other cost savings

Some vendors also may include ancillary products or services that can increase the efficiency of your check disbursement system.

I recommend: Contact ChequeScribe, which also has equipment for finishing and mailing, or Check Writing Partner, which can help balance your checkbook.

Keep it simple

Use Quicken or QuickBooks in a very small business? Look for software that prints checks directly from these systems.

I recommend: Consider CheckMagic, which prints off these programs with a custom logo and signature.

Take one step at a time

Some software solutions allow you to move gradually from preprinted checks to a blank check system, one office or division at a time.

I recommend: Check out PayPilot, which touts its versatility and provides detailed audit trails for accountability.

Consult a specialist

Check-writing software has many advantages, but you may need an integrator who can make it part of a broader accounting and document management system.

I recommend: Contact Xtension Technologies, which designs customized solutions to meet check-writing and other document management needs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure your software produces a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) line at the bottom of your checks. Banks and clearinghouses use this line to clear checks through their systems.
• •  Your software program must follow American Bankers Association and ANSI X9B standards.
• •  Use standard MICR toner cartridges in a laser printer to ensure proper check coding, and buy toner cartridges in bulk.
• •  Check-writing software should reduce theft. Unlike preprinted bank checks with your business and bank information, blank checks used by these programs are customized only as needed.

Check writing programs can help you manage your accounting records with little effort. You can use check printing software to integrate your check writing with your accounting systems. Maximize your time with a check writer software system that has become easier to use and allows you to manage all aspects of your business more smoothly. You should take every advantage of the expertise developed by check software companies.

Business check writing software can operate online so that you can send your company checks by fax and email. Online check printing vendors can provide products that give you a concise and relevant form so that you can easily pay bills and consolidate your bill paying systems. Managers, support staff and office workers can stay on top of their bills easier utilizing the latest business check writing software. Find a number of ways to increase profits by using check writing software.

1. Use check writing programs

2. Use web-based online check printing

3. Use business check printing

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Integrate check printing software into your systems

The user-friendly options available in check writer software make using the programs easy and accessible for any business now. Small, medium and large companies can eliminate the need for extensive paper trails and unbalanced books in favor of desktop software that can operate within your entire workflow processes.

I recommend: Go to Check Writing Software Review to compare various brands of the latest software programs and how you can use them in your everyday business affairs. Check with the American Bankers Association, which is a good place to get information about how to use the latest software and who is producing it. The ABA will vet the vendors and recommend the software they have tested.

Try online check printing

For many of the newer online programs you don't even have to download any special software to your systems if you choose to engage web-based check writing programs. These operations typically allow you a trial period, which you should take advantage of as well. With many of the billing software programs, you can even let the providers host your site so little is required of your IT team to implement the system.

I recommend: Join in the chats on blogs that address the advantages of check writing software at EZ Checkwriter. Try free downloads of check writing programs at File Heap.

Get your team using check writer software

Once you've opened up the possibilities of running your business with the assistance of business check software, you need to get your team on-board with the programs. Instead of calling on consultants to handle projects, your managers should be able to use their own desktops to manage payments and justify their accounts.

I recommend: Try a free download of check writing software and review other programs at SoftSea. Find articles and research that follow the check writing industry at High Beam.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Take advantage of free demos of business check writing software before making a long-term commitment to one provider.

Check writing software makes it easier for businesses of all sizes to process checks. There's no need to worry about ordering checks or taking time to fill them out manually when check writing software is used and checks are printed in-house. There is a large selection of companies offering check writing software. In addition, there are many "add on" products that can make check writing software more efficient and secure. Getting to know some of the terminology makes it easier to compare vendors, select features and make a final decision.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check stock

Check stock is used to print checks in laser printers. Rather than simple paper, most blank check stock is available with security features that help to prevent check fraud. Look for checks that meet ABA and ANSI standards. Check stock is also available in a variety of formats, with checks either above or below the stub, different types of perforations and a variety of colors.

I recommend: Check out ACOM for recommendations about check stock security and a list of some of the features available.

MICR

MICR, short for Magnetic Ink Character Recognition, is what is used to print the bottom line of a check and contains bank routing number, account number and check number details. This line is printed with magnetic ink, which enables it to be read by check processing machines. Special magnetic toner can be used in a laser printer when printing checks with software.

I recommend: Elfring Fonts offers a detailed explanation of MICR printing. It includes information about the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards for check printing.

Check printing devices

For many companies, a simple laser printer is all that is needed to print checks. Most check writing software will work with standard laser printers that have an MICR toner cartridge installed. However, there are some advanced check printing devices that offer additional security features like lockable trays, auditing and encryption. Some machines also have features that make check printing easier -- like folding the checks and sealing the envelopes.

I recommend: Check out products from Troy Group to get an overview of security features available in MICR printers. Browse PrintCheck to get an overview of inserting and sealing devices.

Payroll checks

Processing and printing payroll checks requires some special considerations. Look for check printing software that includes payroll processing. In addition the check, the pay stub must also be printed. The information that goes on the pay stub varies by state, but generally includes salary, tax deductions and other deductions.

I recommend: Intuit offers an overview of payroll processing. For a sample of a paystub, check out A.M. Walton Bookkeeping Services.

Signature

All printed checks require a signature in order to be cashed or deposited. It's possible to sign checks manually when using check printing software, but there are several other options that make it easy to sign checks. Most check writing software can have the signature added as a graphic so that it will print automatically. Other options include a stamp with the signature or a check signing machine. Access to a signature can result in check fraud, so it's important to look for security features to prevent this, such as software that encrypts the signature so that it can only be used within the program.

I recommend: Get an overview of check signing machines from General Graphic. They include high volume processing machines and security features.

Check fraud

Check fraud -- especially payroll check fraud -- affects millions of companies each year. Use security and anti-fraud practices to prevent fraud.

I recommend: Safe Checks provides a detailed checklist to avoid check fraud.