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Batch Manager Tool FAQ

Q1: How many people can use the Batch Manager Tool?

Anyone with the appropriate Security Role can use the Batch Manager Tool. There is no limit to how many Users can have these roles or how many machines you can install the Batch Manager Scanning Service on.

Q2: Does the Batch Manager Tool have to be run on a Windows machine?

No, you can use the Batch Manager Tool from any machine with internet access. However, to use a scanner with the Batch Manager Tool, you must have a Windows machine (with Windows 10 or higher) to use the Batch Manager Scanning Service.

Q3: What if we use RemitPlus?

You can continue to use RemitPlus with the Batch Manager Tool. However, the Batch Manager Tool performs many of the same functions that RemitPlus, like reading the check amount and creating of the X937 file for bank processing. So, you don't need to have or use RemitPlus to leverage those features. See Using RemitPlus with BMT for a comparison of the applications.

Q4: How is the Batch Manager Tool updated?

We update the Batch Manager Tool like any of our other applications. If we updated the Batch Manager Scanning Service, you'll install the update when you log in to the Batch Manager Tool. The Scanning Service remembers your selected device.

Image displaying the Scanner Not Ready dialog box.

Q5: Can I edit the Batch Manager Tool Security Roles?

No, you should not edit, copy, or rename either of the Batch Manager Tool Security Roles. Use values or defaults to control available options for Users.

Q6: Can I use the Batch Manager Tool to make corrections to previously processed Donations?

Yes, you may use the Batch Manager Tool to process correcting entries provided that you want to create new, offsetting entries.

NSF (Returned) Checks

You can process returned checks as negative entries. The Batch total, Donation amount, and distribution amounts should all be negative. Most often a Batch is made up of a single NSF check if you posted that amount to your bank statement separately.

Adjusting Entry (Wrong Program)

If you want to offset a prior donation that you already batched and exported to the accounting system, you may create a $0 Batch with $0 Donation amount with two designations that net to $0. One designation subtracts from the original Program, and the other adds to the correct Program.

Note: To validate and finalize this type Donation, the $0 Donation must have non-zero dollar Distributions and the Distribution total must equal the Donation Amount of $0.
Q7: Can the Batch Manager Tool endorse checks?

MinistryPlatform churches use a variety of scanners. The scanner has physical endorsement capability (ink printing the endorsement onto the physical check). Currently, the MinistryPlatform Scan Service has endorsement capability for all supported Canon, Digital Check, and Epson model scanners with physical endorsement capabilities. For further information on Physical Endorsement set up, see the Scanning Checks article.

Q8: What if we use a scanner that is not on the list of supported scanners?

We intend to continue to add more supported scanners over time. If you have a "favorite" scanner, please send a Suggestion to Support with the model information so that we can put it on our list for consideration!

Q9: Is it secure to process our Donations on BMT? Does our Donation information then live on the ACS Technologies server?

BMT is a web application that is stored on the ACS Technologies server in the cloud. The data, however, is stored on your server. The data flows through the ACS Technologies server as it would any other network, and no check images are stored or saved anywhere on our servers at any time.

Q10: Can cash donations be added to a batch that already has a payment type of check?

We recommend you create a separate batch for cash donations so that the Payment Type can be set as Cash in the Batch Properties. Then, any Donations added to that Batch have a Payment Type of Cash. If you add cash donations to a check batch, you'd need to change the Payment Type to Cash on the Donation record in the Platform (you can't change this in the BMT).

Q11: I can't see the "X" to delete a Donation and/or a Distribution. What happened?

If you can't see the X to delete a Donation and/or Distribution, click Ctrl - to adjust your screen resolution and zoom.

Q12: I can't see all my unfinalized batches in the Open dialog box.

First, check your BMT Security Role to ensure you have rights can see all Batches, not just your own. The Batch Manager Tool Open Batch dialog box shows the 50 most recent unfinalized Batches. You should finalize Batches in accordance with your Deposits, so you'll typically finalize all batches within one week. That said, if you finalize the Batches you can open, the tool shows you the older Batches since they are ordered by date.

Q13: In the Multiple Matches drop-down list, I see the same Donor multiple times, but when I search on the Donors page in the Platform, the Donor is not duplicated?

This is because there are duplicate Donor Accounts for the same Donor. See Donor Account Records for the remedy.

Q14: How do I know what version of BMT I am using?

Make sure that you always go to (or have bookmarked). https://{your platform domain}.ministryplatform.com/batchmanager to ensure you are always taken to the most updated version of the BMT. You can find the version number next to the application name and in the URL.

Q15: I exported the batches, but I need to be able to export them once again, how do I make them available?

The export option allows you to create a Deposit with the selected Batches. From the Platform, delete the Deposit you created (un-assigning the Batches) and re-export the Batches in the BMT.

Q16: I edited a Program/Event to be available on the BMT, how can I get it to show up?

BMT refreshes every ten minutes. To manually refresh, select the Refresh Cache option from the Batch drop-down menu. This refreshes information related to Programs, Events, Donors, and Configuration Settings.

Q17: Why is there a Donor in the Pledge drop-down list who has no active pledge?

If the Donor's spouse has an active pledge, the spouse also appears in the Pledge drop-down list.

Q18: Why is the ABA/Account/Item Number field grayed out on my Donation row?

Scan a check or import a batch to read a ABA, Account, and Item Number fields. If these fields are grayed out, you must edit them using the Edit MICR Data dialog box. See Scanning Checks for more details.

Q19: Why can I or can't I see the account numbers before the program name in the BMT?

The BMT PrependAccountNumber configuration setting controls whether you see the account numbers before the Program name.

Q20: When I tried to install the Scan Service, I was asked to "Repair" not install/update. What does that mean?

If you were asked to "repair" the Scan Service when following the update or install wizard, the same version of the Scan Service already exists or is installed on your machine. If you continue to get the "Scanner Not Ready" warning, there might be other reasons the BMT can't find the Scan Service and/or your scanner. See Scanner Troubleshooting.