003 - Your BACS user number has not been set up at BACS. Contact the BACS section of your sponsoring bank to establish why you are not yet registered.

004 - The submission number entered for your file has already been used today, in an earlier connection to BACS. Generate a new password and repeat your transmission with a higher submission number.

005 - The password you supplied for this file is the same as a password previously used in a connection to BACS. Generate a new password and try again.

011 - More than 3 invalid passwords have been used. Generate a new password and try again. If this fails you will need to contact the BACS section of your sponsoring bank (see telephone numbers above) so that they can both reset your BACSAFE device as well as issue you with an emergency password. If you cannot reach your sponsoring bank contact BACS on 0870 165 0016 who will issue you with an emergency password.

015 - The password entered with the transmission is live but your BACS user number is not. Check with the BACS section of your sponsoring bank (see telephone numbers above).

022 - The password entered was generated from a BACSAFE device which is not yet live. If you have completed TEST001 and TEST002, check the date shown on the Confirmation of Issue sent with the device.

070 - A break in the line occurred between your site and BT or between BT and BACS. If this happened after connecting to BACS and after transmitting 100% of your file you need to generate a new password and select the PRINT LOGON for that submission. This will give you the results of your transmission.

If you didn't connect to BACS all you have to do is select Try Again.

If the line break occurred before your entire file was transmitted you should generate a new password and select Restart.

If you experience line breaks repeatedly you need to check the settings on your modem or report the problem to BT on 0800 181 555.

801/802 - Check the flow control setting on your modem.

No. The software provided by Access Europe is all you need to make business payments via the BACS network. A standard user will have the software installed on an IBM compatible PC with either an internal or external modem with an ordinary telephone line.

Virtually any file format including ASCII and CSV is accepted for use with Access Europe software.

Everything you need to know about BACS can be found by clicking on the BACS button, on the menu bar.

FAXLink usually take about 3 - 4 weeks to set up completely, from the date we receive your sample file.

FAXLink is a fully managed service, so if a fax number is engaged it will be queued and tried again until it is successfully sent. If there is a problem with the recipients fax machine, the document(s) can be printed and posted in the normal way.

Both Access Europe and our customers have carried out surveys on the cost savings involved by using the FAXLink software.

A low volume user of only 500 documents per year using the FAXLink service can expect to save in the region of 80% of traditional methods.

Direct Debit has long been recognised as the simplest and most cost-effective way to collect payments. Now it's even easier to sign up customers to the service.

AUDDIS (Automated Direct Debit Instruction Service) originators can now sign up customers to Direct Debit using the telephone, the Internet, via telephone keypad or face-to-face, subject to the conditions in section 16 of "The Originators Guide and Rules to the Direct Debit Scheme".

Paperless Direct Debit is also better for your customers.
Customers have the same benefits, which apply to normal Direct Debit sign-up.

There are no changes to the three main safeguards - an immediate refund in the event of an error, normally 10 working days advance notice of the account being debited and the right to cancel at any time.

Taking out a Direct Debit over the telephone, Internet, telephone keypad or face-to-face is the quickest and most convenient way of signing up.

Becoming a Paperless Direct Debit Originator can be achieved by completing the following steps:

Originators must have live AUDDIS status before they can begin using the Paperless Direct Debit service.

Complete the AUDDIS and separate Paperless Direct Debit application form issued by your sponsor.

1. If the Paperless Direct Debit form is submitted with an AUDDIS application, the AUDDIS time scales will be applicable. Ideally an existing Originator should be live on AUDDIS for two months prior to the introduction of Paperless Direct Debit. New Originators will be allowed to join the paperless service on their AUDDIS joining ("live") date.
   
   
2. If you are already using AUDDIS, a separate application will be presented for approval to the Direct Debit Steering Group (DDSSG), which meets monthly. Your sponsoring bank should receive applications by the first of the month. Your sponsor will then advise you of the earliest date to begin Paperless Direct Debit, usually within one month of your application being received.

Your sponsor will require certain criteria to be met for AUDDIS and Paperless Direct Debit. These must be met before your application is signed off for live running i.e. vetting criteria, which will include technical, financial checks and the execution of a further Paperless Direct Debit Indemnity.

Ensure that the system amendments for AUDDIS incorporate Paperless Direct Debit requirements.

Prepare an AUDDIS migration plan if applicable, detailing the various BACS test requirements.

Your sponsor must approve all the Paperless Direct Debit material, including scripts, confirmation letters, internet screens, and all other material prior to use, and must authorise any subsequent changes.

Prepare staff training and briefings incorporating Paperless Direct Debit. This is essential to avoid wrong messages being given out by staff and to maintain the quality of the Direct Debit Scheme.

Consider a phased roll out if there are several different applications involved. One type of application per OIN is recommended in order to better control and manage Paperless Direct Debit operations.

Set up the appropriate monitors and apply measures to establish the level of service, i.e. number of sign-ups, number of cancellations following confirmation letters, number of unpaids and number of queries.

This will not only help ensure your service is acceptable, but also highlight areas for improvement.

Originators should have a method of confirming the Paperless Direct Debit sign-up, such as voice recording. This will assist Originators when dealing with customer queries.

If this all sounds daunting - there is an easy way.

Click here for information on PayDirect Services.  

See Resellers.

Many companies are keen to offer 'value added products and services' to customers in order to distinguish them from the competition. It is with this in mind that Access Europe has instigated a Reseller Program, supported by a professional Account Management team to work in partnership with you.

Generous incentives are available to resellers who actively promote the full range of products and services.

For further information about joining our resellers program please email us. 

BACS Basics

BACS stands for Bankers Automated Clearing Service and was set up by the leading UK banks and building societies to provide an automated electronic payment and collection service.

Why should we use BACS?

The following are just some of the benefits of using BACS:

• Direct cost savings, cheaper than cheques
• Reduced administration
• No need for reconciliation
• Improved cash flow
• Greater security over cash

The payment process operates on a three-day cycle. Day 1 (Input Day) payments are transmitted to BACS and processed overnight. Day 2 (Processing Day) the payments are distributed to the banks and building societies. Day 3 (Entry Day) the payer's account is debited with a single entry covering the value of all the payments made, and simultaneously the accounts of all individual payees are credited.

BACS Registration Guide

Phase 1: BT Dialplus Application form and BACS User Number Application Form

Dialplus Application Form - This form will need to be completed and forwarded to BT. Within two weeks you will receive a BT Dialplus manual, a Call line Identifier (CLI) and two passwords.

BACS User Number Application Form - This should be obtained from your sponsoring bank branch, and returned to them on completion. You should receive your BACS user number within 2-3 weeks.

Phase 2: Connection Detail Form (CDF).

This form is completed by Access Europe on your behalf under the instruction of BACS. Once completed this form is returned to your sponsoring bank. They will then forward it onto BACS, who will in turn issue you with a Transmission End Point number (TEP). This will be needed at the time of installation.

Phase 3: Sample Output File.

Before we can install the software we will require a sample output file on diskette or via E-mail showing the file format that your existing Accounting/ledger system produces. This will allow us to produce any templates required.

Phase 4: Installation, Testing and Training.

Once all the above stages have been completed and you have agreed to a suitable date for the software installation, one of our professional installation technicians will arrive on site. They will install the software, carry out the relevant Test 003 and 004 submissions and train your staff that will be using the system. You will be able to 'go live' approximately five working days after the testing has been completed and you have received confirmation from your sponsoring bank of 'live status'.

BACS Expecting the unexpected

Of course we back up all BACSTEL files on disk. They're kept in the Director's office at the end of the hall.
Collection Officer, Local Authority.

CONTINGENCY PLANNING is a vital element of quality customer service. Even the most conscientious customer can overlook valuable points along the BACSTEL submission chain. Here's a general checklist that covers the most obvious, easily identifiable and vulnerable links to BACS submission via BACSTEL. However, we appreciate that all customers are unique and contingency requirements must be tailored to your own particular needs.

Magnetic media back-up for a telecomms route

This is an option to users, however this can only work if you have a third party agreement with:

• Commercial bureau
• BACS solution provider
• Reciprocal arrangement with a local business who will submit on your behalf

Remember, BACS do not accept magnetic media as a back up.

Hardware and communications

You must also check:

• Communications equipment
• Modems
• ISDN terminal adapters
• Software, which should be copied for off site transmission
• Telecommunication lines - alternative lines should be easily accessible for submissions
• Assess the need for off site placement
• Impact assessment - define which aspects of your business are most critical, e.g. payroll, collections, payments etc
• Create and implement a back-up policy
• Ensure critical back-ups are stored off site

Maintenance and Contingency Back-up Agreements

For many BACSTEL users, their contract with their solution providers will cover contingency facilities and regular testing as part of their maintenance contract. It is important that you have in place adequate back-up facilities. It is vital that they are tested regularly. Since its inception BACSTEL has never failed. This is due to the most rigorous back-up systems that BACS can devise and the most stringent regular testing.