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ELECTrack User Guide - Part 2. Getting Started

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2.1 Installation

The CD provided by SBE contains the EFS software. It should start automatically when placed in the CD drive of the computer. If it does not start, click the "Start" button on the toolbar, a menu will pop-up From the menu click "Run. Another window will pop-up. In this window, type D:\Setup. NOTE: You may have to replace the D with the letter that represents your CD ROM drive.

Once you have completed these steps, instructions and information about the installation will come up on the screen. You may be prompted to restart the computer more than once. This is normal for older machines that are not equipped with the latest system software from Microsoft. The EFS software automatically defaults to the C drive in "Program Files" under "EFS." If you want the software somewhere other than the default, you must utilize the Change Directory option when asked about location. If you are installing on a network, your system administrator can assist you with this.

If you already have an older version of ELECTrack installed on your computer, you do not need to uninstall it. However, it is recommended that you make a back up of your database before installation the new version. The previous version will not be altered or lost.

2.2 Terminology

The EFS software incorporates various icons to help you maneuver the data entry process and to help you through the many functions associated accessing, editing, and printing the information you have entered. These icons have associated terminology that identifies their function, as follows:

Icon Phrase Definition
efs main window ELECTrack Main Window The first window that appears when ELECTrack is started. The main window contains 9 buttons that are useful for navigating through the ELECTrack.
menu bar Menu Bar The menu bar is located at the top of the ELECTrack Main Window and contains the following options: File; Account Entry; Report Entry; Print Reports; Export; Maintenance; Tools; Window; and Help.
EFS toolbar Tool Bar Located on any and all of the active windows.  The toolbar contains only the buttons necessary for instigating certain functions in the window in which you are currently working.  Depending on which window is active, the toolbar may or may not contain a particular button.  For example, there is a “quick entry” button on the “Create/Edit a Report” toolbar that is not on any of the other toolbars.
new doc icon New Document button When clicked, will clear the fields in the window you are currently working in to enable you to begin entering new data.
save icon  Save button Located on the Tool Bar, this button is used for saving the current record.
print preview icon Print Preview button Located on the Tool Bar, this button is used for previewing the selected item.
print icon  Print button Located on the Tool Bar, this button is used for printing the selected item.
delete icon Delete This button is used for deleting a selected record.
help icon Help This button is used for accessing help information that is specific to the window you are currently working in.
exit icon Exit This button is used for closing an active window. An active window is a window in which you are currently working.
search icon Search When clicked, allows you to initiate a search by typing in your query or by making a selection from the pre-populated data presented in the drop-down list.
execute icon Execute This button is used for starting certain functions such as exporting or backing up files.
export icon Export This button is used to export reports to the SBE.

2.3 Account Initialization

set up account

The first step in using EFS is setting up your account. You can start this process by either clicking on the "Set Up Your Account" button from the EFS Main Window (see graphic in part 1.1) or by selecting the "Account Entry" option from the menu bar.

When you received your EFS software, you received an Account Initialization memo that contained all the data necessary to initiate your account. When the Account Initialization window opens (see graphic below), you may enter your account number, account name, account type, account year, and activation code in the appropriate fields.

account initialization window

(NOTE: This is a fictional account created to help illustrate the filing process)

You will also need to indicate whether your entity will be either a Continuing or Non-continuing, by selecting and clicking on the appropriate field.

You need to enter the data only once. Only after entering the data in this field will you be able to enter financial transactions.

It is IMPORTANT that you enter the data correctly. Once you SAVE the Account Initialization data and begin to enter your report data, you will not be able to change the account number. If the Account Initialization data is entered incorrectly the SBE database will not be able to recognize it as an official committee and cannot accept or consider the report as officially filed.

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