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What's New in HRtrax
Each new HRtrax version contains important features, functions, fixes, and enhancements to the HRMS framework and its component modules.  A Brief summary of these new items is listed below.  Our most recent version will appear at the top with older entries appearing toward the bottom.  Scroll through this list to see if there are any new items that may help you and your organization better utilize our HRtrax products.






Version Listing

Version 4.9.17
  1. User Security:

    A new Group code has been added to the company master and user security table that will provide additional user access controls for individual users to selected companies within the system. A Group code can be assigned to one or more companies and to one or more users in each table. Once assigned, access for those users will be limited to only those companies with a matching Group code. The new Company Group code can be found by selecting File > Master Tables Set-up > Company and then navigating to page 4. It will be the last field on that page labeled User Group Access Code. The new User Group code can be found by selecting File > User Security Set-up > Accruals/Other tab. It will be a drop-down box located on the lower-right portion of the screen with a label that reads Assign User’s Company Group.

    The User fields 1 & 2 located on the I9/New Hire related screen are now included with the display and/or update permission controls on the Accrual/Others tab of the User Security Setup screens. Options for no access, view-only for non-exempt employees, view-only for all employees, all access for non-exempt employees only, or all access for all employees are available.


  2. EEO Coding and Reporting:

    The EEO Ethnic and Job categories have now been updated to conform to the new requirements established by the EEOC for 2007. The “Asian and Pacific Islander” ethnic category has been split into two separate categories of “Asian” and “Hawaiian or Pacific Islander” A new ethnic category of “Two or more Races” has also been added. This brings the total ethnic categories to seven – they are now coded as follows:

        1 = Black
        2 = Hispanic
        3 = Asian
        4 = Native American
        5 = Caucasian
        6 = Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
        7 = Two or More Races

    The “Managers & Officials” job category has been split into two separate categories of “Executives” and “Managers”. This brings the total job categories to ten – they are now coded as follows:

        0 = Executives
        1 = Managers
        2 = Professionals
        3 = Technicians
        4 = Sales
        5 = Office & Clerical
        6 = Skilled - Crafts
        7 = Operational
        8 = Unskilled
        9 = Service

    Note that the coding for those categories that were not reclassified did not change.

    The output for the EEO reports has also been updated to include the category changes identified above as well as conform to the new format required for 2007.


  3. Printing:

    A new Print button has been added to each entry screen within the system. This will make it easier to generate a hard copy print out of the information that is displayed on the current screen. The new button will first display a preview of the page as it will be printed and then allow for selection of a printer for output. This new Print button is also available on the Payroll Related History screens so specific employee history records can be printed as well.

    A new Save As dialog box will be displayed when the File button is selected on the new report requestor screen. This new dialog box offers improved options for output location, file naming, and file type selections. In addition, the system will now remember the last file save location for each user so the next time they use the file button that location will be set as the default.


  4. Advanced Benefits:

    A new Clone Benefit feature has been added to the Advanced Benefits module that will make the setup of new benefit plans faster and easier. This new feature will create an exact copy of the current benefit that is being displayed within the Advanced Benefits master table screen. To use this function simply select the source benefit record while on the Identification tab in the Advanced Benefit table and press the Alt+F8 key combination. The system will respond with a pop-up box that includes entry fields for the new benefit code & description and options to choose the specific components to be copied into the new benefit record. Once the new benefit has been created, simply edit the identification, eligibility, and/or cost details that are specific to that benefit.

    A new ABC benefit work-file function has been added that will create a benefit-specific work-file similar to the standard employee work-file. It uses the new work-file requestor screen to offer multiple employee/benefit selection and filter options as well as individual field elements to be output. There are two options for benefit record output, one record per employee with multiple benefits included in that record, or one record per benefit with possibly multiple records for each employee – depending on the number of benefits they are enrolled in. This new ABC work-file can be found by selecting Tools > Generate Report Work-File > Create Advanced Benefits Report Work-File & Template.


  5. Reviews:

    Reason for Review descriptions are now user-defined and table driven. The Reason for Review table can be found by selecting File > Control Tables Set-up > Reason > Reason for Review. Simply add, edit, or delete the descriptions that currently exist within this control table.

    Review Rating/Grade codes & descriptions are now user-defined and table driven. The new Review Rating/Grade table can be found by selecting File > Control Tables Set-up > Review > Review Grade. Simply add, edit, or delete the code, description, and/or point-range for each item in this table. The History button is now active only when there is an actual history record available to be displayed. This will help quickly identify those employees who have one or more review history records within the system.


Version 4.9.16
  1. Employee Records:

    Added a new Rate-Details screen, available as a pop-up when viewing Payroll Related screen #1. Present wage information including wage equivalents for the selected employee is displayed, use the calculation features to view and/or change wage information. Wage history is another feature provided by this new screen including options for viewing and printing wage history. Access by clicking the Dollar sign ($) button next to the Salary field on screen #1; click the Rate History button to view or print wage history.

    Employee history displays have been improved by making the font brighter and easier to read, also a record counter displaying the history record "count" (as in 5 of 9, etc.) has been added.


  2. Reporting:

    The new style Report Requestor has been applied to the standard reports.

    When printing employee Status and Change forms there is a new option for requesting a number of blank forms (as in - no specific employee information, just the form and text) to be printed in addition to the normal requested employee Status and Change forms.

    Added the option for outputting Annual Flex Wage (as shown on the I9 Related screen #3) to the Report Work file.


  3. Advanced Benefits:

    Added support for a Maximum Monthly Deduction dollar amount for both the Employer and Employee benefit contributions. The maximum monthly deduction amount is recorded in the Recurring Deduction Master table (access the pop-up for entering using the F9 function key); with this setup the system will calculate both Employer and Employee contributions and cap-out per the maximum monthly amount as recorded in the Deduction table.

    Added a "Round Down" option for Wage-based benefits - options now include; Round Down to the prior, Round Up to the next, Round to Nearest and blank for no rounding.

    Added an option for selecting the Recurring Earnings/Deduction Calculation Method when enrolling into benefits which have a Premium basis "S"pecial.

    Clean-up and clarification to some text on a number of ABC reports.


  4. OSHA:

    Updated screen displays, forms and reports for support of new information.

    Enhanced reporting to allow combining all companies (except the factitious 990 company) into a single OSHA report. Added output sort option for printing a 300 Log by Injury/Illness date.

    Added menu option for printing OSHA Notes.


  5. Data Exchange and Interfaces:

    A new Time Clock interface has been added for support of Time Trax - this uses the code TRX in the Company master table setup.
    Added the ability to import a limited amount of accrual information from selected payroll systems.


  6. Other items include:

    Improved the process for changing Last and Next Review dates.

    Improved the procedure and efficiency for copying an employee records to another company.

    Add additional F1 Help topics and text.

Version 4.9.15 - 4.9.15c
  1. This version has added more than 90 additional fields to the Generate Report Work File output options - this change expanded the employee level field selection to include over 250 reportable fields. In addition, the field pick-list has been resequenced to provide a more natural selection by grouping like or related information.


  2. More options for force capturing employee information for Payroll:

    When viewing the Employee Recurring Earnings and Deduction Display screen you can use the keystroke combination Alt+F10 to force capture and send to payroll all active recurring records for the displayed employee.

    When viewing the Employee Recurring Earning and Deduction screen #6 you can force capture and send to payroll the individual displayed item by using the keystroke combination Alt+F10. While viewing screen #6 you can force capture and send all active recurring items for the displayed employee by using the keystroke combination Alt+F11.


  3. Enhanced the Premium Basis within the ABC tables to include a new option for premiums that are based on the employee's age and their wage - meaning the monthly premium for a benefit will be based on a factor of the employee's wages plus the premium as recorded in their Age tier for the benefit. With this option, you can select the wage basis as being the employees - Hourly, Weekly, Monthly or Annual wages, and you can further factor the coverage amount and specify minimum and maximum coverage amounts.

    Another ABC Premium Basis, "P" was added for benefits that generate an Employee and/or Employer recurring record with fixed percentage contributions. This may be your choice if for example, you want the system to automatically enroll an employee into the Employer contribution of a 401(k) plan when they become eligible.


  4. The Auto Enroll, Withdraw and Recalc procedure has been enhanced to include options; 1) Re-calculate all benefits as scheduled, 2) Only re-calculate the user defined Benefits - with provision for entering up to 6 benefits that will be included in this re-calculate process, and 3) Re-calculate all benefits except the user defined Benefits - with provision for entering up to 6 benefits that should not be included in this re-calculate process.


  5. The Auto Enroll, Withdraw and Recalc procedure now offers a Preview option. The Preview option will apply all the rules of the normal Recalc and prepare a list of any additions and/or changes, however, this procedure does not change any records. This Preview is designed to provide the user with a quick method of verifying new Benefit table setup and changes to Benefit tables without committing changes at the employee level.


  6. Changes have been made to the Attendance module and procedures which have significantly improved the speed and response times.


  7. Employment Type has been added to the Payroll Related screen #1 - this now displays just to the right of Pay Status. Employment Type is a Control Table validated field, make sure you setup the codes you will be using in the Control table before starting to use this field.


  8. Change has also been applied to the Payroll History display and reporting to improve speed and response times.


  9. Added additional time clock interface options.

Version 4.9.14 - 4.9.14b
  1. New Generate Report Work File features - First, we have changed the Generate Report Work file requestor screen to take advantage of our new standard requestor format. This new requestor offers five (5) select options plus 3 filter options and even various sort options. We have also added the ability to store any Report Work file as a template that may be called up and re-run as often as needed. Simply name and save your Report Work file and this template becomes available as part of the drop-down pick-list - ready to run again.


  2. The optional Document Object Control - DOC's module included the first released use of our new report requestor. With this release, all reporting within the DOC's module includes a facility for selecting multiple Companies, multiple or specific Level 1, Branch and Departments as well as all or only specific employees. In addition to these five (5) select options, you may further filter your output by using up to three Filter options. Each Filter option offers various fields that may be included as filters for your report output. Most of the DOC report requestors also include a Date Range filter, and many reports offer multiple sort options. This new report requestor will become the standard for all HRtrax report output; however, with this release it is only available in the DOC's module and the new Report Work-File Generator.


  3. Expanded the capabilities within the ABC module, the user now has the ability to override Employee contributions during benefit enrollment (when this occurs the system will automatically calculate and change the Employer contribution as appropriate). Employee contribution overrides are identified in the employee benefit screen with the display of a red star within the "Payroll Code" box. The ABC override feature also allows the user to type up to 60 characters as the reason or description for the override. There is also a feature (button) that will "restore" the override to the current table values.


  4. This version extended the ability to output reports and forms using Adobe Acrobat, the Acrobat Distiller or similar tools. If for example Acrobat Distiller is setup as one of the available printers - when Windows offers a list of available printers configured for your workstation, simply select Adobe Distiller as the print output choice. Acrobat Distiller will process the report or form and then ask you for a destination location and the name you want to use to store this report/form. From here - email the report or form instead of printing or faxing.


  5. Text for Employee DOC letters may now be typed as free-form text at the time of printing Employee letters, or the user can pick from a list of their own pre-defined letter text (stored within HRtrax as a Clause).


  6. Added Employee Mailing Labels to the Report menu. The requestor for employee labels follows the new standard and offers five (5) select options plus 3 filter options and 2 sort options with your choice of 4 standard Avery label formats.


  7. The ABC menu selections have been reorganized to better represent Benefits administration workflow.


  8. Actual Marital status and entered on the Personal screen #2, has become table driven, and a companion date has been added for recording the date of this most recent Marital status (generally this will be used when electronically shipping benefit activity to the Carriers/Providers).


  9. Now the pop-up pick-list for Managers/Supervisors (as contained in some Master tables and the employee Personal screen #2) will only include those employees who are identified as being a "supervisor". This is to say, only employees with "Y" in the Supv? field of the Personal screen #2 will pop-up when positioned at the Manager or Supervisor field.


  10. Enhanced the time clock interface with new/additional options for Novatime and Infotronic users.


  11. A general clean up of User Security took place along with changes needed for the accompanying menu selections.


  12. In addition to the above, we expanded and cleaned-up the F1 Help text with additional help topics and added text to various topics to make them more helpful for the users.

Version 4.9.13 - was not a number that was used for a release...
  • Thirteen was skipped over for the same reason your elevator won't stop on floor 13 - did someone whisper "superstition"?

Version 4.9.12 and 4.9.12b
  1. Among other things, this release contains a collection of new interface options and various Benefit output options designed for those users who count on HRtrax as their point-of-entry with the intent to forward this information to their outside benefit providers.


  2. Added COBRA options to the optional ABC module for both the Coverage based and as-Keyed benefits.


  3. Enhanced Deduction pop-up screen to clarify New recurring deduction information vs. Present information.


  4. Enhanced the Benefit Coverage level display and Dependents detail screen.


  5. Added additional items to the XPR data exchange for Payroll.


  6. Enhanced the initial HRtrax employee load from Payroll as used when setting up a new HRtrax client. This enhancement included the ability to accept additional employee level information as well as account for changes made to the Payroll files prepared for HRtrax loads.


  7. A partial list of additional employee fields includes; Date last worked, Marital status date, Benefit Coverage Level added to dependent records, etc.

Version 4.9.11
  1. With this release your pick from a pick-list returns the selected item, populates the screen and advances to the next field - no more Enter Enter to pick and populate the screen with your selection.


  2. The optional ABC module now offers Benefit Enrollment Workbooks for non-COBRA benefits and/or COBRA only benefits - when printing the Benefit Enrollment Workbook for a new hire or when printing the Workbook for eligible employees during open enrollment you would typically select to print only non-COBRA benefits. When printing a Workbook for a terminated employee you generally would select COBRA benefits only.


  3. When printing ABC's Benefit Confirmation Letters you are now offered three options; print only non-COBRA benefits letters, print only COBRA benefits letters or include both employees with non-COBRA and with COBRA benefits.


  4. An additional method for "funding" employee benefit costs has been provided within the ABC module - the "funding" mechanism resides in a new ABC table called the Benefit Fund. This new table is used by those employers who contribute a monthly "Employer Benefit Contribution" amount that will be used to pay the employer portion of an employees benefit costs. The table accommodates a flat Employer contribution or an Employer contribution that may be stated as a percent of wages. When using this method for funding employee benefit costs, each benefits cost is first paid using dollars available in the Employer Benefit Contribution Fund until this "fund" is exhausted at which time any remaining benefit costs are paid via an automatically calculated payroll deduction.


  5. At the ABC benefit table level we have added a field for tying a benefit to an Employer Benefit Contribution Fund - therefore when enrolling an employee and/or their dependents in a benefit that participates as part of a Employer Benefit Contribution Fund, the system will first use "employer contribution fund-money" to pay for a benefits cost, when benefit costs exceed the fund money available the system will automatically create the necessary payroll deduction to pay the balance of this benefits cost. When appropriate, the system can even be setup to pass-on (in total or as a percentage) to the employee any un-spent balances remaining the employer benefit contribution fund.


  6. Added a new report that details Employer Benefit Contribution Funds and how the fund is being spent at the employee level. Selections and various sort options are offered as a means of tailoring the report output - access via Adv-Benefit > Advanced Benefit Reports > Employer Benefit Funds Distribution Report.


  7. This version includes additional Payroll and Time Clock interface options - our options change with time and we recommend that you call your HRtrax representative for a current list of available interface options.


  8. The Tools > Import Payroll History path has been changed to default to your most recent path statement - this "sticky" option reduces the task of importing Payroll History to a simple mouse click.


  9. A new report has been added for printing employee Profile information, access via Report > Employee Profile Reports > Employee Profile Folder Inserts - this new reporting selection gives you the option of printing all Profile information (all 8 tabs of employee profiles plus any User Defined data) with selections on Branch, Department or Employee ranges.


  10. We added a new function to the report option Report > Detail Reports > HR Expiration Report with the "Report for Expired" - Employment Auth. option selected - after this report completes the system will ask "Do you want to send an Employment Authorization Expiration letter to the Employee and their Department Managers?", responding Yes to this question will prepare two letters addressed to the employee (one in English and one in Spanish or whatever other language you have setup) and also a letter addressed to the Department Managers for the employees listed.

    The text for these letters comes from your setup within File > Control Tables Setup > Clauses; clause code AUTENG is used for the employee's English version and clause code AUTSPA is used for the employee's foreign language version, clause code AUTDEP is used for the Department Managers letter.


  11. In addition to the above new items; we cleaned-up the Control Table menu dropdown, expanded F1 Help text with additional help topics and adding text to various topics to make them more helpful for the users.

 
Request an Enhancement
The Enhancement Request form provides a method for you to describe the details of the enhancement you would like to see in HRtrax and how it would help you and your organization.  We are always grateful to hear from our users and to learn how we can make our products better.

View Enhancement Request Form


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