let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

But be sure of your business continuity

It is hard to think when the weather is so mild that snow could be just round the corner but we’ve seen snow as late as April in recent years and as I write there’s heavy snow falling on the continent.  In what can be a childhood delight of snowmen, snow balls and days off school, a white blanketed landscape can also be an operational nightmare for many offices.  In just the last two years we’ve seen heavy snowfall bring the UK to a standstill, with many organisations being caught out because their staff were unable to get to work.

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It’s official – Rapidata is ‘Excellent’

On the 12th January 2012 our company underwent a rigorous inspection by Bacs, the financial industry’s body responsible for the schemes behind the clearing and settlement of automated payments in the UK. And I am pleased to report that Rapidata Services Plc is an ‘Excellent’ Bacs Approved Bureau. That’s not us saying it but Bacs giving Rapidata the highest level awarded in its ratings.

Fifteen years ago, Rapidata started managing and processing Direct Debit payments for all types of organisations. Over the years, technology, Bacs submission procedures, and guidelines have all changed and evolved. But one thing has stayed the same, the drive for Rapidata to give all its clients a tailored Direct Debit management service that fits their requirements, and to continually invest, innovate and improve to be the best in what we do.

The Bacs Approved Bureaux Scheme assesses the technical competence and operational integrity of the bureau. An inspection is carried out every three years and rates 5 categories determined through the high level assessment of business practices, standards, procedures and controls for the provision of Direct Debit and Direct Credit services.

In passing our inspection with flying colours we can continue to help your organisation make and receive payments as easily, securely and cost effectively as possible, assured in the knowledge that Rapidata’s approved services and training all meet the meticulous quality requirements developed by Bacs.

Click here to learn more about our Direct Debit Managed Service

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January 2012 – New change to the Service User Guide & Rules

Bacs has recently sent out a notice informing all Service Users of a change in the Service User’s Guide and Rules to the Direct Debit Scheme. This change takes effect from the 1 January 2012.

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Getting Your Data Right: Import file checklist

Our Data Administration team recently wrote up a list of common errors that are found in client’s Direct Debit files and we thought it would be helpful to share the resulting checklist.

Although some of these items may seem like common sense, they can slow down the import of your Direct Debit file and result in late collections. Before you send us a file or upload it to our FTP server cross check your files with the checklist below:

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Reduce costs – sign-up now to pay us by Direct Debit

As you would expect from a Direct Debit Bureau, Rapidata has offered its clients the choice of payment options which includes Direct Debit. Most of our clients pay us by Bacs transfer or Direct Debit however we are today writing to all those clients that send us in a cheque in settlement of their invoice, to sign-up to Direct Debit.

Why do this?

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Institute of Fundraising National Convention 2011

…It’s all about you!

That’s the tag line for this year’s Institute of Fundraising National Convention 2011 taking place at the start of July.

Rapidata is pleased to be exhibiting and supporting the Convention for our eighth year. With the release of our third annual Charity Direct Debit Tracking Report and our recent iPhone and Android fundraising App, there are lots of new developments to come and see us about! As a Bacs Approved Bureau, we will of course also be on hand to help answer any Direct Debit, Auddis, Unpaid or Paperless Direct Debit questions you may have.

We are also pleased to be one of the few exhibitors signed up to the Institute of Fundraising early bird reward scheme, giving someone the lucky chance to win tea for two at the Ritz!

We will be on STAND 27, so please come and have a chat over a coffee, so we can all share and learn what the latest developments and requirements in fundraising are. If you would like to arrange a one to one meeting during the three days, please drop us a line info@rapidata.co.uk or call us on 01293 524066 and we will schedule it in.

For more information about the Convention, please click on the link below:

http://www.nationalconvention.org.uk/

We look forward to seeing you there.

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Bacs Service User Guide and Rules update

The latest edition of the Direct Debit and Bacs Direct Credit Scheme Rules have now been published.

You can download the latest edition of the Service User Guide and Rules by clicking here

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Download Rapidata’s Charity Direct Debit Tracking Report 2011

The third annual benchmarking report from Rapidata, a Bacs Approved Bureau, is now available to download for free.  Don’t miss crucial research findings that can support ALL not-for-profit organisations collecting Direct Debit payments.

To download your FREE copy, CLICK HERE

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Bacs confirms DDICA has been completed successfully

It has been reported by Bacs this week that the DDICA (Direct Debit Indemnity Claim Automation) migration has been successfully completed and all banks are now submitting all new indemnity claims via the automated process.

Rapidata has setup all clients with an automated report detailing all indemnity claims received, which will be available on our secure FTP. For most of our clients you will not receive an Indemnity Report very often, as this will only be generated if a claim has been made against your Service User Number. Should you wish to alter the format or schedule of the export, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We have been advised that there are a small number of exceptions that will still generate paper reports however if Rapidata receives these, they will be sent in the normal way and also detailed in the Indemnity Report sent to you.

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Rapidata’s Charity Direct Debit Tracking Report 2011

*** Available for FREE download – Midday 9th May 2011 ***

The third annual benchmarking report from Rapidata will be available next week with brand new sector information.  Don’t miss crucial research findings that can support ALL not-for-profit organisations collecting Direct Debit payments.

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