Several minor changes have been made to the Dynamic Online Report interface.
Layout, format and a few user-friendly tweaks have been introduced.
This is in line with Dynamic’s continuous improvement policy.
Feedback is always welcome.
Dynamic
General File Detail Report now available in Dynamic Online Report
The General File Detail Report is now available online!
This is a management report which compresses large volumes of data in an easy to read format.
The General File Detail Report is a maxi report designed to give a high level overview of large numbers of files. This report includes the current account balance, with a narrative explanation of the nature and number of days since last movement. This report is intended to be used as a main management report.
These details make it easy to track file activity and follow up on outstanding issues.
The Dynamic Online Report makes it possible to access this report directly on a mobile device, such as smartphone, where it is easy to copy&paste details to text messages.
Technology supporting your modern practice.
Dynamic
Dynamic Online Reports
Urgent Notice of Scheduled Maintenance Downtime
Urgent Downtime Notification
Please note that for maintenance reasons the DynamicLTA Online Server will be taken offline for approximately 2 hours on Tuesday 16 January 2018.
The nature of the downtime is urgent and scheduled.
The cause of the downtime is a precaution against the recently discovered Meltdown Vulnerability. This downtime is preventative in nature.
The downtime is scheduled for early morning hours and it is expected that the server will again be operational by the time ordinary working hours start.
We apologize for any inconvenience caused during this rollover period.
-Dynamic
Faster internet connection speeds
DynamicLTA Two is an online hybrid cloud based system. The data is stored on a remote cloud server, while the front end runs on a standard Windows PC. This gives the user the ultimate benefit of a familiar Windows working environment, with the safety of cloud based data storage.
However, cloud based data also means that internet connection quality may be an issue.
To test your connection and make sure that you have a connection which is fast and stable enough, we recommend a speedtest by Speedtest by Ookla. The Help section even contains some internet jargon to help you better understand what is going on.
Just for clarity, if your internet speed is reported in the “KBps” range, your connection is probably too slow to work online with DynamicLTA.
For offices without suitable internet, there is always the DynamicLTA One application – standalone, no internet required. We can even ship it on a CD. 🙂
DynamicLTA
Happy New Year 2018
Server Downtime
Urgent Downtime Notification
Please note that for security reasons the DynamicLTA Online Server was taken offline for approximately 2 hours on Monday 6 November 2017. Service has been restored.
The nature of the downtime was urgent and scheduled.
The cause of the downtime was faulty hardware.
Some users may have to restart their browsers in order to get full access to Dynamic Online Reports.
We apologize for any inconvenience caused during this rollover period.
-Dynamic
Trouble shooting: Thunderbird email attachments
Client’s see WINMAIL.DAT attachments in Thunderbird but in Outlook they open fine
Dynamic sends invoices and statements to clients’ by email. This is a great time saving feature but sometimes problems occur.
One such problem is the display of the attached PDF in Thunderbird.
What is this?
This not a Dynamic issue. The issue is experienced by Thunderbird users who received PDF invoices sent by Dynamic.
The problem is with Thunderbird.
Any PDF sent as an attachment will be treated in this way by Thunderbird.
Who gets this?
The problem described here is typical for Thunderbird users and the same email, with attachment, forwarded to an Outlook user will not report the same problem.
Why is this important?
Never open untrusted attachments.
Clients may complain that they do no receive invoices sent to them by email.
The attachment is normally named invoice_123456789.pdf – and in standard PDF format.
Thunderbird users may report that they do not see a PDF attachment. The attachment may appear as a winmail.dat attachment.
Solution
The solution lies with Thunderbird. Please install the LookOut plugin for Thunderbird.
Download LookOut for Thunderbird
Never open untrusted attachments.
Additional information for this issue:
From Mozilla Help for Thunderbird:
-Dynamic
Trouble shooting: Gmail “noname” attachment
Client’s can’t open “noname” attachments in Gmail but in Outlook they open fine
Dynamic integrates with Microsoft Outlook. Dynamic sends invoices and statements to clients’ by email. This is a great time saving feature but sometimes problems occur.
One such problem is the display of the attached PDF in Gmail.
What is this?
This not a Dynamic issue. The issue is experienced by Gmail users who received PDF invoices sent by Dynamic.
The problem is with Gmail.
Any PDF sent as an attachment will be treated in this way by Gmail.
Who gets this?
The problem described here is typical for Gmail users and the same email, with attachment, forwarded to an Outlook user will not report the same problem.
Why is this important?
Never open untrusted attachments.
Clients may complain that they do no receive invoices sent to them by email.
The attachment is normally named invoice_123456789.pdf – and in standard PDF format.
Gmail users may report that they do not see a PDF attachment. The attachment may appear as a noname attachment. Some users may see a Winmail.dat attachment, similar to the problem experienced by Thunderbird users.
The problem presents itself like this:
Solution
Click the download button. The noname attachment will be downloaded to the local Download folder. Right click and select Open with… Reader (or your preferred PDF Reader). The correct attachment will display.
Never open untrusted attachments.
Additional information for this issue:
This link indicates that the problem is at least seven years old:
And here:
-Dynamic
Issues Resolved
We are proud to confirm that several minor software niggles have recently been resolved.
#201708001 – The Client Trust Investment List report displayed amounts wrong in certain circumstances. This was a display issued and does not affect the underlying data. Information was correct on all other reports. Implications: This report may display a different balance to other similar reports. Status: Resolved. Please obtain an update.
#201708002 – The Find in Transactions search option ignored certain data items due to lower case input. Implications: Searches on the transactions entered would not return a result. Status: Resolved. Searches are now accurate regardless of the text case.
#201708003 – Processing Cash Book transactions would in certain circumstances post a nil transaction to the cash book. This created a nil entry in the cash book. Implications: Not an error, but certainly not what we want. Status: Resolved.
Please report issues immediately? Please remember that an issue may not be an error. Issues may be resolved in a variety of manners, depending on the nature and implication of the issue.
-Dynamic
Trouble shooting: DDE Server error
Unable to Shutdown Due to a DDE Server Window: Explorer.exe Application Error
Some users have experienced Cannot connect to DDE Server errors.
What is this?
This is a print related issue.
The problem appears to be a local software issue. It is typically associated with print jobs and print queues.
The problem may simply be out-of-date software.
Who gets this?
This error typically occurs when the Print icon is clicked to generate a PDF report.
The good news is that the problem is not caused by DynamicLTA. 🙂
Why is this important?
General inquiries can be made on screen. For any external reports a print out is required. The DDE Server error indicates that it is not possible to generate the report, or display the PDF containing the report. The system will keep on working, but printing reports will not be possible.
Solution
Please note that Microsoft recommends a clean boot or re-installing software.
We recommend that you uninstall your default PDF Reader software and install an upgrade. For example, you may have an older version of Adobe Reader on your computer, which for some reason no longer functions as expected. Uninstall this version and install the most recent version, such as Reader 11. This will upgrade the Reader to version 11 and is expected to resolve the DDE Server error.
DynamicLTA is designed to work with any standard PDF reader, meaning you may use the Reader of your choice.
Download PDF Readers here:
-Dynamic
Powerful diagnostic reports
All bookkeeping systems require the ability to drill down, or analyze figures right down to the constituting transactions. DynamicLTA has the ability to display balances, summaries and individual transactions.
The following screenshots illustrate the summarized totals for January 2017. This is then shown broken down to the individual entries, sorted by date, and finally the same data exported to spreadsheet.
This screenshot shows the totals of the various transactions types for the specified overview, (one month).
This screenshot shows the breakdown of the Trust Receipts for the same month.
This screenshot shows the same data exported to spreadsheet.
Diagnostic reports are designed in such a way that the system is entirely transparent.
-DynamicLTA
Trouble shooting: Adobe Reader fails to show
Adobe Reader does not show PDF after clicking the Printer icon.
After upgrading Reader, some users experience a no show after clicking the Printer icon.
What is this?
This is a file and report display issue. All Dynamic reports are generated as PDF documents, which should automatically open in the default PDF Reader.
The problem may be caused by two related and distinct issues. It is typically associated with print jobs and print queues.
The first issue may be caused by an over aggressive McAfee anti-virus, attempting to protecting the computer by refusing to allow Reader to open the PDF.
The second issue may be a caused by the default security settings in Adobe PDF Reader.
Who gets this?
This error typically occurs when the Print icon is clicked to generate a PDF report.
Typically after an upgrade of the Adobe Reader, users may experience this problem.
The good news is that the problem is not caused by DynamicLTA. 🙂
This is such a common problem than it has been discussed on the Adobe Reader support forums: Open Reader, navigate to Edit menu -> Preferences -> Security Enhances & disable the Protected mode.
Adobe blames Microsoft:
Why is this important?
Not being able to generate an external report is a serious problem. General inquiries can be made on screen. For any external reports a print out is required. The system will keep on working, but printing reports will not be possible.
Solution
Check that a default PDF Reader is in fact installed and working.
McAfee
- Attempt to create an exclusion for the DynamicLTA folder.
- Uninstall McAfee.
Adobe Reader
- Open Reader, navigate to Edit menu -> Preferences -> Security Enhances & disable the Protected mode.
-Dynamic
How to recover from a WannaCry attack
If WannaCry makes you want to cry…
Recovering from a data-loss disaster is easy. Make sure you have a working, off-site backup and follow the steps below.
The WannaCry disaster has re-emphasized the importance of off-site backups.
Don’t despair. Every time you work in DynamicLTA, it automatically makes a backup of the data file to an internal backup folder.
In the example above, the old installation runs from the “fastcar” folder. In normal conditions the “fastcar/database” folder is all you need to recover.
Simply perform a new DynamicLTA installation as discussed elsewhere.
Once the nex installation is complete, copy the content of the old “fastcar/database” folder from your backup into the new “manhatten/database” folder. The system should be operational immediately.
Do not rely on the internal backup mechanisms of DynamicLTA to survive a disaster. It is designed as an internal safety feature. When your entire computer is compromised by malicious activity such as a ransomware attack, you need a clear, accurate backup procedure.
Make sure you have backups in place before you need them.
DynamicLTA
Financial Reports
Financial Reports
DynamicLTA supports the following Financial Reports:
- Trial Balance
- Statement of Financial Position
- Comparative Statement of Financial Position
- Income Statement
These reports are located under Reports menu item.
The Trial Balance is not considered a Financial Report, but is included as it forms the basis of all other Financial Reports.
In addition, the Trial Balance is typically required from a compliance point of view.
DynamicLTA
Happy Easter
DynamicLTA One
DynamicLTA One is designed to be portable, fast and reliable. It uses a local embedded database and generates easy-to-read combined client business-and-trust ledgers, standardized Financial and Management and User reports, including:
- Age Analysis
- Single Ledger History Reports
- Full Ledger
- Trial Balance
- Income Statement
- Balance Sheet
- Client Trust Balance List
- Client Investment List
It also comes with a standard FREE DOWNLOAD and one year student license.
If you are not sure, download DynamicLTA One now and see for yourself! Why wait? Download now!
-Dynamic
Thank you for making DynamicLTA great!
Software Update 1.0.0.263
Description: Bulk Transfer Procedure Allow or Block button
Status: Effective immediately
Date: 2 March 2017
Explanation:
A new feature was introduced at the beginning of March 2017. This allows the use to block the Bulk Transfer Procedure from posting Transfer Journals to ledger accounts.
The update introduces a new button on the Matter Take On screen.
This update requires a Data Refresh in order to work.
After downloading the update, please select this menu item:
This update allows users to toggle Allow or Block of Bulk Transfer Procedure Transfer Journal entries on the selected ledger account. This is an absolute block and will prevent all transfers from occurring.
-Dynamic
Process discrete transactions
DynamicLTA uses both a pre-defined Chart of Accounts and a pre-defined set of transaction types.
The following explains some of the concepts used:
- Client gives us a deposit (retainer) to be kept on trust until work is done.
- Professional work is done.
- Funds transferred from Trust to Business.
In order to fully and accurately capture all these events and obtain final ledger reports which reliably indicate the full audit trial, each transaction has to be isolated. Each distinct transaction has to be captured separately. At least the following must be captured:
- Trust Receipt. Deposit belongs in the trust. A trust receipt is issued and processed as such, updating the client trust ledger and the trust cash book. Credit the ledger, debit the trust cash book.
- Business Fee. The trust is not subject to fee charges. Work done must be charged to the client’s business account. Debit the client business ledger and credit the revenue account used for Professional Fees. Simply transferring funds from the trust account and calling it a “Fee” does not make it so.
- Transfer. There are two options when it comes to transferring money from trust to business.
- Individual transfers. On the client ledger account, process the trust payment out to the business account. Debit client trust ledger and credit the trust cash book. Now receive the money in the business account: business receipt. Credit the client business ledger and debit the business cash book. This works well for few accounts and relatively large sums. but becomes an administrative burden when managing many accounts. This method is generally discouraged.
- Bulk Transfer Procedure. Use the Dynamic transfer journal option. This will generate a “Transfer Journal” transaction on each eligible ledger, debiting the trust ledger and simultaneously crediting the business ledger. Individual ledger entries are allocated. This ledger entry reduces the trust creditors, but does not affect the trust cash book. This creates a global difference between the total trust cash book balance and the client trust ledger balance. The difference is then processed as a single bulk bank payment. Process a transfer payment against a transfer control account: debit trust on transfer control ledger and credit the trust cash book. Directly after credit business on the same transfer control ledger and debit the business cash book. This method is recommended. See more below.
- The clients ledger (combined trust and business) shows the full audit trial of all transactions processed.
- Each individual transaction has now been processed and is clearly distinguishable from other transactions.
The Bulk Transfer Procedure is is shown in the images below.
The Bulk Transfer Procedure discussed above is also discussed elsewhere. From the top down, the main features are as follows:
- The Bulk Transfer Control account (normally #99900) reflects the amounts paid out from trust and received into the business. The same amounts should reflect on the trust and business cash books and bank statements. Control in place? Check
- The Transfer Journal listing identifies each individual ledger and the exact amount debited or credited at that time. The total here should be what is paid between the cash books. Total transfer valued determined? Check. Individual ledgers identified? Check. Exact amounts to transfer determined? Check.
- The Ledger History Report on any given client ledger will reflect the discrete transactions and indicate how Dynamic determined the transferable amount. Compliance achieved? Check.
Please note that on Dynamic, as on all bookkeeping systems, transactions should be entered accurately and as up-to-date as possible. Bank reconciliations should be done frequently, preferably up to current month. No transfer system, manual or otherwise, can be accurate where the underlying transactions or account management procedures are not accurate or up to date.
-Dynamic
Why is DynamicLTA detected as virus / malware by antivirus software?
Antivirus and anti-malware software are essentials to protect our computers against malicious software attacks.
Firewalls protect us from unauthorized internet based access.
DynamicLTA constists of two portions. The actual software and the database.
The database is an on-disk file that just houses the data. The software is the front end that the user sees. The software continuously reads and writes to the database. It is this series of read-and-write processes which the anti-virus software detects and flags as an suspicious and typical of virus or malicious software.
This result where good software is incorrectly identified as bad, is called a False Positive. The test result is positive, that means it has identified a problem, but that test result is false. We want to keep this good software and do not agree that the match is in fact positive. That is why this match is called a false positive.
If it is any relief, other accounting systems that use this type of data read, modify and write cycle are subject to the same scrutiny by anti-virus products.
Usually, the solution is NOT to quarantine, isolate, delete or remove the files in question.
The problem can be neutralized by setting the scanner to exclude the software folder.
The only reliable solution is to set an Exclusion on the Dynamic folder.
Each anti-virus has its own specific mechanism for Excluding files and folders from further scrutiny. Select the Exclusion folder for Dynamic and you should be good to go.
In this example a “c:\dynamic” folder hosts the DynamicLTA installation inside the “fastcar” subfolder. By excluding the dynamci folder, all sub-folders, where the dLTA.EXE application and data is located, are excluded.
-Dynamic
VAT Calculator
The Basic DynamicLTA module is not designed to auto-process VAT. An easy to use built-in VAT Calculator is included.
This means that if you use DynamicLTA Basic for a lawyer who is registered for VAT, inclusive and exclusive amounts can still be easily calculated.
This means that with only the amount and the applicable VAT Tax Rate, the net amount, gross amount, or the VAT portion can be calculated.
Making your life easier.
-Dynamic
to understand DynamicLTA, you need to use it
To understand DynamicLTA, you need to use it. An empty bookkeeping system is like a ghost town without houses.
Please follow the Download link in the top menu.
DynamicLTA is released with a standard student licence. The software can be downloaded free of charge and is free to use for one year for all bona fide students.*
This means that students can prepare their assignments using DynamicLTA and prospective commercial users can learn the workings of DynamicLTA first hand before engaging in a pay-for-use license.
The notice on this page is an abridgment of the Terms and Conditions of the EULA. In the final instance, please refer to the EULA for disambiguation.
Downloads of DynamicLTA software subject to the EULA.
-Dynamic
Wrong currency format?
My currency symbol is different. Why does it display $ for dollars, when I do not use dollars?
DynamicLTA uses the local computer’s Regional Settings to format and display local currency. If your computer is set up for USA, then the leading $ dollar symbol will be used to display your currency.
This is a common issue and is easily fixed.
The solution is to update local Windows Regional Settings to reflect the correct, local currency.
Start by searching on your computer for Regional Settings.
If you need more assistance, try and internet search for the term “Regional Settings”
-Dynamic
Happy New Year 2017
Place your trust in good hands
Why you need DynamicLTA to tell Trust apart
Commercial Systems Do Not Distinguish Trust
Commercial accounting systems are designed to report on the business activities of an entity.
Consider the following report from a popular commercial accounting system:
The accounts listed show an age analysis of client accounts. The pink lines reflect debits and the blue lines reflect credit balances. The assumption here is that debits indicate outstanding business debits (accounts receivable), and credits indicate trust credits. The problem with this type of consolidated report is that there is no clear indication of what is trust and what is business. Also, trust debits or business credits may be concealed on this type of report.
To elucidate the problem, the same report is presented here, but sorted on the balance:
Sorting the client balances makes the distinction between debit and credit clear. Unfortunately, commercial accounting systems are not designed to generate reports that clearly distinguish the credit (trust) balances from debit (business) balances. This kind of distinction is only possible in an external report, such as the spreadsheet presented here.
Uncertainty creates confusion. Time is wasted in efforts to acquire clarity on the trust position, or establishing accurate balances for the trust.
The Dynamic Trust
Following the same logic as in the commercial system, these files have been opened in DynamicLTA. DynamicLTA arbitrary account numbers have been allocated and the original numbers stored in Legacy.
A typical Trial Balance consolidates the Trust, distinct from the business accounts.
This Trial Balance gives us an instant indication that the net client ledger trust balances amount to 3694.41, a subtotal which was not apparent on the commercial system.
The Client Balance List is a unique DynamicLTA report designed to provide clarity. Consider the Client Balance List as an analysis of client ledger balances. The report shows, on one line, for each account, the account number, client name and the current business and trust balances. Simplicity and clarity removes uncertainty and confusion.
The Age Analysis of Accounts Receivable provide confirmation of the outstanding business balances.
Dynamic prints its on screen display directly to A4 Landscape size PDF, which makes it both easy to confirm the accuracy of the numbers presented, and also makes for easy email attachments without having to waste time or paper.
Simple. Clear. Distinct. What more do you need?
This shows why using Dynamic Lawyers Trust Accounting software solution for your law firm is essential.
-Dynamic
How to Find a Transaction?
Have I posted this before? What was the amount? To which account did I post this transaction? In any bookkeeping environment, one may lose track of transactions posted.
Fortunately, DynamicLTA has a specialized search function to help find those transactions.
In this example a payment was made to JetSpeed Couriers. Now, we need to find this transaction. We need to identify the account against which it was posted.
The Ledger for the account reflects a 27.50 entry for “BCh JetSpeed Couriers“. We need to identify the original account.
This is not a search on a file name, but rather the contents of a transaction. The menu item FIND A TRANSACTION is located in the Processing menu.
The key is the overview in which to search. Setting the start date too close to the end date will make the search space very small.
Note that
- the search word is not case sensitive
- combined searches on either word or amount or both are possible
This search shows that a transaction where the narrative “jet” was used, it appears on the account #00000 on 2 July for the amount of 27.50. This is the transaction we were searching for.
Note there is a separate search for Files. If trying to locate a specific ledger account, use the standard search with the option. For locating an amount, or a narrative of a transaction, use the advanced search option.
-Dynamic
Two Security Layers
DynamicLTA supports two layers of data security.
Using a sophisticated bookkeeping system like DynamicLTA you want the peace of mind to know that not only is your trust in order, but also that the contents of your system is safe from prying eyes.
DynamicLTA ticks the box when it comes to user access control.
The first layer is the user access secured by a PIN. Keep the PIN safe and you know that nobody can access your software without this PIN. This type of user level access control is typical and expected of financial software.
It is the end user’s duty to ensure the security of the system PIN at all times.
Database Encryption.
In addition to the obvious security measures, DynamicLTA also sports under-the-hood database encryption. Its not just a password to access the database, the actual data is encrypted. This level of encryption is completely transparent to the end user. The end user will not be aware of the security measures in place, but the data is kept safe. Built-in encryption means that once deployed, the system and its database work together and the database cannot be accessed by third party software.
DynamicLTA is a portable system. In the event that the USB Flash Drive on which it is located is lost or stolen, access can only be obtained through the software using the user PIN. The system is safe from general snooping attempts.
The method and type of encryption used by DynamicLTA is confidential and not published. A license does not offer access to the database encryption protocol.
Its good to know that your data is safe.
Access control and database encryption deals with the integrity of the data and database, it does not reduce or remove the need to make regular, periodic backups of the the data.
-Dynamic
How to fix Excel CSV file imports
Sometimes, Excel will not recognize a CSV file for what it is. Instead of breaking the delimited fields up into separate cells, it will consider each line as a line of text and list the entire line in a single cell.
The problem is typically caused by a mismatch between Windows and Excel Regional Settings.
To fix this permanently, follow these steps:
Windows 8+
Windows Regional Settings
List “,”
Decimal “.”
Excel
File > Options
Advanced
Decimal “.”
Thousand Seperator “,”
Dynamic is preconfigured to use a CSV “,”. Please see the config menu.
If you are in a rush and just need a once-off quick fix, try this:
Once off
Click the “A” Column header. Click “Data”. Click “Text to Columns”. Select Delimited, select delimiter.
Enjoy your spreadsheet.
-Dynamic
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