Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started and Basic Technical Questions
Getting Started and Basic Technical Questions
What are the system requirements?
Servant KeeperŪ will run on computers with the following operating systems: Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2000 Server, Windows 2003 Server, Macintosh OS running Virtual PC, and Windows Vista.
The recommended minimum hardware requirements to run Servant KeeperŪ are as follows:
Processor: Intel Pentium III Processor, Memory: 64 MB of RAM, Graphics Card: A graphics adaptor that has at least 16 MB of memory, Display: 800x600 16 bit color, Hard Drive: 100 MB, CD: A quad-speed CD drive, Printer: Ink Jet or Laser printer.
Note: As with any program, the more resources the computer has, the faster the program will respond when searching the database, creating and printing reports, etc.
Is Servant KeeperŪ compatible with Microsoft Vista Premium or Basic?
Yes, Servant KeeperŪ is compatible with all Microsoft Vista operating systems.
Can I import my data from another program?
Yes, using the optional Import Tool you are able to import data from your existing database into your Servant KeeperŪ program. Simply export your current data into an .xls, .csv, or .txt file and the Import Tool will import your data in just a few easy steps!
Can our treasurer enter contributions from home?
Yes, the treasurer can enter contributions from home while the secretary maintains membership information on the church computer. The optional Offsite Contribution Tool allows the treasurer to check out the database from the church and take it home to enter contribution data. Once they are done, simply check the contribution data back in to the church computer and both machines contain the most up to date information.
Can I back up to a CD?
Sure, Servant KeeperŪ 6 has the ability to back up to both CD-R and CD-RW media.
Can I back up to other forms of media?
Yes, Servant KeeperŪ 6 has the ability to back up to floppy disks, USB drives (flash drives) and hard drives.
Can I export information from Servant KeeperŪ and in what format?
Yes, you can easily export membership, contribution and pledge data into several different formats. In membership you have the option of exporting into Excel, text, Phone Tree or Olan Mills formats. In contributions you have the option of exporting into Excel, Quicken, or Quickbooks formats.
Is Servant KeeperŪ capable of being networked?
Yes, Servant KeeperŪ is networkable. If you have two or more computers that are networked together, you are able to network Servant KeeperŪ. If you need to have more than one person accessing the program simultaneously, ask about our 2, 5, or unlimited simultaneous network user licenses.
Can Servant KeeperŪ be used with my accounting program?
Servant KeeperŪ offers the easiest and most efficient way to enter a report on Donor contributions. Rather than try and recreate the wheel for General Ledger Accounting software we offer a simple link to the number one Quicken/QuickBooks programs along with several of the other readily available and affordable packages for a total accounting solution. This provides the best and most economical accounting solution for Servant Keeper users.
Can Servant KeeperŪ be maintained on one computer but others have access to the program?
Yes, if you have a network setup in your office, Servant KeeperŪ is capable of being shared across the network so that other users can view information in the program.
Feature Questions back to top
Are the fields predetermined or do we have the ability to name our own fields?
All of the fields in Servant KeeperŪ are totally customizable to track all of your ministry needs. When you initially install the program, Servant KeeperŪ has some fields that are already predetermined (name, address, school grade, etc), but all fields are capable of being customized by you. Customizing each field is as easy as right-clicking on the field name you want to change, click change field name and typing in the new name for the field.
Is it easy to search the data that I enter into Servant KeeperŪ?
Yes, one of the most powerful tools in Servant KeeperŪ is the Groups Keeper. You are able to quickly and easily create a search or query on any field in the database. You can also query on multiple criteria at once. So, if you want to find all members who are between the ages of 18 and 40 that live in Lock Haven PA and attended the Adult Sunday School class 3 times this month, you can do it, and its easy. Not only that, you can save your groups and easily do regular mailings and quickly create personalized letters, labels, envelopes, print directories and picture directories for that group as well as name tags, rosters, etc.
Does Servant KeeperŪ have the ability to track a students school grade and easily promote them each year?
Yes, Servant KeeperŪ has a field specifically for tracking the school grade students are in. Servant KeeperŪ also has a feature that allows you to promote all children to the next school grade level at the end of each school year.
Does Servant KeeperŪ allow me to merge contribution data into letters?
Absolutely! Servant KeeperŪ includes a mail merge program called SK Writer. With SK Writer you have the ability to merge most membership, contribution and pledge fields into letters to send to your members. This feature is great for keeping in touch with visitors or keeping members up to date on the status of their pledge.
Does Servant KeeperŪ have a calendar/scheduler?
Servant KeeperŪ has the ability to schedule appointments or phone calls with members. You can track phone calls that need to be made, lunch appointments, counseling sessions, visitation planning, etc.
Do I need to have support to use Servant KeeperŪ?
You are certainly not required to have support to use this friendly and easy to use database program. However subscribing to our Annual Help Desk Support Plan will ensure that can always get the answers you need. Whether it be advice on the best way to track your ministries information, to how to get a specific printout.
How long can I expect to wait for help from the Help Desk?
The overwhelming majority of people who call in are able to get right through to one of our Help Desk professionals. In addition, our staff is skilled at helping you your answers and back to task with most calls lasting 3 minutes or less.
Does Servant KeeperŪ handle contributions?
Servant KeeperŪ has a Contribution Manager that handles all of your ministries contributions. Servant KeeperŪ also links with Quicken/QuickBooks to handle your expenses.
Does Servant KeeperŪ track pledging?
Servant KeeperŪ has amazing pledge tracking capabilities. You can easily get a list of those who have pledged, how much they have pledged, what percentage they have completed of their pledge, etc. Also, you are able to easily create merged letters to let pledgers know the status of their pledges as well.
How many people can Servant KeeperŪ hold?
Servant KeeperŪ will handle an unlimited amount of members and visitors. We also offer a Small Church version which will hold up to 50 families
Does Servant KeeperŪ handle small groups?
Servant KeeperŪ makes keeping track of your small groups, classes and services a quick and easy process.
Is there a user group where we can connect with other users?
Yes, on our website, www.servantpc.com, we offer a Users Forum where our customers can connect with each other.
Are there trainings?
Yes, we offer trainings at over 70 cities across the country year round. You can view the training schedule on our website at www.servantpc.com
Can specific staff members be blocked from adding, editing or deleting information, and give them view only option?
The Administrator can take away the right to update and/or delete information. The user would still have access to Servant KeeperŪ, but would not be able to make changes or remove information.
Can contributions be kept confidential?
Servant KeeperŪ has the ability to block any user from accessing or viewing any contribution information. Only those authorized to view these details will see them.
Are there security levels/settings?
Yes, Servant KeeperŪ has over 90 different security settings to allow or deny access for each user.
Can people be blocked from changing things?
The Administrator can take away the right to update and/or delete information. The user would still have access to Servant KeeperŪ, but would not be able to make changes or delete information.
Can I print labels for specific groups?
Servant KeeperŪ has a powerful tool called Groups Keeper, where you can create custom groups of people and have the ability to easily print labels, run reports or export the group.
Can Servant KeeperŪ make directories for the whole church and for various groups?
Servant KeeperŪ offers you several styles of directories with lots of customizable options which can be printed out for any group or list of people that you desire.
We want to generate weekly attendance sheets and rosters, does Servant KeeperŪ do that?
Servant KeeperŪ offers several different styles of attendance rosters. Servant KeeperŪ will even print barcodes so that you can use a barcode scanner to enter attendance.
Can Servant KeeperŪ do directories in half/page size booklets?
There are many various directories in Servant Keeper in many different formats with many options pertaining which data shows ont he directories. You may also purchase the optional Clickbook Plus for Servant KeeperŪ, which gives you the option of printing out any directory or report in half/page booklet format along with many other different layouts such as tri-fold, case covers, CD labels, etc.
Purchasing Questions back to top
How many licenses do we need for our church?
Servant Keeper is licensed to the church or organization, and only one license per organization is needed. This means you can load it on as many computers as you want without having to purchase a separate license for each installation.
Do you have a version for smaller churches?
Servant Keeper Small Church is intended for small churches or 'start-up' churches and is identical in all the features of the program, and simply limits the user to tracking no more than 50 families. When you find you need to track more than 50 families, you can simply upgrade to the standard version of Servant Keeper.
How often do you have upgrades? How much do they cost?
The time frame between major releases is driven by changes in technology and has been running generally three to five years. However, we do issue many free interim releases to a version which include new features and enhancements which are available as a free download to our current customers by simply clicking the Web Update icon. The last major upgrade is available to our existing customers for only $149.
Do we have to pay hosting fees?
No, unlike other church management software programs, there are no hosting fees associated with using the Servant KeeperŪ program. Purchasing the program is a one-time price.