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New Name, Same Friendly Faces!
In case you haven't heard, NIC, our parent company, has been acquired by Tyler Technologies!
What does this mean for you? Right now, it’s business as usual. Tyler Technologies was so impressed by our commitment to government service and the quality of our products, they want us to keep doing what we do best – helping government entities (like yours) serve the public.
Although our name will stay as Access Idaho, you may also see us referred as NIC Idaho and that we are a wholly owned subsidiary of Tyler Technologies.
NIC is now one of eight Tyler Technologies divisions. We are excited to be part of this new family, and it will allow us to offer you new services and solutions.
To learn more about Tyler Technologies, visit https://www.tylertech.com. You can also find out more about the NIC/Tyler acquisition here.
As always, feel free to emailing or calling us with questions, concerns or feedback ( webmaster@accessidaho.org or 208-332-0102).
To reach us individually, email:
Leslie Steckler, Marketing and Outreach Manager – leslie@accessidaho.org
Tiffany Robertson, Communication Specialist – tiffany.robertson@accessidaho.org |
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There is a New Voice Greeting Your Calls
Access Idaho is growing, and it's all thanks to you! We have had such an increase in business, we moved Tiffany Robertson into our marketing department as a Communication Specialist and have hired Ashlie Gifford as our new Administrative Assistant. Ashlie will most likely be the first voice you hear on the phone when you call, so please say hello and introduce yourself.
Ashlie is not new to Idaho government. She worked at the Canyon County DMV from 2005 to 2014 and was the Deputy Treasurer in Valley County from 2014 to 2021.
We are thrilled to have Ashlie join our family!
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New and Improved Deposit Reports
If you use Access Idaho for payment processing, it’s now easier and faster to reconcile your deposits. Released this year as part of our integrated Financial Ecosystem, you and your fiscal staff have access to super-fast ACH (deposit) reports that sort programs, export services details and provide the granularity you need to quickly close the books at the end of the day, month or year.
The user friendly interface combines all your transactions in one place, simplifying the reconciliation process, whether from multiple online services or over-the-counter transactions. For set up, detailed training or a tour of the service, please contact webmaster@accessidaho.org.
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Our Newest Web Solution - TeleGov
These days, citizens expect tools for scheduling services and appointments online. To help you meet their expectations, Access Idaho brings you TeleGov, an affordable, web-based appointment scheduling solution.
Once your department implements TeleGov, citizens can set up office appointments online and get connected with the correct staff the first time (by phone, video, or in person). In addition to making an appointment, the service helps citizens keep their appointments by sending automated reminders or allowing your staff to push notifications by text or email.
Lean more about how to keep your office's foot traffic at a safe and manageable level, or match up the right employee with the right citizen to improve service delivery. Contact us today at webmaster@accessidaho.org for a free, no-obligation TeleGov demonstration.
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Access Idaho's Value
More than meets the eye
One of things we pride ourselves on at Access Idaho is offering unbeatable value to our partners and the citizens they serve. Rather than joining a “race to the bottom” regarding electronic payment processing fees, we firmly believe that the lowest rate does not translate to the lowest cost or the highest overall benefit to government entities. In addition to exceeding payment processing security and reliability standards, the following is a partial list of reasons why Access Idaho has been the Gem State's preferred electronic payment partner for more than 20 years:
- Only payment processor vendor with a full-time, brick-and-mortar office in Idaho dedicated to you and your staff. True, our corporate office is in Texas, but our Boise-based staff of 15 lives, works, plays, pays taxes, renews vehicles, educates our children, etc. in the Gem State (no other payment processor can match our “localness”). Furthermore, our in-state location is within a short drive of most state and local government offices, allowing us to train and troubleshoot onsite, if necessary.
- Likewise, revenue generated by Access Idaho is invested back into our services, as well as Idaho’s schools, communities, and businesses, at no cost to government entities (such as your department) or taxpayers. In addition, our contract with the state (won by a competitive bid in 1999) prohibits us from doing business with any other entities except Idaho government. By using Access Idaho, you’re keeping things local, in more ways than one.
- Your customers are not required to pay electronically—there are no-fee options for their consideration. Moreover, neither your department nor taxpayers pay the fees—only those customers who choose to pay electronically are the ones funding the service.
- The electronic check option is available for a flat $1.00 fee, regardless of the transaction amount, and is one of the lowest (if not the lowest) e-check rates offered.
- Since 2009, Access Idaho has been an associate member of both the Idaho Association of Counties and the Association of Idaho Cities, as well as a vendor/sponsor at most affiliated conferences.
Other ancillary factors to think about when considering/reviewing a payment processing vendor:
- Support—Who are they, where are they, and is there a cost to your department?
- Contract commitment—Is there a minimum contract length (Access Idaho has none)?
- Extras—Are readers, reports, rates, refunds, etc. included at no cost?
- Billing reports—Are they exportable, customizable, and can they be automated?
- Swipe card readers—Are they encrypted end-to-end to prevent your computers/systems from being exposed to sensitive card data?
- Minimum payment amounts—Are there per-transaction minimums?
- Other payment options (recurring, mobile, text, contactless)?
- Are the four major card types (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover) accepted and at the same rate?
- Is EMV functionality (chipped cards processing) available?
Access Idaho values each relationship we have developed in the more than two decades of exclusively serving Idaho government. We look forward to another 20+ more years of providing exceptional value and innovative technology.
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Partner Spotlight - Cassia C ounty
Cassia County has been a long-time Access Idaho partner. The Assessor's/DMV Office first started using us back in 2012. Since then, the County has expanded to offer payment services in six other departments – Administrator, Clerk, Extension (4-H), Treasurer, Sheriff, and Misdemeanor Probation.
Not only has Cassia County entrusted Access Idaho with payment processing for nearly 10 years, they have been a great source of information during the recent modernization of the Idaho Transportation Department's Driver’s License and DMV systems. They have allowed us to stop by and see how the new systems are working as well as help us develop reporting applications that benefit County offices statewide.
We appreciate all the help they have given us over the years and look forward to continuing our partnership with Cassia County.
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Tips and Tricks
Excel is Your Friend
It's no secret, Excel can be confusing. But learning a few handy tricks can make your day, week, or month-end reconciliation so much easier. The great thing about Excel is it doesn’t have to be complicated. Learn the features you need and leave the rest for another day!
One especially helpful tool is the SUM feature. Since all of our billing reports can be exported to Excel, using the SUM function can help total your daily/weekly/monthly transactions in just a couple of clicks! Here's how:
- Place your cursor in the empty cell at the bottom of the column you wish to total.
- Click the SUM button in the “Editing” section of the home tab. You’ll notice a blinking border around the column you’re about to total. This indicates which cells are included for adding. You can also verify that all of the desired cells are included by checking the active cells named in the function bar at the top of the worksheet.
- Once all of the desired cells have been selected, hit the Enter key on your keyboard and watch the magic happen! Your total will populate at the bottom of the column, and you’ll never need your 10-key or calculator again.
Watch the quick demo below to watch this handy tool in action!
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Excel Auto Sum Tool
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Access Idaho will have a booth set up at the following conferences - stop by and say hi!
August 2nd-5th: Idaho Association of County Treasurers Conference in Idaho Falls
August 10th-12th: Idaho Association of County Recorders & Clerks Annual Conference at Tamarack Resort
August 24th-26th: Idaho Association of County Assessors Annual Conference in Salmon
September 21st - 23rd: Idaho City Clerk, Treasurer, Financial Officer Association Institute in Boise
September 27th - 29th: Idaho Association of Counties Annual Conference in Boise
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Access Idaho and COVID-19
We are here to support you!
Even though the Access Idaho staff is still working from home, we are available to help with any questions you have.
The fastest way to get in touch with us is through email. Our general email is webmaster@accessidaho.org.
If you would like to email one of us directly you can reach out to:
Leslie - leslie@accessidaho.org | Tiffany - tiffany.robertson@accessidaho.org
You can also call us at 208-332-0102. If we don't answer right away, please leave a message and your call will be returned ASAP. We never leave any call unanswered.
Thank you for your understanding. We hope you, your family and your colleagues stay healthy and safe.
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About Access Idaho
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Access Idaho is the administrator of Idaho's official Web portal (idaho.gov) and provider of electronic government solutions for the state.The network manager for the portal is Idaho Information Consortium, a subsidiary of Tyler Technologies
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Questions? Please contact Access Idaho to see how we can
assist you in 2021 and beyond.
Jeff Walker, General Manager | 208-332-0102 | jeff@accessidaho.org
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