Just curious - I've been told all along that we needed to be on BSI 8 to receive year end programs and to process W2s (have several e-mails from Lawson stating this fact) and although it was a miserable time of year, we went through the painful process of updating BSI. Yesterday, a co-worker contacted the GSC and was told they DIDN'T need to be on BSI 8. I know that I've sometimes received conflicting info, but I'm just curious - has anyone stayed on BSI 7 and successfully downloaded and used year end programs?

Second question - W2 format changed this year, and SSN has been moved (I believe it was so it wouldn't be prominently displayed for the world through envelope windows when the W2 was mailed...) - however, Wallace sent us the old format - and they're stating that it's not a problem to use the old format.

Many thanks -

:nix:

"Yesterday, a co-worker contacted the GSC and was told they DIDN'T need to be on BSI 8. I know that I've sometimes received conflicting info, but I'm just curious - has anyone stayed on BSI 7 and successfully downloaded and used year end programs? "

Oh geez don't tell me that. We went through a lot to get everything in place for BSI8 by our first 2008 payroll. Of course I'm glad it's done...we needed to be on ESP7 anyway...but I would not be happy to hear that Lawson has misled everyone on this.

Although the electronic files haven't been sent yet, we were able to download year end programs and create W2s on the payroll that only has BSI7. The last couple of times I've tried to access the Lawson community, it's been down. I wonder if anyone with a Lawson e-mail would actually respond? I think it's terrible that it does look like we were all misled - although I, too, am glad we're up to date on this side with BSI, etc. - although it almost killed us in the process.

It was my understanding that you needed to be on BSI8 in order to be able to apply the newer BSI updates that contained the 2008 tax data, etc.

I may be wrong (not an HR/PR person) but I don't think PR297 needs BSI at all. If I remember correctly it is just reading from the PR history tables.

cheers,

david

LOL, I am doing the update as we speak. don't tell me this now. Just don't tell me this. I am gonna be on the safe side and apply anyway. We have two instances we'll see. This process sucks.

Block your ears and don't read this, Tan!! The PR297 must perform a BSI call somewhere, since the error file contains messages relating to data stored in BSI such as DC plan limits, etc. Even the year end letter Lawson sent out in Nov states we "must" be on BSI 8 for the year end programs. It's just frustrating to find out that published information isn't exactly what is necessary. I understand the need to move clients to current versions, etc., but it's such a tough time of year, it would have been nice to know that there really was a little breathing room.

I'm still OK with the fact we're past the pain, just a bit annoyed that it ididn't have to be.