This is a list of the main features of PGdebt 8 and earlier versions
The 'look and feel' of PG8 is much the same as PG6 and 7 but there several new features
To get the full list of features you must look through the PG7, 6 and 5 sections too, pretty well all earlier features are in PG8 as well.

New features in PGdebt 8

• Common Financial Statement
  This is a new initiative by the Money Advice Trust and British Bankers Association.
  Full details are given on a separate page.   CFS details .
  This is the main reason for the introduction of PG8 as a separate version. Note that the use of the CFS is optional. The classic PGdebt financial statements are still available and it is up to the user to choose the CFS or classic style as required.
  
• Word Processor upgraded
  The WP has several new features and now supports headers/footers/tables and graphics for logos etc. These features are for advanced users only and do not change the way the normal PGdebt WP operates at all.
• Default Financial Statements
  The default FS can now be set so that supervisors have control over which FS's are available at their bureau. For instance a bureau may decide to use the CFS for all clients in which case the classic FS's can be locked out (and vice versa).
• Sync disc
  This can now be made on any removable media (was just drive A).
• Safety checks
  The creditor database and stats setup are now checked automatically and fixed if there are any errors
• New tutorials
  Three new training tutorials explain the new features and the CFS
  

New features in PGdebt 7

• Training 'video' presentations
  The PG7 CD includes 15 separate training presentations which cover everything a user needs to know for day to day use of the program. These separate videos are much shorter than the long video which accompanied PG6, and will cover more ground. I no longer have the time to come to your office and offer In-House training on PGdebt, but the new videos should be a good substitute...and they are included with the program.
• Long file names
  PG6 was a 16 bit application as it was designed to run on Windows 3.1, this meant that file names had to be restricted to 8 letters. This restriction is lifted in PG7 and any Windows file name can be used for client files or letter names. "Bloggs Jane and Fred" or "Combined holding and offer letter" are acceptable for instance.
• New Financial statement layout
  A choice of FS is now available, the PG6 classic version is still unchanged and the new 'Type2' version which has the ability to add notes or comments alongside the Income and Expenditure lines as well as the Debt lines.
  A new column on the Income and Expenditure screen allows these notes to be entered. The adviser can choose to display or hide the notes on the FS
• Token offers button
  A new button allows 'token' offers to be set for all creditors if required, greatly simplifying this procedure.
• Rounded payments
  A major new feature allows repayments to be rounded in four ways if required, or left as precise figures.
  Rounding relates to three levels of accuracy... £0.50p, £1.00 or £5.00

  UP, to the next highest figure
  DOWN, to the next lowest figure
  NEAREST, either up or down to the nearest figure
  SMALLEST, where only payments smaller than the figure will be rounded UP
  NONE, no rounding

• Draft letters facility
  Often a letter will not be completed and there is a need to save it for finishing later, or approval by a supervisor...the new draft letters system makes this easy
• #[WORKER] #[HOUSEHOLD] and #[CLIENT USER] merge fields for FS
  These new fields allow Worker name or household details to be placed automatically in the FS...the household field uses a new item in the Client data so that placing #[HOUSEHOLD] in the FS user lines results in an entry of (say)
  "2 adults and 4 children". Worker name is self explanatory. #[CLIENT USER] allows this new field from the client details page to be merged into the FS...can be used for secondary reference numbers or any purpose.
• New merge codes for standard letters
  extra words and codes suitable for "Client to Creditor" letters
  #[wishes/wishes/wish], #[I/I/We] etc.etc.
• Simpler Backup
  New "One button" back up system, backs up both client files and system files. This facility also now available, (with some restrictions) on the network master/server PC. With networks it is best for the network supervisor to run the whole network backup with a special backup program, however not all users are doing this (!)...the new PG internal network backup offers a "One button" alternative for less experienced users.
• New file encryption
  Early version PG6 files were insufficiently encrypted, PG7 has a new system. This means PG7 files are not backward compatible with PG6, though PG7 will read PG4, 5 and 6 files (of course).
• USER fields for Client and Creditor
  Two new fields for your own use allow entry of secondary reference numbers etc.
• New Dockable Laptop system
  If you have a laptop which docks into your network and becomes part of it, a new system allows you to reconfigure it for stand alone use when you leave the office, you can take some client files with you too, and reload these back to the server when you return.
• FS template stored centrally for networks
  Supervisors can decide whether the same FS template are used throughout the network, or whether each PC can have its own. Makes changes much easier, if stored centrally
• Repayment period for any debt is available with right click on the FS line
• Word Processor updated with some enhanced features and ability to print letters to different bins on multi-bin printers. More accurate page margins. Print standard letters before merging for training etc.
• New Spellchecker and Thesaurus
  Now has red underline (like MS Word) also thesaurus is available.
• Switch creditors from Priority to Non Priority and vice-versa
  
• Many other small enhancements, changes in error handling, better warning messages, improved code.

NEW with version 6

• N245 and N9A court forms implemented, with the difficult bits filled in for you by PGdebt
• Improved networking ability with creditor database open for concurrent access
• Improved creditor database search
• New 'calendar' method of choosing dates
• File delete from within the program
• Ability to read Debt Alert creditor databases and convert them to PG6 format

Still there from version 5 and earlier

• Runs on any IBM compatible PC with Windows 3.1x and Windows 95.
• Requires a fast 486 processor or above for Windows 3.1x and a Pentium with Windows 95.
• All important features of PGdebt 4.1 and 5.1 are supported and it will read your existing PGdebt4.1 and 5.1 files and creditor database
• Input weekly or monthly income and expenditure, then switch between weekly or monthly repayments with one click
• Handles up to 64 creditors of which up to 14 may be priority creditors
• Any income, expenditure or debt figure can be changed at any time with automatic instant recalculation on the screen
• Set and/or change the minimum payment on screen.
• ‘What if’ feature for fine tuning
• As a result of user requests...you can manually cancel the equitable (pro-rata) distribution and make manual allocation of payments
• Income, expenditure and payments can arranged in any order
• Financial Statements print on one sheet of paper for most cases. You may put income and expenditure on one page and debts on another if you wish.
• Numerous ways to customise the Financial statement, show or hide, notes, user lines, reference numbers, creditors names/numbers, debts and payments
• Built in standard letters from you to client and/or creditors, client to creditors etc to cover all usual debt management situations WYSIWYG word processor built in for standard letters…this has automatic mail merge using over 60 different variables.
• Variable fonts, text sizes, and other attributes in letters and also in the financial statement
• Fully customisable layout for all letters
• Send letters to creditor or collector…you choose
• If a standard letter is not appropriate, just write your own, using the program's built in word processor, and save it for future use.
• All letters can be viewed and edited on screen then automatically mail merged within the program, to all or any selected group of creditors.
• Individual creditors can have individual comments if you wish
• An unlimited number of your most common creditors’ addresses can be stored in the database for instant access.
• Little used or new addresses which are not in the database can simply be typed in place when required.
• Add or delete database addresses with one click. You choose which ones to store and you can alter or update or delete any address at any time.
• Client statistics for age, sex, employment, income, relationship, housing and ethnic background are built in, plus five user set category lists and a multi-choice. All lists can be customised to suit your needs.
• Debt category statistics, listed in order of total debt, number of debts, or a A-Z Creditor statistics listed by name, in order of total debt, number of debts, or a A-Z
• 2 levels of password protection
• Semi-automatic Case Record automatically records all letters sent, you can add comments or notes and save it or print it out.
• Automatic or manual review date reminder system helps you keep files up to date
• Set up and save your own Standard Screens with your most common expenditures and creditors
• Individual ‘memo’ notes for all clients