Oracle R12 CHECK Payments

Check Printing has changed considerably in Oracle R12. Initially it looked to me to be very complex, but after spending considerable time understanding it, I have started to like many of the new features. Some of the new additions are:

1. There is a standard Oracle Program to generate the XML. It creates most of the fields necessary to create checks.
2. Check payment data has been moved from ‘Payables’ responsibility to ‘Payments’ responsibility. The schema name for Payments is IBY.
3. You have to create only the RTF file since the XML file is generated by Oracle. You may change or add a new RTF – all you have to do is to upload the new RTF file once the check processes have been setup.
4. The number of lines per page can be setup in the Payment Processing Profile. The XML file will be generated based on this number. It does seem to me that this option puts some restrictions on the flexibility provided by oracle, but so far I was able to work with it.

Pre-requisites:

1. Download BI Publisher Template Builder for Word ver 10.1.3.4.1 from download.oracle.com
2. Basic requirements to start creating checks is to have an RTF file (Template) and an XML file (data definition).
3. There are 2 ways that you can have an RTF file:
   
   - Create your own, or
   
   - (Recommended) Download standard oracle Template
   
   Payables Manager > Setup > Payment > Payment Administrator > Formats > XML Publisher Format Templates
   
   Query and download the RTF file
   
   ‘Standard Check Format’ IBYDC_STD1.rtf or
   
   Standard Check Format (Stub After Payment) IBYDC_STD1A.rtf
4. Getting an XML file is tricky. I had to spend some trying to get this extract. We have a small setup : Navigation : Payables Manager -> Setup -> Payment -> Payment Administrator -> Formats -> Format Query for the format and click on Update , change the ‘XML Publisher Template‘ option to ‘Extract Identity‘

6. MICR Fonts. This is another important requirement which you will run into later on. So I have decided to address it right away because you may end up spending a lot more time if you start thinking about it later. One of the easiest way is to buy the MICR font from a third party like IDAutomation (http://www.idautomation.com/) and use MICRW1B.ttf. Typical cost is around $750.00 per user license – you may need to purchase only one license. You may also download their Demo version which is good for testing. The good news is that Oracle also provides a MICR font which is available if you have downloaded the BI Template Builder. Some banks reject this font, but so far I did not have any problem with the bank that we used.
   Download and install BI Publisher ver 10.1.3.4.1
   
   Font File Location: C:\Program Files\Oracle\BI Publisher\BI Publisher Desktop\Template Builder for Word\fonts\ MICR____.TTF
   In order to use this file in the RTF template, copy the font file MICR____.TTF to C:\WINDOWS\Fonts

At this stage, you may or may not have designed the Check template. But you can still use IBYDC_STD1.rtf downloaded earlier.
Following steps are needed to create a check in AP from scratch. These steps may also be used to create the initial payment to get the XML file.
Step 1: Create XML Template
Payables Manager > Setup > Payment > Payment Administrator > Formats > XML Publisher Format Templates

Click ‘Create Template’

Enter valid name, Code, Application (= Payments)

Type = RTF

Data Definition = Oracle Payments Funds Disbursement Payment Instruction Extract 1.0

Default File Language = English

Default File Territory = UNITED STATES

Upload your RTF File
Step 2: Create Payment Format
Payables Manager > Setup > Payment > Payment Administrator > Formats > Formats

Select Type = Disbursement Payment Instruction

Click on Create

Enter Code, NameType = Same as above

Data Extract = Oracle Payments Funds Disbursement Payment Instruction Extract 1.0

XML Publisher Extract = XML Template name created in Step 1
Step 3: Create Payment Document

Payables Manager > Setup > Payment > Bank Accounts
Query up your Bank Name. It is assumed that your Bank has already been setup in AP.

Select the Bank Account and click on Manage Payment Documents.

Click on Create

Enter:

Name: XXXX Check Payment Document

Paper Stock Type: Blank Stock or Prenumbered Stock

If you have remittance stub, check the box for Attached Remittance Stub

Important: If you check the above box, a new field called ‘Number of Lines per Remittance Stub’ will show up. This is number that you will have to find out by trial and error once you start testing your template. Initially, set it to a lower number, say 15.

Format: Enter Format defined in step 2

First Available Document Number:

Last Available Document Number

Enter any other information that you may need.

Click Apply
Step 4: Create Payment Profile
Payables Manager > Setup > Payment > Payment Administrator > Payment Process Profiles
Click on Create

Enter:

Code

Name

Payment Instruction Format: As defined in Step 2

Processing Type: Printed

Payment Completion Point: When the Payment Instruction is Formatted

Default Payment Document: Document created in Step 3

Payment File: Send to Printer

Check the box ‘Automatically Print After Formatting’ (Note: You mau choose not to check this box initially – it will help in testing)

Default Printer: Valid oracle printer name

Click Apply
Now you are all set to create checks. All you have to do is create an Invoice, or select any existing validated invoice for a vendor.
There is one more thing that you must check before creating the payment.
Verify Concurrent ProgramGo to Application Developer or Sys Admin responsibility and bring up the concurrent program Format payment Instructions
Concurrent > Program > Define > F11 > Format Payment Instructions > Ctrl-F11

(Short Name: IBY_FD_PAYMENT_FORMAT)
Set Output Format to XML: Use this option to first generate your XML (Data Definition) file

Set Output to PDF : This will create your check in PDF format once your check template is ready. Also, Set Style to PDF Publisher in this case.