What is ACH ?

The Automated Clearing House (ACH) is an electronic payment network used by individuals, corporations, businesses, financial institutions, and government bodies. Approximately 98% of the nation's commercial financial institutions participate as part of the ACH network, and the number of electronic transfers handled annually, like payroll and Social Security Direct Deposits, exceeds two billion transactions.

ACH Direct payments enable companies like Ascom to process preauthorized debits to customers' accounts for customer-approved payments. Legal requirements ensure that you maintain control of your funds and accounts because only transactions that you authorize in writing may be electronically debited from your account.

How do I set up a SmartFunds - ACH account

Getting started with SmartFunds-ACH is easy . Contact your Ascom Dealer - or call Ascom Customer Service at (800) 248-8013 - and request a SmartFunds-ACH Authorization Agreement form. Select the SmartFunds - ACH option that best funds your TMs bank account. Fill out the SmartFunds Authorization Agreement, enclose a voided check, and mail to SmartFunds Processing, Ascom Hasler Mailing Systems, Inc., 19 Forest Parkway, Shelton, CT. 06484-6140. Be sure to enclose the voided check: Ascom uses the MICR-encoded financial institution and account numbers which appear on the bottom of your check to your to set up the direct payment properly. These numbers can be difficult to read, so sending a voided check ensures that your payment will be properly processed.

The 4 SmartFunds - ACH payment methods

1. SmartFunds - ACH On Demand: This is a dependable way to ensure sufficient postage for anticipated large volume mailings or to replenish occasional shortfalls in your TMs bank account. Simply call Ascom seven days a week - and request a transfer of funds. Ascom will initiate an ACH direct debit from your bank checking account and credit funds to your TMs bank account when the ACH debit clears - generally in two to three days.
2. SmartFunds - ACH Automatic Account Balance: This is an easy way of ensuring sufficient postage for expenses you have to forecast. Do you want to know that you'll start every business day with sufficient TMs bank account funds? The SmartFunds - ACH Automatic Account Balance option will automatically initiate an ACH direct debit from your bank checking account to replenish your TMs bank account whenever it falls below a level that you determine-generally, an amount of postage sufficient for two to three days of normal mailing activity.
3. SmartFunds - ACH Regularly Scheduled Debit: This debit option is a powerful scheduling tool that manages the recurring postage expenses you have forecast. With one simple step, TMs funds are deducted from your bank account and deposited into your TMs bank account on days that you schedule. Regularly Scheduled SmartFunds - ACH debits allow you to fund your TMs bank account only when necessary. Why tie up cash?
4. SmartFunds - ACH Overdraft Protection Peace of mind: We know that large mailings can sometimes appear out of the blue and need to be mailed immediately. Unforeseen circumstances can create havoc with even your most carefully managed mailings. Don't panic! Ascom SmartFunds - ACH Overdraft Protection has you covered! Ascom customers who authorize a SmartFunds - ACH On Demand, Automatic Account Balance or Regularly Scheduled Debit payment can apply for SmartFunds - ACH Overdraft Protection. Ascom will auto-advance funds into your Ascom TMS bank account whenever your TMs bank account funds are exhausted, and initiate an ACH direct debit from your bank checking account to pay back the advance.