DBD: Configuring Positive Pay (Formats H & S)
DB Distributor allows you to automatically generate text files of payment information during the Cash Disbursements Journal and Manual Check Updates processes. This file is sent to your bank to verify valid payments and prevent fraud.
Depending on your bank's requirements, the system supports different file formats (such as standard check layouts or credit payment layouts).
Enabling the Feature
To activate Positive Pay, navigate to your Bank Code parameters and configure the following fields:
- Create payment file? * U = Creates/appends the text file automatically During Journal Update (Recommended).
- Y = Creates the text file earlier in the process, during check printing.
- N = No text file is generated (Default).
- Format Field: This field becomes editable once the option above is active. Enter the specific format code required by your bank (H or S).
Understanding the Output Formats
No matter which format you choose, DB Distributor outputs the text file to the same directory: /usr/lib/pvx/positive . However, the file naming and data structures differ based on the format code:
Option A: Format H (Standard Checks)
- File Name: Named by date and time (
YYYYMMDD-timeorYYYYMMDD). The system can be configured to append a single daily file or create a brand-new file for each individual check run. - Audit Tracking: The Monthly Disbursements Journal prints the audit control number and the first 9 characters of this file name.
- Data Indicators: Uses
Ifor paid checks andCfor voided/reversed checks.
Format H Fixed-Width File Layout (80 Characters):
| Positions | Length | Description / Format |
| (1,1) | 1 | Record Type (C ) |
| (2,3) | 3 | Bank Identifier Code (620 ) |
| (5,2) | 2 | Constant (00 ) |
| (7,10) | 10 | Actual Bank Account Number |
| (17,1) | 1 | Blank |
| (18,1) | 1 | Check Status: R for check, V for void |
| (19,1) | 1 | Action: A (add) if status is R, D (delete) if status is V |
| (20,1) | 1 | Blank |
| (21,10) | 10 | Check Number (formatted as 0000000000 ) |
| (31,10) | 10 | Check Amount (formatted as 0000000000 , includes decimal) |
| (41,6) | 6 | Check Date (formatted as MMDDYY ) |
| (47,20) | 20 | First 20 characters of the Vendor Name |
| (67,14) | 14 | Blank |
💡 Example Output Records:
Standard issue records:
I,444555777888,040911,04092024,64.68,"CFC", I,444555777888,040912,04092024,352.50,"Datagraphic",
I,444555777888,040915,04092024,75.46,"CFC",
C,444555777888,040911,04092024,64.68,"CFC",
Option B: Format S (Credit Payments)
- File Name: Prefixed with an S (
SYYYYMMDD). - Behavior: The system checks the directory during the update. If the file exists for that day, it appends the new data; if not, it initializes a new file.
- Limitation: Only records with a Detail Indicator of 10 are supported in this layout style.
Summary Checklist for Admins
- [ ] Verify the target directory
/usr/lib/pvx/positiveexists and has proper write permissions. - [ ] Confirm with the client's bank whether they require the standard check file layout (H) or the credit payment layout (S).
- [ ] Update the Bank Code parameters in DB Distributor to match.