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The RuralInvest demonstration site has been created to provide those who are interested in the software portion of RuralInvest to see what it looks like and how it functions.
To enter the programme, type FAO for both User Name and Password. If you plan to create any cases of your own (see below) you may wish to create your own user name and password. To do this go to the Configuration Tab and select "Users". Choose the option "Add User" and fill in the details. Note: Do not forget your User Name or Password, as we have no copy.
In order to make the experience more useful, we have provided some example cases in each of the main categories covered by RuralInvest software:
A PROFILE is a simplified version of a project, using a single year of activity for a project in full operation, and does not include such aspects as financing. Profiles are intended to be prepared together with the applicant(s) - usually on paper - and only transferred to the computer afterwards. Because of its simplified nature, a positive profile does not guarantee that the full project analysis will be positive as well, but a profile will identify ideas which are clearly not feasible, and allows the applicants to define and understand the major elements of the project.
A PROJECT, by contrast, must be prepared on the computer, as it includes many automated routines for elements such as working capital needs, employment generation, the impact of non-cash costs and income, financing, etc. A full project analysis may not be necessary or worthwhile where a proposed investment is below a few thousand dollars, but it provides much more information than a profile and takes account of changes over time. Financing of projects can be through grants, loans or a mix of the two.
If you have not had much contact with RuralInvest before, you may find it useful to have the SOFTWARE USER GUIDE at hand. It can be found by selecting the Help Tab, and then "User Manuals". Note: The guide is in Powerpoint and is approximately 100 pages, but can be printed in multiple slides per page. This section also offers TECHNICAL MANUALS (Modules 1 to 3), explaining the underlying basis for the analysis undertaken.
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Start your visit by looking at the EXAMPLE CASES available. These are accessible by selecting the Show Completed option under each category, and then clicking on the Edit icon 
to the right of any file name. Note: Other visitors may have created other cases, but all example cases will start with the phrase "Example Case". Example cases can be viewed but not modified by visitors.
If you want to try creating a case of your own, select Create New under any category and start filling in the required information. The computer will not let you advance to the next sheet until the current one is filled in. Note: The RuralInvest demonstration site is wiped clean on the last day of every month, so any cases you create will disappear at that time. If you wish to make a copy of the report resulting from your case (or the examples), go to the Summary and Reports sheet within any case, and select the type of report desired. Note: Reports can only be generated for completed cases.