Streamlining invoicing

Submitted by Matt C on Tue, 20/07/2010 - 22:11

General User's Discussion

Hi everyone,

This forum topic is the result of some discussions at the recent users meeting.

It was suggested that the current invoicing flow could be significantly streamlined. Below are the two suggestions made that I can recall. Jump in and give us your opinions, suggestions, support or additional ideas for streamlining invoicing.

1. Streamline invoice status changes

In Invoicing, to make Status updating more efficient and intuitive it was suggested that;

a) The "OK" button be renamed "Done" and that it would automatically change the status to "Billed".

b) A new button was added called "In Progress". This would close the invoice editor and change the status to "In Progress"

c) All buttons should have keyboard shortcuts.

Other invoice statuses (On Hold & Finalised) were not used by the users at the meeting and their purpose queried.

2. Streamline invoice item adding

When invoicing, automatically be in "Add" mode as soon as invoice is opened (rather then focus in Notes) and after a product selection is made, automatically start a new addition.

Re: Streamlining invoicing

Submitted by chris (not verified) on Wed, 21/07/2010 - 11:00.

MattHave what is used 90% of the time set as the default in any case for all workspaces, at the moment it is the other way around. The idea of the button functions is a good one if we can talk the programmers into it. All for this project. I feel it is giving us bad press from our staff etc to prospective buyers. Is not user friendly, not written with the user in mind.Anything to make it more intuitive and easier to use such as reducing keystrokes, mouse usage and enhancing flow will be good for the project. Will go 10-20% pledgeChris On Tue, Jul 20, 2010 at 10:15 PM, <mpcosta@boroniavet.com.au> wrote:

Hi everyone, This forum topic is the result of some discussions at the recent users meeting. It was suggested that the current invoicing flow could be significantly streamlined. Below are the two suggestions made that I can recall. Jump in and give us your opinions, suggestions, support or additional ideas for streamlining invoicing.

1. Streamline invoice status changes In Invoicing, to make Status updating more efficient and intuitive it was suggested that; a) The "OK" button be renamed "Done" and that it would automatically change the status to "Billed". b) A new button was added called "In Progress". This would close the invoice editor and change the status to "In Progress" c) All buttons should have keyboard shortcuts. Other invoice statuses (On Hold & Finalised) were not used by the users at the meeting and their purpose queried. 2. Streamline invoice item adding When invoicing, automatically be in "Add" mode as soon as invoice is opened (rather then focus in Notes) and after a product selection is made, automatically start a new addition. _______________________________________________ OpenVPMS User Mailing List users@lists.openvpms.org To unsubscribe or change your subscription visit: //lists.openvpms.org/listinfo/users" target="_blank">http://lists.openvpms.org/listinfo/users Posts from this mailing list can be viewed online and replied to in the OpenVPMS User's forum- //tinyurl.com/openvfu" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/openvfu

Re: Streamlining invoicing

Submitted by Glen Hastie (not verified) on Wed, 21/07/2010 - 11:00.

I agree with Chris. This is an essential change. Will find.Glen On 20 July 2010 22:15, <mpcosta@boroniavet.com.au> wrote:

Hi everyone, This forum topic is the result of some discussions at the recent users meeting. It was suggested that the current invoicing flow could be significantly streamlined. Below are the two suggestions made that I can recall. Jump in and give us your opinions, suggestions, support or additional ideas for streamlining invoicing.

1. Streamline invoice status changes In Invoicing, to make Status updating more efficient and intuitive it was suggested that; a) The "OK" button be renamed "Done" and that it would automatically change the status to "Billed". b) A new button was added called "In Progress". This would close the invoice editor and change the status to "In Progress" c) All buttons should have keyboard shortcuts. Other invoice statuses (On Hold & Finalised) were not used by the users at the meeting and their purpose queried. 2. Streamline invoice item adding When invoicing, automatically be in "Add" mode as soon as invoice is opened (rather then focus in Notes) and after a product selection is made, automatically start a new addition. _______________________________________________ OpenVPMS User Mailing List users@lists.openvpms.org To unsubscribe or change your subscription visit: //lists.openvpms.org/listinfo/users" target="_blank">http://lists.openvpms.org/listinfo/users Posts from this mailing list can be viewed online and replied to in the OpenVPMS User's forum- //tinyurl.com/openvfu" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/openvfu

-- Greenvale Animal Hospital

Streamlining Invoicing

Submitted by Matt C on Sat, 24/07/2010 - 12:00.

A development project has been created for this topic here

I am sure Tony and maybe the developers will contribute some input to this project. Hopefully we can get a specification (description) sorted in the next 2 weeks.

It might require some revision as it may have some relevance to the new style of medical record editing that is being talked about behind the scenes (more to come about this soon).

Cheers,

Matt C

Streamline Invoicing

Submitted by bellvet on Tue, 03/08/2010 - 14:54.

Sandra @ Bellarine

Wasn't the suggestion from someone at the meeting was when you click on CHARGES (the NEW does NOT come up) and the invoice option is automatically highlighted and when you enter on that you were taken straight into ADD mode? Or do I have my wires crossed?

Sandra.

Re: Streamline Invoicing

Submitted by Matt C on Thu, 05/08/2010 - 12:00.

Hi Sandra, 1) I think we still need to be able to see the Charges workspace? So when you click on Charges, we need to see "current" (not finalised) Invoices, Credits etc. 2) I also think when we click on New in Charges we need to be shown the options of Credit, Invoice etc - The suggestion was that there was a default selected (Invoice) and that navigation using arrow keys was possible in that selector/dialog.

I think both these things still need to be in place to retain existing functionality?

I see Tim has posed some questions about this project but I have to go to Lunch. Will reply when I'm back!

Matt C

On Tue, 3 Aug 2010 04:54:15 +0000 (UTC), sandra@bellvet.com.au wrote:

> Sandra @ Bellarine > > > > > > > > > Wasn't the suggestion from someone at the meeting was when you click on > CHARGES (the NEW does NOT come up) and the invoice option is automatically

> highlighted and when you enter on that you were taken straight into ADD > mode? Or do I have my wires crossed? > Sandra. > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > OpenVPMS User Mailing List > users@lists.openvpms.org > To unsubscribe or change your subscription visit: > http://lists.openvpms.org/listinfo/users > Posts from this mailing list can be viewed online and replied to in the > OpenVPMS User's forum- http://tinyurl.com/openvfu >

_______________________________________________ OpenVPMS User Mailing List users@lists.openvpms.org To unsubscribe or change your subscription visit: http://lists.openvpms.org/listinfo/users Posts from this mailing list can be viewed online and replied to in the OpenVPMS User's forum- http://tinyurl.com/openvfu

Streamlining Invoicing (Developer Update)

Submitted by Matt C on Tue, 17/08/2010 - 10:37.

Hi everyone,

The final requirements after developer review are here

www.openvpms.org/project/streamlining-invoicing

Soon they will be costed and invitation for pledging will begin.

Cheers,

Matt C

Streamlining Invoicing (Calls for pledges begins! $750)

Submitted by Matt C on Tue, 07/09/2010 - 23:26.

Hi everyone,

This project will hold the record for the most developer discussion in regards to a user suggested development project for some time.... I hope.

If we are to get it into Version 1.5 we have just under 3 weeks to raise $750. Given the amount of interest in this process I don;t think we should have any trouble.

But please read the specification closely. Developer review has refined the concept significantly and added to it.

I am very happy with the changes/suggestions but you should all be too.

As always,

Public pledges can be made to this forum topic or email me directly by clicking here (link only works in the forum).
Development will not commence until fully funded.

Matt C

The final specification is as follows (lifted from JIRA and also development project page).

1. Add 'Completed' and 'In Progress' buttons to the CustomerInvoiceEditDialog

These would set the invoice status to COMPLETED and IN_PROGRESS respectively, and close the dialog

2. Automatically add a new invoice item when creating an invoice

The focus should move to the new invoice item, rather than focus in Notes

3. Added items that are unpopulated are to be deleted on OK/Completed/In Progress

If an added item is unpopulated (i.e all fields are at their default values), then these are

ignored for the purposes of validation
automatically removed from if any of the buttons exiting the editor are pressed

4. Add shortcuts to select the next/previous invoice item

Currently, to switch between invoice items requires either:

selecting them with the mouse in the table
navigating to the table with tab/shift-tab and selecting the item with the arrow keys

Adding keyboard shortcuts to select them would simplify this.
The shortcuts could be attached to buttons Next and Previous, displayed alongside Add and Delete.
Alternatively, they could just be attached to the form, and be documented.
Suggestions for possible shortcuts:

Alt-X (next), Alt-R (previous) - these are used by the existing Next and Previous buttons, so are consistent
Alt-N, Alt-P (problem with edit dialogs that have Print button)
Alt - < (previous), Alt - > (next)

5. Disable the Add button when the current item is incomplete

If an item is incomplete, pressing Add does not add a new item - the click is ignored.
The Add button should be disabled to indicate that addition is not available.

Re: New or updated comment for General User's Discussion Forum t

Submitted by chris (not verified) on Wed, 08/09/2010 - 00:00.

Matt
As per usual 10%, maybe more if others don't step up to the mark
Cheers
Chris

On 07/09/2010, at 11:26 PM, vetmpcosta wrote:

Re: New or updated comment for General User's Discussion Forum

Submitted by Matt C on Wed, 08/09/2010 - 01:00.

Cheers Chris

On Tue, 7 Sep 2010 14:00:04 +0000 (UTC), cbarton@dvvet.com.au wrote:

> Matt > As per usual 10%, maybe more if others don't step up to the mark > Cheers > Chris > > > > On 07/09/2010, at 11:26 PM, vetmpcosta wrote: > _______________________________________________ > OpenVPMS User Mailing List > users@lists.openvpms.org > To unsubscribe or change your subscription visit: > http://lists.openvpms.org/listinfo/users > Posts from this mailing list can be viewed online and replied to in > the OpenVPMS User's forum- http://tinyurl.com/openvfu

Re: Streamlining Invoicing (Calls for pledges begins! $750)

Submitted by Glen Hastie (not verified) on Thu, 09/09/2010 - 09:00.

HI all,I agree with Matt that this all sounds fine. The keyboard shortcuts probably don't matter to much as you learn them eventually & they become 2nd nature. I like the Alt > & < because they have some relevance to the command. Could Alt arrow keys be used, or Control N & Control P? Glen On 7 September 2010 23:26, <mpcosta@boroniavet.com.au> wrote:

Hi everyone, This project will hold the record for the most developer discussion in regards to a user suggested development project for some time.... I hope. If we are to get it into Version 1.5 we have just under 3 weeks to raise $750. Given the amount of interest in this process I don;t think we should have any trouble. But please read the specification closely. Developer review has refined the concept significantly and added to it. I am very happy with the changes/suggestions but you should all be too. As always, Public pledges can be made to this forum topic or email me directly by clicking here (link only works in the forum). Development will not commence until fully funded. Matt C The final specification is as follows (lifted from JIRA and also development project page). 1. Add 'Completed' and 'In Progress' buttons to the CustomerInvoiceEditDialog These would set the invoice status to COMPLETED and IN_PROGRESS respectively, and close the dialog 2. Automatically add a new invoice item when creating an invoice The focus should move to the new invoice item, rather than focus in Notes 3. Added items that are unpopulated are to be deleted on OK/Completed/In Progress If an added item is unpopulated (i.e all fields are at their default values), then these are ignored for the purposes of validation automatically removed from if any of the buttons exiting the editor are pressed 4. Add shortcuts to select the next/previous invoice item Currently, to switch between invoice items requires either: selecting them with the mouse in the table navigating to the table with tab/shift-tab and selecting the item with the arrow keys Adding keyboard shortcuts to select them would simplify this. The shortcuts could be attached to buttons Next and Previous, displayed alongside Add and Delete. Alternatively, they could just be attached to the form, and be documented. Suggestions for possible shortcuts: Alt-X (next), Alt-R (previous) - these are used by the existing Next and Previous buttons, so are consistent Alt-N, Alt-P (problem with edit dialogs that have Print button) Alt - < (previous), Alt - > (next) 5. Disable the Add button when the current item is incomplete If an item is incomplete, pressing Add does not add a new item - the click is ignored. The Add button should be disabled to indicate that addition is not available. _______________________________________________ OpenVPMS User Mailing List users@lists.openvpms.org To unsubscribe or change your subscription visit: //lists.openvpms.org/listinfo/users" target="_blank">http://lists.openvpms.org/listinfo/users Posts from this mailing list can be viewed online and replied to in the OpenVPMS User's forum- //tinyurl.com/openvfu" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/openvfu

-- Greenvale Animal Hospital