Synchronizing on multiple computers - NOT

[davek]

We have an in-house server that automatically syncs all workstations at the close of business, and I recently noticed why our invoices within kbilling have been disappearing. After apologizing to the invoice clerk, I released each time someone opens kbilling, whether any data has been adjusted, the file is updated to that current time.

This is what appears to be happening;

- Someone on another computer makes a change to data, and the kbilling file on their computer is updated.

- Someone else on another computer later in the day wants to view invoicing information and the kbilling information on their computer is updated.

- The system performs a backup, which is at the close of business, and the final kbilling file appears to have no changes since the computer with the last 'modified' file is now the newest version.

Have we set something up wrong? Are we supposed to notify everyone in the office, "I am getting ready to use kbilling - has anyone made changes?" Why does kbilling modify the company file each time the program is closed, regardless of data being modified?

If we did not have daily copies of data backed up on different drives, our invoicing would be a mess right now.

[K Software]

Hi Dave!

The best way to enable users to share data is to put a single company file on a central server and have the workstations open the company file from the network drive.

To directly answer your question, I don't know of any company file updates that happen as the software closes so I'm not sure why you're seeing those file changes. The settings for window positions and such are saved on quit but those are only written to a local preference file. I'll take a deeper look and see if I can find something.

Does the actual file size change, or just it's 'modified date' or some other attribute you're going by? It might be the very opening and closing of the file that's causing your sync tool to see the file as different.

[davek]

That's it. The file time & date are modified the moment the program starts. I will ask about placing the file on the server, however I'm sure we did not do this to begin with just in case the server takes a dump - now we have NO file.

Hopefully there is a fix to an otherwise stellar program. Thanks for looking into this though.

We are using the latest version of ViceVersa by the way. The best sync software we have used.

[K Software]

I'm sorry, I misunderstood you the first time.

Yes, the company file is updated every time someone opens it. I just looked and that has been removed in 2.0 as part of another change.

2.0 is almost ready for beta testing so the release should be within a few weeks.

[davek]

If I could propose a few more changes;

1. "Invoice Item Quick View"
Allow this panel to be expanded - when the "Item" column is more than two words long the information disappears.
Add all the pricing information to this panel (ie., Subtotal, Tax, Shipping...). This would make a huge difference is time, as now we must open each invoice to see this stuff and in my opinion, this is the most important stuff for a "Quick View."

2. "Results at a time"
Should always show "All." I duplicated (and then had to void) two invoices because I forgot to change the view to "All" - we have more than 25 invoices.

3. "Invoice Item" pop up
Can this have an option for something like, "Add to stock" or adjust stock, when we add new items? Somewhat tedious going into the Product/Services tab after each time we add new items to only adjust the stock column. Actually, why not have the same pop up from the Product/Services available when we are invoicing a new item?

Got to go - I will think about some more stuff later.

Thanks!

[K Software]

If I could propose a few more changes;

1. "Invoice Item Quick View"
Allow this panel to be expanded - when the "Item" column is more than two words long the information disappears.
Add all the pricing information to this panel (ie., Subtotal, Tax, Shipping...). This would make a huge difference is time, as now we must open each invoice to see this stuff and in my opinion, this is the most important stuff for a "Quick View."

I've been thinking about repositioning the invoice item list under the invoice list -- that's the only way to get resize on both. What do you think about that?


2. "Results at a time"
Should always show "All." I duplicated (and then had to void) two invoices because I forgot to change the view to "All" - we have more than 25 invoices.Once you set that it should stick -- is it not?


3. "Invoice Item" pop up
Can this have an option for something like, "Add to stock" or adjust stock, when we add new items? Somewhat tedious going into the Product/Services tab after each time we add new items to only adjust the stock column. Actually, why not have the same pop up from the Product/Services available when we are invoicing a new item?

You want to re-stock from the invoice item window? If it's not marked as a service the stock numbers should decrement as the item is added..

[davek]

Issue #1 - that would be great!

Issue #2 - it does not stick. As soon as I get out of the program and then back in, it resets to "25".

Item #3 - there is no option to flag an item as a "Service" from the add a new item plus sign.

While I am at it, Is it practical to add 'print-ready' file formats to the invoice template? PNG, JPEG, and especially GIF are Web-only image formats. How about TIFF, PSD, or really EPS. Since we are a graphic design company, we have not added our logo because the default file formats are not print-ready.

Hey! I just saw something! The "Invoice Quick View" at the top of the screen - I never noticed it before. Now that is sad. THAT would be a great place to display the invoice when we click on one from the list below it. Somewhat like a preview window. that way you could completely remove the "Invoice Item Quick View" columns at the right of the screen. What do you think K Software?

[K Software]

Issue #1 - that would be great!

Issue #2 - it does not stick. As soon as I get out of the program and then back in, it resets to "25".

Are you using version 1.3.88? I just tested it here and it saves. I'll work through that code and check it again though.

Item #3 - there is no option to flag an item as a "Service" from the add a new item plus sign.

The service checkbox is in the product/item window, not the invoice item window.

While I am at it, Is it practical to add 'print-ready' file formats to the invoice template? PNG, JPEG, and especially GIF are Web-only image formats. How about TIFF, PSD, or really EPS. Since we are a graphic design company, we have not added our logo because the default file formats are not print-ready.

Unfortunately it isn't practical right now.

Hey! I just saw something! The "Invoice Quick View" at the top of the screen - I never noticed it before. Now that is sad. THAT would be a great place to display the invoice when we click on one from the list below it. Somewhat like a preview window. that way you could completely remove the "Invoice Item Quick View" columns at the right of the screen. What do you think K Software?

You mean a preview window that renders the printable invoice there?