Keep Your Timeslips Data In Order
Relinking and integrity checks can help prevent data problems
How to Relink
Relinking reindexes the database correcting problems such as transactions or slips showing on the wrong client's bill. This situation can occur after a power surge or lock up. To relink your database select File, Update Capacity. Increase the number of clients reserved by one. Hold down the Shift key and click the OK button.
Checking Data Integrity
Relinking can correct index problems but it will not fix corrupt data. To check for problems in you slips and client information, select File Maintenance panel in the Navigator. Select the Check Database Integrity button. If the report displays "No integrity errors detected," your data is OK. Repeat this step selecting Check Slip File Integrity and Check Client File Integrity. If there are bad records, a report will display with instructions on how to correct the problem.
Backing up
Some day you may have a data problem that can only be cured by restoring from your backup disks. You should make a backup of your Timeslips data every day. Do not rely on your network tape backup unless: 1) you know how to restore from tape and 2) there is a daily rotation of tapes. Arita's Rule: If you are responsible for Timeslips in your office, you should also be responsible for a backing up your Timeslips data.
To restore from a backup file, select File, Backup and Restore, Restore. Timeslips will ask for the location of the backup file and will then display a warning that your database will be returned to its state as of the time the backup file was created. <>
Timeslips 9 Available Soon
Long-awaited 32-bit Timeslips does it right
I recently attended the re-certification conference for Timeslips Certified Consultants. For the first time, I went in "blind", not having beta tested the new product. I wanted it to be a surprise, and a pleasant one it was. This complete overhaul of Timeslips has incorporated more user suggestions than any other. I will highlight just a few here.
Accounting Approach
Timeslips 9 "does it right" from an accounts receivable accounting standpoint. Receipt allocation and invoice-tracking is built in--you don't need to add on TAL (Timeslips Accounting Link) to do this. TAL is still available if you need a transfer register and/or electronic transfer to your general ledger software, and both of these features are greatly enhanced. You can control the allocation of payments to fees, costs and interest. You can no longer change a client's balance without a transaction. Multiple trust (client funds) accounts allow you to book client funds under various categories and maintain separate funds balances.
Receipt Allocation
Version 9 provides receipt allocation reporting by three categories such as originating attorney, billing attorney and working attorney.
Unified Interface
Say "good-bye" to TSReport and TSTimer. It's all contained in one program-Timeslips! No more separate transactions area. Transactions are conveniently stored with the client's billing arrangement. Don't worry, security will still allow you to restrict users from certain features as with the current Timeslips Deluxe.
More Client Level Control
Many of the features you have long-wished were assigned at the client level now are: Billing status, payment allocation, report and bill layouts, and custom fields, just to name a few. You can also assign clients to one of these new client types:
Master -- similar to Key Client in prior versions
Overhead - won't print a bill
Restricted entry or "dead beat" - displays a warning before accepting new slip entries.
Templates!
Those of you who have worked with me for Word and WordPerfect know how strongly I recommend using templates. Now that templates have come to Timeslips, I couldn't be happier! Many the expanded features of Version 9 are brought to you via templates. For example, if you want to use a different set of custom fields for different types of clients, you can create a template for each type. This is like having multiple "Your Company" defaults.
Nickname Template
With the nickname template, you can force new client nicknames to take on a certain format such as #####-####. You can also set Nickname 2 to automatically add the next number in sequence with other "place holder" text such as 98-01, 98-02, 98-03 where "98-" is the place holder.
Capacity Expanded
Timeslips 9 offers expanded capacity as to field length and number of records throughout the program. In many cases such as clients, users, activities, references and slips, there is no limit. Nicknames may now hold up to 30 characters, and name and address lines hold up to 60.
Bill Enhancements
There are numerous improvements to bill format in Version 9--more than I can fully discuss here, but here are some highlights:
No more summary slips! The new Replacement Slip Manager handles grouping of like slips by activity reference feature instead. Also, you can create a single replacement to cover everything to create a "narrative-style" bill.
More control of order of items on bill including subtotal of slips before adjustments.
Since bill styles are now assigned at the client level, you can produce multiple bill styles in a single run.
And More…
- Station Administrator lets you see and control Timeslips current users. No more announcements to tell everyone to exit Timeslips. You can also set Timeslips to automatically log out idle users.
- A new and improved Speller is included with the upgrade.
- You may remove from the screen features you do not use such as Time Estimated and Nickname 2.
- Paradox database: most fields are available for use with Paradox and compatible software.
Upgrade Pricing
Version 9 is priced by level (feature set) and number of network users. All upgrades are to Level 2. Features of Level 3 are: 20 rates, multiple client funds accounts, custom fields for users and activities, text search, extended budgeting, fee allocation, TAL, and legal dictionary. Approximate pricing for regular upgrades for most firms will range from $99.95 to $699.95 depending on the number of users. Call me for a precise quote for your firm. <>
Visit www.timeslips.com for more information on Version 9.
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A.B. CONSULTING
Computer Applications Consulting, Training & Support
Arita B. Sims, Owner
P.O. Box 1989
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106-1989
Phone: 517-630-8714 E-Mail: arita@absims.com |
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End of excerpts from October 1998 Newsletter |