Pastel - Multiple invoices at once?

[mother]

I run Pastel Express. When we invoice parents for their monthly class fees, obviously all parents receive identical invoices (except for the account number). Every invoice is for the same inventory item at the same price. Is there any way one can issue these literally hundreds of identical invoices all at once, or can you only ever issue one invoice at a time?

Please tell me there's a less time consuming way?!

[Mark Atkinson]

Great question! I was wondering exactly the same thing today!

Sure it won't be long until Neville shows up with the answer.

[mother]

Oh I will be SO happy, I tell you! That would save me at least 8 hours' work.

[Neville Bailey]

Yes, it is possible.

There are two ways of doing it.

The first way is the most efficient way, but it means that you will need to upgrade from Xpress to Partner in order to use Partner's recurring batch feature. Essentially you create a "template" of a series of invoices, much like a regular invoice batch. Then, on a monthly basis, you copy that "template" batch into a regular batch and print the invoices. The system will automatically increment the period and date by a month at a time. (You can also set certain invoices to increment at custom-defined intervals, such as quarterly, annual, bi-monthly, etc).

The second way is more of a work-around option, if you are not willing to upgrade to Partner. After creating your monthly batch of invoices in the usual manner, you can export the batch into a text file (which you can save somewhere on your computer). Then, when the next batch of invoices is due, you edit the text file by finding & replacing the period and dates with the new month's details, then you open an empty batch and import the text file.

Let me know if you need any further clarification or assistance.

[mother]

Neville, you are a darling! Thanks so much! (Now if only I understood what you said???)

Just kidding. I think I understand, but I would have to try it first. Should actually do Aug's invoices some time next week, then I'll save that batch to a text file, and use it create Sep's invoices. So if I get stuck then I'll definitely give you a shout.

And hopefully next year we can upgrade to Partner. Btw what would an upgrade like that cost?

[Neville Bailey]

Just kidding. I think I understand, but I would have to try it first. Should actually do Aug's invoices some time next week, then I'll save that batch to a text file, and use it create Sep's invoices. So if I get stuck then I'll definitely give you a shout.

Perhaps you should give me a shout before you start, so that I can guide you through the process via TeamViewer.

And hopefully next year we can upgrade to Partner. Btw what would an upgrade like that cost?

It depends on your existing package setup. Fill in your details here and I will send you a quote.

[mother]

Perhaps you should give me a shout before you start, so that I can guide you through the process via TeamViewer.

Wow, thank you Neville! That will be awesome. I will give you a shout next week.