About the Billings Workflow

The Billings workflow gives you an idea about how to get started and use Billings. Although this is the most standard workflow, you may choose to customize your workflow depending on your individual requirements. Generally, the Billings workflow consists of the following stages:

  1. Adding a client. A client is a person or company you work for. To add a client, choose File > Add Client. You can choose an existing person or company from your Address Book or import a contact or organization from Daylite.
  2. Making a project. A project is useful for grouping work—including slips (tasks), estimates, file links, web references, and notes—you do for a client. To create a new project, choose File > New Project. If you use Daylite 3 or later, you can send projects and opportunities from Daylite to Billings.
  3. Sending an estimate. An estimate calculates the approximate cost and time requirements for a project. To create an estimate slip, choose Slips > New Estimate Slip and then generate an estimate from the slip. If you don't send estimates to your clients, you can skip this step and start working right away.
  4. Starting work. There are five different ways to start working:
    • Select an estimate slip and choose Slips > Start Working. Billings creates a working slip that is linked to your original estimate, so you can later compare your estimated time or cost to the actual result.
    • Create a new slip in the Working Slips tab by choosing Slips > New Working Slip. Typically, you would do this if you need to record an expense, mileage driven, product sold, or to set up tasks you need to time.
    • In the Timers window, create a new slip and start timing it. When you are done, you can click the Checkmark button to mark the slip as completed and ready to be invoiced, then link it to a project.
    • Using a hot key or by option-clicking the play/pause button in the Billings menubar timer, create a new timed slip instantly from any application.
    • From the menubar timer, choose New Timed Slip. Start timing this slip when appropriate.
  5. Sending an invoice. Billings generates professional invoices that you can send to your clients. You can send the invoice on a per project basis or you can send a consolidated client invoice. To send a project invoice, select the working slip(s) and choose Project > Send Invoice. To send a consolidated client invoice, select the working slip(s) and choose Client > Send Invoice. You can customize your invoices, apply different styles, and choose a suitable delivery option.
  6. Recording received payments. You can add payments and apply them against specific invoices to track your income. To make a payment, choose Client > Add Payment. Billings also allows you to set up a retainer when you require a client to pay in advance.

See also

Adding a client

Making a project

Sending an estimate

Converting an estimate slip to a working slip

Sending an invoice

Adding a payment