Back in 2000 we drew up some plans to make an accounting system a bit like a Monopoly board. The idea being that as your business assets grew you would see an image of you factory grow. Your sales pipeline would expand into a bigger pipe as revenue grew. We wanted to bring some fun to accounting which can otherwise be a tad boring.

Due to the conservative nature of accountants (a good thing, they are just trying to protect their customers in many cases) we decided to hold off on that approach. Another reason was the difficulty in dealing with animation in web interfaces back then while meeting targets on load time for screens. We were also trying to avoid pagination. Pagination is where you show 1-50 of 7,000 transactions as an example and then provide buttons or links to show transactions 51-100 etc. Pagination can be really annoying for customers as we discovered during our user experience surveys.

In 2004 we started using AJAX (it didn’t actually have a name back then) which gave us the speed and flexibility to create a more designed interface and a better perceived speed experience for customers. We still use AJAX extensively in Payroll where editable data sets are smaller but you won’t see it as much in screens that have large editable data sets because it begins to become cost rather than a benefit in load times. The customer experience might be nice but if the screen load is slow the customer will just want to throw the computer out the window.

AJAX still has issues in this area but they are slowly being worked around. New browser like Google Chrome will allow AJAX to be used right across data heavy applications as it is a very efficient in dealing with JavaScript (the J in AJAX).

Being a fan of Wordpress for blogging I really like their spam removal experience. When you click delete it turns red (like slaying the spam dragon) and then slides away off the screen. The destroy feeling is quite good. Gamers amongst you would like it. We implemented this idea back in 2005 into our Payroll and Invoicing modules (without the blood effect).

We are started to work on some UI design changes to give customers a bit more fun in the screens but as always the accessibility will be the controlling factor given our mantra of ensuring the keyboarders aren’t compromised in anyway.

If any of you have suggestions or examples of animation for deletion, creation, edit etc. just let us know as we will be working up our changes to reports and transaction searching/listing over the next few weeks.

Photo credit: Cowbite

Released: 20:00 Wellington » 18:00 Sydney » 09:00 London » 08:00 UTC » 01:00 San Francisco » 04:00 New York

R14 Release Summary

1. Unlimited users for your business file.¹
2. Enter transactions excluding or including tax.
3. Default Tax Code for each Account in your Chart of Accounts.
4. Shipping contacts for Sales and Purchases.
5. Shipping slips.
6. International date and time formatting for different zones.
7. Display Contact telephone number in Sales/Purchases.
8. Ability to create and control your Tax Codes.
9. International Tax Code language used in the Tax Code drop downs.
10. Ability to hide any Tax Code not required.
11. Editable posting account for Tax Codes.
12. Usability improvements for Group Payroll.
13. Drill down to a Sale or Purchase from a Payment screen.
14. Sortable Payments List.
15. Pay Run screen improvements.
16. Aged Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable report improvements.
17. Drill down to Sales and Purchases from Make Payment and Receive Payment screens.
18. United Kingdom (UK) Default Tax Codes.²
19. New Zealand (NZ) Default Tax Codes.³
20. Time zone setting for your personal location.
21. PDF file name convention.
22. Automated Transaction speed limiter.
23. Activities Filter For Activity Type.
24. Bank Account Branch/Route Numbers.
25. Difference calculation and Contact field for Journal transactions.
26. Google Chrome browser has passed initial testing. Pending official support from 12 September 2008 interim release.⁴

Notes:
1. Subject to our Fair Play Policy as found in our Terms of Service.
2. United Kingdom (UK) default Tax Codes are in Beta Release (not commercial release).
3. New Zealand (NZ) default Tax Codes are in Beta Release (not commercial release).
4. We don’t officially support any new 3rd party application/browser until we believe the wider tech community has found all reasonably detectable security, technical and operating environment issues.

Create and Edit Tax Codes for Your Business Zone

United Kingdom (UK) Default Tax Codes

New Zealand (NZ) Default Tax Codes

Enter Transactions Including or Excluding Tax

Goto Settings > Sales > and check the box if you prefer to enter amounts including tax.

Time Zone Setting For Your Personal Location

We set a default Time Zone initially based on your Tax Zone. Change if not quite right by clicking on your name in the top menu after signing in. When you choose your time zone you have the benefit of having your transaction time stamped and dated for the location you are in.

PDF File Name Convention

In a future release we may allow customers to control the prefix for Invoice, Purchase and Quote numbers. In this release we have modified the convention to the most frequently requested as follows:

9999 is just an example number

Automated Sales Speed Limiter

Some mail servers we send automatic transactions to may not be able to handle the speed and volume for which we send at so we have speed limited the output rate to reduce the risk of the emails not getting through. Only a few customers have encountered this problem but we want 100% of customers to have a good experience using Saasu.

Activities Filter For Activity Type

This filter has been move out of the ‘More Filters’ area into the main Activities List for convenience as it is being heavily used.

Sales and Purchase List screens default to show Unpaid Transactions

Lots of customers have said they don’t need to see Paid transactions they just want to know what hasn’t been paid so we changed the default display for these screens.

Bank Account Branch/Route Numbers

Saasu was originally built in Australia and had a BSB code for Australian Bank Accounts. These have mostly been updated to be allow Routing Transit Numbers which also allows for more digits. Where you used to see BSB you will now start seeing Branch/Route

Thanks for all the feedback and ideas, keep them coming!

The international Beta development of Saasu online accounting continues and we have been busy in the last few weeks supporting international date and time formats for different international tax zones. We have also finished supporting currency formats so all those EU countries customers that have been screaming for familiarity will be happy (you will see 1.000,00 instead of 1,000.00 format across most screens). Our USA customers also get their much loved mm/dd format.

Group Payroll Design Improvements

We found in user interviews and training that Group Payroll was super easy for people once they new how to use it but those first few baby steps lost some customers so we have made Group Payroll a little more friendly to use.

Aged Creditor and Debtor Reports

Our reports for Aged Accounts Receivable (Money Owed To Me) and Accounts Payble (Money I owe) have had some layout improvements.

More drill downs to detailed transaction information

You can now also drill down to Sales from Make Payment and Receive Payment screens.

See the Release 14 Preview (R14)

You can see these changes live in our Preview area which allows you to see them with your own business data.

Expected Release Date: 8 September 2008. Any feedback and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

R14 Release Summary

1. Enter transactions excluding or including tax.
2. Default Tax Code for each Account in your Chart of Accounts.
3. Shipping contacts for Sales and Purchases.
4. Shipping slips.
5. International date and time formatting for different zones.
6. Display Contact telephone number in Sales/Purchases.
7. Ability to create and control your Tax Codes.
8. International Tax Code language used in the Tax Code drop downs.
9. Ability to hide any Tax code not needed.
10. Editable posting account for Tax Codes.
11. Usability improvements for Group Payroll.
12. Jump to the invoice that relates to the Payment screen.
13. Sortable Payments List.
14. Pay Run screen improvements.
15. Aged Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable report improvements.
16. Drill down to Sales and Purchases from Make Payment and Receive Payment screens.

If you’re a business owner I recommend attending conferences. The trick is to pick the eyes out of them. I only go to about three a year as either a speaker or a sponsor. So ruthless choices are required. My picks are Barcamp, Edge of the Web and CeBIT.

Edge of the Web is coming up in November (Perth, Australia), brought to you by the Australian Web Industry Association (AWIA). It is designed for business stakeholders trying to create next generation business practices that utilise the web. The people behind Edge of the Web recognise that technology and the web are an integral part of the business model. So often I see business people who think their business is “what” they do rather than “how” they do it.

Nearly all businesses are hybrid technology businesses these days,
they are part technology company and part product or services. The “how” is all about technology.

I’ll be at the conference talking on SaaS (Software as a Service) as an Ecosystem for businesses to operate in. Having your business in the cloud is becoming an integral part of an effective “how” component in your business. Some smart cookies (and coincidently good friends and customers of Saasu) will be there also such as the Madpilot, Myles Eftos and Millstreams, Adrian and Rosemary Lynch. I also hear that Jordan Brock and his 5 Senses Coffee with be there. 5 Senses was at a recent Barcamp, and the coffee experience just made it ultra-pleasant between sessions.

If you are not sure if this applies to you then consider a sole trader services business as an example who has a large portion of what they do dependent on technology. Getting the books done, preparing marketing material, email, franchising, scheduling, managing inventory, procurement, network marketing etc. It’s all about technology.

If you want to get to Perth then Saasu wants to pitch in and help by subsidising the trip a little through a cheaper Saasu subscription. Just use voucher code AWIA-EDGE when you renew or signup to Saasu NetAccounts. We will add 3 months to your business file renewal date once we confirm you have registered for the conference*.

Edge of the Web is on 6th and 7th of November, Perth WA. AWIA members $395, non-members $450.

ASIDE: If you aren’t already an AWIA member then get on board. Saasu did and never looked back. We are now on their committee and can honestly say it has been a great expereience dealing with some amazing web savvy members and receiving so much businesses through our membership.

If you have multiple business files in your subscription it will be pro-rata calculated. Offer ends 6th November 2008. One voucher at a time sorry. This offer can’t be used in conjunction with any other offer.

I have never believed in that philosophy. My late mother, Robyn Lehmann, taught me the lessons as a teenager about customer service. She ran a bakery/newsagency (interesting business model for another post) and I have a photo which I keep close to me of her in a business suit behind the counter serving customers. She raised the service bar beyond most people I have met in business and that bakery was a screaming success. She spent time with her customers and it was authentic time, not time to get sales. A genuine interest, the sales just followed accordingly. Her influence extends deep into the Saasu service ethic.

1. The net has had a huge leverage effect on the power of word of mouth

In the old world if you upset a customer they might tell a handful of people. This new world can result in them telling 100’s or 1000’s as they post their upset on a forum, blog or comment section of an online article. The reverse good word leverage also applies. Happy customers will tell the world through email, blogs, forums and the old fashioned way in person. In essence they have more leverage to spread the word than ever. Good and bad. They are your new age sales team.

2. Service is a Sales Channel

I have written about this before but in summary service allows you to have conversations. These conversations are an opportunity to learn about your customers experience in dealing with your business, it’s people and it’s products. Companies spend lots of money trying to find this information out through market research, surveys, focus groups and the like. You have the power to turn what is often thought of as a cost into a learning experience and a sales channel.

3. If business is about problem solving where do your find out what problems exist?

Customers will tell you their problems, they hold the keys to your business success. Just one little idea or problem can highlight a big business opportunity that can be used across your customer base. Your customers are smart and savvy. They operate under a commercial survival strategy. They see the world through a different set of glasses, from the other side of the counter. Their problems are often different to what you perceive them to be. Customer service is a channel into ideas and problems that you can solve for one customer which then could be leveraged and used for many.

4. Keeping it fresh

Continual contact keeps your business relationships alive. Much like calling a relative every now and then. People love to be loved. People are more likely to think of you and your products or services when you keep in contact at that next point of referral that comes along.

5. Just because you should

Life isn’t just about the money, it’s also about doing the right thing. Money is a bi-product of doing the right thing. Sometimes it isn’t, but mostly it is.

Expected Release Date: 15 August 2008. Any feedback and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Features

• Enter transactions excluding or including tax
  
• Default Tax Code for each Account in your Chart of Accounts
• Shipping contacts for Sales and Purchases
• Shipping slips
• Display Contact telephone number in Sales/Purchases
• Ability to create and control your Tax Codes
  
• Internationalization of Tax Code language used in the Tax Code drop downs
• Ability to hide any Tax code not needed
• Editable posting account for Tax Codes
• Usability improvements for Group Payroll
• Jump to the invoice that relates to the Payment screen
• Sortable Payments List

I guess as business people we all probably have some room for improvement in fulfilling on promises. Are we tracking our promises well enough? To-do lists capture many of them but what about those fleeting promises that are actually bigger than you think?

You would think all businesses would be great at tracking promises. Especially since most people are very worried about what people think of them and their business. Integrity is probably one of the most important values in a business.

The reason our businesses are less than perfect at keeping and tracking promises is because our businesses a built on people. Those people are only human, they forget, make mistakes, run out of resources to deliver on promises etc. So systems can help with this problem.

At Saasu we track defects, support and feature requests daily. All of which are promises. When we miss promise dates I personally feel it so we are always trying to improve on the system. Sure we could stop promising but that’s just a cop out. Our customers are paying us money to develop, improve and keep ahead.

Create an Activity type called Promises in Saasu.

One way we are doing this is by using Saasu activities to start tracking Promises. You can do this also. Create a Tag called Promise and give it type Activity. Put all your promises into Saasu as Promise Activities. You then have an easy way to list/print/track your promises, due dates and attribute them to the right people.

Anyone got any other ways they track their promises, work or personal?

Pic: Discoodoni on flickr.com

We have wanted to free up the restrictions on how many users you add so you help us spread the word. We also want to enable you to have the advisors, bookkeepers and employees and other people you need to help you run your business without having to upgrade each time.

• You no-longer pay for users. Just select how many business files you want.
• You can keep adding users as long as you don’t go too crazy (see fair play).

What’s not in these plans?

Enterprise customers have the higher levels of storage, transaction volumes, and features such as group payroll and e-commerce. Enterprises are charged at higher rates. To find out more about Enterprise features and pricing contact us.

Damn this is cheaper than when I renewed recently!

If you paid recently and you feel the value from these new plans is better just create a help ticket and we’ll give you some free subscription time so your feel better!

New UK/International Banking Support

Three new financial institution connectors are now included in Saasu for everyone.

You can import transactions in bulk from your online banking.

This is provided as part of the wonderful (and free) Saasu Bank Integration Guarantee (BIG) to all customers. If you have a bank you would like to be able to import transactions from please let us know.

The new ones are -

• Lloyds TSB for all our UK customers
• Paypal.com personal accounts for all our US and international customers
• Paypal.com merchant accounts for all our US and international customers

Improved PayPal support

PayPal started in the US and now have 200m+ users in over 100 countries. They were acquired by eBay a few years ago but you don’t need an eBay account to receive or pay money with PayPal, you just need an email address and the simple features are free.

Saasu support 50 zones, so with the bank import announcement above we think we have at least one financial institution for almost everyone.

PayPal lets anyone receive payment with just an email address link on your invoice. Use saasu settings sale section.

PayPal merchant accounts enable additional features like simple but secure checkout links with your logo on invoices, web pages or blogs so your customers can bay with credit card or PayPal funds or even direct debit.

Payroll Improvements

Payroll processing has been upgraded to run faster for single payroll and bulk payroll processing. So you save just a little more time if you have one employee or hundreds.

Tax table updates for end of Australian tax year have also been completed and set up for all Australia zone customers on all plans in time for the end of financial year on 30 June.

Add contacts on-the-fly during bank reconciliation/import

Sometimes the first time you deal with a new customer is when they have dropped funds into your account.

Now you can add new contacts dynamically ‘on-the-fly’ from the bank import screen as you are looking at each transaction that has some in from your financial institution.

Safari speed freak

The Saasu labs team each did some informal tests across a range of functions recently and here are the results, fastest to slowest. 1st:Safari, 2nd:Firefox, 3rd:Internet Explorer.

So don’t just assume your browser is best, trying others might be worth the 10 minutes it takes to download and install.

Firefox version 3

For our customers using Firefox browser, a minor print preview issue in the latest version has been released.

Sydney finally has her own Apple flagship store. It is enormous. Right on one of the city central intersections it looks like a lighthouse at night. You can’t miss it.

Sydney is the world’s best city by brand (2 years in a row on ABC), lifestyle (8 years out of 10 on CNN) and especially so now for geeks and business owners since it is also home to Saasu HQ.

The lessons here for marketing any business are fascinating. Focus. Quality. Clarity. Consistency.

Only days after 5,200 Apple geeks meet in San Fran for their WWDC (World Wide Developer Conference) when Steve Jobs announced the new iPhone 3G (watch video) will be 36% faster than the latest Nokia and half the price of iPhone today ($199 from $399), Jobs also confirmed that 98% of iPhone users use it for the web, as predicted in this blog ages ago the iPhone platform is a major structural change to the world of web access.

In case you didn’t already know Saasu works on the iPhone and the iTouch, it is the full web application, not a cut down one. So you can do everything on the iPhone that you can do on any desktop or laptop.

Jobs also announced that iPhone 3G will be in 22 countries on July 11 and a total of 70 by year end. We wouldn’t be surprised to see the current 6m iPhone users go up to circa 100m+ by end 2009 (another blog on why another time).

If you go to the Apple Sydney store opening it is 5pm tomorrow (less than 36 hours ago the construction boards were up, now there are loads of apple geniuses running around and customers sleeping outside in line so they are first in tomorrow. TV and other media are already circling. The saasu team will be there of course to answer questions and do the odd demo. While I was there recently the kind apple crew gave umbrellas to those waiting in impending rain outside - well done gang.

Saasu.com is the best value accounting SaaS on the Mac in the world, we love the Apple iPhone too.

So we are offering 3 months bonus FREE to anyone signing up to a paid saasu netaccounts subscription for this week only. Just type APPLEROCKSSYDNEY when you sign up.

Note to Apple environmentally aware staff, please lobby your light house marketing guys to use efficient bulbs (if you don’t already) or turn off those lights when you go home pretty please.

Oh, and a bit of gossip to finish, something else is happening at 5pm tomorrow too. BRW the esteemed business review weekly magazine is launching their special Web 100 edition. Saasu might get a mention…