The Hickensian

19.09.08 Billings 3

40 comments

I’d used a variety of billing software in the past (including doing it manually InDesign!) and separate timing apps, but discovering Billings 2 was the first time it all clicked together. It quickly joined apps like Coda as one of my “how did I ever manage without?” essentials.

Billings 3 was released today, and here are my thoughts…

First Impressions

The most obvious change is the revised interface. v2 looked good, but 3 brings it in line with Leopard and makes some key changes to improve workflow. For example, invoices and payments have now moved – you need to switch to ‘Account’ view to see these. It took me a a few days to get used to this, but now that I have, it makes much more sense.

projects

(Sorry – couldn’t use a screenshot from my own copy for obvious reasons!)

My biggest gripe with v2 was having to go through a rigmarole just to see unpaid invoices, in my mind the most important bit of information! While there still isn’t an entry for this in the sidebar, I can just click on Reports and then Unpaid Invoices. It’s easier to see past invoices too.

Billings has been given a real polish and even minor details have been given attention, like the menubar timer.

Other welcome new features are:

I can see all my slips, and filter by several options
Client groups! I just set up two – Active and Inactive Clients. This is a real boon that reduces clutter in the sidebar

Clients with overdue payments show up as red in the sidebar

In general though, the revised interface feels like the majority of the changes.

Negatives?

There aren’t many, but there are a few annoyances:

The individual slip window still feels in need of attention. If you have more than 99 hours recorded, it only has room to show the first 2 digits. So 134:20 becomes 13:20. Also, the ‘log’ button placement feels like an afterthought, something that would’ve been better as a tab:
There’s still no way to import individual projects – only restore a complete database.
It’s still difficult to invoice in different currencies, which isn’t a problem for me, but maybe for you.

The new icon lacks the detail and clarity of version 2. I’m not sure why they felt this needed to be changed, but this really is minor!

Gripes aside, it’s still a welcome and worthwhile update to an already great app.

Comments | RSS

No.1

∞ Simon Clayson said 507 days ago:

Indeed it is nice. The ability to “Group” clients is particularly nice. But the whole organisation of the interface is the biggest improvement.

No.2

∞ Sam Brown said 507 days ago:

Billings 3 looks like a nice improvement over 2 and I may well have to go back and have another look.

My biggest gripe with Billings previously was the volume of options and boxes I had to check, uncheck or fill-out just to create an invoice.

That said, I’m keen to try it out again as like you, doing it manually in Illustrator while it works, it’s not really the best option.

No.3

∞ Scott Johnson said 507 days ago:

That looks like a nice little app. Do you use one of the canned invoice templates or your own? If it’s your own, would you mind posting a screenshot? I’m just curious to see what your invoices look like. :)

No.4

∞ Damien said 507 days ago:

One issue I have is with how it is distributed – I don’t know of any previous app that has distributed a paid upgrade through an inbuilt software update just like all it’s free upgrades. It then “updates” your database, reports etc so that you can’t easily go back to 2.5.

I don’t mind being notified of a new version, and given a link to more info online, but I really didn’t need any ofthese new features and would far rather have kept 2.5 than get stuck for the upgrade.

Also, what’s the story with the pricing? Separate pricing for Europe and USA meaning we’re paying about 10euro more for the upgrade than if we paid in dollars. Grr.

No.5

∞ Jonathan Stubbs said 507 days ago:

I use Billable for invoices – does anyone use this app and can compare it with Billings?

No.6

∞ Julian Schrader said 507 days ago:

Billings3 looks like a very nice update so far—I just downloaded it and still have to try things out ;-)

No.7

∞ AJ said 507 days ago:

@Damien – apologies for that update thing. We changed it so that the “paid update” notice is right at the top instead of below the fold. That window gives you the option to skip the update. You can easily revert to your previous Billings using the steps outlined here: http://www.billings3.com/support/article.php?id=059

Other than the UI, we have made many changes including: consolidated invoices, pro forma invoices, recurring invoices, statements and few other things. The ‘almost’ whole list is here:
http://www.billings3.com/support/article.php?id=070

No.8

∞ philby said 506 days ago:

While Billings 3 is a very nice app, it still seems to miss one thing: multi-user compatibility. We’d have bought a multi-user license right away, but I fail to find any real advance there.

No.9

∞ Aaron Russell said 506 days ago:

Thanks for the review. I’ve been waiting to read some feedback before I make the upgrade.

Can anyone tell me if you can set billing preferences on a client-by-client basis in V3? ie, can you charge one client by the hour, and another client by the day?

Thanks

No.10

∞ A.Fruit said 506 days ago:

I used to pine over finding the right app for invoicing/billing. I tried several. But once I took it online, I don’t think I could ever go back. Functions like automatic recurring invoices, the ability for clients to view all of their outstanding Invoices (+ their history) online, and credit card payment acceptance (if I so choose) are just too important to me now.

I’m curious, is there any particular reason you don’t go that route? (privacy? security? User experience? etc.?)

No.11

∞ Robin Morgan said 506 days ago:

Thanks for the review, the slip window thing, completely agree. The whole UI improvement is the winner for me, B2 was painful at the best of times.

@philby: I’m interested to know what you’re currently using? For all of Billings sins I still can’t find a competitor…

No.12

∞ Jon Hicks said 505 days ago:

Sorry everyone, a little delayed getting replies done!

@aFruit – What online? Your own app, or someone else? Please divulge! I would say rather than security, that my clients would never log in to an online system. They have their own banking systems, and would never use an online credit card route – it would be too much hassle for them. I don’t see the advantage, or how you can easily tie this in with time tracking. Basecamp’s time tracking is very manual, rather than the stopwatch style in Billings that means I never have to remember how much I did!

@aaron – no, it’s per slip, rather than per client.

@philby – why would you need that exactly?

@AJ – I think you might have mis-read me. I did only say that the UI change ‘feels like the majority’ of the changes, and I list other changes too. The purpose of writing this is to communicate my thoughts and impressions, and not to repeat the Marketcircle press release verbatim.

@jonathan – Billable has a nice simplicity about it, but Billings is much more about time-tracking and project organisation. I migrated from Billable to Billings and never looked back.

@Damien – I think this might explain the euros thing: http://macrabbit.com/blog/going-euro/

No.13

∞ Michael Grinstead said 505 days ago:

I did have a play with billings, and tho I liked what I saw, I was really on the search for an all in one accounts application. Invoicing, expenses, suppliers and reporting (i.e. P&L & Bal sheet).

I still haven’t come across one which has been built just for the Mac! For now I’m using Quickbooks via Parallels. I would like to use Billings, but just a hassle having to duplicate invoices (in to Quickbooks).

I’d be interested in knowing what others are using for their general book keeping.

No.14

∞ Jonathan Stubbs said 505 days ago:

@ Michael – I use Billings (hence my question as to the difference between Billings and Billable) for invoices, as our business requires fixed invoices rather than time based billing.

For regular accounting on the Mac, I also have FinanceToGo for regular accounting. Unfortunately, it does not yet have invoicing capacity.

No.15

∞ Claus Lundholm said 505 days ago:

I currently use e-conomic (http://www.e-conomic.co.uk/) as my primary billing app. It’s easy and an online app. But after seeing Billing3 (never heard of it before) i would most likely try it out. Maybe even make it my default billing app.

No.16

∞ Andy Polaine said 504 days ago:

It still doesn’t have proper support for multiple currencies, which is an essential item (I work across three currencies). I can’t be the only freelancer who does that and it makes the whole app completely useless for me. The only work around would be to make a template with separate currency symbols and then have it filled with ‘numbers’ that no longer correspond to any real monetary figures.

The idea that your currency is set via the International System Preferences panel is an absolutely insane and lame (inlame?) bit of UI.

No.17

∞ Viktor Reiter said 504 days ago:

Thanks for your hint to this programm.

No.18

∞ A.Fruit said 503 days ago:

@ Jon – I currently use Harvest, and Blinksale.

• Harvest Website
• Blinksale Website

Until recently, Harvest was just for time-tracking, and Blinksale was for invoicing.

Now Harvest does the invoicing too. But it’s main strengths are tracking time by me, other employees, and contractors that all accrue billable hours for me. It even show nice reports regarding the billables – by category, time, individual, etc. It currently has an iPhone optimized web-app, but the developers have alluded to a native iPhone app coming soon.

You also get a good view of “Estimate vs. Actual” which is essential when there’s multiple people working on a project you need to keep a budgeting eye on.

Blinksale is nice for recurring invoices. I resell hosting as a supplement to my design services, and automatically invoicing on a timed interval is a no-brainer.

Regarding accepting credit cards: it’s not something I do a lot, but there’s times when clients specifically as me if I will. Allowing it is sometimes the the last obstacle they need removed to decide to “go ahead”. Convenience, I guess. I’m pretty sure both of those apps will process CCs with a basic Paypal account.

No.19

∞ A.Fruit said 502 days ago:

Also, I didn’t mention some of the others, but I suppose they’re worth a shout:

Freshbooks : Painless Billing

Cashboard : Financial Management Software

Tick : Track time – Hit Budgets

Tempo

No.20

∞ Adrian said 501 days ago:

Billings, at first glance, looked perfect for my needs but after downloading the trial, I’m finding that it’s not quite as intuitive as I would’ve hoped and I do not like that you can’t time more than 99 hours. I really hope they fix that.

No.21

∞ Jon Hicks said 501 days ago:

@Adrian – To be clear, you can record more than 99 hours, there’s just a bug whereby the slip detail window can’t show that amount. Everywhere else in the interface it does however. Stick with it, any new system can take some getting used to.

@A Fruit – But can you track time on aspects of a project with a stopwatch? Or do you have to fill this in manually. I also don’t like the monthly subscription model, when I can buy software, and it’s all mine! As for CC payments, I just use PayPal, but it’s rare that clients don’t want to use BACS or direct wire transfer.

No.22

∞ Claus Lundholm said 501 days ago:

Just saw this new upcoming task management app.

Things

Looks pretty cool

/Claus

No.23

∞ Jon Hicks said 501 days ago:

@Claus – Yes, I use Things a lot, it’s wonderful. It’s not related to this post however!

No.24

∞ Brook Elgie said 501 days ago:

I’m trialling Billings3, and while I like the actual app, I’m disappointed marketcircle are charging (online) UKers more for it than US peeps.

No.25

∞ Geof Harries said 500 days ago:

I used Blinksale for about a year, but dropped it in favour of Harvest which offers more features and a better interface for less cost. Over time, I’m finding I’d rather be in control of my core business systems than have them hosted by a third-party on a monthly subscription.

First to go for me was Basecamp and in its place came activeCollab which I am extremely happy with. Now, from what I’ve seen and read here, I believe Billings3 could fill the spot of Harvest. Thanks for the insight.

No.26

∞ A.Fruit said 499 days ago:

@Jon

The whole subscription-based thing does have the two major caveats, that are undeniable:

1 – You do have to continuously pay every month, and you never really ‘own’ the software

2 – A large facet of the ‘business’ part of your operations are online, and not confined within the protection of one’s own computer (though there is encryption, etc.)

Harvest has multiple interfaces that allow for ‘stopwatch-type’ time tracking. When on the website you can even start the timer, close the web browser, come back to the site later, and the time will still be running until you stop it.

There’s also a start/stop feature on the iPhone app (great for travel/meetings), and widgets for Yahoo! Widgets, and the dashboard that have timer-based functionality.

All the time logged by employees or contractors via the ‘stopwatch’ get reported on each individual’s timecard, and is reflected on the overview report of the project. I don’t know if Billings has networking functionalities, etc., but I have yet to see a client-app that handles multiple people working on a project with a budget (and does it well).

No.27

∞ Jon Hicks said 499 days ago:

A Fruit – well that does sound good! Your point about multiple users is a good one – and a failing of Billings. However, as hicksdesign is just 2 people working on separate projects, it isn’t an issue for us.

No.28

∞ Tom Burke said 498 days ago:

Unfortunately, I don’t have a very high volume of business, nor do I find myself doing very complicated jobs, so I find myself perfectly content with Stunt Software’s On the Job application.

Though, if I find either of those characteristics changing, I’ll certainly return to this post… Looks like a very balanced and thoughtful evaluation.

No.29

∞ A.Fruit said 498 days ago:

@Tom

Now that you mention it, the simplicity of On the Job was really great.

One thing that peeves me slightly is the “On the Job 3 – Coming Soon” message he’s had on his website for (i think) over a year. I’m no developer, and I understand it takes time, and things pop up that perpetuate delays…

…However, I find it hard to rationalize an excuse where the developer could be that off with his “coming soon” statement.

I want to repeat however, the execution of ’2.0’ was really nice. I just wish he hadn’t leaked the 3.0-tease —because in my eyes, it’s been a detriment.

No.30

∞ Karl Katzke said 498 days ago:

Or you always could just use Freshbooks … Which is cross platform and easy to let other collaborators (and customers for that matter) work and clock time along with you.

No.31

∞ Josh of Cubicle Ninjas said 498 days ago:

I can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t use Freshbooks.

I used Billings 2 for a few months and enjoyed it for what it was, but the standard desktop app is completely useless when you end up doing all of the menial sending emails and nagging. I’d rather have a program made to do these items handle them so I can focus on the things I love.

There are only a few cases where the web app trounces the desktop, and Freshbooks is by far the top of that list.

No.32

∞ Ian Beck said 498 days ago:

I’ve tried Billings every time they release a major update (2, 2.5, 3.0), but it’s never tempted me away from OfficeTime since it’s interface is a little too complicated for my tastes (plus I’m addicted to OfficeTime’s reports, and the canned type reports in Billings aren’t my cup of tea, beautiful as they are).

What really attracts me to Billings is the ability to track estimates vs. actual time spent. But it just isn’t enough.

No.33

∞ David Graham said 498 days ago:

I’m a very happy user of Cashboard. I found Harvest and Freshbooks lacking in flexibility when it comes to estimating, and that’s not all. Cashboard is a joy to use, is rock solid reliable and available everywhere I happen to be. There are Mac OS X and Yahoo widgets for entering time, or you can do it quite easily through the web UI.

What makes it worth the monthly expense:

1. Clients are involved. They get to review and approve estimates online. They get to review and pay invoices online (they support credit cards if you have an Authorize.net account).

2. The system is constantly improving. They frequently add little improvements here and there than make life much better. They tweet about their ongoing development and keep us well informed about new and upcoming features. They are receptive to feedback but know when to say no so it doesn’t become too bloated.

3. Basecamp integration. ‘Nuff said.

Try it and you’ll never go back to a desktop application again.

- Dave

No.34

∞ George Coghill said 498 days ago:

re: On The Job comments — I have been a happy user of OTJ for a couple years, but the one major drawback is the lack of invoice management. I have some other smaller gripes too, but that’s the biggie.

And I agree, the “coming soon” message is really outdated. I just posted on his OTJ 3.0 blog post, hoping to hear something soon – at the very least a list of features, preferably a vague release date too.

I have been back in the time track/invoice demo phase again because of this, and Billings looks like the lead right now if I don’t get some sort of feedback on OTJ. Trying to track invoiced/paid/unpaid in OTJ with workarounds is just getting frustrating.

Hoping Stunt Software picks the ball back up, OTJ has a nice simplicity I would like to see extended to a larger feature set. I’ll pay for the upgrade, just want the features added.

Billable looks nice, but every time I have demoed it I run into bugs. One would think after the 3.0 version bugs in the invoice generation would have been worked out by now (although they are fixed in the 3.02 release). Of course, 3.02 introduced another bug for me where the interface just locks up and I need to restart it to continue working. Not inspiring to say the least.

And I am not down with paying a monthly fee to do this, so the online options are out for me.

No.35

∞ Andrew said 498 days ago:

Very frustrating that I had to go three pages in (home->store->buy) to find a price for the app. The graphic at the top of the product website briefly made me think it cost $200.

No.36

∞ A.Fruit said 497 days ago:

I’m gonna have to make one point about Cashboard, that I confess is purely subjective: The design leaves much to be desired (for me).

All aspects of it’s design, actually. The (brand new) logo seems sophomoric to me, and the UI comes off garish with details that are forced and not part of a translucent overall “feel”.

I never could get past that. It might have the best feature set of any web-based app of this nature that exists —but I’ll never know, because I can’t use an application (web or otherwise) that visually turns me off.

No.37

∞ Andy Lann said 497 days ago:

The redesigned icon is obviously the result of a new Wall-E obsession. :)

No.38

∞ joost said 497 days ago:

But but but using InDesign shows you have style! Seriously though. I’ve always used Excel and/or Numbers. Don’t need a separate app fotr adding a bunch of monies when those specifically exist for that reason!