I just wondered if anyone had seen the update for Xero over the weekend - it now allows you to attach files virtually anywhere within the software.
I have to say, in my thoughts about which cloud software to use, Xero have suddenly moved up a massive notch - this is VERY impressive.
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Yes it looks very impressive from the video on their blog. Going to have a look at it later on this afternoon as Ive got a few invoices that I need to enter in.
New or catching up?
Hi jaybee661 - I too welcome this in Xero but My FreeAgent clients have had "Files" facility for ages, ie where we can upload & share docs and Clear Books has released its version "PDF Cubed".
Similarly, with the uploading of bills & receipts (probably still the most used bit of doc uploading) Clear Books has a central store so, rather than upload a document per bill, you upload in bulk and then pick which document (or documents) you want to attach, from there. You can also email (or get suppliers to email) bills directly to the store, something that Xero is planning soon.
I dare say several other of the systems also have this functionality, or see it as important (cos everyone else is doing it).
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@jaybee I watched the demo video this morning and was very impressed with the functionality, going well beyond the previous rather limited ability to attach docs to purchase invoices into a whole new area in terms of remote collaboration.
The fact you can just dump all the docs and then sort out later is a huge plus for many scenarios.
Interested to hear from Paul this is a 'catch up' feature, you would never have known from the email!
Don't know about anyone else but I find all of this rather exciting given that up until about 3-4 years ago accounting has not really changed for 20 years and now things are changing at a huge pace as the technology is finally being properly utilised.
ie the tech for all of this has been around for a while, but its just not been properly put together.
I note they mention that each client gets 1GB or storage. What happens if.when this is exceeded? Additional charges or time for a clear out?
Charge
I note they mention that each client gets 1GB or storage. What happens if.when this is exceeded? Additional charges or time for a clear out?
Presumably there will be additional storage available just like Dropbox and various other cloud software that is available in various increments with discounts available for the more you buy.
Refinement
The ability to upload files and documents to cloud accounting isn't new at a rudimentary level, FreeAgent indeed introduced their Files thing a couple of years ago and Xero has had the ability to attach files to transactions for a while also.
What's different with this iteration in Xero is the depth of Files integration, the ease with which multiple files can be attached and the integrated workflows that can be initiated from a file upload, such as initiating the process for creating a corresponding transaction from a supplier invoice etc.
What's great about this phase of evolution in online accounting is we're now seeing both new and refined innovations that were not practical or feasible with desktop applications - and it's great for the customer if software suppliers are in a progressive innovation war.
In terms of storage, we concluded that 1GB was a sensible amount to begin with and we'll then track usage closely and if need be increase that in future should it become a problem.
Gary Turner
Managing Director, Xero
@garyturner
Absolutely
It's the sort of functionality that Gary mentions that makes plain comparison with PC based software meaningless, this is now more than bookkeeping.
The absence of some key facilities (like this one) will also differentiate Cloud offerings, and so, given time, all will/should offer it and then you look at the features, in that there's more ways to peel an appe etc, and, for example, once you've emailed attachments to the software or dragged & dropped to an icon. you'll not want to mess about with uploads.
The next one, maybe hinted at by Gary (not sure) is the ability of the system to read the doc and to extract financial data saving us all keyboard time?
The 1GB limit is ample I would have thought and will, perhaps, get people thinking about scanner settings. The same limit on Iris OpenSpace provided the excuse I needed to tell some clients that the stuff they were sending me would not need to be printed on the side of my office wall!