The COMBINE8 program combines client balance due amounts for multiple matters and moves
those amounts to the master client record. The master client record is indicated by the
matter number being zero. By accumulating balance due information in the master client
record, payments by the client need only be entered for the master client record.
For example: client number 400.00 would be a master client record and client number 400.02
would be a matter for client #400.00
Transfer the COMBINE8.EXE and TBUPD.EXE programs from the enclosed Custom Program Disk
onto your hard disk using the INSTALL program on the diskette. These files should be
installed after the TABS III programs have been put on your hard disk. Put the diskette
into floppy disk drive "A:" and enter the following commands:
A:
INSTALL
WARNING: If you are running TABS III on a local area network (such as
Novell Netware or the IBM PC Network) you must be certain that no other terminals are
running TABS III when the COMBINE8 program is run. TABS III data file integrity may be
affected if this precaution is not taken.
Follow these steps to run the COMBINE8 program:
1) Run STATEMENTS for clients.
2) BACKUP your TABS III data files. This is important! In the event the COMBINE8 program
is interrupted, you must restore your data files and rerun the COMBINE8 program. This is
due to the fact that the balance due information will be combined for some clients and not
for others.
3) Run the COMBINE8 program by entering the command: COMBINE8
A warning will be displayed reminding you to backup your data. If you answer "N"
to the prompt "Do you want to continue? (Y/N):" the message "Program
Terminated" will be displayed and you will be returned to your DOS prompt. At this
time make a backup and repeat step #3. You will be asked for a beginning and ending client
number. If you are going to combine statements for one client, enter the client's number
for both the beginning and ending number. The beginning client number must include matter
zero.
You will be prompted "OK? (Y/N)" to verify your selections. Enter "Y"
if you want to begin the combine process. Otherwise, depress the BACKSPACE CURSOR key to
backup to the previous selection on the screen. If you want to leave the program
without changing any clients, press the ESC key.
The number of client records to be processed will be displayed on the screen. The words
"COMBINE8 has completed" will be displayed when the program is complete.
NOTE: Selecting a beginning and ending client range gives you the
capability of combining one or more clients and updating their statements without having
to combine all clients. Be sure to combine all clients prior to the last Update of your
billing cycle.
4) Run the TABS III UPDATE STATEMENT program.
Each month you will need to perform steps 1 through 4 to combine your client's balance due
amounts for multiple matters.
SPECIAL NOTES:
1) CLIENT LEDGER - The COMBINE8 and UPDATE STATEMENT programs must be run each time
statements are run if more than one statement is sent to a given client during the billing
period (each month). Failure to do so will result in only one ledger record being created
with a STATEMENT DATE of the last statement run for the client and the totals will be
combined for all statements run for the client since the last time the UPDATE STATEMENT
program was run.
2) RECEIPT ALLOCATION - if using Primary/Secondary/Orig. percentages, the percentages must
be set up for the master client (i.e. client # 400.00).
3) Courtesy discounts cannot be used when COMBINE8 is being used. You will need to use the
WRITE-UP/WRITE-DOWN program to affect the matter's balance before the statement is run.
4) Only Progress Fee (type 6) and Description Only (type 4) transactions will be
transferred to the master client if the master client has its "Progress (Y/N)"
option set to "Y" on screen 3 of client information. Likewise, only
non-progress fee transactions (any type other than 6) will be transferred to the master
client if the master client has its "Progress (Y/N)" option set to "N"
on screen 3 of client information.
5) Saved transactions (transactions with an "S" in the Hold/Print field) will be
saved in the original matter and the month will be incremented by 1 when COMBINE8 is run.
A copy of the transaction is made to the master client to be updated when the update
statements program is run.
IMPORTANT: STI's policy concerning custom programs is that it is the sole
responsibility of the customer to inform STI if an update of any custom program is
necessary.