Taskbill Integration Requirements for
Tabs3 and American Express
This document provides technical information about how to set up Tabs3 in order to facilitate the export of information to the format required by American Express. Please review this document carefully before attempting to export data for American Express matters.
Task Based Billing
The Task Based Billing Client check box must be selected in Tabs3 for all American Express matters. This option is found on the Setup tab in the client data entry program in Tabs3. Selecting this option will force you to enter task codes instead of transaction codes when entering Work-in-Process for American Express matters.
Fees Note: When entering fees in Tabs3, you are required to enter both the Phase/Task code and the Activity code. However, the TASKBILL program exports the Phase/Task code only.
Costs Note: When entering costs in Tabs3, you are required to enter both the Phase/Task code and the Expense code. However, the TASKBILL program exports the Expense code only.
Firm Information
The firm name must be set up in the System Configuration program.
Special Fields
There are several fields required for American Express that are not in Tabs3. The fields are the Firm ID and Matter ID. During configuration, you are given the choice of where to store these fields in the Tabs3 client file. The following table includes a list of available locations. You will have to make sure to set up all of your American Express matters the same way so none of the fields are missing in the electronic data file for any individual matters.
Note: Although you can use any of the following locations to store the special fields, we recommend you use Custom Fields for all of the special fields. However, if you configured clients prior to Version 11 (when Custom Fields were not available), it is not necessary to change all of the matters to use Custom Fields to store the information.
| Field Location | Client File Location |
| Custom Fields Lines 1-50 | Custom Fields tab |
| Miscellaneous Lines 1-3 | Custom Fields tab |
| Beginning Statement Notes Lines 1-4 | Statement Options tab |
| Ending Statement Notes Lines 1-4 | Statement Options tab |
| Client Notes Lines 1-150 | Client Notes tab |
| Billing Notes and Instructions Lines 1-150 | Billing Preferences tab |
Service Dates
The service beginning and ending dates recorded in the header record are based off the earliest and latest transaction dates for all transactions appearing on each statement. For example, suppose you were printing an April statement for a Tabs3 matter with some time entered in March and May. The earliest March date would convert to the beginning service date and the latest May date would convert to the ending service date.
Note: If you are printing December statements, you must make sure no transactions with a January date are entered for that statement. Also, if you are printing January statements, you must make sure no transactions with a December date are entered for that statement.
2003/08