KashFlow Permalink™
We use KashFlow to manage our own finances. Part of the reason why we chose KashFlow was because it makes the job of sending invoices to clients really easy - simply clicking a button will email a PDF immediately.
In troubled financial times it seems some people are looking for an excuse to pay invoices as late as possible and we have been told "the invoice has been lost, we've been meaning to ask for a new copy". I'm sure that is a genuine excuse but it got us thinking.
How much time do you spend chasing invoices? We needed a solution to help customers help themselves!
We developed: Invoice Permalinks for KashFlow
Authenticate securely with KashFlow
Our first challenge was working out how to send a link to our clients without compromising the security of our own KashFlow logon.
We decided to use an encryption method equivalent to the SSL security used across the internet. The KashFlow username and password are securely embedded within the resulting link and impossible to decode without the proper key.
When we considered 'productising' this permalink service we considered the security of our users and decided that it was best to build our system in such a way that no KashFlow credentials are ever stored on our server.
Send links to specific invoices or ALL invoices, past and future
Although we started out with the intention of sending out links to a single invoice it seemed obvious that this gave little benefit over emailing a single invoice out in the first place.
Instead we looked for a solution which would allow us to send a link to new clients where they could visit at any time and see all their invoices from us, perhaps just limiting this to unpaid invoices to avoid information overload.
By allowing the choice of 'all invoices' or 'all unpaid invoices' we code the future into a permalink. A client will always have direct access to their most up to date account information.
Publish the permalink
Once the options have been chosen the permalink is generated. Now it's simply a case of copying and pasting into an email to the client.
What does the client get to see?
When a client visits the KashFlow invoice permalink they are presented with a list of the invoices which can be accessed. It's now just a case of downloading one invoice at a time or downloading all in a single PDF.
How do I get to use this service?
During December 2009 this tool will be operating in beta form at GoldFigure's development server and can be used without registration. From January 2010 it will move to its new home and you will be able to sign up for a free trial period. Beyond the trial it will be charged for as a SaaS application.
