App Review: Billings Pro
Marketcircle has launched its latest business app for the Macintosh and iOS devices. Billings Pro builds on the award-winning Billings 3 for Mac and Billings Touch for iPhone applications to provide a multi-user time tracking and invoicing system for small business. The Mac native solution runs on Mac OS X Snow Leopard (10.6) and also provides web access to multiple platforms (Windows, Linux, BlackBerry, etc.) for timecard entry.
While Billings 3 is a very nice invoicing solution, the lack of multi-user support has been a long-standing limitation. Alykhan “AJ” Jetha, CEO of Marketcircle, confided that users have been clamoring for Billings Pro for some time:
We felt that we could offer a better alternative for the Mac centric business than what was out there, plus the requests from Billings 3 users have been overwhelming. For example, there is one customer that runs over $8 million a year in business through Billings 3. There are others that have equally impressive numbers. Those customers needed a multi-user option.
Billings Pro has all the features of Billings 3 plus some new tricks for the multi-user setup.
Billings Pro Server
The server component of Billings Pro is very familiar to anyone that has used Daylite Server. Synchronization between the Mac desktop client and the server occurs in the background about every five minutes. Billings Pro Server also allows for anywhere connectivity with Billings Pro Touch, a new iOS app that should be out soon (additional license required).
Switchboard is a new feature that automates the configuration of automatic port forwarding on supported routers and also provides a DynDNS-like service for connecting back to the server over the Internet even if you don’t have a static IP address for your Mac. The result is a system that’s much easier to set up on a normal Mac with a standard Internet connection. You simply register with Switchboard, and Billings Pro takes care of the rest in the background. I’m told that this feature will eventually make its way into Daylite Server.
Billings Pro Client
The client application is visually consistent with Billings 3, with the addition of a few new invoice templates. Multi-user support means that you can configure an approval workflow to allow project managers to review and approve time and expenses before someone else sends the final invoice. The client application will work offline with a local copy of the database and sync changes back and forth to the server.
Billings Pro Touch
The Billings Pro Touch iPhone app will also sync with Billings Pro Server, and lets you enter time and expenses (including mileage) on the road. You can also check the status of client invoices and payments and even enter payments using the Credit Card Terminal app (sold separately in the App Store). Billings Pro Touch has been submitted to the App Store, but is not yet approved for purchase.
Timecard
Timecard is a new web-based time entry solution. Workers can connect back to Billings Pro Server from any modern web browser and enter time against their projects. When you start a timer in the web browser, the server keeps track of the open timer so that you can switch away and back on a mobile device and not lose your timer. This is a great solution for workers who don’t need the full features of Billings or Billings Touch.
Pricing
Billings Pro starts at $199.95 per user. There are bundles to save some money when you get multiple user licenses and Billings Pro Touch with Premium Support. If you want to add an additional worker for a short-term project and do not need a permanent user license, monthly licenses are also available at $24.95 per user per month. A full setup for 10 users would cost about $2,350. Many shops will not need a license for each and every person but perhaps just for managers that approve invoices, the person who sends the invoices out and collects payments, and the leadership team that wants access to current client reports.
Yeah, too expensive for my budget at this stage.
I think I’ll have to stick with iBiz (1/4 the price for two users) for the time being – as poor as it is :(
iBiz is less expensive, but the Billings Pro pricing is pretty close to other online time tracking and invoicing services like Harvest, Freshbooks, etc. Probably cheaper over 2 years.
It is a real shame that their pricing model completely excludes small businesses and freelancers. Syncing data is essential for any app that is meant to run on multiple platforms. I would pay extra money to “add” this functionality to the excellent Billings 3, but buying a “server” is an overkill on both functionality and price. Same with Daylite. I own the single user license, but it is useless without ability to sync to my iPhone.
I am actively looking for an alternative and something tells me I will find it.
Shame.
Eldon – Billings 3 will sync with a single iPhone. You have to upgrade to the “full” version of Billings Touch (in-app purchase $15). Multi-user means Billings Pro.
Daylite can sync to your iPhone as well. You have to pay $50 per device per year to get access on your iPhone, but the server component is free.
A one-time fee of $200 (per user, however many you need), which is fully expensable (sp?) for taxes, is really “too much”? Your business can’t be doing that well then…
I’m not super-impressed with this program. The tech support is AWFUL. We spent almost $600 in local tech support to get the program up and running on 6 computers and resolving glitches. We got an additional month free trial because of the syncing issues and just were never happy with it. That, and the price seems ridiculous. Why isn’t this merely an add-on to the Daylite that I’m already paying for. I’ll go back to the single user Billings and have one person add all of the billing entries for all of the billable employees. What a pain and disappointment this program was. Also love that there is no way to revert back to Billings after “trying” the Pro version. It will be worth the pain to be rid of it.