Deciding to use a machine or simple monthly invoicing

Overview

Sometimes a machine should be used to handle service work. But there are also occasions where it is better to just produce a monthly invoice for the customer.

Key indicators

It is hard for Readysell to tell you how you should handle work using a machine or simple monthly invoicing for any particular customer. Perhaps the best thing I can do is give you some rules.

Indicators for using a machine:

• If there is equipment at a customer site that is regularly serviced. This indicates a machine might be appropriate.

• If there is equipment at a customer site that uses consumables we sell to the customer and if we want to track which equipment uses the consumables. This indicates a machine might be appropriate

• If there is some process the equipment performs that results in a count. That indicates a machine might be appropriate.

• If you need to bundle all the service work, sale shipments and meter charges to one invoice. That indicates a machine might be appropriate.

Indicators for using monthly invoicing

• If tracking against particular equipment is not important and if you don’t track counts during the month. Then simple monthly invoicing might be appropriate.

• If the deal with this site is very different to your other equipment deals. Then monthly invoices require less setup and is less structured. Then simple monthly invoicing might be appropriate.