Note that the Spreadsheet feature can only be used to import readings from a spreadsheet. It cannot be used to export readings to a spreadsheet.
In order to import a excel spreadsheet with meter information into the BANYON DATA Utility Billing program the spreadsheet be in the standard excel format versions 3-9 (have the xls file extension).
Setup a profile to import from the spreadsheet.
Right-click on the account screen, select transfers from the menu, and then Meter Device from the transfers menu.
Click the Setup button at the top and click Yes on the warning message that pops up (this might not pop up if you have previously turned it off).
Click the Add New button at the top and create a new profile.
Fill in the “Location of Receive Files” for where the xls file will be located.
Fill in the “Default Receive File Name” with the name of the xls file you will import.
Check the box on the right hand side marked “From Spreadsheet”.
On the Spreadsheet tab make the box “Has Column Names” if the first line of the spreadsheet contains the column names.
Select the spreadsheet type from the Spreadsheet Type list. If you are not sure, use type 8.
MAKE A BACKUP OF YOUR DATA BEFORE RECEIVING SPREADSHEET DATA.
Click on the Receive tab.
If the spreadsheet has column names then you need to add three fieldsm Meter ID, New Reading, and New Read Date. Do this by clicking the Add button to the right.
In the Comment (NOT Constant) field put in the column names that used in the spreadsheet that correspond to the same field in UB. (i.e. Meter ID is the spreadsheet might be MeterNo. Put MeterNo in the Comment column for Meter ID.)
If the first line of the spreadsheet does not contain the column names then you need to add a field for each column in the spreadsheet. Put the Meter ID, New Reading, and New Read Date fields in the same order and positions as they appear in the spreadsheet. This will allow the UB to match the spreadsheet fields with the UB fields.
Make sure you set the New Read Date to the correct length. If the year appears on the left for the date, make sure the Justify column for the date is set to a one (1), otherwise leave the field as zero (0).
CERTIFICATION (ADD-ON MODULE)
This is an add-on module which you must purchase from Banyon. To make this feature available, you must first turn it on in Utility Billing.
Go to the Tools menu at the top left corner of the screen in Utility Billing. Choose Add-On Modules. Select Certification. You will need to call BANYON DATA for an authorized password.
You will need to set up the Certification criteria.
1. Right click on the Utility Billing Account Screen to bring up the options menu.
2. Select Setup.
3. Click on Setup Options.
4. Click on the Certify tab.
5. Fill in the Certification information.
Certification Options
This is where you enter customized descriptions for your certification notice form. Enter Title, Date, Certified Text and the Notice. This form is designed for 81/2 X 11paper. How the Certification form is block printed is also available. Banyon recommends you check the Right Boxes for Bill Headers (Align Text, Align Data).
Generate the Certification List.
1. Right click on the Utility Billing Account Screen.
2. Select Transfers.
3. Click on Certification.
4. Click on Generate Certification List.
5. Select your billing group(s) and click on the Begin Certification button. Then, click on Yes.
6. The system will then verify the integrity of the data and make sure there are no other users in the Utility Billing system. The UB will generate the list.
Once this list is generated you can edit it, print it, print Certification Notices and generate a file for the taxing authority.
To View/Edit the List.
1. Right click on the Utility Billing Account Screen.
2. Select Transfers.
3. Click on Certification.
4. Click on the View/Edit/Print Certify List button to examine or change the list by account.
A new feature now allows you to print an individual Certification Notice or print a Notice for all certified accounts. This form is customizable for the body of the document. That will allow each user to customize the message for the customers to be certified. To use this feature click on the View/Edit/Print button and then click on the Reports drop down arrow and click on Print ALL Certification Notices or Print Certification Notice for this customer.
To Generate a File for the Taxing Authority.
1. Right click on the Utility Billing Account Screen.
2. Select Transfers.
3. Click on Certification.
4. Click on the Generate File button. This file can be generated to a floppy, CD ROM, or to the hard drive where it can be emailed.
5. The file is created and the total certified amounts will be shown.
To Certify the List.
1. Make a BACKUP of your data!
2. Right click on the Utility Billing Account Screen.
3. Select Transfers.
4. Click on Certification.
5. Click on the Certify Accounts button.
6. The system will verify the integrity and will show accounts as they are certified. When finished, click on OK. Once certified, a transaction list of amounts by service will appear in the Trans Tab on the customer account screen. The customer’s bill statement will also show these amounts.