With the way the new themes work - an AI based theme modifier - I was wondering if we couldn’t have an AI engine in batch create/update, that takes a spreadsheet of transactions and attempts to convert it to Manager.IO batch entry format, then the user can validate or modify the data transformation, and then load it into Manager.IO through the Batch Create/Modify function. This could significantly delay the need for an OCR function, like what I mentioned in Idea - Document Parsing/OCR , as then a user could use a standard OCR and extraction platform like Dext or Veryfi, export the data in a spreadsheet, and then have an easy way of transforming the data and entering it. What do you think @lubos @Ealfardan , would this be easier than a parsing/extraction/OCR function?
Hello @Acct1,
Judging by the history of Manager development – at least that I know of, Manager has never supported 3rd Party platforms with the sole exception of lovable.app
This is why I don’t see a development similar to what your propose being implemented since it will fully depend on the developer supporting a separate branch of development on multiple 3rd Party platforms.
However, I would stick with this:
The more time passes, it seems like a more plausible idea.
The implementation is likely to be a button on the View screen to populate the form based on the image field.
The process would then go like this:
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Users submit new forms with only an image
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An
Advanced Querywill help responsible user identify blank forms. -
The responsible user will go through these blank forms clicking the Extension button.
@lubos has already given instructions on how to create no-code AI apps on lovable, but I have to admit that chatting with AI is not one of my strong points. Also, I can’t seem to find this post on the forum, unfortunately.
I will try to monkey around with this and see if I can make anything of value.
Hello,
I’m afraid I didn’t make myself clear; I did not intend to suggest that the developer support third party platforms.
What I am getting at, is for the ability to transform spreadsheet data - like from a Square or another POS system, or from an expense management and/OCR system - into Manager.IO batch entry format, without having to manually map fields to Manager.IO format, as we currently must do.
Does that make sense?
I do agree that my first idea would be great.
@Acct1 often it’s not just about renaming columns on spreadsheet only. Sometime fields need to be sanitized, or split etc. I do think your idea has merit. For example, AI could look at input data and write javascript code to import it into Manager. This would give ultimate flexibility.
The workflow would be that you have a file in whatever format that you need to import (could be even PDF). AI would ask clarifying questions. Then convert data into Manager format. You could review it whether it’s correct. If not, you can give more instructions etc.
But this is useful for once-off imports. You don’t really want to do this on regular basis. On regular basis, an extension that would directly connect to Square to synchronize data with Manager would be much more reliable and more streamlined.
AI could possibly write an extension like that. I’m exploring this direction.
Agree on the once-off import note, as a direct mapping would be much more robust; which is why I really like your idea: “AI could possibly write an extension like that.” Because, I know that with the API Manager.IO has, there is much integration capability there, but, not having any programming knowledge, I am unable to implement anything meaningful, which I would guess is the case for many. This would be solved by your idea.
Wouldn’t that interfere with normal batch operations flow?
It would be a great idea if somehow users who don’t need it can completely bypass it since it will make batch operations slower and lengthier.
I was thinking maybe this AI transformation exercise could have it’s own separate form other than the normal “raw” Batch Create/Batch Update forms.
Maybe an optional button besides Next below the text area that says Transform that is completely optional.
That makes a lot more sense. An extension could be turned off by users who don’t need it.
Yeah, that’s what I meant. Normal batch operation flow would not be used at all here since the code would be able to directly write data into Manager database.
Everything AI powered would be an extension anyway. There are number of useful AI powered extensions coming up. AI powered import of arbitrary data would be an extension too.
Since bank feed into Manager in US is not available right now, we’re importing csv files, which means we need to download csv from the bank or credit card website manually, prep it for importing (and labeling checks for checking accounts), then import into Manager. This has to be repeated each month for each account for each client. I’d really like to have a workflow that automate this prep and importing work. Any suggestions on AI or other approaches to this? Thanks!
Hello @experttax,
This isn’t particularly your raw Batch operations per se.
Technically it is, but Manager already does a transformation of its own.
I believe your already know that, but an explanation should be given to readers of this topic.
Anyway, if you use MS Office, you can use PowerQuery without need for any coding skills since the particular task at hand could be done by a few clicks in the Query Editor – depending on how heavily processed is your bank firmat.