I have just updated Manager as I was experiencing the problem where cloning invoices was copying the original invoice number across instead of using automatic So thank you for fixing that.
You are probably aware, but when I clone an invoice that has quote reference number and PO Reference Number, these are being cloned as well. I cannot see any circumstance when quote and PO reference numbers need to be cloned as the purpose of cloning is to copy the transaction items if you are issuing identical invoices.
I will also add to the feedback about dates being cloned. In every case when I have cloned something I want the date to be today’s date not the original date.Or if I do want a date that is different, it will never be the date of the original being cloned.
I would perhaps suggest adding functionality to the form defaults and create a cloning defaults options on the form defaults - this would allow users like me to say don’t clone date, whilst allowing others to say - do clone date and same for other fields.
I can’t recall a single instance where I have ever wanted to clone the date - today’s date is far more relevant to me as most of the time I am cloning sales invoices which I wish to issue today.
You seem to contradict yourself, @dalacor. If you want an identical invoice, why would you not want the reference numbers cloned? You can always change them, of course, but not cloning those fields would defeat the point of cloning.
Cloning behavior is now consistent across the entire program. All fields are duplicated from parent to clone, with one exception. The transaction reference number is not cloned, thereby allowing a default, automatic sequence number to be assigned. This accommodates common requirements for unique sequencing.
That is certainly a valid point of view, and might be shared by many users. It breaks down, however, as soon as you try to enter a bunch of cloned transactions two days after the fact. You set up the first, but would need to change the date on every subsequent clone. So the convention adopted was to produce literal clones (with the one exception for sequence numbers mentioned above). I was initially in your camp, as most of my transactions are entered contemporaneously and many of them are cloned. But after only a week or so, I came to strongly prefer the current approach. Now, I don’t need to remember what is duplicated, what is updated, or what is blank. When I asked for a clone, I get a clone.
I would have thought it was blindingly obvious why one would not want to clone client purchase order and quote reference numbers from the original invoice to a new invoice!
This is self explanatory. Please point out a common usage scenario where you would want to clone a client purchase order reference number onto new invoices! Common Usage Scenario (not a rare unusual case).
Easy enough. A quote is given covering services or goods delivery every month for a year. The customer issues a purchase order covering the full year, but with service or goods to be authorized/confirmed one month at a time by some form of notice. Every month, after receiving the confirmation, you would clone the sales invoice; everything would be identical except issue date, including quote and order references. Such arrangements are frequently called blanket purchasing agreements, master orders, or indefinite delivery contracts. They are very common, especially in larger organizations where approval processes are based on thresholds. The annual contract has to go a long ways up the ladder for approval, but monthly portions are small enough to be handled much lower down.
Another example: a service contract for specific service categories is approved, but exact tasks to be performed are unknown. When a specific task in one of categories comes up, the buyer issues a task order with a detailed statement of work. You might clone a prior sales order, modifying only the line item description. You might similarly clone a previous sales invoice from when you did identical work at a different location. In both cases, the quote and order references would remain unchanged. These are typically called task order agreements. Competition for the basic agreement can be fierce, but if you win, you may be able to obtain task orders with no further competition, based solely on already-established qualifications and rates.