How steep is the learning curve for Manager.IO?

[skycola]

I am an IT person with basic knowledge of accounting. I downloaded the desktop version back in May hoping to migrate to the online paid version as soon as I could master the system. I thought Manager would be a perfect choice for my business and my clients but I am having trouble understanding the myriad settings and options. Plus the forum posts where users complain of strange things happening after updates/upgrades has me hesitating. I have been tinkering with Manager.IO for a couple of months now but now I am in need of assurance that a non-accountant like me can handle this…

[eko]

@skycola

but now I am in need of assurance that a non-accountant like me can handle this…

You can only assure yourself. The doubt you raised through your examples show discomfort by how Manager is being developed and rapidly develops further. For accounting knowledge you can use something like https://www.accountingcoach.com/ but probably it would be even better to solicit an accountant which is the best assurance to know that you setup your Charts of Accounts and accounting processes correctly.

See some posts by me:

Inventory Item Registration and Opening Balances

Not sure if you are still exploring manager for potential use or are already a user, but Manager seems to be developed using Agile processes which means continuous development with very frequent feature updates, quick bug-fixes, etc. but without a clearly defined roadmap. All those elements that made Agile application development popular and most used (search Google). Users of such applications benefit from the interactions with the developer via this forum where bugs are posted, ideas shared,…

New Releases

It is clear that Manager uses an Agile Software Development approach and is thus far more adaptive (many frequent small changes) than predictive. As part of the philosophy time spend on documentation is less favoured than on the application development itself with numerous iterations. When issues occur the users are posting these and when needed they are fixed (bugs mostly). Feature requests and development are typically non-linear and emergent. Sometimes a whole lot of “ideas” get resolved once…

[Patch]

@skycola

Manager would be a perfect choice for my business and my clients but I am having trouble understanding the myriad settings and options.

@skycola

I downloaded the desktop version

that’s a good start.
Next create some test businesses (it’s free). To compare variant back up the business then restore and rename the restored business file.

Start with a chart of accounts structure similar to what you are familiar with, making improvements as you think of them.

Enter some test data. It is easiest to enter just 1 transaction at a time, then look at the report to see how they work.

For specific Manager set up questions, look at the guides and forum (search or chat bot).

At some time you are advised to talk to your accountant so you can represent your business consistent with local jurisdiction requirements and make your accountant’s job easy (so they can charge less).

[skycola]

Thank you, @Patch

[skycola]

Thank you, Eko

[skycola]

I would be grateful for a crash course in batch entry importing: The correct sequence of tables (accounts) to import, the column data types, tips and tricks, pitfalls to avoid, etc.

[Patch]

@skycola

crash course in batch entry importing

Think carefully about what and how much you will actually transfer. Doing so requires time and skill. Import data from Tally - #7 by Patch

Start by manually entering representative data. Then use ‘Batch update’ to see the details of the data format you must create externally.

Data tables are linked by UUID/GUID ie key, or code field. Once data has been entered in a data table / Manager tab; use batch update to get the UUID/GUID for each entry.

Enter data starting with independent tables then tables linked to previous entered data.

[eko]

@skycola

I downloaded the desktop version back in May hoping to migrate to the online paid version as soon as I could master the system.

Why would you need the Cloud version? Are you multi-user?

[skycola]

I am not, but my client for whom I am evaluating Manager.io will require a distributed system. So that is why. I do not wish to burden them with costs until I am sure it will work for them.

[skycola]

Thank you, sir. I am now skimming your linked posts. Please note that all my raw data is in Excel format. I will be creating csv files to upload.

[eko]

@skycola

am not, but my client for whom I am evaluating Manager.io will require a distributed system.

What makes you qualified? given that

@skycola

I am an IT person with basic knowledge of accounting.

[skycola]

I am NOT qualified as such, but in the environment I work in, I have to wear multiple hats.