				Jim Hoyt
				PO Box 5383
				Missoula, Mt  59806
				(406)549-3847


		COLLECT!   -  A database Application for Collection Agencies
	       

				NOTES - READ THIS FIRST !



This Application is SHAREWARE.  I don't expect any money for others to use it.

Of course I have yet to turn money down.....<grin>.  If you feel you must - 
send me what you can afford.    Thank you.

So, here we are.  I own and operate my own Collection Agency - 'HOYT AGENCY'
Catchy name - huh?

I have helped other Collection Agencies streamline their businesses and hire
'programmers' to build database type Applications to help run them.  

When I decided to start my own Agency and use a database application to run
the business, it seemed a LOT better to build an Application myself rather 
than to depend on and pay in excess of $2000.00 to a 'programmer' to build it.  
Good decision!

I talked to the techs at Microsoft about having our Uncle Billy spend around
$ 10,000,000 to have a totally 'user definable' Business Application Generator
built - just for those of us who feel the need to be independant from the  
$50.00+/hr cost of programmers.  You should have heard the guy whine..... 

"Well !" (hands on hips....pursed lips...very bitchy...) - "MOST people who
need an application just go out and BUY IT!", he says.  Really.....

But you know - he was a programmer.... 

I have found that - over the phone anyway - most techs treat you like you've
just fallen off of a pickle boat.  And it's usually on your dime...After you've
been on hold for 20 minutes.

Someday, someone with the where-withall of Uncle Billy Microsoft will have
the guts to put together such an Applicatin Generator, much to the shagrin of
the programmers - and Microsoft - that charge large additional fees for the
rights to package Microsofts original programs with executables, and resell
them.

So there you have it - that's my two bits worth. (get it?) [2 bites?] ok.


				TO RUN THIS PROGRAM

You need:

1)      Foxpro 2.6 for Dos.

	I don't like the user interface of Foxpro for Windows, 
	NOR do I like the Windows printer driver for my Panasonic KX-P2124 
	dot matrix.  I do however LOVE my Panasonic - goes good & never quits.
	The KX-P2124 will accept 100# cardstock - which is what I use for the
	Debtor Info cards.
	
2)      PKZIP in your computers PATH somewhere.

	If you put the collect.zip file in the Root (c:\) directory
	and enter this secret code:

	PKUNZIP -d collect

	PKZIP will build all the subdirectories ya need and put the stuff
	in em.

	The program PATH is set up to run like this:

	c:\collect\database
		   \programs
		   \reports
		   \screens
		   \text


	You can have the Collect.prg PATH any way you like - as long as you
	change the SET PATH statement in the PATH.PRG which is in the
	c:\collect\programs subdirectory.

3)      Forms needed for filing and dunning notices:

	a.  100# Cardstock - for Debtor info and filing.
	    
	    Dimensions: 5 1/2" by 8 1/2".  
	    
	    The reason for the custom cardstock is that you can fold any 
	    8 1/2"paperwork in half and staple it to the Debtors card.
	
	b.  Safety paper - for all dunning notices except for Legal Notices. 
	    
	    Dimensions: 3 1/2" by 8 1/2". 
	    
	    It's paper that looks like a 'check' through a window envelope.  
	    (Ask your favorite paper guy for it)  The deadbeats will see the 
	    safety paper through the window envelope and HURRY to open it - 
	    only to see your dunning notice.  AHHHH - too bad.

	c.  Normal paper stock
	    Dimensions: 8 1/2" by 11".  Used for Legal Notices, etc.

4)      While in Foxpro 2.6 for Dos - run the program:

	C:\Collect\Programs\Collect.prg

	I think you'll find the program fairly self explainatory.  The only
	hints I can give you initially are:
	
	a.  Enter your new CLIENTS first.
	
	b.  Then enter the new DEBTORS for that particular client.  
	
	c.  The program will supply the new DEBTOR and CLIENT number.

	You do not need to enter any CLIENT info for a DEBTOR - only the
	CLIENT number.  The prog. will go to the client database and gather
	the info for each DEBTOR/CLIENT relationship and place the needed info
	accordingly.


5)      The only caveat here is the use of Printer Drivers to print the forms.

	I have a Panasonic KX-P2124 dot matrix printer and have used the
	driver program that came with Foxpro 2.6 for Dos for THAT printer 
	to set up two new drivers to use for the Collect Application.
	I named one "pana10" in which the characters per inch is set to 10 -
	and the other is "pana17" in which the c.p.i. is set to 16.7.  
	You must do this - according to the printer you are using - to be 
	compatible with the forms in this Applicatin.

	Oh-Oh... Programmer time!  No No No.... No Programmers here 
	- just give me a buzz & we can make it go.

6)      I decided not to use the Foxpro MENU builders.  I don't like them.  
	Each time you change something in one of your menus - you must wait 
	for recompiling of the particular MENU to see the results.

	If you want to see what makes the program run or to change anything, 
	like one of the menus - simply edit the COLLECT.PRG in the 
	c:\collect\program subdirectory.  

	
Other'n that there isn't much to it..... 
give me a call if ya need some help at: (406)549-3847.

Jim Hoyt



				     
				     IDEALLY


If any of you programmers wanna build the perfect Collection Software using 
Foxpro for Windows- here's how it should go:


The Collection Agency program will perform the following functions:

1)      Debtors
		a. Enter new debtors
			1. Generate new debtor # and pop-up 'NEW DEBTOR NAME' 
			   screen.
			   a. Display Editable 'name' fields with 'ok' and
			      'cancel' buttons.
				  
				1. Enter = 'ok'.  Escape = 'cancel'
			      
				2. Upon 'ok', enter name in database and go
				   to debtor info screen to allow further 
				   addition of debtor info.  All debtor info 
				   is editable without question with exception
				   of Name.
		
			   b. Edit debtor info
				1. 'Edit Debtor Name' button
				    a. 'Edit Debtor name' screen same as 'NEW 
				    DEBTOR NAME' SCREEN with addition of ALERT 
				    SCREEN that says 'You have just changed 
				    the Debtors name. Is this correct?,
				    followed by 'OK' and 'Cancel'buttons.  All 
				    other Debtor info is editable without 
				    safety features.
		
			   c. Locate Debtor by any field
				1. Display 'Locate Debtor' screen with all 
				   debtor fields.
				   a. All fields perform search with only 
				      partial string info if nesessary.  
				      If found, provide for additional search.

				   b. Delete Debtor - only if no accounts for 
				      Debtor exist.
		
				   c. List Debtors by:
				      1. All Debtors - index by Last, First,
					 Middle
				      2. For all clients - indexed by Client 
					 and Debtor and date.
				      3. An individual client - same index, 
					 but for an individual client.

2)      Clients
		a. Enter new Clients
		   1. Gen new Client # and go to client screen
		b. Locate Client by any field - same criterion as for Debtors
		c. Edit Client info - edit all fields without question
		d. Delete Client - only if no accounts for Client exist
		e. List Clients - index by name
		f. Print list of Clients with 'balance fwd'
		g. Enter payment for client - for balance fwd
		
3)      Accounts
		a. Enter new Account for Debtor
		   1. Choose Client by choosing Client button which goes to 
		      Client screen for selection.  Client can be changed at 
		      any time - unless a payment has been posted - in which 
		      case posted payment must be deleted from posted list 
		      before changing of client can occur.
		b. Locate Account for Debtor.
		c. Delete Account - only if no Payments are in queue for 
		   checks.
		d. Enter payment on Account
		e. Delete payment - non posted
		f. Delete payment - posted
		g. Print Trans. list of payments
		   1. Entered but not yet posted
		   2. Posted
		h. Post payments when satisfied w\ trans. list
		i. Print selected notices for accounts
		   1. Main screen will have choices for:
		      a. Card
		      b. First notice for either 'Debt' or 'Check'
		      c. Second (Legal) notice for either type
		      d. 'OTHER' screen - which will bring up screen for
			 'OTHER REPORTS' having various report choices.
			 These reports should all be editable by user.  
			 This screen will also have 'Legal Form' capabilities

4)  Month end
		a. Close month - pick period to include in closing
		b. List Transactions for period, indexed by:
		   1. Day, name - with total at end of each day
		   2. Name - with total at end of report
		c. Print Client statements - statement for each client 
		   precedes check
		d. Print checks for each Client
		e. Print list of all checks - and all clients with balance 
		   fwd

5)      Edit default settings
	1.  Screen with list of all default settings necessary for operator to
	    change info on agency or reports.  Programmers disgression 
	    advised!
