Single white female seeks unattached billing system for long term secure relationship. Must be low maintenance, supportive, efficient, affordable and enjoy cocktails and long walks on the beach.

In my musings I have imagined that my search for a billing system is much like the search that all of us undertake to find the perfect partner.

Before you scoff at my grandiose comparison, let me explain: Let’s imagine that, like me, you are single and looking. Before you can begin your search for the perfect partner you need to identify what qualities you find most attractive in a prospective mate, no? The qualities you identify will act as a framework to assist you in determining how to go about your search, where to look for your desired partner and what to look for in them. For example, if you would like a conservative, frugal and reliable partner you won’t go looking for him or her at a trendy new night club. You will more than likely find yourself joining the local bible study group.

It is with this in mind that I have resolved to compile a list of qualities I will be looking for in a billing system – It is at the juncture that I would like to point out that I have decided to put a stop to my MacGyveritis – at least when it comes to locating a new billing system for my company. I have decided to limit my search to reputable, comprehensive billing software and systems only – no improvised ‘do-it-yourself’ options! – Now to resume:

When I began to imagine the qualities I look for in a billing system they seemed to parallel the things I look for in an ideal partner. I have compiled my list of ‘things I look for in a billing system’ below:

Efficiency

Much like life with your new partner, my billing system will hold a large stake in the responsibility for my current and future happiness. My new billing system needs to be efficient and aid my business to be the best it can be. It needs to contribute to my happiness, not detract from it – thus no constant error messages, complex processes and functions that don’t work – only hassle free efficient billing.

Security

I will entrust my new billing system with large volumes of sensitive information – very much like I would with my partner. I would expect my perfect partner to keep any sensitive information I share with them confidential, so too I need to be sure that my new billing system is secure and my client and billing information will be kept backed up and safe from prying eyes.

Support

Just like my ideal partner, my new billing system will need to support me when I need help. The system should offer me 24/7/365 support if I need assistance. I would like my billing system to provide me with the same comfort that I would feel from know that if I had a flat tire, and called my perfect partner, he would be there in a flash to help.

Affordability

My new billing system should be affordable. In the same way that I would not select a partner that regularly shocked me at the end of the month with astronomical credit card bills (owing to their fetish for unmentionably expensive porcelain dog figurines) so too would I not want a system with high monthly fees or a large startup payment. I would prefer to use the system for free to see if it is any good and only once convinced of its excellence fork over my hard earned Rands.

Ease of use

Put plainly: I need to understand the system and the system needs to understand me. No complex procedures or lengthy processes. I am looking for easy to navigate menu’s, wizards that assist me upon startup and easy to understands steps to assist me in managing clients and issuing invoices and quotes.

Automation

My ideal partner would be low maintenance (and I mean this in the nicest way possible), just like my ideal billing system. I am looking for automation. I would like my new billing system to provide me with tools that allow the generation of recurring charges for clients. The system should be able to generate automated invoices for these charges, automatically send out warnings for overdue accounts and automatically process payments.

Full integration with my brand

I am looking for a billing system what will integrate seamlessly with my existing branding. I need to be able to customize my invoices with my branding, logo and colour scheme. My ideal partner should not expect me to dress a certain way or wear me hair a certain way, I should have the freedom to be myself. Therefore my new billing system should fit my billing style and allow me to present my company to my clients the way I want to present it.

Longevity

My perfect partner needs to stick around – like my new billing system. The idea of restrictive ‘free 30 day trails’ that allow me to explore and use a billing system, but then hold my information for ransom until I upgrade to their pricy ‘elite’ package does not appeal to me.  I want a billing system that won’t pressurise me to upgrade, a system that I can utilize for as long as I like, on my terms.

Accessibility

I want to be able to have access to my client information and do my billing from anywhere – whether I’m on a topical island getaway – in my dreams – or in a meeting with only my Blackberry at hand. The best way to do this will be to look at an online billing system that can be accessed from anywhere by any web enabled device.

Comprehensive

My new billing system needs to be the full package – I should have no need to look at other systems to compliment or compensate. Just like my ideal partner. My billing system should not have me on the hunt for external payment gateways, add-on’s or more advanced client management tools; it should provide me with a complete range of functions… and even surprise me with a few new and interesting features.

Well, it would seem that my billing wish list is complete. I’m a now a lady who knows what she wants!

My next step will be using these guidelines to identify where to look for my new billing system and which systems to look at. But that is a task for another day and another post.

On a personal note – if you are a man, between the ages of 18 and 80, have read this post and wish to apply for the position of my ideal partner – don’t (unless you are Richard Dean Anderson 20 years ago or very wealthy).

Thank you.