“Like many law firms Chaffe, McCall was asked by the P&I Clubs to automate their bill processing by using the “Feesable” system. After downloading the Feesable product per the instructions on the website (www.feesable.net) we contacted our time & billing software providers Executive Data. Their technical staff made the decision to reverse engineer the project whereupon they asked us to produce a test invoice in Feesable and then save it. This created an example of the final product, an “xml” file in the Invoice folder of the Feesable directory. A standard bill format was created in our time and billing software PerfectLaw to accommodate the unique needs of Feesable. We were then able to export a bill from PerfectLaw in the “xml” format which we copied into the Invoice folder of the Feesable directory. The last step in the process was to use Feesable as an uploading utility in order to send a test invoice.
We were charged $1,500.00 by Executive Data and the only significant change to our internal process has been that the invoice delivery is now electronic. For Chaffe, McCall using Feesable has guaranteed that our invoices are not only in an acceptable format but that they are received in a timely manner.”
Martine Sladovich
Chaffe, McCall
“Langlois & Co has been using Feesable to submit invoices for approximately six months. The required software was easily downloaded from the website and installed on 5 computers at two different locations without any difficulty by the users themselves, and without the need of a specialised IT technician.
Whilst some minor adjustments in internal procedures were required to ensure that financial management controls were not jeopardised, this has not required any additional work in the day to day processing and sending of invoices for services rendered.
Claims handling and support staff have adjusted easily to using the standardised invoicing format, even though this has required some adjustment from our traditional style of invoicing.
Prior to Feesable all invoices were batched and sent to the Association at month end. As invoices are now sent via Feesable upon production, we have noted an improved cash flow, as some invoices are now processed sooner than would previously have been the case.
During the period that we have been using Feesable, only on one occasion have we been unable to access the system. This issue was however resolved within 24 hours of the system administrators having been advised of the problem.
We look forward to being able to submit invoices via Feesable to more Club Managers in the near future, so that all invoicing procedures can adhere to the same common standard.”
Paul Pistorius
Langlois & Co.
“The circle is complete. No doubt, Club’s primary goal of the Feesable project is to increase uniformity in supplier invoices and to improve the efficiency of the handling of these invoices and costs. Nonetheless, from a very early stage the Club’s have recognized that the supplier could also have a positive impact on the project.
At a very early stage (mid 2001), we were invited to attend a workshop (IG E-fees Workshop) together with three colleague correspondents and representatives of 6 clubs. During this workshop participants could evaluate the format from their point of view. This was a learning process for both clubs and correspondents.
We, the “other” users of the program, were encouraged to supply feedback on the system; not only at the time of the workshop, but also during the trials of the two stages of the project. A very open minded reply was given on each and every remark, query or even flat criticism. Whenever doable, the design and content of the system was adapted to the remarks. This very likely also influenced the design and development of the electronic delivery system.
By having an open mind, the Clubs have produced a user-friendly program, which allows us, the supplier, to now produce a uniform invoice for all Clubs. (whereas in the past the individual requirements of the Clubs could vary considerably). This is definitely an added value. Nonetheless, the system still allows that individual Club - suppliers arrangements can be made, to customize the information recorded in the invoice.
The fact that it is an initiative under the auspices of the International Group of P & I Clubs (IG) makes it a pioneer-project. We are also sure that this system means a step to a higher IT-level for many suppliers (correspondents, surveyors, lawyers…).”
Dirk Verbist
Scandinavian Underwriters Agency nv
Mutual Insurance Claims Office nv