WO2007004158A2

WO2007004158A2 - Debtor management system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2007004158A2
Application number: PCT/IB2006/052181
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Walter Hussey
Original assignee: Kreditinform (Pty) Limited
Priority date: 2005-07-05
Filing date: 2006-06-29
Publication date: 2007-01-11
Also published as: WO2007004158A8

Description

DEBTOR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a debtor management system and method and more particularly, to a debtor management method implemented on a computer system.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Debtor management systems and methods are an important part of most businesses. Computer programs are available to assist with certain aspects of debtor management.

One example of debt collection software is the Data-Tel (www.datatel-info.com) software.

The Data-Tel software includes a Call Result Utility which allows management of all calls placed to customers. The Call Result Utility displays all available call results for accounts and allows automated calls to a user's que. It summarizes the result of the last call. It directly connects to the next schedule date and time of the last phone number dialed, allows for the management and viewing of all activity on accounts, and lists time fields, so the dealer can assign the next customer call.

Accounts can be differentiated based on location, type, and fee schedule.

The Data-Tel software also has a Rule Manager that allows the use simple commands to change account status and move them between collectors.

Based on the company policy, an account dealer enables the automatic creation of call-scheduling. It reduces collector down-time and increases productivity by scheduling accounts to team members with the push of a button.

There are four main account dealer settings:

Time Based: Pulls accounts from the oldest scheduled call date to the newest and unassigns accounts during times that a collector has become current with assigned accounts. This is a default setting for users. Score Based: Allows you to score your accounts based on a multitude of criteria and will deal with the accounts in score order.

Balanced Based: Deals with accounts in a descending balance order.

Never called: Allows you to focus on a newly placed business, enabling you to deal on accounts that have never been called.

A letter Module allows for creation of dunning letters by inserting specific customer information using a list of categories.

The Built-in Bookkeeping system keeps details records of payments for both clients and debtors. The bookkeeping system includes the following account types:

Customer Accounting: Enables payments to be posted to debtors accounts and calculates the client fees.

Trust/Invoice Accounting: Allows billing to clients for fees earned, and shows all non- invoiced payments for clients.

Charging Accounting: Allows invoicing to a client for costs occurred during the normal course of business without affecting the balance of the debtor involved.

Legal Accounting: Tracks legal fees forwarded from a client, on an account basis.

The Data-Tel software also calculates commissions, has an internal messaging system to allow communication with other employees to attach accounts for management review, and allows for reporting to bureaus.

United States patent application number US 2002007797A1 in the name of WILWERDING, Douglas R, OSTBLOM, Thomas and JENSEN, Jill A, discloses a system for providing a single source system for efficiently managing the collection, tracking, reporting, and fund remittance functions of debt recovery activity between credit grantors and collection agencies. The system is provided with a central server that is networked with various credit grantor and collection agency-operated interfaces to provide improved efficiency and monitoring of the collection process. The server is programmed to format and "scrub" incoming accounts from credit grantors prior to "scoring" the same on proprietary scoring models. This allows the server to select the most appropriate collection agency for each particular account. Once the agency works the file and collects funds from the debtor, the funds are routed through the system to the credit grantor. Throughout the collection process credit grantors and collection agencies are able to monitor, audit, and update the status of each account.

United States patent application number US20030083916A1 in the name of TRACEY, James B A, MACKINLAY, Bruce, TAGUPA, Joseph, LAUFFENBERGER, Paul, EXLINE, Daniel and LEACH, Harold T, discloses a system and method for monitoring and enforcing compliance with contractual obligations in an account- based system. The illustrated embodiments additionally include a contact management system, and some embodiments are adapted for employment in a debt collection context. Certain embodiments are described for allowing a debt collector to associate debtors with different categories, either manually or automatically in response to predetermined condition. Thus, the system can efficiently manage the status of debtors by associating each debtor with a particular category. As part of this system, the debtor accounts are moved from one category to another, and from one individual to another, as the collection process is undertaken.

World Intellectual Property Organisation patent application number WO0104810C2, in the name of TSYS TOTAL DEBT MANAGEMENT INC, discloses a system and method for tracking collection activity of collection entities with respect to delinquent debtor accounts. A central computing center receives information associated with delinquent debtor accounts from one or more sources of collection activity information. The central computing center accumulates this data. The collection activity data is shared with users (creditors), collection agencies, etc. on a periodic or on-demand basis to allow the user to review and evaluate the collection activity.

Japanese patent application number JP2004265073A2 in the name of SEIKO EPSON CORP, discloses a system to carry out sales recovery management. Accounts receivable information regarding a performance and/or an expected amount of accounts receivable, and its debtor is acquired by an accounts receivable information acquiring means. A recovery scheduled date wherein an expected recovery amount, expected with respect to the accounts receivable, is acquired by a recovery scheduled date acquiring means. A total sum of unrecovered amounts not deposited by the recovery scheduled date is calculated in units of month per debtor by a total unrecovered amount calculating means. A recovery scheduled date with respect to the total unrecovered amount is acquired by an unrecovered amount recovery scheduled date acquiring means. A deposited amount from the debtor is acquired by the accounts receivable information acquiring means. The total unrecovered amount calculating means calculates a total unrecovered amount of the month by subtracting the deposited amount from a total sum of expected recovery amounts having recovery scheduled dates in the month wherein the deposited amount was acquired, and a total sum of total unrecovered amounts having recovery scheduled dates in the month.

Japanese patent application number JP2003022365A2 in the name of DAIEI OMC INC discloses a system to provide a payment receiving system capable of realizing paid-up payment (refund) of debt collection from a debtor in a convenience store which has a large number of stores and where the debtor can input money 24 hours a day, everyday of the year so as not to violate money lending regulation laws by transmitting a bill with a receipt to the debtor, in the case an originator in liquidation of receivables going bankrupt. A credit management collection corporate entity, that has entered into contract with the originator in a financial claim liquidation system exists. The credit management collection corporate entity receives information from the originator at all times; and when the originator goes bankrupt, the credit management collection corporate entity performs a change notice and money receiving guidance to the debtors of the originator and also transmits a payment sheet, together with the receipt of the previous payment information.

It is clear from the above that these methods do not provide holistic automated methods from credit application, monitoring to final payment. There is also not interaction with the credit bureaus.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a debtor management system and method which, at least partially, alleviates the abovementioned difficulties. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention there is provided a debtor management system comprising:

a server computer having communication means for communicating with a database at a third party credit bureau and for retrieving debtor credit information from the bureau database; storage means for storing credit policy information and debtor credit application information; a computer program for accepting or declining a credit application in respect of the debtor using the creditor policy information, credit application information and the credit information.

The system includes credit monitoring means for monitoring payment or age analysis of a debtor up to final payment. The payment history is stored in the memory means. The software generates collection instructions under predetermined conditions.

The computer program may also refer an unsuccessful application to an operator.

The software will also detect potential fraud by returning a warning in case of a predetermined increase in credit applications by an applicant with the user or third parties, a change in the normal business partners or suppliers and/or a predetermined change in the quality of credit normally applied for.

The software monitors changes to the debtor credit information at the bureau database and reports changes.

A further feature of the invention allows for sureties to be recorded against a debtor in the memory means of the server computer.

The software includes a comparator for comparing a payment profile or age analysis of a debtor with that of one or more existing debtors or with an average payment profile or age analysis of a number of debtors in an industry.

A still further feature of the invention provides for the comparator to compare a debtor payment profile or age analysis to an industry average age analysis and/or a predicted age analysis. The software also calculates cost of credit per debtor or per ledger and provides a comparison of cost of credit between debtors or ledgers.

A yet further feature of the invention provides for the software to compute a scenario based on age of debt and a percentage of debt per age.

This invention extends to a debtor management method comprising the steps of defining a credit policy; obtaining credit information relating to a debtor from a third party bureau; granting credit to a debtor in accordance with the credit policy taking into account the credit information of the debtor obtained from the bureau; monitoring and recording a payment profile of the debtor; and issuing collection instructions under predetermined conditions.

The method includes the further steps of: generating collection reminder or demand letters; comparing age analysis of a debtor with one or more other debtors, with a industry or with a predicted age analysis; calculating cost of finance; comparing cost of finance to investment criteria; rating performance of debt collectors; setting goals and calculating collection priorities to achieve goals; calculating a scenario based on age analysis and percentages per age; and monitoring and reporting on changes of a debtor's credit information.

These and other features of the invention are described in more detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

One embodiment of the invention is described below by way of example only, and with reference to the accompany drawing, which shows a schematic diagram of a debtor management system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

A debtor management system is generally indicated by reference numeral 1. The system 1 includes a server computer 2 having communication means for communicating with a database 4 at a credit bureau and for retrieving credit information from the bureau database. A software program is stored in the memory of the computing means. The server computer 2 also includes input means for inputting credit policy information and credit application information as well as storage means for storing credit policy and credit application information. The software will accept or decline a credit application in response to new credit applications or refer it to an operator of the computer for further consideration.

At setup, debtor applications are loaded into the computer 2 after a credit policy, having certain credit parameters, has been defined and stored in the computer. Credit information relating to each debtor application is retrieved from a database 4 at a credit bureau, if available. The credit information, credit application criteria, credit policy information is used to accept, decline or refer an application. The credit information includes information relating to any judgments against an applicant or debtor and a payment history of the applicant or debtor.

An age analysis of debtors are included in the credit information obtained in respect of each debtor from the credit bureau. The age analysis for each debtor may be compared to a desired age analysis to manage credit. During this management process a debtor can be benchmarked against an industry average, if available, a desired profile and/or a predicted payment profile at predetermined time intervals. Once the credit is granted, the debtor actual payment profile may be compared to an industry average and/or a predicted payment profile.

Credit information changes and payment behavior different to the credit policy rules may trigger the automatic generation of collection instructions. Once a credit line has been granted, the communication means automatically compares the current credit information available at the server computer and previously received from the credit bureau database with current information at the credit bureau database and predetermined variations will trigger the generation of a report and may cause the generation of a collection instruction depending on the rules of the credit policy. The monitoring of changes of credit information is an automatic process which occurs at predetermined intervals, preferably, every 24 hours.

Where applicable, sureties are also recorded against debtors. The software benchmarks debtors in accordance with their payment profile and can provide a report based on the ratings of debtors for use by credit controllers. The benchmarking referred to above continues throughout the term of credit. This means that the payment profile or age analysis of a debtor is compared to an industry average, a desired profile or a projected payment profile. The industry payment profile can be derived from debtor's information relating to debtors managed through the server and/or information retrieved from the database at the credit bureau. Again, a predetermined deviation from an industry average and/or a predicted payment profile may trigger a collection behavior instructions as determined or defined by the rules of the credit policy. Each ledger or credit controller can also be compared, for evaluation, in this manner.

The software also calculates and returns a cost of finance per debtor and can set different investment criteria to show different costs to finance. The performance of debt collectors can also be compared in this manner.

The software can also compute a collection plan showing how to achieve collection goals should collection goals not be at a desired level. The software will take into account the amounts owed, the payment profile of debtors and the importance of debtors.

The software may further provide certain scenarios based on the average of all ledgers or the average of a ledger can be compared with predictive payment profiles derived from industries. For example, the software may generate a table or a graph showing what the average age analysis of all ledgers would look like if only 15% of debt is older than 60 days.

Reports are also generated automatically or on demand. This is described in more detail below. The above is just a summary of the debtor management system and a user manual for the computer software is presented hereunder, explaining the use and various features of the software.

It is envisaged that the system described herein will provide a holistic solution for debtor management from granting credit, opening accounts, monitoring and management of credit to the collection of debt. The whole system is automatic and includes the necessary rules of a credit policy to trigger certain collection actions or instructions such as immediate collections, dunning letter generation or telephone call instructions. The system is configured to obtain data from a credit bureau which data may also include shared data in a sub-database of a file of a credit bureau.

It is further envisaged that anyone using the software underlying the system would be an effective credit controller as the credit policy underlies the system and generates specific workflows and instructions to a credit controller upon the occurrence of certain predetermined events or outcomes. Tables, graphs and statistics are also available at the touch of a button for use by a credit controller, and/or for reporting to management.

The software user guide follows:

KreditManager User Guide

Presented By Kreditlnform

Table of Contents

KREDITMANAGER AND ME 12

USING MY KREDITM ANAGER 12

2.1 Standard Definitions 12

2.1.1 Definitions 12

2.2 Standard functions 13

2.2.1 Lookup Searching 13

2.2.2 Radio Bar selection 14

2.2.3 Advanced Searching 14

2.2.4 Check box selection 14

2.2.5 Tab Selections 25

2.2.6 Rand Value / Percentage Radio Bar 25

2.2.7 Pop-up text/values 15

2.2.8 Notes 15

2.2.9 Main Menu options and Module selections 17

2.2.10 Grid Setup 21

2.2.11 Sorting Data in the grids 25

2.2.12 Grouping data 27

2.2.13 Filtering data 31

2.2.14 Exporting data to Excel and printing the data 37

2.2.15 Displaying historic data 40

2.2.16 Displaying a Debtors KlM info 41

KREDITMANAGER APPLICATION 41

3.1 Login Screen 41

3.2 Welcome Note 42

3.3 Analysis 42

3.3.1 Marketing Opportunities 43

3.3.2 Benchmark 45

3.3.3 Cost to Finance 50

3.3.4 Collection Helper. 54

3.3.5 Scenario 57

3.4 Pro-Active Monitor 61

3.4.1 Health Check 63

3.4.2 Health Check Setup 66

3.5 Vetting 69

3.5.1 Balance Sheet Evaluation 70

3.6 Reports 74

3.6.1 Report Library 75

3.6.2 Drill Down 80

3.6.3 KreditMap Graphs 89

3.7 Internal Analysis 91

3.7.1 Cost to Finance 92

3.7.2 Scenario 96

3.8 Setup 100

3.8.1 Strategy Setup 101

3.8.2 Debtor Maintenance 105

3.8.3 Import Debtors 114 KreditManager and Me

KreditManager has been designed to be the most effective debtor risk management application available on the market today. KreditManager uses some of the most advanced Artificial Intelligence technologies to create insight into debtor behaviour and risk. The user-friendly interface gives the user easy access to a number of powerful functions. Functions include:

Debt Collection,

Individual Debtor Risk Configuration,

Marketing Opportunities,

Report Library,

Ledger Health Check,

Benchmarking,

If you are looking for an application that will help you manage the critical areas of debtor related risk, then KreditManager will be suited to you. Using My KreditManager

Standard Definitions

How are recommendations/predictions made in KreditManager?

• KreditManager uses predictions based on Knowledge Filters, created by the RapAnalyst system.

• Based on debtor profile and historic ageing information, a knowledge filter is derived by RapAnalyst as an optimised representation of the expected behaviour of a debtor.

• The data model resident in a knowledge filter is arrived at by the iterative refinement of a lattice model super-imposed on the high-dimensional data records representing a ledger.

• By comparing the historic conduct of a debtor, while considering the behaviour of other debtors, actionable recommendations can be made on its future expected expenditure.

Legend

Definitions

Standard functions

Lookup Searching This function can be used to search by typing the first number or letter and then clicking on the Binoculars indicated by the green arrow. This will then provide a list of possible "answers" you might have been searching for.

Figure 1 : Binoculars icon. Radio Bar selection

This can be used to switch between two applicable functions, the one with the dot in the centre indicating the selected option.

Qt Agoing Dπlldown , ¹ <5$ VoπaήcjDVfiovW

Figure 2: Indicates which option is selected. Advanced Searching

This function can be used to search by typing the first number or letter in the appropriate column. This will then jump to a possible "answer" as you type.

Figure 3 : Shows how to do advance searching.

Check box selection

By clicking in the square boxes one can select and de-select certain options.

Tab Selections working area view. The indented tab

Rand Value / Percentage Radio Bar

The Radio Bar option is displayed with graphs and allows the user to change the view of the graph between Percentages and Rand values.

Figure 6: Shows the Rand Value and Percentage Radio Buttons that are available on the chart.

Pop-up text/values

This refers to Text/values that "pop up" when the cursor is moved over an icon or a bar in any function in My KreditManager.

Figure 7: Shows an example of a pop-up text box.

Notes

New functionality has been added that now allows the user to add a note to a debtor. The note is saved in a format that includes: The Debtor, The KIM number, the ledger that the debtor is located in, the account, and the note. These notes are accessible through out the application where debtors are shown except in Report Library.

This is the default note manager screen found by right clicking on a debtor. This screen allows one to add a new note. Certain attributes are automatically filled in.

Figure 8: Shows an example of a 'Notes' pop-up window.

This screen displays saved notes and gives one the ability to print out notes and delete saved notes. One can print out a specific note of one can print out all the notes for a specific debtor.

Figure 9: Shows an example of a 'Notes' pop-up window.

This screen displays all saved notes and gives one the ability to print all the notes and delete saved notes. One can print out all the notes by clicking on the print all notes button.

Main Menu options and Module selections

As shown in Figure 8 the tabs on the left hand side of the screen refer to your Main Menu options, namely: • Debtor Analysis

• Pro-Active Monitor

• Vetting

• Reports

• Internal Analysis

• Setup

Debtor Analysis

CoEectan Helper ^s| sj

£ro_Actι,>e>4onιtorg];

Figure 11: The Debtor Analysis menu.

The Icons displayed underneath a Main Menu tab are referred to as a Module icon.

To select a module, move your cursor over the module icon, it will be highlighted for selection. See Figure 9 and 10.

Figure 12: Highlighted module icon (When cursor is moved over icon).

Figure 13: Display after the module icon selection. The selected module working area is displayed.

To select other modules under another main menu heading, select the tab on the main menu.

Figure 14: New Main menu tab has been selected, Reports.

New Modules under the new main menu heading are displayed and available for selection by clicking on the icon.

Figure 15: New Module Selection.

A new Module under the new Main menu tab has been selected.

Figure 16¹ A New Module, "Drill Down", has been selected Grid Setup

After selecting a module, the appropriate working area will be displayed with three default columns selected The user can select or de-selected a column When a field is selected the column will be added on the right hand side of the grid.

Figure 17. Field list with 3 default selected column headers.

Columns can be added by clicking in the check boxes next to the appropriate field name.

Figure 18 Shows that selecting a check box will add a column for that appropriate field.

When fields are selected and the grid grows too large for the screen, scroll bars will be displayed to scroll through the grid

W t

Figure 19: Scroll bars added.

The "hot spot" can be selected to minimise the field list.

Figure 20: Hotspot Minimised.

The field list can then be maximized again by selecting the "hot spot".

Figure 21: Maximised Hotspot.

To reorder the column order in the grid, the user can click and drag a column header to a different place on the column header row.

Figure 22: Selected Column.

The column will then be displayed in the new position.

Figure 23: New column position.

To add totals or averages for columns, the user can right click on a specified field in the column. When a selection is made, the user can right click on the column, a list box will identify the selected criteria for that column by showing a dot on the left hand side of the item list.

Figure 24: Shows the pop up screen to select the detail you would like to see.

When an option is selected the result will be shown at the very bottom of the specific column. L

30 Days Days 90 Days ; I UO Days ]

4,-75 ^~ O α

4,533

~73' I o

D ifis-tflBsl

6 520 o 032

1 67 i O

3 045 ! & 045 218 865 547 113 ,57

Figure 25 Shows the result of the selected column.

Sorting Data in the grids

Data in a grid can be sorted in ascending or descending order by clicking once on a specified column header.

Figure 26- Shows which column is used to sort the grid.

To switch between ascending and descending ordering, click on the column headers again.

Figure 27. Shows that the order of sorting has been changed.

The system allows for the ordering of data in columns for different types of data views where data is not represented by a value or text.

Figure 28. Sorting the data according to the opportunity icons

The system allows the user to sort the data in multiple columns. Select the primary sorting column first, and then select the other columns in order of importance, by holding in "shift" key.

Figure 29: Shows all the columns that are used to sort the grid.

Grouping data

Data can be grouped by column header. The user can drag a column header to the group bar above the column header row. The bar is dark grey and indicates "Drag a column header here to group by that column".

Figure 30: Shows where to drag a column header. Green arrows will appear to indicate that the column will be used for grouping.

Figure 31: Indicates a grid display after a column has been used to group.

Figure 32: Data can be displayed by group.

to the group

Figure 34: indicates the grid layout after the data has been grouped by multiple column headers. The grouping is according to the order of the headers. The headers in this "grouping" area can also be reordered by moving a column header to a different position

When the user selects the ^ΛΛ+" button in the grid the grouping is opened and the data is displayed.

Figure 35: Open a specific group

Grouped data can be removed by simply dragging the column header back to the original column headers.

Figure 36: Shows how to "undo" a grouping.

Figure indicates that the grouping column header has been

Figure 37. Grouping has been removed.

Filtering data To filter data shown on the grid, the filtering button on the working area can be selected.

Figure 38: Indicates the yellow "Define Filter" icon to be selected.

Once the "Define Filter button" is selected a screen will appear with the filtering options.

Figure 39: Filtering pop-up screen.

A list of the available filtering fields will be display, on the left of the screen. After selecting the appropriate field, the sorting criteria for that field can be completed.

Figure 40. Select filter detail and complete filter criteria

Defined filters are displayed

Figure 41: Shows the list of defined filters.

To remove one of the filters, the identified filter is selected from the list and the "Delete" selected. \

Figure 42: Shows the "Delete" button.

This figure indicates that the filter has been removed

Figure 43: Filter detail has been removed.

To apply these filters to the data, the "Filter" button must be selected.

Figure 44: Shows the "Filter" button.

The screen will be refreshed and only the appropriate data will be displayed on the grid. Two indicators are used to display the filter results. The green chip with a number next to it indicates the number of available data records is the data and the blue glasses with a number next to it indicates how many data records are displayed on the grid.

Figure 45: Filter results.

To clear a filter, the user can return to the "Define Filter" screen and select the "Clear filter" button.

The user is asked to confirm the "Clear Filter" request.

Figure 47: Prompted Question box when clearing a filter.

When the user selects "yes" the screen will refresh and all the data will be displayed.

The view can be confirmed by comparing the number of available records total and the number of displayed records.

Figure 48. Results after removing the filter.

Alternatively, the user can select the "remove filter" button in the working area t clear all the filters. Note - this icon will be greyed out if no filtering has been done

Figure 49: "Clear Filter" button

Exporting data to Excel and printing the data

If the user is required to move data to a different format the Excel button in the working area can be selected. This function allows the user to move the data from My KreditManager to Excel.

Figure 50: "Print to Excel" button

A screen will appear for the user to save the file.

Figure 51 : Shows the pop-up screen that appears when saving to Excel.

Figure 52. Shows the saved Excel file.

The following figure is an Example of a saved Excel file.

Figure 53: Example of an Excel file Displaying historic data

If the user is required to display historic data of a specified debtor, the users can double clicking on the Debtor, A screen will then popup displaying the historic data available for the specified debtor. The data can be viewed in a grid or graph.

Figure 54: Shows the Values tab of the pop-up screen.

Summarized ageing graph - per year - can also be viewed by selecting the Graph tab.

Figure 55: Shows the graph tab of the pop-up screen. Displaying a Debtors KIM info

KIM Info can be displayed by double clicking on a Debtors name on a grid. A screen with ail the available KIM data for the debtor is displayed.

Figure 56. Shows the debtors KIM information

KreditManager Application Login Screen When My KreditManager is activated the user is requested to enter a username and password. The administrator for My KreditManager defines a username and password for all the users.

Welcome Note

After logging into My KreditManager a welcome screen will be displayed with an explanation that describes My KreditManager The last import date and the users licence expiry date is shown to the bottom left. Also on this screen is a button to request a new licence for KreditManager.

Analysis

This allows the user to analyse data, critical to the pro-active management of outstanding money, the collection thereof and the cost variations, either in the improvement or deterioration in a given time period. Furthermore the Analysis has the unique ability to determine the potential for further marketing opportunities to the current customer base. Analysis is broken into essentially five modules. If the user enters the program or selects the Analysis Main menu tab, the work area will provide a definition and short description of all the available modules in the Analysis menu tab

Modules:

• Marketing Opportunities

• Benchmark

• Cost to Finance

• Collection Helper

• Scenario

Figure 59. "Debtor Analysis" defult screen

Marketing Opportunities

Definition -

This defines the debtor into one of four categories of opportunity i.e.. "Excellent opportunity", "Good opportunity", "No change" and "Unknown Debtor" for imported debtors for whom KreditManager has no KIM information as yet. At the same time the user may create a report to export into excel with the addition of individual data fields as selected by the user. Benefit:

Marketing Opportunities gives the user the ability to grade debtors by there sales potential.

Standard Functions:

• Print to Excel

• Pop up texts

• Filter and Filter details

• Group

• Sort

• Add Column details: Totals and Averages

• Advanced Search

• Display of KIM information

• Notes

Main Functions: column. The . defau It.

Figure 60: The default loaded screen for Marketing Opportunities. The "Opportunity information" screen can be opened by double clicking on the debtor which's information is required. Information such as historical data for each account with graphs, Kim information on each account. This information can be exported to excel.

Figure 61: The "Opportunity Information" screen.

Benchmark

Definition: Due to the vast input of payment profile data to Kreditlnform, payment benchmarking now allows the user to make comparative assessment of a debtor's behaviour.

Benefit:

Benchmark gives the user the ability to access each debtor in relation to how they perform in the industry, against your actual performance and there industry related profile.

Standard Functions:

• Print to Excel

• Pop-up texts

• Pop-up values

• Filter and Filter details

• Group

• Sort

• Advanced Search

• Rand Value and Percentage Radio Bar

• Notes

Main Functions:

My KreditManager allows the user to do bench marking in four views. Four tabs are available for selection that allows the user to execute four unique main functions.

These tabs are: a) My Debtor on selected ledger b) My Debtor on all my ledgers c) My Debtor across all industries d) Industry Comparison

To view the benchmarking information of a debtor, the debtor must be selected from the list of debtors supplied above the graph.

A. My Debtor's Account on Selected ledger

Definition : Compare the user's debtors ageing profile, in a specified ledger, with the predicted ageing profile for the selected debtor, as well as a comparison with the debtors performance in your total book.

Also, to view the historic ageing values of the debtor and a graph of the yearly ageing comparisons - by double clicking on the graph.

Added Standard functions:

• Double click on Graph for Historic data and Summary Graph

Figure 62: The "My debtor on Ledger" tab screen.

B. My debtor on All My Ledgers

Definition: To compare your debtors ageing profile, in your total book, with the predicted ageing profile for that debtor. As well as a comparison with the debtor's performance in your total book.

Figure 63. The "My debtor on all of my ledgers" screen.

C. My debtor Across All Industries

Definition : My KreditManager allows the user to compare debtors ageing profile in different industries with each other and the ageing profile the Debtor has with the company.

Added Main Function:

My KreditManager allows the user to compare different industries with each other. An option is available, on the right hand side of the screen to select or deselect the industries the users would like to view.

Figure 64: "My debtor across all Industries"

D. Industry Comparison

Definition : This function allows the user to compare how your debtors ageing profile according to the following criteria's.

• How the debtors ageing profile looks for all merchants in my industry

• How the ageing profile of the ledger in which my debtor is looks

• How the debtors ageing profile looks in my book

• How the ageing profile of all debtors trading with me in my debtors industry looks

• How the debtors industry compares to the merchant's industry

Added Main Function:

On the right hand side of the screen, as indicated by the green arrow a series of check boxes can be selected to change the views for Industry Comparisons.

Figure 65: "Industry Comparison"

Cost to Finance

Definition :

While the Cost to Finance may be seen as an operational cost, the trade with debtors past their terms creates a loss of return on investment (ROI). Benefit:

The utilisation of the Cost to Finance calculations and comparisons between month on month/ year on year will assist the user to create strategies for the minimisation of the Cost to Finance in an organisation and the determination of the loss of margin.

Standard Functions:

• Print to Excel

• Pop up texts

• Pop up Values

• Filter and Filter details

• Group

• Sort

• Add Column details: Totals and Averages

• Advanced Search

• Display of KIM information

• Percentage Editor

• Notes

Main Functions:

Three tabs are available for selection: a) Total Cost to Finance b) Debtor Cost to Finance c) Ledger Cost to Finance

For all three these main functions there are options available to activate or deactivate the different series' of the graph by making use of the check boxes on the right.

A. Total Cost to Finance

Definition:

The user can view the total Cost to Finance for each month of the year, for the full book. The last three months is displayed by default.

"% of Total". This value indicates the percentage contribution of the selected And the one to alter the

Figure 66- "Total Cost to Finance"

B. Debtor Cost to Finance

Definition

KreditManager gives the user the ability to evaluate the Cost to Finance by debtor and by specified period. The user can select in the check boxes on the left of your screen to view the Debtor Cost to Finance by month.

The latest three months mil be displayed as a default

Figure 67 "Debtor Cost to Finance"

C. Ledger Cost to Finance

Definition .

KreditManager gives the user the ability to evaluate the Cost to Finance by ledger and by specified period. The user can select in the check boxes on the left of your screen to view the ledger Cost to Finance by month.

Figure 68: "Ledger Cost to Finance"

Collection Helper

Definition:

Due to the payment profile data, the user is now in a position to gather vital information in respect of each debtor's ability to pay better than currently experienced as well as define by debtor the acceptable ageing profile for that particular debtor and what relaxation of the collection process would mean to the user. Benefit:

Assists the user to identify from which debtors you would most probably be able to collect debt from to fulfil your target ageing profile.

Standard Functions:

• Print to Excel

• Pop up texts

• Pop up Values

• Filter and Filter details

• Group

• Sort

• Add Column details: Totals and Averages

• Advanced Search

• Display of KIM information

• Notes

Main Functions:

An icon is available to prompt a screen to be able to adjust your Target Ageing Profile graph displayed on the right of the screen. See green arrow.

This main function refers to the: a) Target Ageing Profile Editor

A. Target Ageing Profile Editor

When the collection plan editor button is selected, at the top of the Collection Helper screen, a screen appears where the user can adjust the percentages for each payment term and select "OK" to refresh the list of debtors to collect from.

Figure 69: "Collection Plan Editor"

Profile Edited

This screen indicates how the profile editor updates your original screen. The new target ageing profile graph is displayed and a refreshed list of debtors to collect from. A Rand difference between the original ageing profile and the target ageing profile is displayed below the graphs to the left. To reset the list and Target ageing profile graph, select the "Clear All" button at the top of the screen.

Figure 70 Refreshed Debtor List and Target Ageing Profile Graph

Scenario

Definition:

Scenario allows the user to evaluate the performance of ledgers, business units and credit controllers on the total outstanding debtor book. Benefit:

KreditManager allows the user to create different debtor ageing scenarios.

Standard Functions:

• Print to Excel

• Pop up texts

• Pop up Values

• Filter and Filter details

• Sort

• Add Column details: Totals and Averages

• Advanced Search

• Notes

• Double click on Graph for Historic data and Summary Graph

Main Functions:

Three functions are available for selection: a) My Selected Ledger b) My Debtors in Selected Ledger c) All of My Ledgers

A. My selected ledger

Definition:

KreditManager displays a pie chart of the ageing profile for all the debt of the debtors in the debtors list above the chart. This list of debtors can be sorted and filtered to create different scenarios.

Figure 71: Default Scenario screen

B. My debtors in selected ledger

Definition:

KreditManager allows the user to compare your debtor to the other debtors in the same ledger.

Added Standard Function : Display of KIM information

Figure 72: My Debtors in selected Ledger

C. All of my ledgers

Definition:

This screen can be used to view your overall ageing profile for the total book.

Figure 73. "All my debtors"

Pro- Active Monitor

When selecting the Pro-Active Monitor Mam menu tab, the working area will be providing definitions and short descriptions on all the available modules under the Pro-Active Monitor menu tab.

Modules:

• Health Check Health Check Setup

Figure 74: The "Pro-Active Monitor" default screen.

Health Check

Definition:

The Health check module are used to run a complete check on your debtors according to certain parameters that has been set by the user to identify the debtors who does not comply to the set expectations.

Benefit.

An easy way for a user to identify certain aspects of interest or concern about your debtors book.

Mam Functions:

Debtor health check:

The Debtor health check allows the user to view exceptions found in strategies selected to run

^D*^t^~^Iaiϊ∞- j P^r° Acbve Monitor

1 *

Figure 75: The Debtor Health check default screen

After the health check has completed running the text beside the picture in the top left will read "Completed run". If a red cross is displayed, clicking on the "+" will allow the user to view the exception list. Other wise if a green tick is displayed there are no exceptions.

Figure 76: The Debtor Health check screen with exception list expanded.

The columns description and actual are displayed. Description displays the strategy and all attributes that did not comply with the strategy The actual column displays the debtors information is that is not complying with this strategy.

Figure 77: The Debtor Health check screen columns. Report Health Check: The Report Health Check allows the user to view how many debtors did not comply with the health check report that the user set up. After the health check has completed running the text beside the picture in the top left will read "Completed run".

Figure 78: The Report Health check screen with report.

If a red cross is displayed, clicking on the "+" will allow the user to view the report. The report has three coloumns: "Details", "Expected", "Actual". The detail displays the report and the attribute that debtors are not complying to. The expected displays what result was expected and the actual displays the result that was found.

Figure 79. The Report Health check screen columns.

Health Check Setup

Definition: This Module is used to set up certain trigger/warning messages concerning your strategies for each debtor.

Benefit:

To manage your debtors and set up certain warning criteria according to the debtor's performance.

Standard Functions:

• Pop up texts

• Sort

Main Functions:

There are two tabs available for selection which will result in executing two unique mam functions. These tabs are: a) Debtor Strategy Setup b) Report Setup

Figure 80: The Health check Setup default screen

A. Debtor Strategy Setup

The user can set up warning messages for each strategy that has been set up an also select whether this warning should be used when running the Health check.

Figure 81: Indicates where to input the warning text and where to activate the strategy evaluation.

B. Report Setup

The user can set up warning messages on certain reporting issues that have been set up an also select whether this warning should be used when running the Health check.

Figure 82: Indicates where to add the Test name and the failure text

Figure 83: Indicates where to add the attributes for the test Vetting

When selecting the Vetting Main menu tab, the working area provides definitions and short descriptions on all the available modules under the Vetting menu tab.

Modules:

• Balance Sheet Evaluation

Figure 84: The "Vetting" default screen.

Balance Sheet Evaluation

Definition:

The Balance Sheet Evaluation is based on the Altman Theory of evaluating a debtor according to the debtors financial information the user can get a recommendation of the debtors risk level.

Benefit: My KreditManager gives the user the ability to evaluate a debtor by using the Income and Balance sheet information. The result of the evaluation is presented in a score If all the Debtors in the ledger has been evaluated the user can compare the debtors with each other.

Standard Functions

• Print to Excel

• Pop up texts

• Sort

• Lookup Searching

Main Functions a) Create a New Balance Sheet

Figure 85. "Balance Sheet Evaluation"

A. Creating a New Balance Sheet Evaluation

• To create a Balance Sheet First the user must select a debtor from the list debtors list displayed on the screen

• When the Debtor is selected all the values must be completed.

• Select the "Evaluate" button.

• After the evaluation a score and recommendation is produced.

Figure 86: Identifying where to select the debtor and where to insert the values.

Figure 87: Identifies the "Evaluate" button which will calculate a score.

Figure 88: Indicates the recommendation and Score after the evaluation button has been selected.

This score and Recommendation can then be saved by selecting the save button at the top of the screen.

Figure 89: Indicates the save button.

To generate another score for the same Debtor the "New Balance Sheet" button can be selected. This will generate another recommendation and score that can be saved. A track record of the debtor's scores can be viewed by date and score.

Figure 90: Shows the "New Balance Sheet Button".

Reports

When selecting the Reports Main menu tab, the work area will provide definitions and short descriptions on all the available modules for the Reports menu tab. Modules:

• Report Library

• Drill Down

• KreditMap Graphs

Figure 91: "Reports" default screen

Report Library

Definition : The reports generator enables the user to filter the vast amounts of data supplied by the Kreditlnform Database. Typical reports that can be generated would assist in the development of Risk Categorisation tools, Marketing and Sales opportunities, demographical data and any other format that the user may design.

Benefit:

This gives users the ability to create their own report layout to generate reports to suit their own needs. These layouts can then be saved so that the user doesn't need to set up the report each time.

Standard Functions:

• Print to Excel

• Pop up texts

• Filter and Filter details

• Group

• Sort

• Add Column details: Totals and Averages

• Advanced Search

Main Functions: a) View saved reports b) Create new report

The default screen will display a list of all the created reports as indicated below.

Figure 92: Default "Report Library" screen A. View Saved Report

A report can be viewed by double clicking on the report name in the list of saved reports provided.

Figure 93: Indicates the report name on which to double click.

When a report is opened it will display the information in a grid as seen below.

Figure 94: Viewing a saved report.

Delete Report

To delete a saved report, the "delete" button must be selected as indicated below and will then be removed from the list of saved reports.

Figure 95. Indicates the delete button. B. Create New Report

To create a new report the "Create New" button needs to be selected.

Figure 96. Indicating the "Create New Report" button

When creating a new report a screen will be displayed with all the available column headers. The data is displayed in a field list with check boxes indicating the selections These column headers can then be sorted and grouped as preferred and a filter option is also available to filter your report The grid on the right hand side will display the preview of your report as you "build" it.

Figure 97. The "Create a New Report" screen.

Save New Report

To save your report you need to select the save button as indicated below. The user will then be asked to type a name for the report before it can be saved.

Figure 98: Shows the pop-up screen when saving a report.

Drill Down

Definition:

This enables the user to identify areas of potential threat as well as the loss of return. The drill down function will take a snap shot of the total outstanding debt and further break this data down into manageable data fields where direct CRM principals may be implemented and managed.

Benefit:

This function can be used to create different pie charts by segmenting them according to your needs to identify areas of strength or weakness.

Standard Functions:

• Print to Excel

• Pop up texts

• Pop up Values

• Filter and Filter details

• Group

• Sort

• Add Column details: Totals and Averages

• Advanced Search

• Display of KIM information

• Notes

• Show Debtors

Two options on the Radio Bar are available for selection which will result in executing two unique main functions. These options are: a) Ageing Drilldown b) Variable Drilldown

A. Ageing Drilldown

Definition : Benefit: Adding a drill down

By Right clicking on the pie chart, a list box will appear with certain criteria's from where the user can select. The chart refresh by showing a chart with the ageing

Figure 99: Showing how to make a drill down criteria selection.

After the screen refreshed the drill down path will be displayed in the box on the right hand side at the top of the screen. Further drill downs can be done which will increase the list in the box indicating the path. To view the debtors in a segment of the pie chart right click and select "Show debtors".

Figure 100: Shows the drill down criteria that has been selected.

Deleting a drilldown detail

To remove the drill down link the user can select the link to be deleted and select the red cross to delete it. To reset the chart, the user can simply select the "Reset" button at the top of the screen.

Figure 101: Indicates the delete button and the selected detail in the list. Also the "reset" button are indicated.

Snapshot Viewing

This function can be used to freeze one chart and work on another chart to compare two charts with each other. This can be done by selecting the "Snapshot" button at the top of the screen.

Figure 102: Indicates the snapshot button and the frozen chart at the top.

Using the snapshot to compare

The chart at the top shows the original chart that has been created with its drill down tree and the total amount it represents. The chart at the bottom can be altered to create scenarios to compare the two charts.

Figure 103 : Indicates the value and drill down tree of the frozen chart.

Removing the snapshot

To remove the snapshot the user must select the "Snapshot" icon.

B. Variable drilldown

Definition :

Benefit"

Select the "Variable drilldown" opti

lifiilSfflϊϊϊillϊϊϊϊli Figure 104: Variable drilldown screen. Adding a drill down

To drill down on the chart the user must right click on a specific segment of the chart which the user wishes to analyze. A screen will appear with the chart segment that has been selected as the heading with a list of all the different criteria's from which the user needs to make a selection. To view the debtors in a segment of the pie chart right click and select "Show debtors".

Figure 105: Indicates the drill down selection popup screen.

Figure 106: An example of a drill down chart with its path shown at the top.

Variable Drilldown Slice Editing

The "Group slices smaller than" function allows the user to group small segments.

Figure 107: Indicates all the small segments on the chart and where to select the "Group slices smaller than" check box.

The user can then set the parameter next to the check box to group the segments into an "Other" group which will comprise out of all the smaller, grouped slices.

Figure 108: Shows the new chart and where to adjust the group slice. KreditMap Graphs

Definition : Credit Limit vs. Outstanding and Overdue Amounts: give one an understanding of ones credit limits vs. ones Outstanding and Overdue Amounts.

Percentage of total values per category: Give one the percentage of debtors in a risk category.

Benefit:

Standard Functions:

• Print to Excel

• Pop up Values

Mam Functions. c) View Graph of "Credit Limit vs. Outstanding and Overdue Amounts" d) View Graph of "Percentage of total values per category"

The default screen will display before selecting a graph.

Figure 109: Default screen for "KreditMap Graphs".

To select a graph chose from the list on $\e left of the screen.

Figure 110: Selecting a Graph.

Internal Analysis

When selecting the Internal Analysis Main menu tab, the work area will provide definitions and short descriptions on all the available modules under the Internal Analysis menu tab.

Modules:

• Cost to Finance

• Scenario

Figure 111: The "Internal Analysis" default screen.

Cost to Finance

Definition:

While the Cost to Finance may be seen as an operational cost, the trade with debtors past their terms creates a loss of return on investment (ROI).

Benefit:

Standard Functions:

• Print to Excel

• Pop up texts

• Pop up Values

• Filter and Filter details

• Group

• Sort

• Add Column details: Totals and Averages

• Advanced Search

• Display of KIM information

• Percentage Editor

• Notes

Main Functions:

Three tabs are available for selection : d) Controller Cost to Finance e) Debtor Cost to Finance f) Ledger Cost to Finance

A^Controiier Cost to Finance

Definition:

The user can view the "Controller Cost to Finance" for each month of the year for each credit controller, for the full book

"% of Total": This value indicates the percentage contribution of the selected outstanding terms to the Controller Cost to Finance for the selected months. And the percentage editor found by clicking on the calculator. This allows one to alter the cost to finance to ones business rules.

Figure 112: "Controller Cost to Finance"

B. Debtor Cost to Finance

Definition:

KreditManager gives the user the ability to evaluate the Cost to Finance by debtor, by specified period and by credit controller.

The user can select check boxes to view the Debtor Cost to Finance by month. The latest three mon be displayed as a default.

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Figure 113: "Debtor Cost to Finance"

C. Ledger Cost to Finance

Definition:

KreditManager gives the user the ability to evaluate the Cost to Finance by ledger ,by specified period and by credit controller.

The user can select check boxes to view the ledger Cost to Finance by month.

The latest three months will be displayed as a default.

Figure 114. "Ledger Cost to Finance"

Scenario

Definition.

Scenario allows the user to evaluate the performance of ledgers, business units and credit controllers on the total outstanding debtor book.

Benefit-

KreditManager allows the user to create different debtor ageing scenarios. Standard Functions. • Print to Excel

• Pop up texts

• Pop up Values

• Filter and Filter details

• Sort

• Add Column details: Totals and Averages

• Advanced Search

• Notes

Main Functions:

Three functions are available for selection: d) My Selected controller e) My Debtors for selected controller f) All of My controllers

A. My selected controller

Definition:

KreditManager displays a pie chart of the ageing profile for all the debt of the debtors in the credit controller list above the chart. This list of credit controllers can be sorted and filtered to create different scenarios.

B. My debtors for selected controller

Definition:

KreditManager allows the user to compare your debtor to the other debtors in the same credit controller.

Added Standard Function: • Display of KIM information

• Double click on Graph for Historic data and Summary Graph

Figure 116 My Debtors for selected controller

C. All of my Controllers

Definition'

This screen can be used to view your overall ageing profile for the total book.

Figure 117: "All my Controllers"

Setup

When selecting the Setup Mam menu tab, the work area will provide definitions and short descriptions on all the available modules under the Setup menu tab.

Modules:

• Strategy Setup

• Debtor Maintenance

• Import Debtors • Online Update

Strategy Setup

Definition :

This enables the user to manage the debtor base by designing various strategies, which incorporate exposure levels, risk levels, credit detail and the perceived strategic value of a debtor to the creditor.

Benefit: This allows the user to define a practise of relationship management in respect of that customers' importance to the creditors finance and sales departments, thereby creating a standard client relationship management principal for each individual debtor, enabling the company to realise highest returns for capital employed.

Standard Functions:

• Pop up texts Main Functions: a) Adding and configuring a Strategy

Figure 119: Shows the default strategy Setup screen. It provides a list of all saved strategies in the list box with heading, Names, and the details of the selected strategy in the list box below, called Attributes.

A. Adding and configuring a Strategy

To add a strategy, the user can select the "New Strategy" button as indicated below.

Type the name of the strategy.

The user can start by adding attributes for the strategy by selecting the "Add Attribute" button above the Attributes list box.

Figure 120 Indicates the creation of a New Strategy name and adding an attribute

After selecting the "Add Attribute" button, the user can select an attribute from the list provided. Thereafter the user can select the appropriate "Operator" and the value for that attribute.

Figure 121 : Shows where to add an attribute, an operator and value for the attribute selected.

The user can save the attribute by selecting the "Save Detail" button as indicated.

Figure 122: Shows how to save an attribute.

To delete a strategy or attribute, the user can select the appropriate strategy or Attribute and then select the appropriate delete button.

Figure 123: Indicates the delete buttons. The top delete button deletes the strategy and the bottom delete button deletes a row of detail for a specified strategy by selecting the

Figure 124: Indicates the "Save Strategy" button. Debtor Maintenance

Definition: Various strategies are allocated to a debtor, the debtor is monitored against these strategies for changes in data and the user has the ability to re-assign the level of strategy at any given time. These strategies for example could be bronze, silver, gold and platinum.

Benefit:

Methods used for the monitoring of debtors are re-active. The allocation of strategy to a debtor in this programme allows for pro-active maintenance by comparing an individual debtor to a like segment previously defined. This enables the user to be consistent and realise the potential for loss at an earlier stage than what was previously available.

Standard Functions:

• Pop up texts

• Filter and Filter details

• Group

• Sort

• Add Column details: Totals and Averages

• Advanced Search

• Display of KIM information

Main Functions:

The user can select, for each debtor, a Strategy, as been set up in the strategy setup module.

There are also three tabs available for selection which will result in executing three unique main functions. These tabs are: a) Surety Types b) Sales Figures c) Spend Profile

Selecting a strategy for a debtor

The user can select a strategy by selecting the list box in the column on the right and making the appropriate selection, or the user can filter the list of debtors and apply a selected strategy to all displayed debtors by selecting the "Apply strategy to debtors in Grid" button as indicated at the top. A screen will then pop up from which the user can select a strategy to apply to all the displayed debtors.

Figure 125. Indicates where to select a strategy for a certain debtor and how to select a strategy for all the displayed debtors in the grid

A. Surety Type

To add surety details for a specific debtor, the user can select the "Surety" tab as indicated and then the appropriate debtor from the debtor list at the top.

Figure 126. Shows where the debtors list is shown and where the Surety tab is

After selecting the debtor, the user can add surety details by selecting the "Add Surety item" button. The user can then select the appropriate detail from the list as shown in the figure below.

Figure 127: Indicates the "Add Surety Item" button, and the list of Surety types. The user can also add the date and Account number for the Surety item.

Figure 128: Indicates where to add the date, value and Account number.

The surety item can be saved by selecting the save button.

Figure 129. Indicates where the save button is.

Surety items can also be deleted by selecting the delete button.

Figure 130: Indicates where the delete button is.

B. Sales Figures the "Sales Figures" list at the top.

Figure 131 : Shows where the debtors list is and Sales Figures tab.

After selecting the debtor, the user can add Sales figures by selecting the "Add ails in the

Figure 132: Indicates the "Add Sales" button, and the columns to be completed. The added sales detail can be saved by selecting the save button.

Figure 133: Indicates where the save button is.

Sales details can also be deleted by selecting the delete button.

Figure 134: Indicates where the delete button is.

C. Spend Profile The user can set up a spend profile for a debtor by selecting the spend profile tab and the appropriate debtor from the list of debtors at the top.

Figure 135. Shows where the debtors list is and where the Spend Profile tab is.

The user can alter the spend profile for the debtor by editing the percentages of the debtors ageing profile in the spaces as shown below. To clear the default values the user can select the clear figures button.

Figure 136: The spend profile boxes and the "Clear Figures" button. The user can also set the credit limit and terms for the debtor

Figure 137 : Indicates where to input the credit limit and terms for the debtor. The user has a option to set the spend profile equal to the Ledger average or Book average.

Figure 138: Shows the "Set to ledger Average" button on the left and the "Set to Book Average" button on the right.

To save this profile the user can select the save button as indicated below.

Figure 139: Indicates where the save button is. Import Debtors

Definition:

This module gives the user the ability to import the latest debtor information extracted from their internal database system.

Benefit:

Evaluate your debtors according to the latest data available on them. Standard Functions:

• Pop up texts

• Print to Excel

Main Functions: a) Importing debtor data b) Requesting KIM numbers and Reports from Kredit Inform c) Exporting debtor data

A. Importing debtor data he user can select the "Browse" button to import the latest ageing information of

Figure 140: Indicates where the "Import Data" button is.

After selecting the Import data button the user will be prompted to enter the location of the file to be imported. This file will either be an .xml or .csv file.

Figure 141 : Indicates the pop up screen for the user to specify the file path.

In the case of a .csv file import, the user will be required to verify that the import template is correct. A screen will be displayed with an example of how the template to be imported looks and then the user must ensure thatjt is correct, or if not, make the necessary changes.

Figure 142 Indicates the screen displayed when importing a csv file. Certain settings that can be changed include the following .

• Text quantifier

• Deliminator

• First row of template containing column headers

• Column header names

For each of these settings the user can change the import file to ensure that data are imported correctly The figures below will indicate where to change these settings accordingly.

Figure 143. Indicates where to change the Text Quantifier.

Figure 144: Indicates where to change the Deliminator.

Figure 145: Indicates where to change the Date of the data to be imported.

Figure 146 Indicates where to change the column header setting

Figure 147. Indicates where to change the column header names.

After the import is completed, there would be a list of all the debtors that were in the import file, displayed on the first tab' Imported Companies'.

Figure 148: Indicates a populated list of debtors that were imported.

On the second tab 'KIM # With KIM Info\ The debtors that were imported with KIM Information already existing in the system are displayed.

Figure 149: Indicates list of debtors imported with matching KIM information in the application. On the third tab ^λKIM # Without KIM Info\ The debtors that were imported with no KIM Information already existing in the system are displayed.

Figure 15O- Indicates list of debtors imported with a KIM number but no KIM information in the application.

On the fourth tab 'No KIM #\ The debtors that were imported with no KIM number and no Information already existing in the system are displayed.

Figure 151: Indicates list of debtors imported with no KIM number and no KIM information in the application.

B. Exporting Exceptions Exceptions" to save the list

Figure 152' Indicates the pop up screen to save the exceptions before sending the list to Kreditlnform.

The User will then be prompted with a warning message. To continue select 'Yes'.

Figure 153 ^■ Indicates the pop up warning. As soon as the user accepts the warning a Microsoft Outlook message will be opened, with the attached file and applicable email address. The user then needs to select the send button to send the file to Kreditlnform.

Figure 154: Indicates the standard email that's being generated.

C. Exporting debtor data

To send Kreditlnform their monthly data requests to evaluate and score all the debtors accordingly, the user needs to select the "Export ageing to XML" button. The user will then be required to enter the date of the data that's being sent.

Figure 155: Indicates the data pop up screen that appears. The user will then be prompted with a warning that Microsoft Outlook will be used to send this file.

Figure 156: Indicates the warning pop up screen.

As soon as the user accepts the warning a Microsoft Outlook message will be opened, with the attached file and applicable email address. The user then needs to select the send button to send the file to Kreditlnform.

Figure 157: Indicates the standard email that's being generated. This invention is not limited to the precise details as described herein and it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many other embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A debtor management system comprising a server computer having communication means for communicating with a bureau database at a third party credit bureau and for retrieving debtor credit information from the bureau database; storage means for storing credit policy information and debtor credit application information; a computer program for accepting or declining a credit application in respect of the debtor using the creditor policy information, credit application information and the credit information.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 in which the system includes credit monitoring means for monitoring payment or age analysis of a debtor up to final payment.

3. A system as claimed in claim 2 in which a payment history of the debtor is> stored in the storage means.

4. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the computer program generates collection instructions under predetermined conditions.

5. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the computer program refers an unsuccessful application to an operator.

6. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the computer program detects potential fraud by returning a warning in case of a predetermined increase in credit applications by an applicant with the user and/or with a third party, a change in the normal business partners or suppliers and/or a predetermined change in the quantity of credit normally applied for.

7. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the computer program monitors changes to the debtor credit information at the bureau database and reports changes to an operator.

8. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which sureties are recorded against a debtor in the storage means of the server computer.

9. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the computer program includes a comparator for comparing a payment profile or age analysis of a debtor with that of one or more existing debtors or with an average payment profile or age analysis of a number of debtors in an industry.

10. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 in which the computer program includes a comparator and the comparator compares a debtor payment profile or age analysis to an industry average age analysis and/or a predicted age analysis.

11. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the computer program calculates cost of credit per debtor or per ledger and provides a comparison of cost of credit between debtors or ledgers.

12. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the computer program computes a scenario based on age of debt and a percentage of debt per age.

13. A debtor management method comprising the steps of defining a credit policy; obtaining credit information relating to a debtor from a third party bureau; granting credit to a debtor in accordance with the credit policy taking into account the credit information of the debtor obtained from the bureau; monitoring and recording a payment profile of the debtor; and issuing collection instructions under predetermined conditions.

14. The method of claim 13 including the step of generating a collection reminder or a demand letter.

15. The method of any one of claims 13 to 14 including the step of comparing age analysis of a debtor with one or more other debtors, with a industry or with a predicted age analysis.

16. The method of any one of claims 13 to 15 including the step of calculating cost of finance.

17. The method of any one of claims 13 to 16 including the step of comparing cost of finance to investment criteria.

18. The method of any one of claims 13 to 17 including the step of rating performance of debt collectors.

19. The method of any one of claims 13 to 18 including the step of setting goals and calculating collection priorities to achieve goals.

20. The method of any one of claims 13 to 18 including the step of calculating a scenario based on age analysis and percentages per age.

21. The method of any one of claims 13 to 19 including the step of monitoring and reporting on changes of a debtor's credit information.