Overview: Contact Manager

Contact Administration

Contact Manager Toolbar

The Contact Manager contains a number of shortcut icons and buttons you can use to access contact functions:

 

Toolbar Icon Shortcut Name Description
new.gif New Creates a new contact (vendor, person, or customer)
delete.gif Delete Deletes the selected vendor, person, or customer
properties.gif Properties Opens the Properties window for the selected vendor, person, or customer
favs.gif Favorite Reports Accesses report favorites
help.gif Help Accesses online help
NewContact.jpg New Contact  Opens the Create window for a new contact.
NewCONTRACT.jpg New Contract
Find
Opens the Vendor Properties window. Click the Contracts tab to manage vendor Contracts.
FindVENDOR-ONLY.jpg Find [Vendor] Opens the Vendor Selection window.
Refresh.jpg Refresh Refreshes the display with the most current information.

 


Contact Administration

Overview: Contact Manager

The Contact Manager allows you to create, modify, and delete contacts. Three contact types are defined in EnergyCAP:

  • Vendors
  • People
  • Customers

The Contact Manager workspace provides three tab views:

  • The Vendors tab lists vendors by code, display, business phone number and business email address. A Vendor is a service provider with which you typically have a contractual relationship and is responsible for providing information. This information can be a bill, information that is contained on a bill, interval meter data, weather data, or counter data. Vendors may be used to setup Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) import scripts for importing billing data into EnergyCAP Enterprise. In order to create accounts, vendors must be created. For information on using the account/place search feature from the Vendor tab, see Locating Accounts and Accessing Account Properties from the Vendor Contact Manager.

  • The People tab lists individuals by name, vendor, business phone number, and business email address. People can be associated with a vendor or place as a contact.

  • The Customers tab lists customers by code, display, business phone number and business email address. A customer can be associated with an account as a contact.

cntct_mgr.gif

You can sort the lists by clicking on a column heading. Sort the lists in reverse order by clicking the column heading once more.

Accessing the Contact Manager

  1. On the navigation bar, select the Setup module.

  2. Click the Contacts icon Contacts.gif. The Contact Manager appears.


Managing Vendors

Creating a Vendor

  1. Select Setup > Contacts. The Contact Manager appears.

  2. From the Contact menu, select New > Vendor. The Create Vendor window appears.

    • Select the General tab to enter the code, display, and addresses.

    • Select the Contact Info tab to enter email addresses and phone numbers.

    • Select the Other tab to enter additional information such as the industry code or tax ID.

    • Select the Contracts tab to enter contract information associated with this vendor.

  • After making your selections, click OK.

    See below for additional information on the vendor tabs.

    General tab

    1. In the Code field, enter the unique, user-defined identifier.

    2. In the Display field, enter the name to appear throughout the system.

    3. Create an address by selecting the appropriate address type (/Building/Physical/Service) from the drop-down menu, then clicking the Address button. The Address window appears. Input the requested contact address information in the fields provided.
      • Repeat step 3 to create other addresses if desired. Click OK when done to save changes and exit the Address window. Then click OK again to close the Create Vendor window.

    Contact Info tab

    1. Create an email address by selecting the email type (Alternate/Business/Home), then pressing the Tab key to move the cursor/focus to the address field. Use the computer keyboard to input the updated address.

    2. Create a phone number by selecting the desired Phone type using the drop-down menu provided. Then click the Plus button (+) for the selected Phone type (the Phone window will open) and use the computer keyboard to input current information. Click OK to save changes and close the Phone window. Then click OK again to close the Create Vendor window.

    Other tab

    When importing EDI data, the data used is available to all vendors having the same import ID as the ID used in the EDI file.

    1. In the Industry Code field, enter the North American Industry Code System (NAICS) or the

      Standard Industry Code (SIC) assigned by the government.

    2. In the DNB Number field, enter the unique company identifier issued by Dun & Bradstreet.

    3. In the Tax ID Number field, enter the federal government's unique identifier for the company.

    4. In the EDI Import ID field, enter the EDI import ID.

    Contracts tab 

    The Contracts tab provides an interface for entering detailed contract information for a specific vendor. The Contracts/General tab maintains the user-defined Contract name, associated Commodity, Start date, Renewal Reminder Date, and Expiration Date, as well as a Contract Description and any Notes relating to the Contract.

    When the computer internal clock passes the Renewal Reminder Date, a red exclamation mark (!) will appear to the left of the Vendor Code in the Contact Manager (Vendor tab).

    Once the Contract has been created and saved, accounts associated with that vendor can be assigned to the contract by clicking the Contracts > Accounts tab and clicking the On Contract checkbox, or by selecting the contract via the Account Properties > Contracts tab.


  • Managing Vendors

    Modifying a Vendor

    1. Select Setup > Contacts. The Contact Manager appears.

    2. From the Vendors tab, double-click on the desired vendor. Or right-click the vendor name and select Properties from the popup menu. The Vendor Properties window appears.

      • Select the General tab to enter the code, display, and addresses.

      • Select the Contact Info tab to enter email addresses and phone numbers.

      • Select the Other tab to enter additional information such as the industry code or tax ID.

      • Select the Contracts tab to enter contract information associated with this vendor.

    3. After making your selections, click OK.

    See below for additional information on the vendor tabs.

    General tab

    1. In the Code field, enter the unique, user-defined identifier.

    2. In the Display field, enter the name to appear throughout the system.

    3. Create an address by selecting the appropriate address type (/Building/Physical/Service) from the drop-down menu, then clicking the Address button. The Address window appears. Input the requested contact address information in the fields provided.
      • Repeat step 3 to create other addresses if desired. Click OK when done to save changes and exit the Address window. Then click OK again to close the Vendor Properties window.

    Contact Info tab

    1. Create an email address by selecting the email type (Alternate/Business/Home), then pressing the Tab key to move the cursor/focus to the address field. Use the computer keyboard to input the updated address.

    2. Create a phone number by selecting the desired Phone type using the drop-down menu provided. Then click the Plus button (+) for the selected Phone type (the Phone window will open) and use the computer keyboard to input current information. Click OK to save changes and close the Phone window. Then click OK again to close the Vendor Properties window.

    Other tab

    When importing EDI data, the data used is available to all vendors having the same import ID as the ID used in the EDI file.

    1. In the Industry Code field, enter the North American Industry Code System (NAICS) or the

      Standard Industry Code (SIC) assigned by the government.

    2. In the DNB Number field, enter the unique company identifier issued by Dun & Bradstreet.

    3. In the Tax ID Number field, enter the federal government's unique identifier for the company.

    4. In the EDI Import ID field, enter the EDI import ID.

    Contracts tab

    The Contracts tab provides an interface for entering detailed contract information for a specific vendor. The Contracts > General tab maintains the user-defined Contract name, associated Commodity, Start date, Renewal Reminder Date, and Expiration Date, as well as a Contract Description and any Notes relating to the Contract.

    When the computer internal clock passes the Renewal Reminder Date, a red exclamation mark (!) will appear to the left of the Vendor Code in the Contact Manager (Vendor tab).

    Once the Contract has been created and saved, accounts associated with that vendor can be assigned to the contract by clicking the Contracts > Accounts tab and clicking the On Contract checkbox, or by selecting the contract via the Account Properties/Contracts tab.


    Managing Vendors

    Deleting Vendors

    ! When a vendor is deleted, all Contacts associated with the vendor are also deleted. !

    Following are cases in which a vendor cannot be deleted:

    • A vendor cannot be deleted if inactive or active accounts are assigned to that vendor.
    • A vendor cannot be deleted if contracts or rates associated with that vendor exist.
    • A vendor cannot be deleted if a rate variable has been created for an associated rate.

    To delete a vendor:

    1. Select Setup > Contacts. The Contact Manager appears.

    2. From the Contact menu, select View > Vendors or select the Vendors tab.

    3. Select the vendor(s) to delete. Use the Ctrl-Click and Shift-Click keyboard/mouse functionality if multiple vendors are to be selected.

    4. From the Contact menu, select Delete. The Confirm window appears.

      • Select Yes to delete the vendor and continue.

      • Select Yes to all to delete all selected vendors.

      • Select No to cancel this deletion and continue.

      • Select No to all to cancel the operation.


    Managing Vendors

    Locating Accounts and Accessing Account Properties from the Vendor Contact Manager

    With EnergyCAP Enterprise Release 6.1and later, the Vendor Contact Manager incorporates several helpful functions to assist the user in locating accounts associated with the vendor, and viewing and making changes to account properties.

    To access the Vendor Contact Manager, click Setup>Contacts. Then click the Vendor tab at the bottom of the display window. The Vendor Contact Manager will be displayed.

    Unlike the People and Customers views in EnergyCAP, the Vendor window is divided into two primary panes. The upper pane lists existing vendors in alphanumeric order.

    NOTE: The vendor list in the upper pane can be sorted (A-Z, Z-A) by any column simply by clicking the column header.

    The bottom pane displays a list of accounts associated with the currently-selected (highlighted) vendor. The following information is provided for each account:

    • Account Code
    • Account Display Name
    • Service Address
    • City
    • State
    • Zip
    • Active indicator
    • Parent Cost Center
    • Cost Center Display Name
    • Acount ID (internal EnergyCAP identifier)

    Locating a Specific Vendor Account

    Since some large organizations have dozens or even hundreds of accounts associated with a single vendor, the bottom pane of the vendor list has been designed to assist the user in quickly locating a specific account in EnergyCAP and maintaining the properties of that account.

    To locate a specific vendor account in EnergyCAP:

    1. Click the desired Vendor from the vendor list in the upper pane of the Vendor Contact Manager. Accounts associated with the vendor will be displayed in the lower pane.
    2. Input an initial search string (alphanumeric series) for either the Account Code, Account Display Name or Service Address into the Search field in the bottom pane. As the string is being entered, a list of matching accounts with records beginning with that string will be dynamically displayed in the bottom pane of the display. The matching entry will be highlighted in color.
      ContactVendorAccountList.jpg
    3. Once the account has been located, additional functionality is also available. To locate the account in the Account Manager Tree View, right-click the account row in the bottom pane of the Vendor Contact Manager. A popup menu will appear.
    4. Select Locate Account from the popup menu options. The Account Manager will be displayed, and the specific account will be highlighted in the Account Manager Tree View. Its associated properties will be visible in the right pane of the Account Manager dispay.

    Accessing Account Properties from the Vendor Contact Manager

    To access and/or edit Account Properties from the Vendor Contact Manager:

    1. Open the Vendor Contact Manager (Setup>Contacts>Vendor Tab).
    2. Select the vendor associated with the account to be located and/or edited.
    3. Locate the associated account from the account list in the bottom pane of the display.
    4. Right-click any cell containing data associated with the desired account. A popup menu will open.
    5. Click to select Properties from the popup menu. The Properties window for the associated account will open.

    NOTE: If the user has Account editing permissions, the Account Properties can be modified and saved per the usual procedure.

     

     


    Managing People

    Creating a Person

    1. Select Setup > Contacts. The Contact Manager appears. Click the People tab at the bottom of the Manager.

    2. From the Contact menu, select New > Person. Or right-click anywhere in the Contact Manager window and select New > Person from the popup menu. The Create Person window appears.

      • Select the General tab to enter the person's name, associated vendor, and addresses. Click the Full Name button to add first name, middle name and last name details. If desired, select an associated vendor for the contact, using the drop-down list provided. If desired, select an address type (Billing/Physical/Service) from the drop-down list and then click the Address button to input the address details in the Address window.

      • Select the Contact Info tab to enter email addresses and phone numbers.

    3. After making your selections, click OK.

    General tab

    1. Create the person's name by clicking the Full Name button. The Name window appears.

      1. create the appropriate fields.

      2. Click OK. The Name window closes.

    2. If applicable, select a new vendor.

    3. Create an address by selecting the appropriate address type (/Building/Physical/Service) from the drop-down menu, then clicking the Address button. The Address window appears. Input the requested contact address information in the fields provided.

      • Repeat step 3 to create other addresses. Click OK when done to save changes and exit the Address window. Then click OK again to close the Create Person window.

    Contact Info tab

    1. Create an email address by selecting the email type (Alternate/Business/Home), then pressing the Tab key to highlight the existing e-mail. Use the computer keyboard to input the updated address.

    2. Create a phone number by selecting the desired Phone type from the drop-down menu and then clicking the Plus button (+) for the desired Phone type (the Phone window will open) and then using the computer keyboard to input current information. Then cick OK to save changes and close the Phone window. Then click OK again to close the Create Person window.


    Managing People

    Modifying a Person

    1. Select Setup > Contacts. The Contact Manager appears.

    2. Select the person to modify.

    3. From the File menu, select Properties. The Person Properties window appears.

      • Select the General tab to modify the person's name, associated vendor, and addresses.

      • Select the Contact Info tab to modify email addresses and phone numbers.

    4. After making your selections, click OK.

    See below for additional information on tab selections.

    General tab

    1. Modify the person's name by clicking the Full Name button. The Name window appears.

      1. Modify the appropriate fields.

      2. Click OK. The Name window closes.

    2. If applicable, select a new vendor.

    3. Modify an address by selecting the appropriate address type (/Building/Physical/Service) from the drop-down menu, then clicking the Address button. The Address window appears. Input the requested contact address information in the fields provided.

      • Repeat step 3 to modify other addresses. Click OK when done to save changes and exit the Address window. Then click OK again to close the Person Properties window.

    Contact Info tab

    1. Modify an email address by selecting the email type (Alternate/Business/Home), then pressing the Tab key to highlight the existing e-mail. Use the computer keyboard to input the updated address.

    2. Modify a phone number by clicking the Plus button for the desired Phone type (the Phone window will open) and then using the computer keyboard to delete obsolete information and replace it with current information. Then cick OK to save changes and close the Phone window. Then click OK again to close the Person Properties window.


    Managing People

    Deleting People

    1. Select Setup > Contacts. The Contact Manager appears.

    2. From the Contact menu, click to select the People tab. Or right-click in the Contact Manager window and select View > Person from the popup menu.

    3. Select/highlight the individual to delete. Use the Ctrl-Click or Shift-Click key and mouse combinations to select multiple Contacts if desired.

    4. From the Contact menu, select Delete. Or right-click and select Delete from the popup menu. Or press the Delete key on the computer keyboard. The Confirm window appears.

      • Select Yes to delete the person and continue.

      • Select Yes to all to delete all selected people.

      • Select No to cancel this deletion and continue.

      • Select No to all to cancel the operation.


    Managing Customers

    Creating a Customer

    1. Select Setup > Contacts. The Contact Manager appears.

    2. From the Contact menu, select New > Customer. Or right-click anywhere in the Contact Manager and select New > Customer from the popup menu. The Create Customer window appears.

      • Select the General tab to enter the code, display, and addresses.

      • Select the Contact Info tab to enter email addresses and phone numbers.

    3. After making your selections, click OK.

    For additional information about tab options, see below.

    General tab

    1. In the Code field, enter the unique, user-defined identifier.

    2. In the Display field, enter the name to appear throughout the system.

    1. Create an address by selecting the appropriate address type (/Building/Physical/Service) from the drop-down menu, then clicking the Address button. The Address window appears. Input the requested contact address information in the fields provided.
      • Repeat step 3 to create other addresses if desired. Click OK when done to save changes and exit the Address window. Then click OK again to close the Create Customer window.

    Contact Info tab

    1. Create an email address by selecting the email type (Alternate/Business/Home), then pressing the Tab key to move the cursor/focus to the address field. Use the computer keyboard to input the updated address.

    2. Create a phone number by selecting the desired Phone type using the drop-down menu provided. Then click the Plus button (+) for the selected Phone type (the Phone window will open) and use the computer keyboard to input current information. Click OK to save changes and close the Phone window. Then click OK again to close the Create Customer window.


    Managing Customers

    Modifying a Customer

    1. Select Setup > Contacts. The Contact Manager appears.

    2. From the Contact menu, select View > Customer. Or click the Customer tab at the bottom of the Contact Manager window.

    3. Select the customer to modify.

    4. From the File menu, select Properties. Or double-click the customer name from the list. Or right-click the customer name from the list and select Properties from the popup menu. The Customer Properties window appears.

      • Select the General tab to modify the code, display, or addresses.

      • Select the Contact Info tab to modify email addresses or phone numbers.

    5. After making your selections, click OK.

    General tab

    1. Modify the code by clearing the Code field then entering the new code.

    2. Modify the display by clearing the Display field then entering the new display.

    3. Modify an address by selecting the appropriate address type (/Building/Physical/Service) from the drop-down menu, then clicking the Address button. The Address window appears. Input the requested contact address information in the fields provided.

      • Repeat step 3 to modify other addresses. Click OK when done to save changes and exit the Address window. Then click OK again to close the Customer Properties window.

    Contact Info tab

    1. Modify an email address by selecting the email type (Alternate/Business/Home), then pressing the Tab key to highlight the existing e-mail. Use the computer keyboard to input the updated address.

    2. Modify a phone number by clicking the Plus button for the desired Phone type (the Phone window will open) and then using the computer keyboard to delete obsolete information and replace it with current information. Then cick OK to save changes and close the Phone window. Then click OK again to close the Customer Properties window.


    Managing Customers

    Deleting Customers

    1. Select Setup > Contacts. The Contact Manager appears.

    2. From the Contact menu, select View > Customer... or select the Customers tab from the bottom of the Contact Manager window.

    3. Select the customer(s) to delete. To select multiple customers, use the Ctrl-Click and Shift-Click keyboard/mouse combination.

    4. From the Contact menu, select Delete. Or right-click and select Delete from the popup menu. The Confirm window appears.

      • Select Yes to delete the vendor and continue.

      • Select Yes to all to delete all selected vendors.

      • Select No to cancel this deletion and continue.

      • Select No to all to cancel the operation.