Hello

When I print out an invoice, I want to print the stored PDF of the
client's purchase order too. It's not so straight forward though!

My options are:
1. CONTAINER: If I display or print the PDF in it's container, I can
only print the first page.
2. WEB VIEWER: Export the PDF file from its container to disk. I can
then use the Web Viewer in FileMaker 8.5 to display the PDF.
Unfortunately PDFs are not printable from the web viewer.
3. DROP FOLDER: Export the PDF from its container to a predefined
"drop
folder". I'll then need to have a custom application installled that
has
been configured to print any file saved to the drop folder. Kludgy
and
Expensive!

I'm using FileMaker 8.5 on Mac and PC.

Any suggestions? Right now I'm resigned to using the first option
which is display in a container. Although, I'll have to tell everyone
that we can only print the first page of the purchaser order.

Regards
Kevin

I would say option 3 would be real good if you are in an Apple
environment. The applescript-based smart folder thingy that was new, I
think, in 10.4 would work well I bet.

On May 2, 7:33 pm, Paul Bruneau <p... (AT) ethicalpaul (DOT) com> wrote:
Hey, I handn't though of using the automator. That sounds cheap.

It really needs to be for Mac and PC. Also, what happens when it
prints a batch of invoices. The printer's going to get jobs from
FileMaker for the invoices and seperate jobs from Acrobat for the
attached purchase orders. It will require a person to ensure the
purchase orders go in the correct envelope.

Thanks
Kevin

On May 3, 8:54 am, KevinSmith <pleasedonotusethisaddr... (AT) gmail (DOT) com>
wrote:
Yeah, those things are going to make the smart folder not a very good
solution.

I think if I had to send back to my customers copies of their own POs
that they sent me, I would just quit

We put their PO# on the invoice we send to them, and in my mind, that
is enough. They can track their own POs. Doesn't provide a solution to
your problem I know, just rambling

Almost sounds like it would be worth looking into throwing up a PO
database on the web for your customers to log into and input their PO
info directly into a database you set up.

Then, you can add any or all PO's they entered to your Invoicing
database, anyway you want them to look, because you control the PO
database.

I guess this is what I am thinking:
Customer =
1) Generates a PO at their company
2) Logs in to your PO database and enters the PO# and/or item info
3) Still sends you a hard copy of their PO
You =
1) Gets a jump on their order (maximizing customer service & possibly
payment)
2) Can still scan into PDF the customer hard copy PO, and stick it
into the PO database (minimizing overhead & size of your invoicing
database)
3) Can print Invoices/Statements with the PO information entered by
the customer.

I know, doesn't answer your specific question, but I had no answer to
that route. :P

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Reality is the leading cause of stress...
....amongst those in touch with it.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
WinXP Pro 64Bit / FMP Adv 8.5v2
VoicesInMyHead
a.k.a. The Voices
No, we're not... Yes, we are...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Option 3 isn't so bad. I'm sure you must be able to print an external
document directly through AppleScript on a Mac. And on Windows, you can
use the Send Event script step, selecting the 'print document' option
and entering the calc/string for the correct PO's path/file name.


KevinSmith wrote:
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Howard Schlossberg (818) 883-2846
FM Professional Solutions, Inc. Los Angeles

FileMaker 8 Certified Developer
Associate Member, FileMaker Solutions Alliance

On May 3, 11:06 am, VoicesInMyHead <voices.... (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote:
Why can't you store the PDF in a container, and then use the Send
Event print script to automate printing? In my experience, if you have
a PDF stored in a container, export it to a folder, and then execute
the Send Event script step, set to a calculation defined as the
container field name, with the "print document" option selected from
the "send message" drop down, it will print all of the pages of the
PDF.
I'm using Windows, but I can't imagine the Apple Send Event script
step wouldn't also work. I think in that case you would set the Event
to other and manually input "print".

Nate

On May 3, 4:44 pm, Howard Schlossberg
<how... (AT) antispahm (DOT) fmprosolutions.com> wrote:
Hello Again

Thanks for your suggestions and encouragement. When I wrote the
question I was half hoping you folks would agree with me that there
was no satisfactory answer and I would tell my client, let's go for
the simple, half-baked approach of only printing the first page.

You've now convinced me to sharpen my Events and Applescript skills
and give the PO printing through Acrobat a try. I think what I'll do
is print all the POs at the end of the print run. That way it will be
obvious to the human that he needs to do some collation.

I've been delaying sending the proposal to the client pending having a
definite solution to all this. Seems like I need to do some more
homework before submitting it now!

Thanks for taking the time to help me, I do appreciate it.

Now for some digressions:
- They print the Purchase Order with the invoice because the payer
e.g. accounts department is not always the same of the person who
raised the order. Some times they may even be in different countries.

- And yes, I'll be doing the same thing via email too. The system know
each clients preferred communication method (email/fax/post). The
print script will act accordingly. The best I can come up with is to
send two emails: one with the invoice attached and one with the
Purchase Order attached. The emails will just have to have "part 1" or
"part 2" in the heading. This is because I can't find a way for
FileMaker to attach two attachments to the same email.

Kevin Smith

On May 4, 5:46 am, KevinSmith <pleasedonotusethisaddr... (AT) gmail (DOT) com>
wrote:
As far as attaching multiple files to an e-mail, I would recommend the
SMTPit Pro plug-in. I'm generally wary of plug-ins, but this one is
cheap, straightforward, supported, and extremely functional. Multiple
attachments, HTML emails, full control over the SMTP settings, it
really puts the Send Mail script step to shame.
Good luck man,
Nate

On May 4, 1:44 pm, NScheffey <NSchef... (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote:
Thanks Nate

I found that plugin and two others. A wealth of choice. I've decided,
for the time being, to go for the less professional approach of
sending two emails. Once everything else is running smoothly I can
offer them an upgrade.

Thanks for your help.

Regards
Kevin