We released host of features, enhancements and bug fixes to Fresh Proposals software in this and the previous month. Here is a preview of what is in store for you.

Split regular fee table

This feature has been requested for quite some time. There was a workaround available but again, it was a work-around. We decided to take up this feature.

What is it?

Using Fresh Proposals software one can include interactive pricing in proposals, contract, engagement letter, quotations, etc.

Earlier, the option to automatically split fee table was not available; if one added multiple fee item to the fee table, it would not appear to the next page. The alternative suggested and used was to manually split fee table and leverage fee-table options in properties panel to make it appear like same table continued on next page.

Now with this feature-enhancement users will be able to split one fee table over multiple pages without adding those manually to next page.

Why Use it?

There are instances wherein proposer wants to include multiple fees in one table and the same table may not fit on one page. This feature will allow you to keep adding fee items to your fee table and it will automatically split over to next page.

How to use it?

It is simple, as you keep adding more fee items to your regular fee table, it will automatically split and continue to display rest of the table on next page. The fee table would have a single table-footer. The header will remain visible for each one, on all pages wherever the table is split into multiple tables.

 

Initials

Some users wants to include signature in their contracts, engagement letters, offer letter, NDAs, etc. As a part of this update, you will be able to add initials to your documents and clients will be able enter initials on page(s) before signing the document.

What are Initials?

Initials are the first letters of your first, middle, and last names. They are a simple form of your name, different from your full signature. People use initials to sign or approve documents quickly without writing their whole name. For example, John Smith would use “JS” as his initials. They’re less unique than a signature but still legally valid for identification or agreement on documents. Initials can also appear on personal items or as part of professional titles

Why Use Initials in proposals or contracts?

Using initials instead of a full signature saves time and it is more efficient, especially for documents requiring quick or multiple approvals. It also offers a degree of privacy by not disclosing one’s full signature. In some contexts, initials are used to signify a reviewer’s approval on specific sections of a document, distinguishing their input from others. Additionally, initials can streamline processes in professional or formal settings, maintaining formality without the need for a complete signature.

How to use Initials in Fresh Proposals software?

Just like eSignature block, we have introduced Initials block on the vertical toolbar. You can drag-drop the block to desired places on your page. You need to assign initials block to someone in proposing team or on the client side.

Once initial is added and assigned (for simplicity purpose, we assume that initials are assigned to client contact); when client attempts to sign the document, s/he will be prompted to enter initials to specific places wherever initials are placed and assigned to that client.

Adding Initials to Document

You can drag-drop the Initials block to desired places on your page. You need to assign initials block to someone in proposing team or on the client side. You can change its other properties that you can see on the right side panel.

 

You can add multiple initials to different pages, assign initials to different clients, or team members of the proposing team.

While there is a difference between Initials and eSignature; from interaction perspective, initials are considered like an input form which is mandatory to fill-in. So in that sense, clients will have to enter initials before they can sign the document. If client tries to sign the document directly, system will display a warning message to enter initials.

Entering Initials

Let’s see how it appears for clients when they try to sign the document.

 

Sales proposal pipeline – Filter

Fresh proposals offers visual way to track sales proposals. This is one of the effective technique used by sales managers, leaders to track sales proposals across categories and with varied statuses.

What is It?

Sales proposal pipeline displays all proposals, engagement letters, contracts, etc documents a cards. Such card displays information about proposal: name, client, date, value, etc. You will be able to view its total per status, per category and per category across all statuses.

Sales proposal pipeline with a given status for a category

 

Each card is placed in respective category depicted by horizontal lane. As you send proposal, client reviews, signs, pays for it, you will see the card moving through the horizontal lane across multiple status (depicted by vertical columns).

As a part of this update, we introduced a way to filter sales proposal pipeline based on dates selected.

Why should I care?

As you keep using Fresh Proposals often and across categories; this visual presentation gives you a highly effective way to capture status, value of proposals per category. One need to filter these proposals for time-sensitivity; You may want to check proposals only for the current year or for a particular date range; in this case this enhancement is useful.

How to use it?

As a part of this update, we introduced a filter based on date on two dimensions. One can filter cards based on either

• Created date
• Sent date

Further these cards in pipeline can be filtered based on date-range like past one year, year-2023, year-2022 or custom date range.

 

Add Content blocks to PDF section

Once you upload a PDF file to section library or a using document editor screen; PDF becomes a section in Fresh Proposals.

In previous update, we changed the way PDFs are uploaded and rendered in documents, this enabled us to introduce further enhancements such as ability to add blocks on top pages of the PDF.

Just like regular blocks list in the vertical menu, that you would have seen in your template or proposal or section editor; PDF section has a distinct set of blocks one can add. This menu bar is available on the left side. You can drag-drop the block on the page on right-side. Each content block e.g. signature, Input textbox, checkbox are assigned to default client contact and you can change it in the editing mode.

 

Improved UI for proposal emailer

We have improved the UI for proposal emailer.

• Removed Apply button for thanking email which kind of became redundant as we save other email template setting whenever user makes changes
• Buttons have new icon, look and feel

 

Enhancements and Bug Fixes

Emails to creator, sender, proposal lead are separated (if they are different)

As multi-team members scenario, creator, sender, proposal leader can be different; we have updated emails sent to them based on whether s/he has sent the proposal or is a proposal lead.

Refined access to classic/new fee package/offer if plan changes

As customers keep using our customization service, we noticed few instances wherein users in different pricing plan have different access to features. Keeping this in mind as users change their plan, we are now enabling, disabling access to those templates customized for them.

Improved rendering of Sales pipeline: Added animation

To help sales managers, leaders to get better view of sales pipeline, we have made few UI enhancements to the sales pipeline feature which includes animation, removing gaps between columns, better scrollability, etc.

Bug Fixes

• Landscape proposal PDF has minor issue with fee table footer – Fixed
• Fee table footer in templates have more line height than other places – Fixed
• Warning was not clearly visible while resetting password – Fixed
• Default sign reminder caused issue for few users, made it optional -Fixed
• Slight mis-alignment between buttons in client view – Fixed