Neural Log splits the order-to-cash process into separate, deliberate steps owned by different menus. This page shows the sequence, who usually performs each step, what each step writes, and which guide covers it. Use it to understand where a record is in the process and which step comes next.
The sequence#
Customer account (Traffic)#
Find or create the advertiser in Traffic > Customer Accounts Browser. Agency, representative, billing and tax defaults set here are copied to new orders. Guide: Customer Accounts.
Broadcast order and order lines (Traffic)#
Create the order in Traffic > Broadcast Order Browser or from the customer, then add order lines with stations, rates, dates, time classes and quantities. Guides: Orders, Order Lines, Order Documents.
Copy and audio (Traffic)#
Create copy in Traffic > Copy Manager, attach audio, and assign copy to the order lines. Check dates, Hold, ownership and length before scheduling. Guide: Copy Manager.
Saved schedule (Logs)#
In Logs > Commercial Logs, preview demand and placement, then save the draft log for the station and date. Manual changes in the log editor create new saved revisions. Guides: Daily Scheduling, Weekly Scheduling, Book-Ends, Log Editor.
Reconciliation (Logs)#
Compare the saved log with the station's play-log CSV, resolve missed and extra airings, and save the reconciliation. A scheduled spot is not proof that it aired. Guide: Reconciliation.
Charge Log (Logs)#
Review the reconciled airings and amounts and run Charge Log. This locks the log and creates pending invoice items. It does not issue an invoice. Guide: Charging.
Trial invoice (Billing)#
In Billing > Pending Broadcast Invoices, review the pending group, check coverage, terms, taxes and bill-to, and print a trial invoice. Trial output writes nothing. Guide: Issue Invoices.
Final issue and posting (Billing)#
Issue the invoice explicitly. Final issue assigns the invoice number, retains an accounting snapshot and posts the receivable. Guide: Issue Invoices.
Payment and follow-up (Accounts-Receivable)#
Record the payment and allocate it to open invoices, then include receipts in deposits and close the month. Guides: Payments, Deposits, Month Close.
What each step writes#
| Step | Writes | Changes and corrections |
|---|---|---|
| Previews (demand, placement, Charge Log preview, trial invoice) | Nothing | Not needed |
| Save draft log, log editor Save Changes | New saved log revision | A later saved revision |
| Save reconciliation | Retained reconciliation evidence | Reconciling again before charging |
| Charge Log | Charge receipt and pending invoice items; log locked | No reversal workflow is available |
| Final issue | Issued invoice and receivable posting | Corrections and Reissue or Adjustments |
| Payment, prepayment, refund, transfer | Receivable transactions and receipts | Follow the specific workflow's recovery or correction procedure; an adjustment does not undo the original cash receipt |
| End-of-Month Closing | Locks the closed month for the group | No reopen action is available; contact your administrator |
After issue: changing financial history#
Issued invoices and posted transactions are retained, not edited in place. Use price revisions, corrections, reissue or signed adjustments. See Corrections and Reissue and Adjustments. Package, combined and non-broadcast invoices follow their own rules; see Package, Combined and Non-Broadcast.
Reporting along the way#
Log reports (Log, Bumped Items, Diagnostics, Saved Scheduling Times) are covered in Log Reports. Aging, reconciliation, transaction, invoiced sales and adjustment activity reports are in Financial Reports.