Cockpit
Cockpit puts your working capital on one screen. Working capital is the money tied up in running the business day to day, such as stock and unpaid customer invoices.
The page shows what is leaving for suppliers, and what is coming in from customers. It shows whether you run short in the next 12 weeks. It also shows how long cash is tied up between buying stock and getting paid, and the four moves that free cash fastest.
Where to find it: Cash → Cockpit in the top menu.
When should I open this page?
Section titled “When should I open this page?”Once a week.
Owners and finance check whether you will run short, and when. Procurement managers check what the planned reorders do to the balance before a big order week. Credit controllers check how much collections could close.
What am I looking at?
Section titled “What am I looking at?”Cash on hand and fixed costs
Section titled “Cash on hand and fixed costs”Cash on hand shows the balance and the date you last confirmed it. Weekly fixed costs shows the costs the projection takes out each week. Each one has an Edit button.
Cash flow, next 12 weeks
Section titled “Cash flow, next 12 weeks”One sentence sums up the next 12 weeks. It names the money already committed to suppliers. It names the money due if you place the planned reorders. It names what falls after 12 weeks, the money still to come from customers, and the tightest week.
If the balance drops below zero, a warning names the week. A weekly chart shows money out, money in, and the running balance.
Committed means orders you have already placed. Planned means the reorders that the buy list says you still need to draft, plus your open draft purchase orders at their own value. A draft is not an order yet, so it counts here until you place it. The sentence says how much is on drafts. If a draft is more than 14 days old, it names it too, so you can send it or delete it.
Cash conversion cycle
Section titled “Cash conversion cycle”This shows how many days cash is tied up. It adds the days stock is held and the days customers take to pay, then subtracts the days your suppliers give you to pay.
Each part shows its working. The page also shows the cash tied up in the cycle, and what one day cut would be worth.
Try a what-if
Section titled “Try a what-if”This list shows the 30 largest items, which are purchase orders and invoices. Each one has three buttons:
- Delay 2wk shows the effect of moving the item two weeks later.
- Take discount shows the effect of the supplier’s discount. It only appears where a supplier offers one.
- Collected today shows the effect of collecting the invoice today.
A what-if shows the new balance and the tightest week. It saves nothing.
Cash you can free up
Section titled “Cash you can free up”
The top of the Cash Cockpit page, with the How these numbers work button.
This section adds up stuck stock and money owed to you. It then shows four levers: To order, Trapped — clearable now, Overdue and Stockout gaps. Each lever shows its top move, and opens the page where you act.
How do I update my cash figures?
Section titled “How do I update my cash figures?”- Press Edit beside Cash on hand. Type today’s bank balance, then press Save.
- Press Edit beside Weekly fixed costs. Type the weekly fixed costs, then press Save.
The projection starts from these two figures. If they are old, the whole 12-week line is wrong. The page warns you when they are old.
Editing these figures needs edit rights.
How do I know it worked?
Section titled “How do I know it worked?”The date beside Cash on hand changes to today. The sentence and the chart then recalculate from the new figure.
How do I test a move?
Section titled “How do I test a move?”- Find the item in the what-if list.
- Press Delay 2wk, Take discount or Collected today.
- Read the new balance and the tightest week.
Nothing is saved. Pick the moves that clear the tightest week. For example, delay a purchase order that is not urgent, or see what collecting a large invoice today would do.
How do I free up cash?
Section titled “How do I free up cash?”Trapped — clearable now and Overdue free up cash without buying less. To order is the biggest outflow you control.
Each lever opens the page where you act: What to Order, Clear Stock or Collections.
What if no money owed is showing?
Section titled “What if no money owed is showing?”If no receivables are loaded, press Connect receivables. It opens the Data page, where you can add them.
Common questions
Section titled “Common questions”Why is “To order” not in “Cash you can free up”? Buying less is a choice, not cash that is already stuck. The free-up figure counts stuck stock and money owed to you.
Why does the warning say I will run short? The balance is only as good as the cash on hand and fixed costs you typed in. If those are wrong, the warning is wrong too.
Does Cockpit connect to my bank? No. Cash on hand is the figure you type in.
What this page does not do
Section titled “What this page does not do”- It does not connect to your bank.
- It does not delay purchase orders or chase invoices. The what-ifs only show the effect.
- It does not include payroll or tax timing beyond the weekly fixed-cost figure you give it.
- Collections: see who owes you money and who to chase.
- What to Order: the buy list that feeds the planned reorders.