Temporary changes to contracts can be added to the system through the use of spreadsheet files. The process below covers how to find the import template, upload the data, and submit the file.
📌Note: Patches can be used for regular rolling payments on a contract without affecting any ad hoc collections.
📌Note: To add a patch to an individual contract, you can do this by changing the payment amount temporarily.
Create temporary bulk contract changes
📌Note: This will be needed for Step 4. Skip payment will not extend the length of the contract and Change_amount lets you set a different amount for a specific date range, after which the contract returns to the original amount.
Select the FILE UPLOAD tab.
In the Template Library, select System New Patches template.
Click the Download icon.
Complete the spreadsheet with your customer's details:
DirectDebitRef: The Direct Debit reference of the contract.
From: Date the change starts.
To: Date the change finishes.
Type: Include Skip or Change_amount.
Comment: This refers to the change that is stored in the database and is mandatory.
Amount: The amount of the payment required, for example 4.99. This should only be populated when the type is Change_amount.
Save the file in CSV or XLSX format.
Under the Upload a file tab, select the saved template from the drop-down menu.
Under the Data File tab, select click to select a file.
Click on the Upload File button.
If errors occur after uploading you need to correct the errors.
We then advise downloading a Future Payments Due report to double check that the submission is correct.