Session 1 Homework: Global Settings Follow
The Global Settings screen allows administrators to configure system-wide options that affect multiple modules throughout Midnight. These settings control company information, estimating and order processing, print calculators, inventory notifications, proofing, reporting, scheduling, passwords, payments, CRM settings, and more.
Tip: As you review these topics, make note of any questions and add them to the related GUIDEcx task so they can be addressed during a future implementation session if needed.
To access Global Settings, navigate to Admin > Global Settings.
The Global Settings screen is organized into the following tabs:
- Company Settings
- Estimates/Orders
- Print/Wide Format
- PO (Purchase Orders)
- Inventory
- Shopfloor
- Proofing
- Reports
- DJB (Dynamic Job Board)
- System
- Custom Links
- Payments
- CRM
- ShipStation
Company Settings
The Company Settings tab stores the core information associated with your organization. Before using Midnight, you should review and configure your company information, as it is used throughout the system and may appear on estimates, invoices, reports, and other customer-facing documents. Company information can be updated at any time as your business needs change.
This tab includes your company's contact information, mailing address, phone numbers, email address, website, and other organization-specific settings. You can also upload logos used throughout Midnight and on customer-facing documents.
Most fields on the Company Settings tab are used to maintain your basic company information and are self-explanatory. The following fields may require additional explanation:
Report Logo: The logo displayed on customer-facing reports and documents.
System Logo: The logo displayed throughout the Midnight application.
Default Company: The company that will be selected by default throughout Midnight when new records are created.
Accounting Integration: Identifies the accounting system integrated with Midnight for financial exports and synchronization. Select your accounting package and fill out required information (slightly different for each accounting package).
Some clients use numeric codes to identify their accounts, while others use descriptive text. Whatever you enter here should match the naming convention in your accounting system. For example, if your Accounts Receivable is labeled “Accounts Receivable,” enter that exact text. If your system identifies it as “12345,” then enter that number instead.
Edit Order Number: Allows users to manually edit order numbers rather than using the system-generated numbering sequence.
Auto Deduct Inventory: Determines when inventory quantities are automatically deducted from stock.
- Actual Drop Date: Inventory is deducted when the actual drop date is reached.
- Close Date: Inventory is deducted when the order is closed.
- Version: Inventory is deducted based on the order version.
Lot Tracking: Determines how inventory lot costs are tracked and consumed.
- No Lot Tracking: Inventory is not tracked by lot.
- Lot Tracking - FIFO: Inventory is consumed using the First In, First Out costing method.
- Lot Tracking - LIFO: Inventory is consumed using the Last In, First Out costing method.
- Lot Tracking - Avg Cost: Inventory is valued using the average cost of available inventory.
Display Tot Svcs & Tax on Estimates/Orders: Displays the total service amount and tax amount on estimates and orders.
Display Postage on Estimates/Orders: Displays postage charges on estimates and orders.
Display CPM on Estimates/Orders: Displays the calculated cost per thousand (CPM) on estimates and orders.
Default Warehouse: The warehouse that will be selected by default when creating inventory transactions and other warehouse-related records.
Estimates / Orders
The Estimates / Orders tab contains settings that control behavior within the Estimates and Orders modules, including customer pricing, contract pricing, postage processing, accounting integration, and order management.
Auto Update CRM Info on Copy: Automatically refreshes customer information from the CRM record when an estimate or order is copied.
Prompt User For Pricing Updates Upon Copy: When copying an estimate or order, prompts the user to determine whether the pricing should be updated using the current Standard Service pricing or retained from the original record.
Default All New Customers to Pre-Pay: Automatically marks newly created customers as Pre-Pay customers.
Only Services Associated with Customer Pricing Can Be Selected on Estimate or Order: Restricts service selection to services that have customer-specific pricing configured.
Enable Contract Pricing: Enables the Contract Pricing feature within Midnight.
Only Services Associated with Contract Pricing Can Be Selected on Estimate or Order: Restricts service selection to services that have contract pricing configured.
Display Warning Message When Opening Closed Orders: Displays a warning message whenever a user opens a closed order.
Lock Order After Export to Accounting System: Prevents changes from being made to an order after it has been exported to the accounting system.
Apply Funds to Postage Tax: Includes postage tax when applying available funds to postage.
Copy Group Billing Info on Order Copy: Copies Group Billing information when an order is duplicated.
Enable Version ID: Displays version identifiers on estimates and orders. If selected, the system-generated Version ID will be displayed in the Order Versions screen.
Enable Purchase Estimate/Order Copy When Order Copy: Copies linked purchase orders when an order is copied.
Enable Custom Inventory: Enables the Custom Inventory functionality within estimates and orders. Custom inventory has limited details and is not saved in the warehouse inventory nor is it available for use within another estimate/order.
Related Article: Custom Inventory (Paper) in the Print Calculator
Enable Package Builder: Reserved for custom development. Do Not Enable
Save Wizards to UDF's: In the wizard setup a user can decide to map wizard answers to a particular UDF for a particular question. Wizard answers can be mapped to any standard service level UDF that is a datatype of text.
Sort Postage Grid in Orders By: Determines how postage records are sorted on the Postage tab of an order. Available sorting options include OrderVersionPostageID, Postage Affix, Classification, and Date. The selected sort order may also be displayed in ascending or descending order.
Default Postage Markup: The default markup percentage or dollar amount applied to postage charges.
Postage Accounting Export GLID: The General Ledger ID used when exporting postage transactions to the accounting system.
Default Postage Amount in Apply Funds: The default postage amount applied when using the Apply Funds feature.
Order Postage Tab Paging: Determines how many postage records are displayed per page on the Order Postage tab.
Years of Data to Return in Order Search: Select the number of years of historical data to include in order search results.
Copy Drops on Order/Version Copy: Enable this option to copy drops when duplicating an order or version.
When copying an order, set the Order Status to ‘Active’: Automatically assigns a status of Active to newly copied orders.
Automatically Clear Reserved Inventory on Order Close: Enable this option to automatically clear reserved inventory when an order is closed.
Print / Wide Format
The Print / Wide Format tab contains settings that control the behavior of the Print Calculator, Wide Format Calculator, pre-cutting defaults, and finish-cutting defaults. These settings affect estimating calculations, paper layout, imposition options, ink calculations, and cutting operations.
Print and Wide Format Calculators
Enable SWF Round Off: Rounds the final price in the Simple Wide Format calculator to the nearest whole dollar.
Enable AWF Old Calculation CheckBox: Uses the legacy Advanced Wide Format calculation method.
Print Estimate Markup %: The default markup percentage applied to print estimates.
Add Print Item: Default Service: The Standard Service automatically selected when adding a new print item.
Print Calculator: Default Spoilage Field: Sets the default spoilage percentage or quantity used in the Print Calculator.
Print Calculator: Price Matching: Enables the Price Matching feature within the Print Calculator.
Print Calculator: Bleed: Sets the default bleed value used when calculating print jobs.
Allow Num Up Edit: Allows users to modify the Num Up value on the Imposition tab.
Allow Sig Edit: Allows users to modify the Signatures value on the Imposition tab.
Allow Parent to Run Edit: Allows users to modify the Parent to Run value on the Paper Details tab.
Allow Total Plates Edit: Allows users to modify the total number of plates within Run Results.
Allow Parent Sheet Edit: Allows users to modify the number of parent sheets within Run Results.
Minimum Markup %: The minimum markup percentage permitted when calculating pricing.
Ink Coverage Default: The default ink coverage percentage used in print calculations.
Legacy Offset Ink Calculations: Uses the legacy offset ink calculation method.
Sets Of: Controls whether the Sets Of field is displayed within the Print Calculator. This field is used to specify the number of identical sets required for a print job and may be included in quantity and pricing calculations.
Legacy Print Calculator: For legacy Midnight customers, an option on whether to use the Legacy Print Calculator.
Legacy Cutting Calculations: For legacy Midnight customers, an option on whether or not to use Legacy Cutting Calculations.
Default Ink Sq/Lb Coverage: Defines the default square-foot-per-pound ink coverage values used for ink calculations. Separate values can be maintained for coated and uncoated stock.
Allow Additional Services to be Edited in the Print Template: Selecting this allows additional services to be edited within a print template.
Allow Individual Markup % on Print Calculator Run Details: Selecting this allows you to edit each section in the Run Details of a print item.
Include postage in Print Calculator: Enables postage charges to be included within the Print Calculator.
Pre-Cutting Defaults
These settings determine the default cutting behavior when using the Pre-Cutting functionality.
Dutch Cut: Enables or disables Dutch cutting.
Cut Multiple Pieces: Allows multiple pieces to be cut simultaneously during cutting calculations.
Center Horizontal: Centers the layout horizontally within the imposition details of a print item.
Center Vertical: Centers the layout vertically within the imposition details of a print item.
Trim Inside Horizontal: Enables trimming within the horizontal boundary. When enabled, specify the number of inches to trim.
Trim Inside Vertical: Enables trimming within the vertical boundary. When enabled, specify the number of inches to trim.
Finish Cutting Defaults
These settings determine the default cutting behavior when using Finish Cutting operations.
Dutch Cut: Enables Dutch Cut.
Dutch Cut: Enables or disables Dutch cutting.
Cut Multiple Pieces: Allows multiple pieces to be cut simultaneously during cutting calculations.
Center Horizontal: Centers the layout horizontally within the imposition details of a print item.
Center Vertical: Centers the layout vertically within the imposition details of a print item.
Trim Inside Horizontal: Enables trimming within the horizontal boundary. When enabled, specify the number of inches to trim.
Trim Inside Vertical: Enables trimming within the vertical boundary. When enabled, specify the number of inches to trim.
Grip Top: Accounts for gripper margin requirements at the top of the sheet.
Grip Left: Accounts for gripper margin requirements on the left side of the sheet.
Match Grain: Determines whether grain direction should be matched during cutting calculations.
Purchase Orders (PO)
The PO tab is used to manage the status and color-coding options displayed for Purchase Orders within the Dynamic Job Board (DJB). These settings help users quickly identify the status and priority of purchase orders based on the assigned color code.
Utilize the PO review process. A new PO will be considered a Request, once approved it can be converted to a PO: The PO request option creates an approval process for Purchase Orders. If this is checked, only authorized users will be able to make purchases. Requests for purchases will be reviewed before approved to convert to a PO. If this is unchecked, the 'Request' and 'Purchase Order' options atop the form will not be visible. Each new PO will be treated as Purchase Order and will not require prior authorization.
Action: Allows you to modify existing PO status codes or create new ones. Select Edit to update an existing status or New to create a new status and color code.
Priority: Determines the display priority of the PO status. Lower numbers indicate higher priority, with 1 being the highest priority.
Status: The name or description of the Purchase Order status.
Color Code: The color associated with the status. This color is displayed throughout the DJB to provide a visual indicator of the PO's current status.
Active: Determines whether the status is available for use and displayed within the system.
Enable non-vendor inventory items in purchase orders: Allows inventory items to be added to Purchase Orders even if the selected vendor is not associated with the item through the Vendor/Purchasing tab of the inventory record. When disabled, only inventory items that have been linked to the selected vendor can be added to the Purchase Order.
Related Articles: Purchase Orders Module
Inventory
The Inventory tab contains settings related to inventory visibility and reorder point notifications.
Display Inventory Subs Link on Orders: Displays links to inventory substitutions on order records, allowing users to view alternate inventory items when applicable.
Inventory Reorder Point Email Notification: The email address(es) that receive notifications when an inventory item reaches its reorder point. Multiple email addresses can be specified by separating each address with a comma and no spaces.
Add CSR Email to Reorder Point Notification: Includes the Customer Service Representative's email address on inventory reorder point notifications.
Add Sales Rep Email to Reorder Point Notification: Includes the Sales Representative's email address on inventory reorder point notifications.
Add Inventory Reorder Point Custom Email: Allows additional email addresses to be included on inventory reorder point notifications. Multiple email addresses can be specified by separating each address with a comma and no spaces.
ShopFloor
The ShopFloor section contains settings related to ShopFloor Data Collection, barcode scanning, and employee time tracking.
ShopFloor Work Order Report: Selects the work order report that will be used with ShopFloor barcode scanning functionality. The selected report is used to generate the barcodes scanned by ShopFloor users.
Enable Barcode Scanning: Enables barcode scanning within ShopFloor. When enabled, users can scan barcodes to clock into jobs, update job statuses, and perform other ShopFloor transactions. This feature requires a 2D barcode scanner.
Related Article: ShopFloor Data Collection - Barcode Scanning
Related Webinar: Webinar: ShopFloor Data Collection - Barcode Scanning
Recommended Scanner: NetumScan Handheld Barcode Scanner (Wired or Wireless)
Unpaid Break In Label: Specifies the text displayed for the barcode or button used when employees begin an unpaid break.
Unpaid Break Out Label: Specifies the text displayed for the barcode or button used when employees return from an unpaid break.
Paid Break In Label: Specifies the text displayed for the barcode or button used when employees begin a paid break.
Paid Break Out Label: Specifies the text displayed for the barcode or button used when employees return from a paid break.
Proofing (Legacy)
The Proofing tab contains settings that control how proofs are emailed and managed within the Proofs module.
Show Link in Email: Includes a direct link to the proof within the proof notification email.
Remember Last Proof: Automatically remembers the last proof selected, making it easier to access the same proof during subsequent proofing activities.
Proof Email Message: Defines the default message that will be included when emailing proofs to customers or internal users.
Additional Proof Email Addresses: Specifies additional email addresses that should automatically receive proof notifications when proofs are sent. Multiple email addresses can be entered by separating each address with a comma and no spaces.
Related Articles: Proofs Module
Reports
The Reports tab contains settings that control the emailing of reports generated from Midnight.
Default BCC: Specifies an email address that will automatically receive a blind carbon copy (BCC) of all emails sent from Midnight. Because Midnight does not send emails through a user's Outlook account, this feature is commonly used to maintain a centralized record of all outgoing system-generated emails.
Default Email Signature: All outgoing emailed reports will share this signature.
DJB (Dynamic Job Board)
The DJB tab contains settings for both the Dynamic Job Board (DJB) and ShopFloor DJB modules. These settings control job status displays, scheduling views, color coding, task visibility, and automatic refresh behavior.
Default "Job In" Status Displayed on Dynamic Job Board: Determines the default production status displayed when viewing jobs on the Dynamic Job Board.
Calendar View Display Minutes: Sets the time interval used in the DJB calendar view. Available values range from 15 to 30 minutes.
Order View Complete Checkbox Will Enable Dropped Shipped Calendar: When enabled, marking an order as complete will allow it to appear on the Dropped Shipped Calendar.
Auto Reschedule: If selected, a task will be automatically reschedule if the due date is changed.
Task Status to Be Displayed and Their Color Codes: Defines the statuses available within the Dynamic Job Board and the color assigned to each status. These color codes provide visual indicators of a job's current stage in production.
Urgency: Defines the urgency levels available within the DJB. Each urgency level can be assigned a unique color code to help prioritize work. Existing urgency levels can be edited, and additional levels can be added as needed.
ShopFloor DJB
Refresh Time: Determines how often the ShopFloor DJB automatically refreshes, measured in minutes.
Auto Department Rotate: Automatically cycles through departments on the ShopFloor DJB after the specified number of minutes.
Auto Scroll: Automatically scrolls the ShopFloor DJB display to show additional jobs and tasks.
Enable DJB Task View Pagination: Separates the DJB Task View into multiple pages when a large number of tasks are displayed.
Scheduled Time Warning Message: Displays a warning when scheduled job times exceed configured thresholds or conflict with other scheduled activities.
Timeline View Start Time: Defines the starting hour displayed in the Timeline View. Values range from 0 to 24, representing each hour of the day.
Timeline View Refresh with Today's Date: Automatically updates the Timeline View to display the current day's schedule.
Timeline View Auto Refresh Time: Determines how frequently the Timeline View automatically refreshes.
System
Prompt to Save When Navigating Away From Page Without Saving: When enabled, Midnight displays a warning message if a user attempts to leave a page with unsaved changes. This helps prevent accidental data loss and reminds users to save their work before navigating away. By default, this setting is enabled for all users.
ShopFloor Temp Hourly Rate: Specifies the hourly labor rate used for temporary employees within ShopFloor. This rate is used when recording labor activity and calculating labor costs for employees designated as temporary workers.
Custom Links
The Custom Links tab allows administrators to create shortcuts to frequently used pages, websites, reports, and external resources. Custom Links can be displayed throughout Midnight, giving users quick access to commonly referenced tools and information.
Link Type: Determines the type of link being created.
- Internal: Links to a page within Midnight.
- External: Links to a website or resource outside of Midnight.
- Report: Links directly to a report within Midnight.
Link Name: The display name users will see for the link.
Module Name: Specifies the Midnight module where the link will be available.
Page Name: Identifies the specific page associated with the selected module. Available options vary depending on the module selected.
Command: The URL, report reference, or command used to open the linked resource.
Sort: Controls the order in which links are displayed. Lower numbers appear first.
Edit: Opens the selected Custom Link for modification.
Delete: Removes the selected Custom Link from the system.
Payments
The Payments tab contains settings used to configure payment processing, payment-related email communications, and integration with Print Reach Pay.
Payment Email Default Message: Defines the default message included when sending payment-related emails from Midnight.
Attach Report to Payment Email: Specifies the report that will be attached to payment emails. Common examples include invoices, statements, or payment receipts.
Payment Email CC: Specifies email address(es) that should be copied on payment emails. Multiple email addresses can be entered by separating each address with a comma and no spaces.
Payment Email BCC: Specifies email address(es) that should receive a blind carbon copy (BCC) of payment emails. Multiple email addresses can be entered by separating each address with a comma and no spaces.
Enable Payments in Orders: Enables payment functionality directly within the Orders module, allowing users to record and process payments from the order screen.
Important: Do not modify these bulleted fields unless directed by Print Reach Support. These fields are required for Print Reach Pay integration and incorrect values may prevent payment processing or payment synchronization from functioning properly.
- Merchant ID: The Merchant ID assigned to your Print Reach Pay account.
- ACH Merchant ID: The ACH Merchant ID assigned to your Print Reach Pay account for ACH transactions.
- Username: The API username used to authenticate with the payment gateway.
- Password: The API password used to authenticate with the payment gateway.
- Payment Link: The hosted payment page URL used for customer payment processing.
- Webhook URL: A system-generated URL used by the payment gateway to communicate payment activity back to Midnight. This field is not editable.
Supported Payment Method: Determines which payment methods customers can use when making payments through Print Reach Pay. Available options include ACH, Credit Card, or ACH & Credit Card.
Program Fee Name: Defines the label used for Print Reach Pay program fee charges. This name will appear on invoices, payment pages, and other customer-facing documents where program fees are displayed.
Enable Credit Card Program Fee on Services: Applies a program fee to service charges when customers pay by credit card. The fee can be configured as either a percentage or a flat amount.
Enable Credit Card Program Fee on Postage: Applies a program fee to postage charges when customers pay by credit card. The fee can be configured as either a percentage or a flat amount.
Enable ACH Program Fee on Services: Applies a program fee to service charges when customers pay by ACH. The fee can be configured as either a percentage or a flat amount.
Enable ACH Program Fee on Postage: Applies a program fee to postage charges when customers pay by ACH. The fee can be configured as either a percentage or a flat amount.
Invoices
The Invoices tab contains settings that control default invoice creation options and invoice template management.
Default Template: The invoice template that will be selected by default when creating new invoices. This template defines how invoices are displayed and which information is included.
Display Options
Show Only Closed Orders: Limits invoice generation to orders that have been closed.
What to Include
Show Services: Includes service line items on generated invoices.
Show Postage: Includes postage charges on generated invoices.
Quantity: Displays quantities for invoice line items.
Rate: Displays rates or unit pricing for invoice line items.
How to Display
Use Expected Quantity: Uses the expected quantity from the order when generating invoice details.
Order Level: Groups invoice information at the order level rather than displaying individual items separately.
Include Versions: Includes all order versions associated with the selected order on the invoice.
Display by Department: Groups invoice information by Service Type or department.
Item Detail: Displays detailed line-item information for each service included on the invoice.
CRM
The CRM tab contains default settings applied to newly created customer records. These settings help standardize customer setup and ensure consistent account defaults throughout the system.
New Customers
Email Notification: Specifies the email address(es) that will receive notifications when a new customer is created. Multiple email addresses can be entered by separating each address with a comma and no spaces.
Default Postage/Payment Account: Selects the default Postage/Payment Account that will automatically be assigned to newly created customers.
Additional Postage/Payment Account(s): Allows additional Postage/Payment Accounts to be assigned to newly created customers during the customer creation process.
Default Tax Jurisdiction: Defines the tax jurisdiction that will automatically be assigned to new customer records.
Default Payment Terms: Specifies the payment terms that will be assigned to newly created customers.
Default to Taxable: When enabled, new customer records are automatically marked as taxable.
Existing Customers
Add Default Postage/Payment Account to All Customers Where No Account Exists: Assigns the selected Postage/Payment Account to existing customers that do not currently have a Postage/Payment Account assigned.
Add Default Postage/Payment Account to All Customers Even If an Account Exists: Assigns the selected Postage/Payment Account to all existing customers, including those that already have one or more Postage/Payment Accounts assigned.
Important: The update options under Existing Customers can affect a large number of customer records. Review the selected Postage/Payment Account carefully before clicking Update.
ShipStation
The ShipStation tab contains settings used by organizations that have enabled the ShipStation integration. These settings control how freight charges are calculated and how shipping charges are mapped when orders are synchronized between Midnight and ShipStation.
Freight Markup %: Specifies the percentage markup applied to shipping charges returned from ShipStation. This markup can be used to recover shipping-related administrative costs or handling expenses.
Freight Service: Selects the Standard Service that will be used to record freight charges imported through the ShipStation integration. Shipping charges returned from ShipStation will be linked to this service when added to an order.
Additional Proof Email Addresses: Specifies additional email addresses that should automatically receive proof notifications when proofs are sent. Multiple email addresses can be entered by separating each address with a comma and no spaces.
Related Article: ShipStation Integration Guide