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Processing Logic for Agreements

To automate the consolidation of agreement charges into invoices, the FS - All Charge Consolidation and FS - Charge Consolidation workflows call the Charge Consolidation business service methods. The following processing logic applies to agreements:

1. Generate a list of the charge consolidation plans.
2. For the first charge consolidation plan, if the Next Invoice Date field is before today, then proceed.
3. Search for charges by using the consolidation rules.
4. Consolidate the charges, and generate the invoice.
5. Set the Last Invoiced field to today, and get the new value in the Next Invoice Date field.
6. Check for additional charge consolidation plans to process.
7. If there is another plan, then repeat Step 1 through Step 6.

The Charge Consolidation business service can generate periodic invoices that include the following types of charges:

• NRC. Installment payments for one-time, nonrecurring charges (for example, a one-time fee for service billed in 1 or more installments).
• RC. Payment of periodic, recurring charges (for example, a monthly service charge).
• Usage. Payments that are based on the use of an asset (for example, the number of copies produced on a color copier each month).
• Adjustments. Credits or charges for the selected period.

NOTE:  To increase flexibility, invoicing for agreements is implemented as a business service. For more information about this business service, see FS Agreement Charge Business Service.

Processing Logic for NRC Line Items

The Charge Consolidation business service uses the following processing logic for NRC (nonrecurring charge) line items:

1. If there is a previous charge, then find the NRC charged amount. If the NRC amount is greater than or equal to the NRC charged amount plus the next amount to invoice, then proceed.
2. If the charge is the first charge, and if the NRC amount for the line item is greater than zero, then proceed.
3. Calculate the NRC amount for the next charge using the NRC plan, if selected.
4. Create an NRC line item.

Processing Logic for RC Line Items

The Charge Consolidation business service uses the following processing logic for RC (recurring charge) line items:

1. If the recurring charge on the invoice is greater than zero, then proceed.
2. Calculate the RC amount.
3. Create an RC line item.

Processing Logic for Usage Line Items

To generate charges from usage line items, you must first define the asset for the usage measurement. You specify this asset in the Usage Asset number (#) field in the Line Detail view in the Line Items view of the Agreements screen. For accurate billing, the charge schedule must match the measurement frequency of the asset.

If you want to charge for estimated usage, then you must define certain fields in the product measurement record of the product for the asset. For more information, see Setting Up Use Plans.

The Charge Consolidation business service uses the following processing logic for usage line items:

1. If there is a previous charge for the use plan of the agreement line item, then find the reading on the last charge.
2. If the charge is the first charge for the use plan, then find the reading closest to the date in the Use Start field.
3. Find the reading closest to the current date or the Advance Invoice date.
4. If there is no new reading after the last charge or the date in the Use Start field, and if the Estimate check box is selected (in the Use Plans view of the Administration - Service screen), then use the calculated average use in the Usage field (in the Measurements view of the Assets screen) as the estimated reading.
5. If a reading is found, then verify the following values for the reading:
   • The Complete check box is selected.
   • The Counter Type field (in the Measurements view in the Service Information view in the Products view of the Administration - Product screen) is set to Incremental or Absolute.
6. If the conditions in Step 5 are satisfied, then calculate the usage.

Processing Logic for Adjustment Line Items

The Charge Consolidation business service uses the following processing logic for adjustment line items:

1. For the charge period and agreement, if any value exists in the Adjustment field, then add a new line item for this amount to the Charges view.
2. Create an adjustment line item in the Charges view.
3. Clear the Adjustment and the Adjustment Reason fields.