Algorithms Find the Most Up To Date Data

Any algorithm that must retrieve interval data, whether it is bill factor interval values or time of use map data or interval profile data, needs to ensure that it accesses the most up to date data. This includes algorithms used by the rates to process interval data and any derivation algorithm.

Refer to Interval Quantities are Stored in Data Sets for information about how interval data is stored.

The following diagram illustrates data retrieved by rates to use for billing a customer on a given date.

The following diagram illustrates what happens when data is received by the system that is a correction of previously received data. A bill produced after this data is received uses the most up to date values.

Whenever a collection of interval data needs to be accessed, the system checks the following:

• As of what date? This enables the system to find the data sets that existed in the system on that date. It looks for the appropriate data within these data sets.
• What is the time period? This enables the system to get the correct collection of interval data.

If you want to verify the data used to produce a bill,

• The "as of what date" is the bill segment creation date
• The bill segment start and end dates define the time period