Usage Basics

Usage is the quantity of units a Customer uses. Usage is charged based on the parameters defined in a Plan Charge and the negotiated values entered in the Subscription Charge. Usage must be applied to a specific charge, which then drives pricing, invoicing, revenue recognition, etc. Usage is always billed in arrears. 

Example: A November bill contains usage consumed in October. Usage can be billed on a recurring, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis.

Note: Usage processing is performed by a scheduled job that runs every hour. Therefore, it may take up to an hour to process usage. 

Learn more about Pre-rated Usage. 

Add Usage Methods

Preconditions: 

1. A Plan must exist containing Usage Charges. 
2. Add that Plan to a Subscription.
3. Finally, add Usage. Make sure the usage record is dated in the period you want the usage to be recognized as revenue.
   

There are various methods to add Usage:

• Menu > Operations > Import Data > Usage - Best for importing bulk Usage.
• Menu > Operations > Usage > Add - Best for adding single lines of Usage. 
• Menu > Customer Accounts > Customer Accounts > Customer Details
• Import Usage Records via API

Note: Manipulating Subscriptions in Draft status has a direct effect on Usage. Read more here. 

View Usage

Navigate to Menu > Operations > Usage. 

The Usage screen displays a list of all usage records. Users can filter or use the Search feature to isolate specific records. 

Usage Statuses

Learn more about Usage Statuses.

Usage IDs

Usage IDs generally contain 6 digits. When usages surpass 1 million records, the Usage ID will increase accordingly & duplicate Usage IDs are not generated. 

Usage Processing by Subscription Status

Read more about how Usage is handled based on the Subscription status.