Check for usage data errors

Step 1 of 9

Usage data is generated each time a customer uses a subscription. Usage data contains the information Smile needs to rate each subscription's usage, for example, when the usage occurred, the duration and the call destination.

Smile imports usage data from several sources, for example, from RADIUS or NetFlow servers and activity statements (CDRs) from upstream providers.

To ensure usage data is allocated to the correct invoicing period, check for usage data errors before you process the billing run. If you discover missing usage data after an invoicing period is closed, Smile allocates the usage data to the closest available rating period. Usage data that is incorrectly allocated may cause problems with the value of usage allowances and invoice totals in the next rating period.

Warning: Ensure you check for usage data errors before you begin the billing run. Smile cannot allocate usage data to an invoicing period when an invoice is in Approval or Closed status. Usage data that is allocated to the wrong invoicing period cannot be re-allocated to the correct invoicing period.

This task explains how to check for usage data errors and perform other important pre-billing tasks.

  1. Check for import errors, as follows:
  2. Check the Open Invoices report.
    This report displays open quotes, renewal invoices and manual invoices that you may need to close. Smile does not include manually-created open invoices in the billing run.
    Note: For more information about the Open Invoices report, see Revenue reports.
  3. Check the dispatch queues, as follows:
    1. On the Smile menu, click Billing, then click Dispatch.
      Unsent dispatch items are displayed.
    2. Click View next to a dispatch batch and review the unsent items in the dispatch queues.
    Take note of the items currently in the dispatch queue so you can identify new invoices after the billing run finishes. Smile does not create a separate dispatch queue for each billing run.
  4. If your Smile configuration supports pre-rating, resolve pre-rating errors, as follows:
    1. On the Smile menu, click Billing, then click Pre-Rating Errors.
      A list of pre-rating errors appears.
    2. Use the options next to each error to resolve each problem.
    This page displays items that cannot be processed by the pre-rating or billing run processes. Pre-rating runs at intervals during the invoicing period and provides an indication of subscription usage before the period is closed. You can resolve pre-rating errors at any stage in the invoicing period.