Installation and Operation
TheBill will operate in any SAS based environment. It has been designed for ease of installation and operation. TheBill can be installed and provides IS resource accounting information within a few hours. TheBill performs in an efficient way keeping CPU cycles and DASD usage to a minimum. Data re-processing is avoided and only necessary data is retained. The simple operation enables TheBill to be maintained with minimum personnel. This frees valuable technical staff for other vital tasks. Also, the on line component makes it possible for TheBill to be maintained and operated by staff with little or no technical knowledge.

Processing Cycles
Daily Cycle (or as required). Detail data is extracted for each data source and stored in a Detail file, together with any manual inputs. Only relevant elements are extracted, to keep DASD usage to a minimum. A billing unit is created for each element that is used for billing. The cost centre assignments are also developed, based on user criteria.

During this extraction stage the cost centre is assigned and billing is carried out. Both these steps may be repeated at any time for applying new rates or new cost centre allocations. This detail file is kept for a day then aged. It may be saved to tape or retained on disk. The data is then summarised into one file for month-to-date totals using the source as a key to differentiate.

Adjustments may also be entered at any time during the month and stored in this file. Month End/ Period End/ Year End. At this stage the period is closed and a Year-to-Date file is produced. This file is used for reports and invoices.

Backup/Recovery and Control
Data Backup procedures use standard data centre utilities.

TheBill has comprehensive control mechanisms to ensure accurate data capture and to provide a full audit trail.

Simple to use re-run and recovery facilities have been built in and data can be reloaded easily using supplied utilities.