<style>p { margin: 0; }span.fr-emoticon.fr-emoticon-img { background-repeat: no-repeat !important; font-size: inherit; height: 1em; width: 1em; min-height: 20px; min-width: 20px; display: inline-block; margin: -0.1em 0.1em 0.1em; line-height: 1; vertical-align: middle; } span.fr-emoticon { font-weight: normal; font-family: "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "NotoColorEmoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Android Emoji", "EmojiSymbols"; display: inline; line-height: 0; } blockquote { border-left: solid 2px #5e35b1; color: #5e35b1; margin-left:0; padding-left:5px;}blockquote blockquote{ border-color: #00bcd4; color: #00bcd4;}blockquote blockquote blockquote{ border-color: #43a047; color: #43a047;} table.grid{ border-collapse: collapse;} table.grid td, table.grid th { border: 1px solid #ddd;} .fr-fic.fr-dib{ display: block; margin: 5px auto;}.fr-fic.fr-dib.fr-fir{ text-align: right; margin: 5px 0 5px auto;}.fr-fic.fr-dib.fr-fil{ text-align: left; margin: 5px auto 5px 0;}.fr-fic.fr-dii{ float: none; margin: 5px auto;}.fr-fic.fr-dii.fr-fil{ float: left; margin: 5px auto;}.fr-fic.fr-dii.fr-fir{ float: right; margin: 5px auto;}img.fr-dib.fr-fir { margin-right: 0; text-align: right;}img.fr-dib.fr-fil { margin-left: 0; text-align: left;}img.fr-dib { margin: 5px auto; display: block; float: none;}img.fr-bordered { box-sizing: content-box; border: solid 5px #CCC;}img.fr-shadow { box-shadow: 10px 10px 5px 0px #cccccc;}img.fr-rounded { border-radius: 10px; -moz-border-radius: 10px; -webkit-border-radius: 10px; -moz-background-clip: padding; -webkit-background-clip: padding-box; background-clip: padding-box;}</style><p><strong>In this guide we will cover:</strong></p><p><strong>- What are Asset Meters?</strong></p><p><strong>- Setting up Asset Meters</strong></p><p><strong>- Taking Meter Readings</strong></p><p><strong>- How to bill for Asset Meters </strong></p><p><strong><em> </em></strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">What are Asset Meters?</span></strong></p><p id="isPasted"><a data-fr-linked="true" href="https://usehalo.com/halopsa/guides/2377" id="isPasted" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Meter billing</a> in Halo allows you to bill customers for a product/service based on their usage of it, with the price changing dynamically based on usage. Readings of the product/service usage can be taken and logged with the quantity of units that have been used automatically calculated based on these readings. The customer can be billed accordingly using this data, with the price charged calculated for you automatically. </p><p><br></p><p>Asset meters in Halo allow you to store these meter readings against an asset. Multiple meters can be setup against an asset, each with their own pricing configuration. When it comes to bill for these services the asset can be associated with a recurring invoice line to have the price of the service calculated automatically based on the meter readings. This allows you to group readings based on the service they relate to. Rather than having multiple lines on an invoice for each meter, a single line can be generated for all the meters associated with a service. It also allows readings to be entered against an asset rather than needing to be entered directly onto the recurring invoice, allowing engineers to enter readings in Halo themselves rather than having to pass this data onto the accounting team. </p><p><br></p><p>This is especially useful for tracking and billing for managed print services as each element of the service can have its meter tracked independently (e.g. paper and ink) whilst still being grouped under a single asset (e.g. 'print services for customer x). </p><p><br></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Setting up Asset Meters</span></strong></p><p>To begin, this functionality will need to be enabled in your instance. Head to Configuration > Billing > Recurring invoices and enable 'Enable Asset meters on recurring invoices'.</p><p><img src="https://halo.haloservicedesk.com/api/attachment/image?token=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpZCI6ImYzY2M2NjY2LTJiNzMtNGY2My04ODg4LWYwMmUyYTlmMzQxNCJ9.gTCYsDXvG97WruW41j_Aul3KQkv2QJf2XpTvXZt7O9M" class="fr-fic fr-fil fr-dib" width="639" style="width: 641px; height: 403.765px;" height="404"></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Fig 1. Enable asset meters</span></strong></p><p><br></p><p>Once enabled you will need to enable this ability per asset type, to allow assets of this type to have meter readings stored against them.</p><p><br></p><p>To do this head to Configuration > Asset Management > Asset Types > select a type and enable 'Allow Assets of this type to have meters'.</p><p><img src="https://halo.haloservicedesk.com/api/attachment/image?token=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpZCI6ImJlMDI5YzY3LTUwYTMtNDU4My05YzFiLWMyNTE5Nzc2NDMyNSJ9.ydoI6q6sH3am4Bc3YL5tOLF1UPSzGqIXg2Y6rLOQsYc" class="fr-fic fr-fil fr-dib" width="869" style="width: 871px; height: 446.986px;" height="447"></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Fig 2. Enable meters for an asset type</span></strong></p><p><br></p><p>Now assets of this type will have a 'Meters' tab available against them. Here you can setup the meters associated with this service/asset. </p><p><br></p><p><img src="https://halo.haloservicedesk.com/api/attachment/image?token=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpZCI6IjFjNDllNmIxLTQ2YTMtNDJmYS05NDk0LWY3ZGIzYmNjYTk2YSJ9.ebNkLIT6Vy0HcSKU7Wz0DLwSgTypI8bMAZBFgSaPcuU" class="fr-fic fr-fil fr-dib" width="1333" style="width: 1335px; height: 659.915px;" height="660"></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Fig 3. Meters tab against an asset</span></strong></p><p><br></p><p>In the figure 3 example a new asset has been created dedicated for grouping meters associated with the print services provided to the customer 'St Johns High School'. </p><p><br></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Meter Setup<br></span></strong></p><p>Now you will need to setup the meters associated with this asset (service) to determine how usage will be tracked and billed. Add a new meter using the 'Add' button. </p><p><br></p><p>When adding a meter you will need to configure various properties, including how readings for the meter will be taken and how usage units will be charged. <img src="https://halo.haloservicedesk.com/api/attachment/image?token=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpZCI6IjUwM2MwOGI1LTE2YzYtNDc1YS05YmIwLWJhZmE0NmJjNDBjYiJ9._BndxJBss6LmHCWuXR56eHwKbq52AzMPqcifDsSXcJI" class="fr-fic fr-fil fr-dib" width="585" style="width: 587px; height: 723.597px;" height="724"></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Fig 4. Adding new meter</span></strong></p><p><br></p><p id="isPasted"><strong><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Choosing a Meter Type</span></strong></p><p>The meter type will determine how quantity is calculated; options should be chosen based on how meter readings are taken. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Continuous reading </strong>- Units (quantities) are calculated by taking the difference between the last invoiced and current reading. This should be used when the reading for the product/service does not get re-set each billing period.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Periodic reading</strong> - Units (quantities) are calculated using the most recent reading, there is no difference calculation, the last meter reading will be used as the units (quantity) for this line. Multiple readings can still be entered each period, with a record of these being held, but only the most recent reading will be used to calculate the quantity of units to be billed. This should be used when the reading for the product/service is re-set each billing period. </p><p><br></p><p id="isPasted"><strong>Tiered Pricing</strong></p><p>The 'Tiered pricing method' field is used to determine how the price of each unit is calculated. The type of pricing you choose here will depend on the agreement you have with your customer. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Volume based pricing </strong>- Units will all be charged at the same price, but the price will change based on the total quantity of units. Units will be charged at the price of the tier they fall into. This allows you to apply a discounted/increased prices when customers use more than a certain number of units. When using this type of pricing you will need to set up meter tiers to determine what price is used.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Tiered based pricing</strong> – Units will be charged at a price based on the tier they fall into. For example, the first 100 units that are used can be charged at price A, but any units used after this will be charged at price B. This allows you to apply a price discount/increase when customers use a certain number of units but only apply this price to the number of units in the next tier. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Additional Options</strong></p><p id="isPasted"><strong>Current reading</strong> - If the meter is being setup when usage has already begun, enter the starting reading here. This quantity will be assumed to be billed already therefore will not be billed for. Once the meter is saved you cannot adjust this field. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Free units per period</strong> - If you offer free units per period enter the quantity here. Only units above this quantity will be billed for. Keep in mind quantity calculations for determining the price tier will include free quantity. </p><p><br></p><p id="isPasted"><strong>Minimum Meter Quantity</strong> - This is used to set the minimum quantity of units that will be billed for. If the customer uses less than this quantity, they will be billed for the number of units in this field. This is based on the billable units the customer has used, a customer may have used more than the minimum units but if they are allocated free units per period not all these units will be billable. Therefore, the quantity of units used will be determined by the billable units the customer has used, not the total units used. This ensures a minimum revenue for this product is met and can help encourage customers to use more resources. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Setting up Meter Tiers</strong></p><p>Meter tiers are setup using the 'Meter Tiers' table.</p><p><img src="https://halo.haloservicedesk.com/api/attachment/image?token=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpZCI6IjE0NTAxMzNkLWEzN2UtNGNkNC1hYjZmLTljODZmOWU1YjYwOCJ9.vlEf0VpFLwNIi10YoeFq7PzMTF0wBw62o-6veVbi2f0" class="fr-fic fr-fil fr-dib" width="640" height="829"></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Fig 4. Meter tiers</span></strong></p><p><br></p><p id="isPasted">When adding a meter tier, you will need to specify a price with the minimum and maximum quantity of units that usage needs to be between to be charged at this price. Tiers can be left opened ended (by not completing the min or max quantity field) to allow you to have anything above/below this quantity to be charged at this set price. Tiers must have overlap to account for all quantities. </p><p><br></p><p>In the figure 4 example I have selected 'Volume based pricing' and created some tiers, if the customer has used <500 units this billing period each unit will be charged at £0.04. If they use between 501-1000 units all units will be charged at £0.03 if they use 1001+ units, they will be charged at £0.02. </p><p><br></p><p><strong><em>Note: If the quantity of units used sits on the tier threshold the lower tier pricing will be used. </em></strong></p><p><br></p><p>Ensure you setup a meter for each property of the service that needs to be tracked. In the figure 5 example, I have created three meters against a single asset, each tracking the paper usage of a single printer. Although in this example the usage for each meter is set to be billed in the same way, they have been setup separately to allow readings to be taken for each printer separately. </p><p><img src="https://halo.haloservicedesk.com/api/attachment/image?token=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpZCI6ImYwZWNkNjljLTA3NWItNGI0My04NWE0LTJiNmFkYmM3ZDI4NSJ9.Vl6DSPmfp_9YJoizG_PFuK924v7X3yKX7H8wqUjS2QM" class="fr-fic fr-fil fr-dib" width="1353" height="531"></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Fig 5. Meters against an asset</span></strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Taking Meter Readings</span></strong></p><p>Now meters are setup readings can be taken. Readings are taken when editing an asset, an 'Add reading' button will become available for each meter. </p><p><img src="https://halo.haloservicedesk.com/api/attachment/image?token=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpZCI6IjAzZjFiYjU4LTgyMzEtNDRhYy1iZDEzLWViZmVmNjQxMTlhZSJ9.iRoyYTNdDtGDr3ZyJv1mQu6r7YFnj98_R9lECpy8sks" class="fr-fic fr-fil fr-dib" width="1235" style="width: 1237px; height: 544.574px;" height="545"></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Fig 6. Add reading button</span></strong></p><p><br></p><p>When adding a reading simply enter the value, you will be able to see the previous value and the date the last reading was taken too. </p><p><img src="https://halo.haloservicedesk.com/api/attachment/image?token=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpZCI6Ijg1OWY1ZDM2LWI2NmItNGFiMy1hOGNiLWQxZjc2MDM1MWYzMyJ9.aMCJAZ30YMhZJeWCJD3VOf-NztbmjoZ5sne5jL0UpCg" class="fr-fic fr-fil fr-dib" width="632" height="331"></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Fig 7. Adding a reading</span></strong></p><p><br></p><p>As you need to edit the asset to add a reading agents will need at least 'Ready and Modify' asset access level permission to add readings. </p><p><br></p><p>Once readings are added the current reading will show at a glance in the 'Current reading' column. </p><p><img src="https://halo.haloservicedesk.com/api/attachment/image?token=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpZCI6ImQ4MmRmYzEzLTk1YjktNGVkYS1iNTMyLWZmYmNlNDVjMDU4MCJ9.Bi9SOyPfumtJYywYCAcJEPqVBItaE5hDZcBGQ72bJcw" class="fr-fic fr-fil fr-dib" width="1258" style="width: 1260px; height: 494.898px;" height="495"></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Fig 8. Current readings at a glance</span></strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">View reading history</span></strong></p><p>Reading history can be viewed using the 'Reading History' Button against the meter. This is available when viewing the asset in non-edit mode. This will show a breakdown of every reading that has been logged for the meter. </p><p><img src="https://halo.haloservicedesk.com/api/attachment/image?token=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpZCI6IjI3NzUyMDFjLWQzYjAtNDAyMy1iM2M2LWM2MDIyMTE5ODcyMyJ9.vjnh3ZFvHO-wcF9-X1SyQsChqR3YPGVPCYyI6P37OrM" class="fr-fic fr-fil fr-dib" width="1755" style="width: 1757px; height: 385.683px;" height="386"></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Fig 9. Reading History</span></strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Editing Meter Readings </span></strong></p><p data-pasted="true">Readings can be edited after they are logged up until an invoice for the period has been created. </p><p><br></p><p data-pasted="true">To be able to edit readings, you will need to enable "Allow meter readings to be edited" under Configuration > Billing > General Settings. </p><p><br><img src="https://halo.haloservicedesk.com/api/attachment/image?token=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpZCI6ImJlZjNjYzVkLWQxMGUtNGRhZC1iNDUwLWY5NzUyYjViNTRlOSJ9.SklyPe4IZKENyS_sxDrVFjPlKIi53G63PUExQc0vNZQ" class="fr-fic fr-fil fr-dib" width="1035" height="303"></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Fig 10. Enable the editing of meter readings</span></strong></p><p><br></p><p data-pasted="true">Readings are edited by selecting a reading entry when viewing reading history. Here you can edit the summary of the reading, the value, the date/time of the reading, and the "Previous Reading". <br><img src="https://halo.haloservicedesk.com/api/attachment/image?token=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpZCI6IjliMTFhNjk0LTBiNzItNDQ0NS05ZjIyLTg0ZTQwMjM1ZjU0MCJ9.etqv7wK6FRTdL3VxYNcF61DM6rGxq80ybwZjQCPhH3s" class="fr-fic fr-fil fr-dib" width="598" style="width: 600px; height: 600.845px;" height="601"></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Fig 11. Editing Meter Reading</span></strong></p><p><br></p><p data-pasted="true"><strong><em>Note: If editing the "Previous reading" value the previous reading record will not be updated, this record will need to be updated too.</em></strong></p><p><br></p><p data-pasted="true">If the reading has already been invoiced the pop-out will be read-only. </p><p><br></p><p>Agents will need at to have their 'Invoices Access Level' permission set to at least 'Read and Create' to be able to edit meter readings. </p><p><br></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">How to Bill for Asset Meters</span></strong></p><p>Asset meters can be linked to <a data-fr-linked="true" href="https://usehalo.com/halopsa/guides/1958" id="isPasted" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">recurring invoice</a> lines to have the price/quantity of the item calculated automatically based on the meter readings and tiered pricing set against the asset's meters. </p><p><br></p><p>To do this add a line to the customer's recurring invoice, the product you add will need to represent the services being supplied/billed. The pricing and quantity of the item does not matter as this will be overridden with meter data. </p><p><br></p><p>Once added mark this line as a meter then enable the additional option to 'Select Asset meters'. </p><p><br></p><p><img src="https://halo.haloservicedesk.com/api/attachment/image?token=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpZCI6IjllMzc2MGUyLTkyMmItNDA4Mi1hNTllLWJlNjY5MTJiYmU3OCJ9.I5wDRMsg1Hd4PP4JVU7ClMShGwKJiHeOlkqSoPsZvsg" class="fr-fic fr-fil fr-dib" width="1728" style="width: 1730px; height: 682.266px;" height="682"></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Fig 12. Mark invoice line as meter</span></strong></p><p><br></p><p>This will give you the option to link assets to the line in the table below. When adding assets to associate you will only be able to choose from assets that have meters configured against them. Once chosen the asset will appear in the table. </p><p><br></p><p><img src="https://halo.haloservicedesk.com/api/attachment/image?token=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpZCI6ImY5NWQwMDQ0LWQ4Y2MtNDNjNC04OTljLTY3ZWM0MzI5MjhhZSJ9.PowGukYPI1KNaXyeO_CynYrqLD2LSL1xRYc0s_4OvKA" class="fr-fic fr-fil fr-dib" width="1240" style="width: 1242px; height: 242.204px;" height="242"></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Fig 13. Asset linked to invoice line</span></strong></p><p><br></p><p>You can associate multiple assets here, if done the line will reflect the total price and quantity for all the meters against all the assets associated. Useful if you have multiple assets containing meters for a service, but would like this represented on a single invoice line. </p><p><br></p><p>Now save the line and save the invoice. </p><p><br></p><p>Once saved you will have the option on the line to 'Calculate Asset Meters' use this to run the calculation. Only once this button is used will the line price and quantity update. </p><p><img src="https://halo.haloservicedesk.com/api/attachment/image?token=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpZCI6IjY5NmFkMTgxLWJhZDItNDhlMS1iNjI1LTY3ZWE3NjBkMjYyYiJ9.VBWgMBYW9SDDG4wl6e7YieVpzg1bSxAvVdJtgIKIZdA" class="fr-fic fr-fil fr-dib" width="1346" height="742"></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Fig 14. Recurring invoice before asset meters calculated</span></strong></p><p><br></p><p><img src="https://halo.haloservicedesk.com/api/attachment/image?token=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpZCI6ImM2ZmI3NmY3LTMxNjQtNDM0Yi1iM2Y2LWRhZmEzZGVjZWFjYyJ9.4GOQGtfs_BHflmOuRNBY2gsGCBw3dd_-6hHU5y3nn1A" class="fr-fic fr-fil fr-dib" width="1343" height="741"></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Fig 15. Recurring invoice after asset meters calculated</span></strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Invoice breakdown</strong></p><p><strong>Quantity</strong> - Shows the total quantity of units used across all meters. </p><p><strong>Price</strong> - Shows the average cost per unit based on the net amount and quantity.</p><p><strong>Net Amount </strong>- Shows the total meter charge for all meter usage that period. The price of each meter against the asset is calculated in line with its tiered pricing configuration, the price for each meter is then totalled to give the net amount. </p><p><br></p><p>Once your recurring invoice is setup you can head to Ready for Invoicing when the invoice needs to be created and sent out to the customer. </p><p><br></p><p>Ensure you run asset meter calculations against the recurring invoice lines right before generating an invoice as asset meter calculations are only run when this button is used. They are not run when an invoice is generated. </p><p><br></p><p><em><strong>Note: Invoices created for Meter Readings will only use the readings from the period that the Invoice covers. </strong></em></p><p><br></p><p data-pasted="true">Once a recurring invoice is created the quantities for the recurring invoice will be recalculated. From this version, if meter readings are rolled back, the last period readings will be used. </p>
