3. IMPLEMENTATION › 3.8 Implementing Client/Server Accounting

3.8 Implementing Client/Server Accounting

The following is a general checklist for implementing the
accounting strategy recommended in Section 2.8 of the CA MICS
Accounting and Chargeback Concepts and Overview Guide.

___ 1.  Identify the service tiers and the rate for each
        tier.

        Determine if there will be one or more than one basic
        rate for connected workstations.  There should be
        distinct differences between groups of users if more
        than one basic rate is used.  Next, identify the
        premium service tiers and their associated rates.

        The cost basis for each rate includes the hardware
        software, support personnel and overhead of providing
        service.

___ 2.  Identify the data sources for charges.

        If possible, you should use existing data sources to
        create the charges for LAN services.  This eliminates
        manual data entry and ensures that charges are
        current each month.  With CA MICS Accounting and
        Chargeback, you can define external file sources that
        are used for charging.

        The following are some potential sources of data
        files that might be used to create the charge
        records:

        o  The user-registry files for the LAN or electronic
           mail system.

        o  Databases created by discovery products.
           Discovery products are software packages that
           create a census of LAN users, their hardware and
           software.

        o  Inventory databases used for financial or help
           desk applications that include users and
           equipment.

        The data source must contain information that can
        identify the cost center to be charged and you must
        be able transport the data to the system where
        CA MICS Accounting Chargeback runs.  If there is no
        data source to provide the basis for charges, you may
        either create the subscription file to be used as the
        data source or manually create debit entries (see
        Step 5).

___ 3.  Define the charging elements to be used.

        You must define a charging element for each service
        tier to be charged.  The charging element definition
        must include the following:

        Computation Code:  A number that you assign to
        identify each charging element.  User-added
        computation codes must be in the 8000 - 9999 range.

        Invoice Category:  An invoice category of 2400 is
        suggested for LAN/Internet charges.  Or you may add
        your own invoice category.

        External File, File Name and Element Name:  You must
        define the element as coming from an external file
        source even if charges will actually be entered as
        debits.

        If the charges will be entered as debits, enter SDT
        for standard or recurring debits in the File Name
        field, and enter SDTQNT in the Element Name field.
        Otherwise, enter the ID of the external file and the
        external file variable that contains the quantity to
        be charged.

        Refer to Section 4.2.1, Defining Charging Elements,
        for additional information on charging elements.

___ 4.  Define external file sources.

        This must be done if the data identifying the users
        and service tiers will be read from a file rather
        than entered manually.

        You must assign an ID for each external file, specify
        the computation codes and rates to be charged, and
        generate the JCL that you will run to create the
        charges.  You can charge for external files at the
        complex level and the unit level.  Refer to Section
        4.4.1, Specifying Complex-Level External File
        Characteristics, or Section 4.3.1.2, Specifying
        Journal File Characteristics for additional
        information.

___ 5.  Enter debits for additional charges.

        Enter standard or recurring debits for any charges
        that cannot be generated from external file sources.
        Each entry should specify the cost center to be
        charged, the computation code that identifies the
        service tier, and the rate.  You must enter one debit
        for each cost center and service level combination
        that is not charged from an external file.

        Note that standard debits must be entered each
        billing period, while recurring debits remain in
        effect until they are deleted.