Align EAM offers 3 different methods for calculating Job Cost and Billing Charges.
Assignment
Calendar
Hourly Usage
Each method will calculate based on the Required Rate Groupings applied by the user as well as any Optional Rate Groupings included by the user after the calculation method is determined.
Once a calculation method is determined, the following will occur:
The value for the Calculation Method will always be populated and can no longer display an empty value.
Once selected, the calculation method can be changed to another method but not removed.
The Base Value will no longer dynamically update to changes made to base values made in the Catalog record and can only be altered by the user manually within the rate sheet
Tool & Equipment Rate Sheets
Rate calculations for Unique or Quantity tools and Equipment; including the following methods:
Assignment Method - this calculation applies an initial fixed charge once an item is assigned. This is a one time charge that triggers when an item is assigned regardless of the assignment’s duration.
Calendar Method - this calculation applies charges based on the length of time an item is assigned. Charges will continue to accrue until:
Item is Transferred back to stock
Item is Transferred to another location
Item is Transferred to an Employee
Item is Transferred to the same location it’s assigned (sometimes referred to as a circular transfer)
Item is Retired
Hourly Usage - this calculation applies charges only when the actual hours used have been recorded in the Equipment Usage Log (see Equipment Usage). This method is typically used for large equipment and fleet vehicles where the actual usage hours are recorded or reported by an operator to ensure charges are applied only when an item is in use and, optionally, apply an Idle charge per hour when not in use.
Calendar Method
The calendar method creates an “open” billing stream with a Start Date/Time based on the Assigned On date/time of the initial transfer assigning the item and a “closed” billing stream with an End Date/Time based on the Assigned On date/time of the transfer reassigning the item.
The elapsed time from the date/time of the starting transaction will continue to accrue charges, while deducting all non-work days and hours established on Company and Project Calendars to capture the item’s total charges during its assignment up until the ending transaction.
Users can choose between three levels of calendar method calculations:
Calendar(Days) - this level rounds up charges to an entire day based on the rate sheet rules - Hours in a Day, and the billable days established on Company or Project Calendars.
Ex. if the rate sheet rule for 1 day is 8 hours and an item is assigned for only 3 billable hours and returned, the total charge will be rounded to 8 billable hours (since 8 hours = one day)
Calendar(Hours) - this level rounds up charges to the full hour based on the billable days and billable hours specified in Company or Project Calendars.
Ex. - if an item is assigned for 1 full billable day and 3 billable hours, the charge total will result from 11 billable hours (since 8 hours = one billable day + 3 billable hours)
Calendar(Minutes) - this level rounds up charges by the minute based on the billable days and billable hours established in Company or Project Calendars, down to the last billable minute.
Ex. - if an item is assigned for 4 billable days, 6 billable hours and 45 minutes, the charged total will result from 38.75 billable hours (since 32 hours = 4 billable days + 6 billable hours + 45 minutes or .75 hours)
Author: Jay Shattell