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Base Buckets Screen

Last Updated: Thu Nov 23 2023

Base Buckets are configured in Settings / Usage Rating / Bucket & Share Plans / Base Buckets

Overview

Base buckets define the usage characteristics of buckets, such as the unit type that is being consumed (data, count, time), the class of usage that is applicable to the bucket (e.g. data, APIs, disk space, voice, SMS) and the locations where usage is applicable to the bucket (Everywhere, North America, United States, etc.). Base buckets are selected when configuring usage buckets and share plan buckets. Usage buckets are attached to services and define the bucket size (1GB, 100 minutes, etc.), if the bucket recurs, and other settings which define how usage is included/charged in relation to a service or share plan.

Multiple base buckets can be configured on usage buckets if desired, as long as the base buckets are setup with the same data type (e.g. a data usage bucket could have two base buckets configured on it, one for ‘data zone 1’ class usage and the second for ‘data zone 2’ class usage, allowing usage from each region to be deducted from a single usage bucket).

Money buckets can also be configured which allows multiple types of usage to be deducted from a bucket, see the usage buckets screen help for more information on configuring money buckets.

Prerequisites

Usage Classes need to be configured before base buckets can be setup.

Buckets Panel

The Buckets panel on the left of this screen allows you to select existing base buckets to view and edit on the Edit Bucket panel to the right. Actions are also available in this panel which are shown as icons above the Filter text box. The available actions are described below.

Actions

Icon

Description

Deletes the selected base bucket if not in use (configured on usage buckets or share plans)

Adds a new base bucket

Edit Bucket Panel

The information in this panel reflects the currently selected base bucket. From here you can change bucket details (note: fields with a magenta left border are required).

Bucket Fields and Options:

  • Name: a descriptive name for the base bucket (e.g. 'Data Bucket')

  • Unit Type: how usage will be consumed for usage buckets that use this type of base bucket. The options are:

    • Time: usage by time (e.g. call time/airtime)

    • Data: usage by data consumption

    • Count: usage by a specific activity/event (messages, events, records, etc.)

  • Start Date: when the base bucket is active/available in the system

Bucket Details tab

This tab specifies the usage classes and locations that are applicable to the bucket. E.g. if you are setting up a base bucket for sms usage in the United States you would need to add bucket details with the appropriate messaging classes (e.g. SMS-MobileOriginating) and the appropriate locations (United States). Instructions on how to add details to the Bucket Details tab are covered in the guides section below.


Guides

Adding Base Buckets

  1. Adding Base Buckets

    1. Under the Buckets heading on the left click the (emoji) icon

    2. Under the Add Bucket heading on the right specify the base bucket details

    3. On the Bucket Details tab click the + New button to add usage class and location details. The details available are explained below:

      • Exclude: allows you to exclude usage from being deducted from the bucket for a particular class of usage or usage related to a specific location. For instance, if you configured a bucket detail for voice class usage in North America and wanted to calls to Hawaii not to deduct allotted usage from the bucket, you would create another bucket detail with a location of Hawaii, a class of 'voice/airtime' and the Exclude option checked. Given this configuration, calls to Hawaii would not deduct airtime minutes from the bucket, instead another airtime bucket would be used (if available) or a rate plan would be searched for in order to charge for the calls to Hawaii that were excluded from using the bucket

      • Class: allows you to specify a class of usage applicable to the bucket. E.g. if this is a data bucket you would select the appropriate data class

      • Location: this option will only appear if the selected class is using the geotree as its rater. The location indicates where the bucket applies, or where the bucket cannot be used if a location is specified and the 'Exclude' option is set. The Location relates to the terminating geotree pattern, not the originating number (i.e. making a call from the location is not relevant, the called number is what is evaluated)

      • Location Group: this option will only appear if the selected class is using the geotree as its rater. Location groups are a collection of locations (e.g. multiple regions, states or countries) which like the location setting above can be selected so that the bucket can be used when calling any one of the locations in the group

    4. Repeat the step above to add additional Bucket Details if needed

    5. Click Save to create the new base bucket


Editing Base Buckets

  1. Under the Buckets heading on the left click the base bucket you wish to edit

  2. Under the Edit Buckets heading on the right modify the base bucket details

  3. To add, edit or remove bucket details see below:

    • Adding Details: click the + New button and select a class and if applicable location details. After the class has been chosen click Add. The new detail you added will be saved on the bucket when the base bucket is saved

    • Editing Details: click the (emoji) icon to the right of an existing detail on the Bucket Details tab, modify the detail as needed and click Update. The detail changes will be saved when the base bucket is saved

    • Deleting Details: click the (emoji) icon next to the detail you wish to delete. When the (emoji) icon appears click it to confirm the deletion. Existing details on the bucket set to be deleted will appear crossed out in the list and the delete action will occur when you save the base bucket

  4. Click Save to commit your changes to the base bucket


Deleting Base Buckets

Note: Base buckets that are configured on usage buckets or other entities are in use and cannot be deleted (the delete action button will be greyed out in this case). In order to delete a base bucket in use first determine which entities (usage buckets, share plan buckets) are configured with the base bucket, next remove the base bucket from these entities / modify the entities to use an alternate base bucket.

  1. Under the Buckets heading on the left select the base bucket you wish to delete

  2. Under the same Buckets heading on the left click the (emoji) icon

  3. On the confirmation dialog that appears select Yes