Taking Advantage of ZoneBilling Item Default Logic

If you are a ZoneBilling user or administrator, you know how dynamic and flexible ZoneBilling can be. Each ZoneBilling record has multiple data points that can be addressed to adjust your billing logic and results, not to mention the custom data points that can be created to support a company’s personalized processes. In short, it is a lot of data to set up and maintain. What a lot of people don’t know is that ZoneBilling offers many defaults that are sourced from the NetSuite item record that can help automate setting those data points, thus increasing efficiency for creating new billing scenarios. 

NetSuite Item Defaults

Upon installation of the SuiteBundle, ZoneBilling will create a custom tab called ZAB Settings on your NetSuite item records. This tab has a variety of defaults you can set that will automatically populate on creation of new Subscription Items. Below you will find the most commonly used Item Defaults. 

ZAB Settings > Main Section

• Default Charge Schedule: If a specified item is always billed with the same frequency (e.g., monthly, quarterly, annually, etc.), set this field for your new Subscription Item to inherit. 

• Default Exclude Charges from Billing When: Generally used with Usage (Variable) rate types, you can choose to exclude ZAB Charges that have either Zero Quantity or Zero Amount from the Invoice. 

• Default Bill in Arrears: Also used frequently with Usage (Variable) rate types, this checkbox will default your new Subscription Item to bill in arrears, rather than at the start of a billing period. 

• Default Create Charges for Included Units: Some Usage (Variable) configurations support included (aka, free) units. Check this box for your new Subscription Item to always show ZAB charges even if the rated usage is free. 

• Default Rating Charge Schedule: In the case of the combined rate type of Fixed (Recurring) & Usage (Variable), the Rating Charge Schedule applies to the Usage (Variable) charges on the Subscription Item. 

• Default Bill in Arrears: In the case of the combined rate type of Fixed (Recurring) & Usage (Variable), Rating Bill in Arrears applies to the Usage (Variable) charges on the Subscription Item. 

ZAB Settings > Pricing Subtab

• Default Rate Type: This is probably the most used item default as it will specify the base billing structure of your Subscription Item. 

• Default Rate Plan: If an item when used on a Subscription Item always uses the same usage data points and should be calculated in a repeatable manner, setting a Default Rate Plan is a great way to automate Subscription Item set up. 

• Default Proration Type: This field is mandatory on all Subscription Items, so setting a default can increase the efficiency of setting up new records.

• Default Price Book: If the pricing structure for a Usage (Variable) Subscription Item is the same for all customers, setting a default price book will automate the pricing logic for your Subscription Item. 

ZAB Settings > Revenue Recognition

If ZoneRevenue is enabled in your system, you’ll need to make sure your Subscription Items have the appropriate revenue settings! This is commonly missed when setting up new Subscription Items, so setting these defaults can save you time and headaches down the line. 

• Default Revenue Type: In this field you can choose Actual, Forecast or Inherit from Item. 

• Default Type: If Inherit from Item is chosen as the Default Revenue Type, choose what that Revenue Type should be – Forecast or Actual. 

Takeaways

As businesses evolve and their billing needs grow more complex, adopting a solution like ZoneBilling can offer greater efficiency, flexibility, and accuracy in managing recurring revenue streams. 

At Devma, we specialize in implementing tailored ZoneBilling solutions that align with your company’s unique operational demands. With our expertise and commitment to streamlining your billing processes, we help you focus on growth, while ensuring compliance and reliability every step of the way. 

Learn more about how Devma can optimize your billing system!