TapeTrack Documentation

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billing:journal

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billing:journal [2026/08/18 03:25] – [Journal] Scott Cunliffebilling:journal [2026/08/18 03:44] (current) – [See Also] Scott Cunliffe
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 ===== Purpose ===== ===== Purpose =====
  
-The Journal provides an authoritative record of TapeTrack activity that may be used for reporting, statistics and billing. +The Journal provides an authoritative record of TapeTrack activity that may be used for reporting, statistics and billing. The Journal can be used to:
- +
-The Journal can be used to:+
  
   * Record operational activity generated by the TapeTrack Framework Server.   * Record operational activity generated by the TapeTrack Framework Server.
-  * Provide the source records for Customer billing statistics. +  * Filter activity for a defined period.
-  * Retain activity for a defined period.+
   * Support the extraction of Customer-specific ''.ttstats'' files.   * Support the extraction of Customer-specific ''.ttstats'' files.
   * Provide an audit trail between TapeTrack activity and invoice quantities.   * Provide an audit trail between TapeTrack activity and invoice quantities.
-  * Allow billing statistics to be regenerated from source activity. + 
-  * Support investigation of missing or unexpected billing quantities.+
  
-The billing relationship is: 
  
-  TapeTrack Framework Server → Journal → TMSS10LogStatsExtractDB → Customer-ID.ttstats 
  
 ===== Journal Activity ===== ===== Journal Activity =====
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 The TapeTrack Framework Server writes activity to the Journal as TapeTrack operations occur. The TapeTrack Framework Server writes activity to the Journal as TapeTrack operations occur.
  
-Depending on the installed version and configuration, Journal activity may include+Depending on the installed version and configuration, Journal activity may include Volume movements, storage activity, repository activity, media activity, other operational statistics required for reporting or billing.
- +
-  * Volume movements+
-  * Storage activity+
-  * Repository activity+
-  * Deliveries and collections. +
-  * Customer activity+
-  * Media activity. +
-  * Other operational statistics required for reporting or billing.+
  
 The exact billing result depends on: The exact billing result depends on:
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   * The Package Map and Billing Rules used during processing.   * The Package Map and Billing Rules used during processing.
  
-<WRAP note> 
-The presence of an activity in the Journal does not necessarily mean that it will be billed. The Billing Rules determine which extracted statistics are converted into invoice items. 
-</WRAP> 
  
 ===== Journal Database Location ===== ===== Journal Database Location =====
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   * Write the generated ''.ttstats'' files to the billing extract directory.   * Write the generated ''.ttstats'' files to the billing extract directory.
  
-===== Journal Extraction ===== 
  
-''TMSS10LogStatsExtractDB'' creates an extract file for each Customer from the Journal database. 
  
-The extraction should specify the required billing date range. 
- 
-For example, an extraction containing activity for three Customers may create: 
- 
-^ Customer-ID ^ Extract File ^ 
-| ''US01'' | ''US01.ttstats'' | 
-| ''US02'' | ''US02.ttstats'' | 
-| ''US03'' | ''US03.ttstats'' | 
- 
-Each ''.ttstats'' file contains the statistics extracted for its Customer. 
- 
-The resulting files are processed using [[cli:tmss10logstatsprocess|TMSS10LogStatsProcess]]. 
- 
-===== Date Range ===== 
- 
-The extraction date range determines which Journal records are included in the Customer statistics files. 
- 
-The date range must: 
- 
-  * Match the approved billing period. 
-  * Begin immediately after the previous billing period. 
-  * Avoid overlapping a previously invoiced period. 
-  * Avoid leaving gaps between billing periods. 
-  * Use the correct server date and time zone. 
- 
-Example monthly billing periods: 
- 
-^ Billing Period ^ Start Date ^ End Date ^ 
-| January 2026 | ''2026-01-01'' | ''2026-01-31'' | 
-| February 2026 | ''2026-02-01'' | ''2026-02-28'' | 
-| March 2026 | ''2026-03-01'' | ''2026-03-31'' | 
- 
-<WRAP important> 
-The precise handling of start times, end times and inclusive boundaries must be confirmed for the installed version of ''TMSS10LogStatsExtractDB''. An overlapping boundary may cause activity to be billed twice. 
-</WRAP> 
- 
-===== Relationship to Billing Files ===== 
- 
-The Journal is the first data stage in the TapeTrack billing process. 
- 
-^ File or Component ^ Purpose ^ 
-| TapeTrack Framework Server | Records operational activity. | 
-| Journal | Stores the source activity records. | 
-| ''TMSS10LogStatsExtractDB'' | Extracts Journal statistics for each Customer. | 
-| ''Customer-ID.ttstats'' | Contains the extracted Customer activity and quantities. | 
-| Customer Description Map | Maps the Customer-ID to a readable description. | 
-| Package Map | Selects the Customer's billing package. | 
-| Billing Rules | Converts statistics into invoice items and charges. | 
-| ''TMSS10LogStatsProcess'' | Applies the maps and Billing Rules and produces billing XML. | 
-| ''tapetrack.xslt'' | Controls how the billing XML is displayed. | 
-| XMLQuickBooks Mapping | Maps approved billing XML to QuickBooks customers and items. | 
- 
-The complete process is: 
- 
-  TapeTrack → Journal → Extract → TTSTATS → Process → Billing XML → QuickBooks Invoice 
  
 ===== Viewing Journal Information ===== ===== Viewing Journal Information =====
  
-''TMSS10LogStatsPrintDB'' can be used to print the contents of the Journal database.+[[cli:TMSS10LogStatsPrintDB]] can be used to print the contents of the Journal database.
  
 This utility is useful when: This utility is useful when:
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 <WRAP note> <WRAP note>
-''TMSS10LogStatsPrintDB'' displays Journal information. It does not create Customer billing XML or QuickBooks invoices.+[[cli:TMSS10LogStatsPrintDB]] displays Journal information. It does not create Customer billing XML or QuickBooks invoices.
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-===== Validation ===== 
- 
-The Journal and extraction should be validated before production billing is processed. 
- 
-Check that: 
- 
-  * The correct Journal database is being used. 
-  * The Framework Server recorded activity during the billing period. 
-  * The extraction date range is correct. 
-  * The server date, time and time zone are correct. 
-  * A ''.ttstats'' file was generated for each expected Customer. 
-  * The generated files are not unexpectedly empty. 
-  * The extraction process completed without errors. 
-  * The Journal was backed up before any administrative maintenance. 
-  * The extracted quantities are reasonable for the billing period. 
- 
-A billing control record should include: 
- 
-^ Control ^ Example ^ 
-| Framework Server | Production TapeTrack Server | 
-| Billing period | ''2026-07-01 to 2026-07-31'' | 
-| Extraction utility | ''TMSS10LogStatsExtractDB'' | 
-| Extraction date | ''2026-08-01'' | 
-| Output directory | ''C:\TapeTrack\Billing\2026-07\Input'' | 
-| Customer files created | ''US01.ttstats'', ''US02.ttstats'' | 
-| Extraction status | Completed | 
-| Reviewer | Authorized billing administrator | 
  
 ===== Troubleshooting ===== ===== Troubleshooting =====
  
-==== No TTSTATS Files Are Created ==== 
- 
-Check that: 
- 
-  * ''TMSS10LogStatsExtractDB'' completed successfully. 
-  * The correct Journal database was selected. 
-  * Journal records exist within the selected date range. 
-  * The output directory exists. 
-  * The extraction account can read the Journal. 
-  * The extraction account can write to the output directory. 
-  * The date range was entered in the expected format. 
- 
-==== Customer TTSTATS File Is Missing ==== 
- 
-Confirm that: 
- 
-  * The Customer exists in TapeTrack. 
-  * The Customer had Journal activity during the billing period. 
-  * The Customer-ID is correct. 
-  * The extraction covered the complete billing period. 
-  * The file was not moved, renamed or archived. 
-  * The extraction log does not contain an error for the Customer. 
- 
-A missing Customer file may be valid if the Customer had no relevant Journal activity. This should be confirmed before excluding the Customer from billing. 
- 
-==== TTSTATS File Is Empty ==== 
- 
-Check that: 
- 
-  * Journal activity exists for the Customer. 
-  * The selected date range includes the activity. 
-  * The correct production Journal was processed. 
-  * The server date and time zone are correct. 
-  * The Customer activity is of a type included in the statistics extraction. 
- 
-==== Billing Activity Is Missing ==== 
- 
-Compare: 
- 
-  - The operational event in TapeTrack. 
-  - The corresponding Journal entry. 
-  - The generated ''.ttstats'' file. 
-  - The Billing Rules applied by ''TMSS10LogStatsProcess''. 
-  - The resulting billing XML. 
- 
-This identifies the stage at which the activity was excluded. 
- 
-^ Activity Location ^ Likely Issue ^ 
-| Missing from TapeTrack | Operational event was not recorded. | 
-| Present in TapeTrack but missing from Journal | Framework Server or Journal recording issue. | 
-| Present in Journal but missing from TTSTATS | Extraction date range or extraction issue. | 
-| Present in TTSTATS but missing from billing XML | Package Map or Billing Rules issue. | 
-| Present in billing XML but missing from QuickBooks | XMLQuickBooks mapping or import issue. | 
- 
-==== Billing Activity Is Duplicated ==== 
  
-Check that: 
  
-  * Extraction date ranges do not overlap. 
-  * The same ''.ttstats'' file was not processed twice. 
-  * The same billing XML was not submitted twice. 
-  * Duplicate Billing Rules are not matching the same statistic. 
-  * Previously processed files were moved to an archive directory. 
  
 ==== Journal Cannot Be Read ==== ==== Journal Cannot Be Read ====
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 If the Journal appears damaged or unreadable, contact TapeTrack Support before attempting repairs. If the Journal appears damaged or unreadable, contact TapeTrack Support before attempting repairs.
  
-===== Backup and Retention ===== 
- 
-The Journal supports operational history and billing reconstruction and should be included in the Framework Server backup process. 
- 
-The backup and retention policy should consider: 
- 
-  * Customer contract requirements. 
-  * Accounting record-retention requirements. 
-  * The ability to reproduce billing statistics. 
-  * Audit and dispute periods. 
-  * Available storage. 
-  * TapeTrack Support recommendations. 
-  * Applicable legal and regulatory requirements. 
- 
-Retain the following billing records together where possible: 
- 
-  * Billing period details. 
-  * Journal backup or reference. 
-  * Customer ''.ttstats'' files. 
-  * Customer Description Map. 
-  * Package Map. 
-  * Billing Rules. 
-  * Stylesheet. 
-  * Billing XML. 
-  * QuickBooks invoice number. 
-  * Processing and approval logs. 
  
 ===== Recommended Practices ===== ===== Recommended Practices =====
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   * Treat the Journal as an authoritative operational record.   * Treat the Journal as an authoritative operational record.
   * Do not manually edit the Journal database.   * Do not manually edit the Journal database.
-  * Back up the Journal as part of the Framework Server backup. 
   * Use non-overlapping billing extraction periods.   * Use non-overlapping billing extraction periods.
   * Record the exact extraction date range.   * Record the exact extraction date range.
-  * Review extraction logs before processing billing. 
   * Investigate missing or empty Customer files.   * Investigate missing or empty Customer files.
-  * Retain the extracted TTSTATS files with the billing output.+  * Retain the extracted TTSTATS files with the billing output if required.
   * Restrict database access to authorized administrators.   * Restrict database access to authorized administrators.
   * Contact TapeTrack Support before attempting Journal repair.   * Contact TapeTrack Support before attempting Journal repair.
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   * TapeTrack administrators.   * TapeTrack administrators.
   * Authorized billing staff requiring access.   * Authorized billing staff requiring access.
-  * The account running ''TMSS10LogStatsExtractDB''.+  * The account running [[cli:TMSS10LogStatsExtractDB]].
   * The account running authorized backup processes.   * The account running authorized backup processes.
  
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   * [[cli:tmss10logstatsprocess|TMSS10LogStatsProcess]]   * [[cli:tmss10logstatsprocess|TMSS10LogStatsProcess]]
   * [[object:customer|Customer-ID]]   * [[object:customer|Customer-ID]]
-  * [[billing:customer_ttstats|Customer TTSTATS File]]+  * [[billing:ttstats|Customer TTSTATS File]]
   * [[billing:customer_map|Customer Description Map]]   * [[billing:customer_map|Customer Description Map]]
   * [[billing:package_map|Package Map]]   * [[billing:package_map|Package Map]]
   * [[billing:billing_rules|Billing Rules]]   * [[billing:billing_rules|Billing Rules]]
-  * [[billing:tapetrack_xslt|TapeTrack XML Stylesheet]]+  * [[billing:stylesheet|TapeTrack XML Stylesheet]]
   * [[billing:billing_process|Billing Process]]   * [[billing:billing_process|Billing Process]]
   * [[billing:billing_xml|Billing XML]]   * [[billing:billing_xml|Billing XML]]
billing/journal.1787023554.txt.gz · Last modified: 2026/08/18 03:25 by Scott Cunliffe