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Smart360 Billing Dashboard - FAQ's

General Dashboard Overview

Q1: What is the Smart360 Billing Dashboard and who can access it?

A: The Smart360 Billing Dashboard is a centralized interface that provides real-time visibility into billing operations, financial metrics, consumption patterns, and exceptions. It's accessible to three key user roles:

  • Billing Manager: Full access to oversee entire billing cycles and revenue performance
  • Utility Administrator: Administrative access to configure settings and generate executive reports

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Q2: How do I access the Billing Dashboard in Smart360?

A: To access the Billing Dashboard:

  • Log into your Smart360 system
  • Navigate to the Billing module from the main menu
  • Select "Dashboard" from the navigation options
  • The consolidated overview screen will display with all key metrics

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Q3: What are the main sections available on the Billing Dashboard? A: The Billing Dashboard contains four primary sections:

  • Monthly Performance: Key billing metrics and success rates
  • Consumption Distribution: Usage patterns and consumption analytics
  • Financial Summary: Revenue tracking and outstanding amounts
  • Quick Actions: Direct access to common billing operations

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Dashboard Navigation and Interface

Q4: How do I switch between different views on the dashboard? A: The dashboard provides multiple navigation options:

  • Use the main tabs: Overview, Billing Cycles, Exceptions, and Simulations
  • Click on any metric card to drill down into detailed information
  • Use the cycle selector dropdown to view specific billing cycle data
  • Access the Quick Actions panel for direct operation workflows

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Q5: What do the trend indicators (arrows and colors) mean on metric cards? A: Trend indicators show performance changes:

  • Green arrows: Positive trend or improvement
  • Red arrows: Negative trend requiring attention
  • Upward arrows: Increase from previous period
  • Downward arrows: Decrease from previous period
  • Percentage values: Exact change compared to previous cycle or period

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Q6: How often does the dashboard data refresh, and can I manually refresh it? A: Dashboard data refreshes automatically at configurable intervals set by your administrator. For manual refresh, you can:

  • Use the refresh button in the dashboard header
  • Navigate away and return to the dashboard
  • Contact your administrator to adjust auto-refresh intervals

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Billing Performance Monitoring

Q7: How do I interpret the "Success Rate" metric on the dashboard? A: The Success Rate represents the percentage of bills successfully generated out of total billing attempts. It's calculated as:

  • Formula: (Total Bills Generated ÷ Total Billing Attempts) × 100
  • Good Performance: 95% or higher
  • Attention Required: Below 90%
  • The metric includes comparison with previous cycles to identify trends

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Q8: What's the difference between "Actual Bills" and "Estimated Bills"? A:

  • Actual Bills: Generated from real meter readings taken during the billing period
  • Estimated Bills: Generated using consumption estimates when actual readings aren't available
  • Typical Distribution: 85-95% actual bills, 5-15% estimated bills
  • High estimated bill percentages may indicate meter reading issues

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Q9: How do I identify which bills failed to generate and why? A: To investigate failed bill generation:

  • Click on the "Bills Not Generated" metric card
  • Review the detailed list of failed accounts with reasons
  • Use filters to sort by failure type or zone
  • Access the Exceptions tab for comprehensive exception management
  • Each failed bill will show specific error codes and resolution steps

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Consumption Analytics

Q10: How are consumption categories (High, Low, Zero) defined in the system? A: Consumption categories are defined by configurable thresholds:

  • High Consumption: Accounts exceeding the upper consumption threshold (typically 150% of average)
  • Low Consumption: Accounts below the lower consumption threshold (typically 25% of average)
  • Zero Consumption: Accounts with no recorded consumption
  • Average Consumption: Total consumption divided by total number of consumers

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Q11: When should I be concerned about zero consumption accounts? A: Zero consumption accounts require attention when:

  • The count increases significantly (>10%) from previous cycles
  • The percentage of total accounts exceeds 2-3%
  • Specific zones show unusual patterns
  • The trend indicator shows consistent increases over multiple cycles

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Q12: How can I analyze consumption patterns for specific zones or customer segments? A: To analyze consumption patterns:

  • Use the Billing Cycles tab to select specific zones
  • Apply filters by customer segment or service area
  • Click on consumption category cards to view detailed account lists
  • Compare current cycle data with previous periods
  • Export consumption data for advanced analysis

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Financial Tracking

Q13: What components make up the "Total Billed Amount" displayed on the dashboard? A: The Total Billed Amount includes:

  • Base energy charges
  • Service charges and fees
  • Taxes and regulatory charges
  • Connection charges (if applicable)
  • Late payment fees (for outstanding bills)
  • Any applicable discounts or adjustments

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Q14: How is the "Outstanding Amount" calculated and what does it represent? A: The Outstanding Amount represents:

  • Calculation: Sum of all unpaid bill amounts across all cycles
  • Components: Principal amount, interest, late fees, and penalties
  • Age Categories: Current, 30-day, 60-day, 90+ day outstanding amounts
  • Trend Monitoring: Track collection effectiveness over time

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Q15: What does "Late Payment Revenue" include, and how can I track collection performance? A: Late Payment Revenue includes:

  • Late payment penalties collected
  • Interest charges on overdue amounts
  • Reconnection fees
  • The metric shows both total revenue and count of payments with late fees
  • Use trend indicators to monitor collection effectiveness

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Billing Cycle Management

Q16: How do I select and analyze a specific billing cycle? A: To analyze a specific billing cycle:

  • Navigate to the "Active Billing Cycles" section
  • Use the dropdown selector to choose your desired cycle (format: "Zone Name - Month Year")
  • View cycle-specific metrics including bills generated, success rate, and average amount
  • Compare with previous cycles using the provided trend indicators
  • Access detailed breakdowns for actual vs. estimated bills

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Q17: How can I compare performance between different billing cycles? A: To compare billing cycles:

  • Select the first cycle from the dropdown and note the metrics
  • Switch to another cycle to view its performance
  • Use the trend indicators that automatically compare with previous cycles
  • Export data from multiple cycles for side-by-side analysis
  • Look for patterns in success rates, average amounts, and exception counts

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Q18: What should I do if a billing cycle shows poor performance metrics? A: When cycle performance is poor:

  • Check the "Bills Not Generated" count and investigate failure reasons
  • Review the Exceptions tab for cycle-specific issues
  • Analyze consumption patterns for unusual readings
  • Verify meter reading completion rates
  • Contact technical support if systemic issues are identified
  • Document findings for process improvement

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Quick Actions and Operations

Q19: How do I generate bills for multiple consumers using the dashboard? A: To perform bulk bill generation:

  • Access the Quick Actions panel on the dashboard
  • Click "Generate Bulk" on the Bulk Bill Generation card
  • Select your parameters:
    • Billing cycle
    • Customer segments
    • Date range
    • Service areas
  • Review the selection summary before confirming
  • Monitor the generation progress and handle any exceptions

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Q20: What is the difference between Bulk Bill Generation and Single Bill Generation? A: Bulk Bill Generation:

  • Processes multiple consumers simultaneously
  • Used for regular billing cycles
  • Includes batch processing and exception handling
  • More efficient for large volumes

Single Bill Generation:

  • Processes one consumer at a time
  • Used for individual account corrections
  • Immediate processing and result display
  • Ideal for customer service situations

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Q21: How do I manage GL (General Ledger) codes from the dashboard? A: To manage GL codes:

  • Click "Manage Codes" in the GL Codes Management card
  • Access the GL codes configuration interface
  • View existing code mappings for different charge types
  • Add new codes for new services or charges
  • Modify existing codes with proper approval workflow
  • Test code assignments before applying to billing cycles

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Search and Filtering

Q22: How does the global search function work, and what can I search for? A: The global search function allows you to search for:

  • Bill ID: Enter complete or partial bill numbers
  • Consumer Name: Search by customer name (first or last)
  • Address: Search by street address or area
  • Account Number: Enter consumer account identifiers

Search options include:

  • Current Cycle Only: Limits results to the selected billing cycle
  • All Cycles: Searches across all available billing cycles
  • Advanced Filters: Apply additional criteria like date ranges or zones

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Q23: How can I filter dashboard data for specific analysis? A: Available filtering options include:

  • Date Range: Select specific months or periods
  • Service Area: Filter by geographical zones
  • Customer Segment: Residential, commercial, industrial categories
  • Bill Status: Generated, failed, estimated, actual
  • Consumption Range: High, low, zero consumption categories
  • Outstanding Status: Current, overdue, aged categories

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Q24: Can I save my frequently used search criteria and filters? A: Yes, the system supports saved searches:

  • Apply your desired filters and search criteria
  • Click "Save Search" and provide a descriptive name
  • Access saved searches from the "Saved Searches" dropdown
  • Modify or delete saved searches as needed
  • Share saved searches with team members (admin permission required)

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Reporting and Export

Q25: What export formats are available for dashboard data? A: The dashboard supports multiple export formats:

  • PDF: Formatted reports suitable for executive presentation
  • Excel: Detailed data for further analysis and calculations
  • CSV: Raw data for import into other systems
  • Custom Reports: Formatted reports based on templates

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Q26: How do I schedule automatic reports from the dashboard? A: To schedule automatic reports:

  • Access the "Export and Reporting" section
  • Select "Schedule Report"
  • Configure report parameters:
    • Report type and content
    • Recipients and distribution list
    • Frequency (daily, weekly, monthly)
    • Format preferences
  • Set up email delivery options
  • Review and activate the scheduled report

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Q27: Can I create custom reports with specific metrics and layouts? A: Yes, custom report creation is available:

  • Access "Custom Report Creation" from the reports menu
  • Select desired metrics from available options
  • Choose layout templates or create custom layouts
  • Add filters and grouping criteria
  • Preview the report before saving
  • Save as template for future use
  • Share with other users with appropriate permissions

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Troubleshooting and Issues

Q28: What should I do if the dashboard loads slowly or shows errors? A: For performance issues:

  • Check your internet connection stability
  • Clear your browser cache and cookies
  • Try accessing from a different browser
  • Contact your system administrator if issues persist
  • Report consistent slow performance for system optimization

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Q29: How do I handle discrepancies between dashboard metrics and other reports? A: To resolve metric discrepancies:

  • Verify the time periods being compared are identical
  • Check if filters are applied differently in each report
  • Confirm data refresh timing differences
  • Review calculation methodologies for each source
  • Contact technical support with specific examples of discrepancies
  • Document findings for process improvement

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx

Q30: Who should I contact for dashboard access issues or permission problems? A: For access and permission issues:

  • Technical Issues: Contact your IT support team or system administrator
  • Permission Changes: Request access modifications from your Utility Administrator
  • Training Needs: Speak with your Billing Manager or designated trainer
  • System Enhancement Requests: Submit requests through your organization's change management process

Platform URL - https://platform.bynry.com/bx