Time Periods are configured in Setup / Usage Rating / Rate Types / Time Periods
Guides in this article:
Overview
Time periods allow you to configure rates that are applicable at certain times (peak hours, evenings, weekends, etc.). Once setup, time periods are selectable when configuring rate groups. Rates in a rate group configured with a time period will only be applicable during the specified time period. Outside of the period rates from another rate group in the rate plan will be used. If the appropriate rates cannot be found in another rate group when usage occurs outside the time period then a rating exception will occur. When using time periods it is important to configure rate plans with multiple groups so that rating exceptions are not generated for usage that occurs outside of the time period.
Prerequisites
Time periods can be setup in the system immediately, there are no prerequisite configuration steps.
The Time Periods Panel
The Time Periods panel on the left of this screen allows you to select time periods so that you can view and edit their details on the Edit Time Periods Panel to the right. Actions are also available which are shown as icons above the Filter text box. The available actions are described below.
Actions
Icon | Description |
---|---|
Deletes the selected time period | |
Adds a new time period |
Time Periods List
The Time Period listing on the left of the screen shows currently configured time periods.
When you select a time period in the list additional details will be displayed in the Edit Time Period Panel to the right. These details are explained below.
The Edit Time Period Panel
The information in this panel reflects the currently selected time period. From here you can change time period configuration details (fields will display a red left border if a value is required and purple text if the field is read-only and cannot be modified).
Details tab
This tab shows the time period details configured for the selected time period. E.g. a time period covering an entire weekend would have two time period details listed, 'Saturday - Start 0:00 AM End 11:59 PM' and 'Sunday - Start 0:00 AM End 11:59 PM'.
From here you can edit, clone and delete the time period details configured on the time period.
References tab
This tab will list all rate groups that are configured to use the selected time period
Adding Time Periods
Under the Time Periods heading on the left click the action button
The new time period configuration will be displayed on the right under the Add Time Period heading
Configure the time period
Name: enter a descriptive reference that explains the period (e.g. 'Evenings')
Details: each detail added covers part or all of a single day (e.g. Monday 5:00pm - 9:00pm). You can use the clone button on an existing detail if you need to add an additional day that covers the same time range as the detail you are cloning. To create a new time period detail with an adjustable time frame click the +New button and a modal will appear where you can specify the detail configuration:
Day Of Week: the day on which alternate rates (rates in the rate group configured to use the time period) will apply
From: the time that rates in the rate group will applicable (start time)
To: the time that rates in the rate group will no longer be applicable (stop time)
Once the time period details are populated click the Add/Update button
Continue to add details until the time period configuration covers all the days and times you require
Click Save when you are finished adding Details
Editing Time Periods
Locate the period on the left under the Time Periods heading or use the Filter text box to narrow down the list
Click on the time period to select the period in the list
The time period Name and Details will be displayed on the right under the Time Period heading
To edit an existing detail click the button next to the detail name
On the modal window that appears modify the Day the alternate rate will apply as well as the hours the rate will apply in the From and To fields
click Update to commit your changes
Deleting Time Periods
Select the entry on the left under the Time Periods heading or use the Filter text box to narrow down the list
On the left under the Time Periods heading click the action button
On the confirmation dialog click Yes to confirm that the selected period should be deleted