How invoicing works for contracts
Once a customer is on an active contract, Metronome starts generating invoices representing the customer's spend. Due to the flexibility of contracts, and the number of billing factors a contract represents, it's worth learning how contracts are invoiced in detail.
A customer can be on multiple contracts, in which case separate invoices are generated for each.
Additional terms
A contract may include additional terms, which are fixed products whose billing is controlled by the contract. This includes:
- Frequency (one-time, monthly, quarterly, and so on)
- First invoice date
- Optional last invoice date
- Price
Any additional terms on a contract generates its own invoices, using the schedule and frequency you configure.
Usage-based invoices
Most contract billings are derived from usage-based and composite products. Their prices are set on the rate card, but can be overridden on a contract.
Usage invoices are generated either on the 1st of the month or using the contract's start date (for example, the 15th). In either case, usage calculations are based upon the previous period's billable metrics (for example, January 1 to 31 or January 15 to February 14).
If the contract has a quarterly usage statement frequency, invoices are generated on the 1st day of the first month in the quarter or using the contract's start date of the first month in the quarter (for example, January 1st or January 15th, based upon the contract's start date). Again calculations are made using the previous quarter's billable metrics.
Access Metronome invoices
Access a customer's Metronome invoices in the Metronome app by selecting the customer and clicking Billing overview. To access an invoice for a specific contract, select the customer, click the contract under Contracts & plans, then click Invoices.
Access invoices through the API with the /customers/{customer_id}/invoices endpoint to list invoices within a given date range.
Talk to your Metronome representative to configure the billing provider for your contract-based invoices.
