Performing a Billing Simulation

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to perform a billing simulation

Billing Simulation

Diagram depicting SAP simulation functions. Central circle labeled Simulation connects to seven boxes: Simulation Billing, Simulation Determination of MR Results, Consumption Extrapolation, Determination of Billing Period, Determination of Rate Data, Generate Billing Document.
  • Two types of simulation are available:
    • Simulation
    • Billing simulation
  • Billing simulation requires a billable order. Because the billing order has to be billable, meter reading results must also be available.
  • Simulation does not need a billing order. The clerk can enter a simulation period. The system uses existing values to project meter reading results which are not available.
SAP chart comparing Billing Simulation and Simulation. Billing Simulation requires a billing order and meter-reading results for current billing. Simulation doesn't need a billing order and uses extrapolated data for any billing period.

Both these simulation types are based on master data that actually exists.

A comparison chart between Billing and Simulation in SAP. Billing creates documents processed by invoicing functions, deletes the billing order, and sets meter-reading results to billed, proposing a new time-slice. Simulation creates documents processed by invoicing simulation functions, does not delete the billing order, does not change meter-reading results or master data.
  • Billing and simulation documents can be assigned to different document number ranges with the document type, so they can easily be differentiated from one another.
  • Different number ranges also make archiving easier later on.
Flowchart depicting Mass Simulation process: Mass Simulation Billing generates Billing Documents from a Portion, which then proceed to Mass Simulation Invoicing, producing Invoicing Documents. Purpose list: Simulation of rate reforms, Model bills, Effects of price changes.

Execute a Billing Simulation

A customer is billed according to the rate valid up to now. Before the new rate structure is introduced, the clerk checks what would be the result of a bill with the old data.

Steps

  1. The individual billing simulation must be executed for March (from 1st to 31st) of the current year. Use the contract account created in the pre-requisite step. What is the billing document number?

    1. On HOME page, search for Billing Execution App (Transaction EA00).

    2. Select the Simulation option and enter March period in the from-to date fields.

    3. Enter the contract account number created in the pre-requisite step.

    4. Choose Bill/simulate button.

      Result

      A billing document will be created.

    5. Choose Display Document to show the document number. You can also check that the simulated document number starts with a different range than the real billing document created in the previous exercise.

Learning

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