An explanation of the Start Frequency, Frequency, and Frequency Type variables for Events in Service Agreement Quoter.
Quick Reference
- The behavior of recurring Events in Service Agreement Quoter is determined by three variables:
- Frequency Type: The units in which Start Frequency and Frequency are measured. These units can be time-based (Hours, Days, Weeks, Months, or Years) or usage-based (Kilometers or Miles).
- Start Frequency: Answers the question, “How long after the Contract starts should this Event be performed for the first time?” Added to the Contract’s Start Date to determine the Start Period of the Event.
- Frequency: Answers the question, “How long after this Event’s last occurrence should the next occurrence take place?” For Events with multiple occurrences, added to the date of the last occurrence to determine the date of the next occurrence.
Introduction
Service Agreement Quoter supports the concept of recurring Events: maintenance jobs that are repeated at predetermined intervals to keep a piece of equipment in good condition, such as changing a car’s oil every 10,000 kilometers.
The behavior of recurring Events is determined by three variables: Frequency Type, Start Frequency, and Frequency. The following article will explain the relationship between these variables.
Events’ frequency values can be seen in the Event List table on the Equipment Details screen.
Frequency Type
An Event’s Frequency Type is the units in which its Start Frequency and Frequency are measured. These units can either be time-based, meaning the Event will be performed at set intervals regardless of how much the equipment is used, or usage-based, meaning equipment usage will determine how often the Event is performed.
Frequency Type can be selected when creating or editing Event Types or Additional Events. All Events matching an Event Type will inherit its Frequency Type.
The seven Frequency Types currently supported by SAQ are:
|
Time-based |
Usage-based |
|
|
Start Frequency
An Event’s Start Frequency represents the period between the Start Date of the Contract to which the Event has been added and the Start Period of the Event. In other words, it answers the question, “How long after the Contract starts should this Event be performed for the first time?”
Depending on its type, an Event’s Start Frequency can be set from either the Standard Jobs screen, the Flat Rate Exchange screen, or the Additional Events screen.
Formula
Start Frequency can measured either in time or equipment usage, according to the Event’s Frequency Type. It is used to calculate the Start Period of Contracts according to the following formula:
Start Period = Contract Start Date + Start Frequency (Frequency Type)
Example
An Event’s Frequency Type is Months, and its Start Frequency is 3. It has been added to a Contract with a Start Date of 2023-11-01. When will the Event be performed for the first time?
Start Period = Contract Start Date + Start Frequency (Frequency Type)
Start Period = 2023-11-01 + 3 Months
Start Period = 2024-02-01
Therefore, the Event will first be performed on 2024-02-01.
Frequency
An Event’s Frequency - sometimes referred to as Next Frequency - represents the period between different occurrences of repeating Events. In other words, it answers the question, “How long after this Event’s last occurrence should the next occurrence take place?”
Depending on its type, an Event’s Frequency can be set from either the Standard Jobs screen, the Flat Rate Exchange screen, or the Additional Events screen.
Formula
Frequency can be measured either in time or equipment usage, according to the Event’s Frequency Type. It is used alongside its Start Frequency and the number of occurrences to calculate the Contract’s Next Periods according to the following formula:
Repeat for each occurrence of the Event:
Next Period = Previous Period + Frequency (Frequency Type)
Example
An Event’s Frequency Type is Weeks, and its Frequency is 6. 4 occurrences of this Event have been added to a Contract with a Start Period of 2024-02-01. On what dates will the 4 occurrences of this Event be scheduled?
Occurrence 1:
Next Period = Start Period + Frequency (Frequency Type)
Next Period = 2024-02-01 + 6 Weeks
Next Period = 2024-03-14Occurrence 2:
Next Period = Previous Period + Frequency (Frequency Type)
Next Period = 2024-03-14 + 6 Weeks
Next Period = 2024-04-25Occurrence 3:
Next Period = Previous Period + Frequency (Frequency Type)
Next Period = 2024-04-25 + 6 Weeks
Next Period = 2024-06-06Occurrence 4:
Next Period = Previous Period + Frequency (Frequency Type)
Next Period = 2024-06-06 + 6 Weeks
Next Period = 2024-07-18
Therefore, the next 4 occurrences of the Event will take place on 2024-03-14, 2024-04-25, 2024-06-06, and 2024-07-18.