TECHNIQUE FOR EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCE CONSUMPTION

摘要

In an arrangement for accounting for consumption of a resource, e.g., utilization of a postal service or utilities, a data center ( 503, 803 ) periodically communicates with multiple franking systems ( 100, 505 - 1, 505 - 2, 505 -n) dispensing postage for the postal service utilization. The data center ( 503, 803 ) receives transaction records ( 301, 303, 305, 307, 309 ), where a transaction record ( 301, 303, 305, 307, 309 ) is associated with each transaction performed by the franking system ( 100, 505 - 1, 505 - 2, 505 -n) in each period. Each record ( 301, 303, 305, 307, 309 ) includes at least the postage dispensed ( 305 ) in the associated franking transaction, and an ascending register value ( 307 ) indicating the cumulative postage dispensed. Using the received records ( 301, 303, 305, 307, 309 ), the data center ( 503, 803 ) assesses the charges during the period and causes assessed charges to be charged to an account associated with the franking system ( 100, 505 - 1, 505 - 2, 505 -n). In addition, the data center ( 503, 803 ) forwards a copy of the received records ( 301, 303, 305, 307, 309 ) to another system ( 507, 550, 565, 850, 865 ) for storage, which may be used by the postal authority or utility to audit the charges.