Skip to main content

Usage Credits

A usage credit is the unit that eCourtDate uses to measure messaging. Each message gets a credits value when eCourtDate creates it. This page gives the rules for that value and for how eCourtDate adds up credits over a month.

For the credit balance, credit grants, and usage reports in the Billing Portal, see How to Track Usage Credits in the Help Center.

Credits per Message​

eCourtDate calculates credits from the channel, segments, mms, and to fields of the message. Inbound and outbound messages use the same rules.

Channelcredits value
text (SMS)1 for each segment.
text with media (MMS)1 for each segment, plus 1 for the media.
voice1 for each minute of the call. A partial minute counts as a full minute.
email1 for each message.
push1 for each message.
web (portal reply)1 for each message.
chat1 for each message.

International Numbers​

A text or voice message to a phone number outside the United States and Canada uses a multiplier. eCourtDate finds the country from the to number, multiplies the credits by the rate for that country, and rounds up to a whole number. A number with no known country uses a multiplier of 1.

The multiplier does not apply to email, push, web, or chat. These channels always have a value of 1.

Segments​

The segment count of a text message depends on its length and its encoding. One GSM-7 segment holds 160 characters. One UCS-2 segment holds 70 characters. One character outside GSM-7, such as a curly quote or an emoji, changes the full message to UCS-2. For the full rules, see SMS Encoding and Message Length.

For a voice message, segments holds the call length in whole minutes, rounded up. eCourtDate sets this value after the call ends.

When the Value Changes​

eCourtDate calculates credits when it creates the message. The value on a scheduled message is an estimate until eCourtDate sends it. eCourtDate calculates credits again in these cases:

  • An API client edits a scheduled message with PUT /v1/messages/{uuid}. eCourtDate resolves the merge tags again and recalculates segments and credits.
  • A voice call ends. The final segments value is the call length in minutes, and the usage count uses that value.

Monthly Usage​

Each month, eCourtDate adds up the credits of each agency into two groups:

GroupChannelsConversion
Text and voicetext, voice1 message credit is 1 usage credit. Outbound and inbound messages are counted separately.
Email and pushemail, push, web, chat10 message credits are 1 usage credit, rounded up.

eCourtDate rounds the email and push group once for each calendar month. For example, 25 emails in one month give 3 usage credits. A report row that covers part of a month rounds on its own, so the rows of such a report can add up to more than the monthly total.

eCourtDate does not count outbound credits for agencies in the staging region. Outbound messages in staging still show a credits value, and the Admin Application marks that value as Simulated.

Where to Read Credits​

  • API: The credits and segments fields are on each message from GET /v1/messages and GET /v1/messages/{uuid}. See Messages.
  • Admin Application: Open a message under Dashboard > Messages. The message details show the Credits value. A High badge shows on a message with 3 or more credits. An Estimated label shows on a message that eCourtDate has not sent.