In March 2023, Automox released a device usage feature in the console and a few measures to simplify our billing process.
Device Usage
What is the difference between my installed quantity and my licensed quantity? How do I find those numbers?
Your installed quantity is the number of devices with the Automox agent installed. Your licensed quantity is the number of devices that Automox has allocated to your subscription and invoiced you for.
You can find your current installed and licensed quantities on the Billing Page of your console.
What types of notifications will we receive?
You will see a notification on the Billing page of your Automox console when your current device count is above your installed quantity.
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If you have a limit on your account, you will see a notification when you have reached your limit advising you to contact your account manager if you need to expand.
How often will the Total Devices number update?
Every hour.
How often does the Device Usage table update?
The top row of the Device Usage table will update to the net amount of the day.
- Example: At 10 AM, a customer adds 20 devices. Then, the top row will show 20 devices added. At 12 PM they remove 10 devices. Then, the top row will show 10 devices added.
At 10:00 AM UTC, the Device Usage table will show the net activity from the previous day.
What does the Device Usage table show if my account has multiple zones?
The parent account shows your device usage as a summary of all zones (including the parent). To view total devices installed per zone, select Manage Zones & Users from the zone drop-down list in the main navigation.
Simplified Overage Billing
What does Automox use as a billable metric for the monthly overage calculation?
Your subscription to the Automox platform allows you to install the Automox agent on a specific number of devices (referred to as an installed device). Automox uses the installed device count as it stands on the 25th of the month at 10:00 AM UTC to calculate overages.
Who is affected by the new overage billing policy?
Only a few customer types are affected by this change:
- Direct Relationship Plan (purchased through a sales executive) without a limit.
- Managed Service Providers with annual contracts or longer.
If you are a direct relationship customer with a limit or purchase through a partner, you will not experience any changes to your billing. If you need to add more devices, we encourage you to contact your account manager as needed.
What's changing with Automox’s overage policy?
Historically, we determined monthly usage for billing purposes based on the highest number of installed devices on any day during the month (referred to as the “high water mark”).
Now, we determine monthly usage for billing purposes based on the number of installed devices on a single day during the month. That day is currently the 25th of the month, but we may change it in the future.
- If your highest installed-device day is the 25th, then there is no difference in the billing policies.
- If your highest installed-device day is any other day of the month, then your usage for billing purposes under the new policy will be lower.
- In the event that Automox changes our date of measurement, we will issue a formal communication to our customers.
We suggest having complete device protection for the most security at all times; however, customers now have the ability to fluctuate their device count throughout the month without being charged for every installed device during that month over 60 minutes.
How does the new overage policy work?
Affected customers can continue to deploy devices through their console without having to submit an expansion request through their Account Manager.
On the 25th of each month, we measure your installed device count. If the number of installed devices is greater than the licensed quantity, then Automox calculates your monthly charge and issues your invoice on the last day of the month.
- Automox uses a snapshot of your environment on the 25th of the month at 10:00 AM UTC for billing purposes.
How does Automox charge for overage devices?
All overage devices will be invoiced at the end of the month. If you have an annual or multi-year subscription, the devices will co-terminate with your existing subscription.
If you are a Managed Service Provider (MSP), your overage invoice will only be charged for the month of usage in accordance with your signed partner agreement.
Does the new policy allow me to add and remove devices throughout the month without getting charged?
You can add and remove devices at any time between the 1st and the 24th of the month. Any installed devices above your installed quantity as of 10:00 AM UTC on the 25th of the month will be charged as an overage.
Your overage device count resets on the 26th of month.
- Example 1: Your company originally contracted for 500 devices. Halfway through the month (March 15th), you install 35 new devices. On March 25th, you still have 535 installed devices. Automox will issue an invoice for the 35 device overage.
- Example 2: Your company originally contracted for 750 devices. Halfway through the month (June 1st), you install 10 new devices. On June 17th, you remove 10 devices from your account. On June 25th, you are back to 750 installed devices. Automox will not issue an invoice since you are back to your contracted licenses.
- Example 3: Your company originally contracted for 200 devices. Halfway through the month (September 10th), you install 100 new devices. On September 20th, you remove 50 devices from your account. On September 25th, you have 250 installed devices. Automox will issue an invoice for the 50 device overage.
Automox encourages all testing and migrations to be done between the 1st and the 24th of the month to ensure the best experience.
What types of overage notifications will you receive?
You will see an alert on the Billing page of your Automox console when your current device count is above your installed quantity.
Simplified Month-to-Month Billing
What does Automox use as a billable metric for your monthly invoice?
Your subscription to the Automox platform allows you to install the Automox agent on a specific number of devices (referred to as an installed device). Automox uses the installed device count as of the 25th of the month at 10:00 AM UTC to invoice you for the usage for the month.
Who is affected by the new month-to-month billing policy?
Only direct relationship plan customers and Manage Service Providers (MSPs) on a month-to-month contract are affected by this new policy.
What's changing with Automox’s month-to-month billing policy?
Historically, we have required month-to-month customers to commit to a number of devices. When a customer went over their licensed quantity, the monthly usage for billing purposes was based on the highest number of installed devices on any day during the month (the "high water mark").
Now, we determine monthly usage for billing purposes based on the number of installed devices on a single day during the month. We are eliminating the use of a licensed quantity and transitioning to a usage model that allows you to fluctuate your device usage month-to-month. That day is currently the 25th of the month, but we may change it in the future.
- In the event that Automox changes our date of measurement, we will issue a formal communication to our customers.
We suggest having complete device protection for the most security at all times; however, customers now have the ability to fluctuate their device count throughout the month without being charged for every installed device during that month over 60 minutes.
How does the new month-to-month billing policy work?
Affected customers can continue to deploy devices through their console as needed.
On the 25th of each month, we measure your installed device count. Depending on the number of devices installed, Automox will calculate your monthly charge based on your usage and issue your invoice on the last day of the month.
- Automox uses a snapshot of your environment on the 25th of the month at 10:00 AM UTC for billing purposes.
What is the difference between month-to-month billing and monthly billing?
- Month-to-Month Billing: Month-to-month contracts automatically renew each month until you cancel your subscription. There is no minimum monthly commitment.
- Monthly Billing: Monthly billing has a longer term contract with a license commitment and is billed monthly (For example, an annual contract billed monthly and commits to 250 devices for a year).
General Questions
How do I remove the Automox agent from a device?
Please refer to the Removing the Automox Agent article.