# Asynchronous Processes

Some processes in the BillingPlatform system can be triggered by API commands, but they do not complete immediately because they contain activities that interrupt the flow. Such processes are called **asynchronous processes**.

Examples include:

- **Main Billing Processing**
- **Mediation File Processing**


These processes lie at the core of the billing system.

This topic explains:

- How asynchronous processes function
- How to monitor them
- Best practices to ensure they complete efficiently


## List of Asynchronous Processes

For a real-time view of all asynchronous processes, use the **Process Console**.
From there, you can monitor:

- Process status
- Number of rows in the queue
- Scheduled start time
- Estimated completion time


## Mediation File Processing

When a **mediation file** (data file uploaded to the Usage Collector) is added, it is not processed immediately. Instead, it is placed in a queue. This ensures files are processed in the order of upload, preventing data duplication and preserving consolidation logic.

**What it does:**

- Transforms raw usage record data
- Maps usage to users, products, and components in the system
- Prepares data for rating and invoicing


**Where to monitor:**

- **Collector Activity History**:
Navigate to `Setup > Metered Usage > Usage Collectors > Collector Activity History` to view loaded usage events and review response files.
- **Process Console**:
Select *Mediation File Processing* and scroll to the **History** section. You can see:
  - Start and end time for each run
  - Records processed per second
  - Total processed records
  - Completion status


**Performance tip:**
The larger the mediation file, the higher the processing speed.

## Main Billing Processing

This process handles the data that has been modified and mapped by the Mediation File Processing.

**How it works:**

- Picks up mediation files after they are processed
- May not start immediately if a **Reprocess** activity is still running
- Even if Reprocess was triggered by another operator, Main Billing waits until it finishes


**Where to monitor:**

- In the **Process Console**, expand the process name to view all activities.


**Activities include:**

- Reprocess
- Mapping
- Subscription Generation
- Generation OTC


**Performance tip:**
Similar to Mediation File Processing:

- More records in the queue → higher processing speed.