AI usage resembles the resource consumption already found in public cloud, SaaS, and similar billing data, but it adds abstracted meters not tied to hardware: tokens, API calls, and outcomes. These rely on data generators to report what was used, each with its own reconciliation mechanisms and often bespoke ways of capturing usage internally.
FOCUS has the building blocks to help FinOps Practitioners map AI charges into the same columns as everything else so they’re queryable side by side.
| AI Usage | FOCUS Columns |
| 1,000,000 input tokens | ConsumedQuantity + ConsumedUnit |
| The model & price point | SkuId, SkuPriceId, PublisherName |
| It’s an AI service | ServiceCategory: AI and ML |
| Paid in credits / tokens | PricingCurrency → BilledCost |
| Reserved throughput | CommitmentDiscount columns |
Several public cloud data generators already report AI service usage in tokens and by SKU, as do data clouds such as Snowflake. AI-specific providers are adopting the spec too, including Nebius, which delivers FOCUS-formatted usage data for AI services.
The following section may deviate from the definitions in the FOCUS specification for illustrative purposes.
Description: Allocated Method Details provides information about how resources are allocated when usage records are split to support cost allocation requirements. Allocated Method Details consists of a valid JSON object which contains an array consisting of key-value objects describing the one or mo…
View moreDescription: Allocated Method ID is the unique identifier for the allocated method defined by the service provider which was used for the Data Generator-Calculated Split Cost Allocation. This unique identifier can be used to find how the allocated charge was calculated in the provider’s docume…
View moreDescription: An Allocated Resource ID is an identifier assigned by the data generator which cost is being allocated to in a Data Generator-Calculated Split Cost Allocation. The Allocated Resource ID is used to understand what the cost is being allocated to in charges where the data generator is allo…
View moreDescription: The Allocated Resource Name is a display name which cost is being allocated to in a Data Generator-Calculated Split Cost Allocation. The Allocated Resource Name is used to understand what the cost is being allocated to in charges where the service provider is allocating costs to somethi…
View moreThe Allocated Tags column represents the set of tags assigned to tag sources which are specifically applicable to allocated charges resulting from a data generator-calculated split cost allocation.
View moreCost allocated. Additional costs could be added in here for AI allocation. Generally zero for usage lines, can be the purchase price for purchase lines.
A Billing Account ID is a provider-assigned identifier for a billing account. Billing accounts are commonly used for scenarios like grouping based on organizational constructs, invoice reconciliation and cost allocation strategies.
A Billing Account Name is a display name assigned to a billing account. Billing accounts are commonly used for scenarios like grouping based on organizational constructs, invoice reconciliation and cost allocation strategies.
Billing Account Type is a provider-assigned name to identify the type of billing account. Billing Account Type is a readable display name and not a code. Billing Account Type is commonly used for scenarios like mapping FOCUS and provider constructs, summarizing costs across providers, or invoicing and chargeback.
Represents the currency that a charge was billed in; it must match the currency on the invoice. ("Internal pricing" describes Pricing Currency, a different column.)
Billing Period End represents the exclusive end bound of a billing period. For example, a time period where Billing Period Start is ‘2024-01-01T00:00:00Z’ and Billing Period End is ‘2024-02-01T00:00:00Z’ includes charges for January since Billing Period Start represents the inclusive start bound, but does not include charges for February since BillingPeriodEnd represents the exclusive end bound.
Billing Period Start represents the inclusive start bound of a billing period. For example, a time period where Billing Period Start is ‘2024-01-01T00:00:00Z’ and Billing Period End is ‘2024-02-01T00:00:00Z’ includes charges for January since Billing Period Start represents the inclusive start bound, but does not include charges for February since BillingPeriodEnd represents the exclusive end bound.
Description: A Capacity Reservation ID is the identifier assigned to a capacity reservation by the provider. Capacity Reservation ID is commonly used for scenarios to allocate charges for capacity reservation usage. Column ID: CapacityReservationId Display Name: Capacity Reservation ID
View moreDescription: Capacity Reservation Status indicates whether the charge represents either the consumption of the capacity reservation identified in the CapacityReservationId column or when the capacity reservation is unused. Column ID: CapacityReservationStatus Display Name: Capacity Reservation Statu…
View moreCharge Category represents the highest-level classification of a charge based on the nature of how it is billed. Charge Category is commonly used to identify and distinguish between types of charges that may require different handling – for example the classification of charges like “Usage”, “Purchase”, “Tax”.
Charge Class indicates whether a charge represents a correction to a previously closed billing period. Charge Class is commonly used to differentiate corrections from regularly incurred charges.
A Charge Description provides a high-level context of a row without requiring additional discovery. This column is a self-contained summary of the charge’s purpose and price. It typically covers a select group of corresponding details across a billing dataset or provides information not otherwise available.
Indicates how often a charge will occur. The Charge Frequency is commonly used to understand recurrence periods (e.g., monthly, yearly), and differentiate between one-time and recurring fees for purchases.
The start/end time period for when the usage occurs (hourly or daily). Charge Period Start represents the inclusive start bound of a charge period. For example, a time period where Charge Period Start is ‘2024-01-01T00:00:00Z’ and Charge Period End is ‘2024-01-02T00:00:00Z’ includes charges for January 1 since Charge Period Start represents the inclusive start bound, but does not include charges for January 2 since Charge Period End represents the exclusive end bound.
The start/end time period for when the usage occurs (hourly or daily). Charge Period Start represents the inclusive start bound of a charge period. For example, a time period where Charge Period Start is ‘2024-01-01T00:00:00Z’ and Charge Period End is ‘2024-01-02T00:00:00Z’ includes charges for January 1 since Charge Period Start represents the inclusive start bound, but does not include charges for January 2 since Charge Period End represents the exclusive end bound.
Commitment Discount Category indicates whether the commitment discount identified in the CommitmentDiscountId column is based on usage quantity or cost (aka “spend”). The CommitmentDiscountCategory column is only applicable to commitment discounts and not negotiated discounts.
A Commitment Discount ID is the identifier assigned to a commitment discount by the provider. Commitment Discount ID is commonly used for scenarios like chargeback for commitments and savings per commitment discount. The CommitmentDiscountId column is only applicable to commitment discounts and not negotiated discounts.
A Commitment Discount Name is the display name assigned to a commitment discount. The CommitmentDiscountName column is only applicable to commitment discounts and not negotiated discounts.
Commitment Discount Quantity is the amount of a commitment discount purchased or accounted for in commitment discount related rows that is denominated in Commitment Discount Units. The aggregated Commitment Discount Quantity across purchase records, pertaining to a particular Commitment Discount ID during its term, represents the total Commitment Discount Units acquired with that commitment discount. For committed usage, the Commitment Discount Quantity is either the number of Commitment Discount Units consumed by a row that is covered by a commitment discount or is the unused portion of a commitment discount over a charge period. Commitment Discount Quantity is commonly used in commitment discount analysis and optimization use cases and only applies to commitment discounts, not negotiated discounts.
When CommitmentDiscountCategory is “Usage” (usage-based commitment discounts), the Commitment Discount Quantity reflects the predefined amount of usage purchased or consumed. If commitment discount flexibility is applicable, this value may be further transformed based on additional, provider-specific requirements. When CommitmentDiscountCategory is “Spend” (spend-based commitment discounts), the Commitment Discount Quantity reflects the predefined amount of spend purchased or consumed.
Commitment Discount Status indicates whether the charge corresponds with the consumption of a commitment discount identified in the CommitmentDiscountId column or the unused portion of the committed amount. The CommitmentDiscountStatus column is only applicable to commitment discounts and not negotiated discounts.
Commitment Discount Type is a provider-assigned name to identify the type of commitment discount applied to the row. The CommitmentDiscountType column is only applicable to commitment discounts and not negotiated discounts.
Commitment Discount Unit represents the provider-specified measurement unit indicating how a provider measures the Commitment Discount Quantity of a commitment discount. The CommitmentDiscountUnit column is only applicable to commitment discounts and not negotiated discounts.
Description: Commitment Program Eligibility Details identifies the commitment programs that could potentially cover charges, subject to service provider constraints. By distinguishing the pool of spend that was eligible to be covered, Commitment Program Eligibility Details provides the fundamental d…
View moreThe Consumed Quantity represents the volume of a metered SKU associated with a resource or service used, based on the Consumed Unit. Consumed Quantity is often derived at a finer granularity or over a different time interval when compared to the Pricing Quantity (complementary to Pricing Unit) and focuses on resource and service consumption, not pricing and cost.
The Consumed Unit represents a provider-specified measurement unit indicating how a provider measures usage of a metered SKU associated with a resource or service. Consumed Unit complements the Consumed Quantity metric. It is often listed at a finer granularity or over a different time interval when compared to Pricing Unit (complementary to Pricing Quantity), and focuses on resource and service consumption, not pricing and cost.
Description: Contract Applied is a set of properties that associate a charge with one or more contract commitments, denoted as key-value pairs in a JSON object. Contract Applied allows the practitioner to track the progress of the commitments to which they have agreed with a service provider. Column…
View moreContracted Cost represents the cost calculated by multiplying contracted unit price and the corresponding Pricing Quantity. Contracted Cost is denominated in the Billing Currency and is commonly used for calculating savings based on negotiation activities, by comparing it with List Cost. If negotiated discounts are not applicable, the Contracted Cost defaults to the List Cost.
The Contracted Unit Price represents the agreed-upon unit price for a single Pricing Unit of the associated SKU, inclusive of negotiated discounts, if present, while excluding negotiated commitment discounts or any other discounts. This price is denominated in the Billing Currency. The Contracted Unit Price is commonly used for calculating savings based on negotiation activities. If negotiated discounts are not applicable, the Contracted Unit Price defaults to the List Unit Price.
Cost of a charge based on the resources used, services used, or contract commitments recognized in a given charge period. Effective Cost differs from Billed Cost when covering charges are recorded separately from the covered charges to which they are applied.
Description: Host Provider Name is the name of the entity that provides the underlying infrastructure on which the resources or services of the Service Provider are deployed. In some instances, the host provider and the service provider are the same entity: the provider hosts their own services. In …
View moreDescription: Invoice Detail ID is the invoice-issuer-assigned identifier for an Invoice Detail record encapsulating charges in the corresponding billing period for a given billing account. This identifier allows FinOps practitioners to map specific line items from an invoice to the granular charge d…
View moreDescription: An Invoice ID is a provider-assigned identifier for an invoice encapsulating some or all charges in the corresponding billing period for a given billing account. Invoices are commonly used for scenarios like tracking billing transactions, facilitating payment processes and for performin…
View moreAn Invoice Issuer is an entity responsible for issuing payable invoices for the resources or services consumed. It is commonly used for cost analysis and reporting scenarios.
Cost calculated by multiplying List Unit Price and the corresponding Pricing Quantity. (For usage charges this is generally not zero.)
The suggested service-provider-published unit price for a single Pricing Unit of the associated SKU, exclusive of any discounts.
Pricing Category describes the pricing model used for a charge at the time of use or purchase. It can be useful for distinguishing between charges incurred at the list unit price or a reduced price and exposing optimization opportunities, like increasing commitment discount coverage.
Pricing Currency is the national or virtual currency denomination that a resource or service was priced in. Pricing Currency is commonly used in scenarios where different currencies are used for pricing and billing.
The Pricing Currency Contracted Unit Price represents the agreed-upon unit price for a single Pricing Unit of the associated SKU, inclusive of negotiated discounts, if present, while excluding negotiated commitment discounts or any other discounts. This price is denominated in the Pricing Currency. When negotiated discounts do not apply to unit prices and instead are applied to exchange rates, the Pricing Currency Contracted Unit Price defaults to the Pricing Currency List Unit Price. The Pricing Currency Contracted Unit Price is commonly used to calculate savings based on negotiation activities.
Description:The Pricing Currency Effective Cost represents the cost of the charge after applying all reduced rates, discounts, and the applicable portion of relevant, prepaid purchases (one-time or recurring) that covered this charge, as denominated in Pricing Currency. This allows the practitioner …
View moreThe Pricing Currency List Unit Price represents the suggested provider-published unit price for a single Pricing Unit of the associated SKU, exclusive of any discounts. This price is denominated in the Pricing Currency. The Pricing Currency List Unit Price is commonly used for calculating savings based on various rate optimization activities.
The volume of a given SKU associated with a resource or service used or purchased (vCPU-hours, GB-months, GB transfer), based on the PricingUnit.
SKU level specified measurement unit (GB) for determining unit prices, indicating how the provider rates measured usage and purchase quantities.
A Region ID is a provider-assigned identifier for an isolated geographic area where a resource is provisioned or a service is provided. The region is commonly used for scenarios like analyzing cost and unit prices based on where resources are deployed.
Region Name is a provider-assigned display name for an isolated geographic area where a resource is provisioned or a service is provided. Region Name is commonly used for scenarios like analyzing cost and unit prices based on where resources are deployed.
A Resource ID is an identifier assigned to a resource by the provider. The Resource ID is commonly used for cost reporting, analysis, and allocation scenarios.
The Resource Name is a display name assigned to a resource. It is commonly used for cost analysis, reporting, and allocation scenarios.
Resource Type describes the kind of resource the charge applies to. A Resource Type is commonly used for scenarios like identifying cost changes in groups of similar resources and may include values like Virtual Machine, Data Warehouse, and Load Balancer.
The Service Category is the highest-level classification of a service based on the core function of the service. Each service should have one and only one category that best aligns with its primary purpose. The Service Category is commonly used for scenarios like analyzing costs across providers and tracking the migration of workloads across fundamentally different architectures.
Internal name of the offering or tier. Linked to layer (“Compute”, “Databases”, “Networking”).
A service represents an offering that can be purchased from a provider (e.g., cloud virtual machine, SaaS database, professional services from a systems integrator). A service offering can include various types of usage or other charges. For example, a cloud database service may include compute, storage, and networking charges.
The Service Name is a display name for the offering that was purchased. The Service Name is commonly used for scenarios like analyzing aggregate cost trends over time and filtering data to investigate anomalies.
Description: Service Provider Name is the name of the entity that provides the resources or services available for usage or purchase. These services can be built on top of infrastructure provided by a Host Provider, offered as fully integrated solutions, or include complementary offerings such as s…
View moreDescription: The Service Subcategory is a secondary classification of the Service Category for a service based on its core function. The Service Subcategory (in conjunction with the Service Category) is commonly used for scenarios like analyzing spend and usage for specific workload types across pro…
View moreA SKU ID is a provider-specified unique identifier that represents a specific SKU. SKUs are quantifiable goods or service offerings in a FOCUS dataset that represent specific functionality and technical specifications.
Each SKU ID represents a unique set of features that can be sold at different price points or SKU Prices. SKU ID is consistent across all pricing variations, which may differ based on multiple factors beyond the common functionality and technical specifications.
SKU ID should be consistent across pricing variations of a good or service to facilitate price comparisons for the same functionality, like where the functionality is provided or how it’s paid for. SKU ID can be referenced on a catalog or price list published by a provider to look up detailed information about the SKU. The composition of the properties associated with the SKU ID may differ across providers. SKU ID is commonly used for analyzing and comparing costs for the same SKU across different price details (e.g., term, tier, location).
SKU Meter describes the functionality being metered or measured by a particular SKU in a charge.
Providers often have billing models in which multiple SKUs exist for a given service to describe and bill for different functionalities for that service. For example, an object storage service may have separate SKUs for functionalities such as object storage, API requests, data transfer, encryption, and object management. This field helps practitioners understand which functionalities are being metered by the different SKUs that appear in a FOCUS dataset.
SKU Price Details represent a list of SKU Price properties (key-value pairs) associated with a specific SKU Price ID. These properties include qualitative and quantitative properties of a SKUs (e.g., functionality and technical specifications), along with core stable pricing properties (e.g., pricing terms, tiers, etc.), excluding dynamic or negotiable pricing elements such as unit price amounts, currency (and related exchange rates), temporal validity (e.g., effective dates), and contract- or negotiation-specific factors (e.g., contract or account identifiers, and negotiable discounts).
The composition of properties associated with a specific SKU Price may differ across providers and across SKUs within the same provider. However, the exclusion of dynamic or negotiable pricing properties should ensure that all charges with the same SKU Price ID share the same SKU Price Details, i.e., that SKU Price Details remains consistent across different billing periods and billing accounts within a provider.
SKU Price Details helps practitioners understand and distinguish SKU Prices, each identified by a SKU Price ID and associated with a used or purchased resource or service. It can also help determine the quantity of units for a property when it holds a numeric value (e.g., CoreCount), even when its unit differs from the one in which the SKU is priced and charged, thus supporting FinOps capabilities like unit economics. Additionally, the SKU Price Details may be used to analyze costs based on pricing properties such as terms and tiers.
SKU Price ID is a provider-specified unique identifier that represents a specific SKU Price associated with a resource or service used or purchased. It serves as a key reference for a SKU Price in a price list published by a provider, allowing practitioners to look up detailed information about the SKU Price.
The composition of properties associated with the SKU Price ID may differ across providers and across SKUs within the same provider. However, the exclusion of dynamic or negotiable pricing properties, such as unit price amount, currency (and related exchange rates), temporal validity (e.g., effective dates), and contract- or negotiation-specific elements (e.g., contract or account identifiers, and negotiable discounts), ensures that the SKU Price ID remains consistent across different billing periods and billing accounts within a provider. This consistency enables efficient filtering of charges to track price fluctuations (e.g., changes in unit price amounts) over time and across billing accounts, for both list and contracted unit prices. Additionally, the SKU Price ID is commonly used to analyze costs based on pricing properties such as terms and tiers.
Description: A Sub Account ID is a provider-assigned identifier assigned to a sub account. Sub Account ID is commonly used for scenarios like grouping based on organizational constructs, access management needs, and cost allocation strategies. Column ID: SubAccountId Display Name: Sub Account ID
View moreDescription: A Sub Account Name is a display name assigned to a sub account. Sub account Name is commonly used for scenarios like grouping based on organizational constructs, access management needs, and cost allocation strategies. Column ID: SubAccountName Display Name: Sub Account Name
View moreDescription: Sub Account Type is a provider-assigned name to identify the type of sub account. Sub Account Type is a readable display name and not a code. Sub Account Type is commonly used for scenarios like mapping FOCUS and provider constructs, summarizing costs across providers, or invoicing and …
View moreDescription: The Tags column represents the set of tags assigned to tag sources that also account for potential provider-defined or user-defined tag evaluations. Tags are commonly used for scenarios like adding business context to cost and usage data to identify and accurately allocate charges. Tags…
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