This topic describes the billing methods, billing components, and pricing for Intelligent Media Management (IMM).
Billing methods
Intelligent Media Management (IMM) offers two billing methods: pay-as-you-go (default) and resource plan.
Pay-as-you-go (postpaid): You pay for each billable item based on your actual usage. This billing method is suitable for workloads with variable usage.
Resource plan (prepaid): You can purchase a resource plan in advance to cover the usage of billable items at a discounted price. Usage is first deducted from your resource plan at settlement. This billing method is suitable for workloads with stable and predictable usage. For more information, see Resource Plan Overview.
Resource plans offer a discount compared to the pay-as-you-go billing method.
We charge for any usage that exceeds your resource plan on a pay-as-you-go basis. We recommend that you purchase a resource plan that matches your expected service usage and business needs.
Billing components
Intelligent Media Management (IMM) billing includes three components: request fees, data processing fees, and index storage fees.
Request fees
Request fees are based on the number of API calls.
Request fees are charged for API operations associated with the StandardQueryL0, StandardQueryL1, and StandardQueryL2 billable items. For a complete list of these operations, see Billable Items.
We still charge for requests that return a 4xx HTTP status code for errors like invalid parameters or insufficient permissions.
You are not charged for requests that fail with a 5xx HTTP status code due to a service error.
Each request for the same file is billed as a separate transaction.
Data processing fees
In addition to request fees, API calls incur data processing fees from synchronous and asynchronous operators.
You incur fees for a synchronous operator when the API call returns. We include these fees in the billing cycle in which processing completes.
You do not incur fees for an asynchronous operator when the API call returns. Instead, these fees are incurred after the asynchronous task completes and are included in the billing cycle in which the task completes.
For more information about data processing fees, see Billable Items.
Index storage fees
IMM stores some processing results to enable query functionality. This storage incurs index storage fees.
Index storage is free of charge for a limited time. We will announce the specific billing features and rules before official billing begins.
You will also be charged for data stored before the official billing start date once billing begins.
Billable items
For details about IMM billable items, see Billable Items.
Billing cycle
We measure Intelligent Media Management (IMM) usage hourly and calculate fees based on this usage. A bill is typically available within one hour after a billing cycle ends.
Billing formula
We settle Intelligent Media Management (IMM) fees hourly. The cost is calculated using the following formula: Fee = Actual usage × Unit price.