Google Cloud Seller guide

Introduction

This article provides essential information for sellers about Google Cloud's consumption-based model. It explains how billing works, pricing resources, scaling options, and Subscription management. The guide also outlines the process for new Customers to get started with Google Cloud and how existing GCP account holders can manage their billing accounts.

In this article:

• Understanding Google Cloud Basics
• Setting Up New Customers
• Managing Existing GCP Accounts
• Subscription Management

Understanding Google Cloud Basics

Google Cloud operates on a consumption-based model where Customers are billed monthly based on their actual usage from the previous month. This provides flexibility for businesses to scale their cloud resources according to their needs.

• Consumption-based model: Pay only for what you use
• Monthly invoicing: Based on the previous month's usage
• Dynamic pricing: Calculate costs using the Online Monthly Calculator
  

Setting Up New Customers

There are two main options for setting up new Customers with Google Cloud:

Option A: Customer Self-Registration

1. Customer visits accounts.google.com
2. Customer creates a new Google Account
3. With the newly created account, Customer places an Order through the Platform
   

Option B: Direct Order Placement

Customer places an Order for Google Cloud directly from the Platform:

1. The default option in the Action field is displayed as Place Order
   
2. Select Create Customer account (if does not exist) in the Action dropdown list
   
3. Fill in all the data fields
   
4. Check correct Customer Attestation option:
   

Every new Customer has to set the attestation to:

• exempt
• nonexempt

depending on choice.

5. Click Submit action and wait for the Result field to be populated
   
6. Once the Result will be retrieved, refresh the page. The Customer account field should be populated
   
   NOTE! Refreshing the page is required after every Submit action tick and Results retrieved. Otherwise required fields will be not populated, as they are filled based on the Google's service response.

1. If the Cloud Identity was not created, repeat the procedure with Action Update Domain (if not created Workspace Identity)
   
2. NOTE! Creating the Cloud Identity will trigger sending the verification email from Google to the Primary Contact. The instructions must be followed and the Identity account must be approved by admin before placing the order.
3. Once the Customer account and Cloud Identity are created, the Order can be placed
   

Managing Existing GCP Accounts

For Customers with existing GCP accounts, the process requires coordinating the Customer's registered email address.

Linking Billing Accounts

1. Customer or Seller needs to place an Order through the Cloud Platform for Google Cloud
2. Use the Customer's registered email address that they use for google.console
3. The Customer will receive a "Welcome email" to the provided Admin email address

This email confirms that the admin has received permissions to use a Billing Account named "Seller name – Organization name" and includes instructions for assigning projects to the Billing account.

Next Steps After Account Setup

1. Admin logs in to the Google Account at https://console.cloud.google.com/billing/projects
2. For new accounts, admin creates a project at https://console.cloud.google.com/projectcreate
3. Admin assigns resources to projects, ensuring each project is linked to the ordered Billing Account

Creating and Managing Projects

When creating new projects, the Admin must:

1. Enter a descriptive project name
2. Select the appropriate billing account from the dropdown menu
3. Choose the Organization location
4. Click "CREATE" to finalize the project setup
   

Assigning Billing Accounts to Existing Projects

For existing projects without a billing account:

1. Navigate to the Billing section within the project
2. Click "Link a billing account" or "Manage billing accounts"
   
3. Select the appropriate billing account from the list and click Change billing
   
4. Confirm the assignment
   
   

   NOTE! If a billing account shows "0" projects, it means the account is not currently linked to any projects and is not in use.
   

Subscription Management

This section explains how Subscription changes and cancellations are processed between the Platform and Google Cloud Console.

As a Seller Admin, you can suspend, reactivate and cancel Google Cloud Subscriptions directly in the Platform. System will run the verification discribed below and align Platform Subscriptions with your Google Cloud Console.

Change Order Workflow

The Change Order workflow applies to Subscription Suspension and Reactivation operations.

Suspending a Subscription

To learn more how to suspend the Platform subscription, see this document: How do I suspend a Subscription?

When a Subscription is Suspended in the Platform, the following process occurs:

1. System Validation: The system validates whether the Tenant and Subscription exist in Google Cloud
   • If found, the system sends a request to Google to suspend the related billing sub-account
   • If not found, the process stops with the message "Disable aborted"
2. Google Confirmation: Once Google confirms the Suspension, the system checks the response and saves the result. An internal notification is sent to the bussines contact.
3. Status Updates:
   • In Google Cloud Console, the billing sub-account becomes Suspended and no longer accepts new charges
     
   • In the Platform, the Subscription status changes to Suspended
4. Error Handling: If Google returns an error during Suspension, the process stops and the Platform displays a short message (e.g., "Disable error: API"). The Subscription status is not modified in this case.

Reactivating a Subscription

To reactivate Suspended Subscription:
1. Go to the Subscription's Details page on the Platform

2. Mark the Status checbox:

3. Click Save button

When the Subscription is Re-enabled (reactivated) from Suspended status in the Platform:

1. The system repeats the lookup process and sends a request to Google to reactivate the entitlement
2. If Google returns success, the sub-account reopens and the Subscription in the Platform changes back to Active
   
3. If Google returns an error, the process stops and the Subscription status remains unchanged

Cancel Order Workflow

The Cancel Order workflow applies to permanent Subscription cancellation.

Cancellation Process

To fully cancel the Google Cloud Subscription, go to the Subscription's Detail page on the Platform and click Cancel button on the Cancellation Policy:

You will be prompted to confirm this change by clicking Confirm button:

When a you cancel the Subscription in the Platform, the following process occurs:

1. Entitlement Retrieval: The system retrieves the Tenant's entitlements from Google and identifies the correct one by SKU
   • If not found, the process stops immediately
2. Cancellation Request: The system sends a request to Google to cancel the entitlement. This permanently closes the billing sub-account associated with the Customer

3. Verification: After receiving confirmation, the system performs a verification step by fetching the entitlement list again to ensure the Subscription no longer exists. If the entitlement is missing from the list, cancellation is confirmed.
4. Notification: An internal notification and a confirmation email is sent to the bussines contact
5. Status Updates:
   • In the Platform, the Subscription status changes to Deleted and will bo no longer visible
   • In Google Cloud Console, the billing sub-account appears as Closed, and new projects can no longer be linked

Limitations

• Testing billing accounts require careful management to avoid unintended charges
• Disabling billing on active Subscriptions may cause service disruptions
• Switching between billing accounts requires careful migration of resources
• Suspension and Cancellation processes depend on successful communication with Google APIs. If errors occur, contact Support for assistance

Summary

This guide explains Google Cloud's consumption-based model, where Customers are billed monthly based on actual usage. It covers how to manage Subscriptions, including scaling resources, Suspension processes, and permanent cancellation. The article outlines two methods for setting up new Customers and provides detailed instructions for managing existing GCP accounts, including linking billing accounts and creating projects. The guide also details the technical workflows for Subscription changes and cancellations, highlighting important limitations and warnings regarding billing account management.

Related Content

• How to Suspend Subscription for the Customer
• Google Cloud Console Documentation
• Google Cloud Billing Documentation