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Overview of VoIP Billing Solution
Billing solution voip requires a number of components and coordination
among these various components is to be achieved to provide proper
accounting and reporting as well as a problem free service. The servers
especially the billing server has to be configured with gateways/gatekeepers
so that it can serve the needs of the business properly. It has to
be able to authorize credit time according to remaining credit and
destination call rate. It does this by receiving CDR’s- Call
Detail Records from gateways/gatekeepers. CDR’s are kept for
accounting purposes. Below is a Detail of the components required
for billing hosted solutions voip:
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IVR server (storage for pre-paid and post paid calling
card applications)
Authentication Server (RADIUS/AAA) for billing and management
applications that control network access.
Database server to keep the CDR of the customers.
Gateways (H.323 /SIP compliant)
Dynamic Gatekeeper to provide real time routing and termination
Hardware (dependent on customer base industry standard hardware
is required)
CRM Website for online viewing by callers as well as by
the Vendor. It has to be a secure web site. The server may feature
SSL functionality
Email server for voice mail messages and for email alerts.
Call Processing
Subscriber calls into the local VoIP gateway
The gateway negotiates with the RADIUS server the account
request
The gateway request authentication password/PIN number
PIN number is verified from the database (available credit
is returned in case of prepaid)
The Gateway informs the user of available balance and continues
to process call
Destination number entered by caller is sent for authorization
to Server
The IP address is resolved and connection is established to
the remote gateway.
Connection is established (in case of any side disconnecting
the server stops accounting for the call.
The entire details of the call is written to server where
the subscriber can view the details
Billing is calculated according to plans taken by the customer.
This is determined by the area code, client type (residential/corporate)
etc. Call starting, ending and other functionalities are determined
by the protocol used (H.323/SIP ) The aspect that require management
and change are
Server management
Rate Management
Account management
PIN management
Reporting system management
VoIP Billing Software Features
Billing software’s must have a variety of features that make
it popular and easy to use. A crude list of features is outline
below.
Flexible Billing Plans
Flexible Call Rates
Peak & Off Peak Billing
Prepaid Calling Cards
Invoicing System
Customized Reports
E-mail Alerts
Customer Management
Customer Self Care
Vendor Management
Vendor Self Care
Enhanced Role Based Security
MAC address based authentication
More complex authentications for validation of more than
one parameter (PIN + ANI, ANI + MAC etc)
Support Payment Gateways (e.g. Authorise.net, Paypal etc.)
Payment Gateways for online credit card charging and auto
account top up
Multi Currency
Support Multilevel Marketing (MLM)/Agents
Agents/Resellers management for multi-level marketing
Vendor/terminator Management and LCR (Least cost routing)
among multiple terminators
The Internet telephony market is teeming with softwares and making
a choice may seem difficult. Service Providers are themselves providing
software’s for voip billing solution. You can always search
the internet for ‘internet telephony buyers guide’ to
give you details and reviews on the appliances and software you
purchase for VoIP.
Soft Phone
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