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Back to Subscriptions Main Page

Excerpt
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Learn how you can to configure Prepaid Billing Term Schemes for Subscriptions

What does this section cover?

required to define Subscriptions Billing Rules

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents
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Navigating to Normal Billing Term Schemes for Subscriptions

Info

CONFIGURATION > BILLING APPLICATION > BILLING > SET UP BILLING TERM SCHEMES

What are Prepaid Billing Term Schemes for Subscriptions?

Billing term schemes Term Schemes are used to control the creation or modification of billing terms by providing the allowed of Billing Terms. Billing Term is a required Subscriptions entity, which provides the available options for each input field and by setting the default values, and also to control billing engine processes by providing the billing rules , such as Subscription Services or Price Plans.  The Billing Term controls Billing Engine processes by providing the rules and policies that should be applied during billing runs.

Each Billing Term Scheme has a life cycle state which determines how the billing term scheme can be used. Each billing term scheme has an effective and expiration date, which are set automatically when the life cycle state is set to effective and terminated accordingly. Billing Term schemes can be modified or deleted only if there is no billing terms (effective or terminated) related with that billing term scheme.

If there is a need to modify a billing term scheme, then a specific action is applied which creates a new billing term scheme in life cycle state Effective related with the previous one, which is updated to status terminated and moved to billing term schemes history.

Info

There exist 2 Billing Types of Billing Term Schemes, both of which are configured in the same screen however, one serves, Prepaid Billing and the other is for Normal Billing.

In this manual you will find out how to set up Prepaid Billing Term Schemes. If you would like to have a peak into Normal Billing Term Schemes setup, visit Configuring Normal Billing Term Schemes

 

Creating, Editing & Deleting

Billing Runs. Billing Terms are created every time a Billing Term Scheme is added or updated on the Job or Subscription. 
Prepaid Billing Term Schemes can only be added to Subscriptions. The Billing Term determines whether a Subscription will be handled by Normal or Prepaid Billing.

Note

This manual covers the setting up of Prepaid Billing Term Schemes. For information into the setting up of Normal Billing Term Schemes, view Configuring Prepaid Billing Term Schemes for Subscriptions.

 

  • Navigate to Billing Term Schemes for Subscriptions and explore existing entries via the Summary page.  
  • Click on the link (Name or Number) of the entry of your interest to enter the Data Entry page and see more detail. 
  • Use the Actions Menu to create a NEW Billing Term Scheme, modify (EDIT) or DELETE  an existing one.  
    • Select 'Type' Prepaid and 'Classification' Subscription to start configuring a Prepaid Billing Term Scheme applicable for Subscriptions.
  • Use the BACK to return to the Summary page and CANCEL to revert any unwanted changes made to the Billing Term Scheme.

Check the Validations & Restrictions Table below for a list of available Actions when working with Billing Term Schemes, including each Action's related validations, restrictions and additional information.  View the Attributes Table for a comprehensive description of the Billing Term Schemes fields.

BILLING TERM SCHEMESImage Added

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validations
validations
Validations & Restrictions

ActionValidationsRestrictionsAdditional Information
Create
  • Mandatory fields have been defined
  • Not Applicable
  • Not ApplicableFields must be defined.
  • Name and Code must be unique.
  • Not applicable
  • Not applicable
Edit
  • Mandatory fields have been definedFields must be defined.
  • Name and Code must be unique.
  • Cannot be edited if they have been added on are used by at least one entitySubscription
  • Use the Amend action instead
  • Ifthereisatleast one or more versions of a Billing Term Scheme for Jobs, then a new Billing Term Scheme instance is created. The new Instance will have the same values and Billing Term Code as the previous one, an augmented version number, and the modified information.
Delete
  • Billing Term schemes Schemes cannot be deleted if there are any billable entities Subscriptions and Jobs which are not terminated or have if there is billable information which was not processed and billed yet.
  • Not Applicableapplicable
  • Not Applicable
Billing Term Schemes for Subscriptions attributes 
  • applicable

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attributes
attributes
 Attributes

An * indicates a field is mandatory.

  1.  Click on the VIEW PREVIOUS VERSIONS link
    VERSIONINGImage Removed
  2. Search from the modal for the version you would like to see
  3. Select the version
    1. The system will now show the configuration of  the version you have selected.
  4. To go back to the current version click on the CURRENT VERSION link under Main Information

Deleting Billing Term Schemes for Subscriptions

Include PageDeleting a record - GlobalDeleting a record - Global
Billing term codeDetermines the state of the billing term scheme. The following billing term schemes life cycle states Billing Effective Date definition is used to determine how to automatically set the billing effective date on each new subscription service, which is the date that determines when a subscription service

Billing Type *

Name

Description

Main Information
Billing Term Code*The same code is used across all billing term scheme Billing Term Scheme instances of the same billing term schemeBilling Term Scheme.
Classification*

It determines Determines the type Type of billable entity Billable Entity that will be allowed able to use this billing term schemethe Billing Term Scheme. In this case, the classification Classification is set to 'Subscriptions'.

Billing Type*

Defines Determines the billing type Billing Type that will be used by the billing engine Billing Engine in order to bill services Services and physical goodsPhysical Goods. The supported options are the following:

  • Normal
    • Prepaid

    'Normal' and 'Prepaid'. InthiscasetheType should be set to 'Prepaid'.

    Name*The name of the billing term schemeBilling Term Scheme.
    DescriptionA description of the billing term schemeBilling Term Scheme.
    Life cycle stateCycle StateThe following Billing Term Scheme States are supported:
    • Draft: Billing term schemes having that life cycle state 'Draft' - State cannot be used to create billing termsBilling Terms.Effective: Billing term schemes having that life cycle state
    • 'Effective' - State can be used to create billing terms Billing Terms and to apply billing rules during billing runsTerminated: Billing term schemes having that life cycle state Billing Rules during Billing Runs.
    • 'Terminated' - State cannot be used to create new billing terms. Billing terms already related with a terminated billing term scheme will still be billed by applied the billing rules specified on that billing term schemeBilling Terms.
    Effective From& Expiration datesExpired On Dates*

    Each billing term scheme Billing Term Scheme has an effective and expiration date'Effective' and 'Expiration' Date, which are set automatically when the billing term scheme Scheme is created or being replaced by another billing term schemeScheme. A version number is also kept on each billing term scheme that defines the version of each billing term scheme instance

    Billing Rules
    Concurrent usage based pricingDetermines if concurrent usage based pricing is allowed to be specified in billing terms of this scheme
    Discount options*

    Determines if the billing terms will use a fixed or flexible pricing. If fixed pricing is selected then ad hoc discounts cannot be applied on billable entities having billing terms of this scheme

    Billable period start date*

    The Billable Period Start Date used to determine how to automatically set the billable period start date on each new subscription service, which is the date that determines the used for each Billing Term Scheme that defines each specific instance.

    Version

    An auto-generated number which is used to specify the version of each Scheme. If the specific version is already in use by a Subscription, a new Scheme version is created when the Scheme is amended, by the respective Action.

    "VIEW PREVIOUS VERSIONS" link allows you to search and view the previous versions of the Definition.

    Allowed Attributes
    Services
    Services

    Determines which Termed Services and Expenses are supported by the specific Billing Term Scheme.

    The Subscription's associated Scheme defines its available Services.

    This section is also used in order to define the Billing Type of each supported Termed Service, which can be one of the following:

    • Post-Rate: Services which are billed after being used for a certain period (usually on a daily basis); funds are directly deducted from the Wallet.
    • Pre-Rate: Services which are billed for an upcoming period defined in the System; funds are directly deducted from the Wallet to cover the whole period. 
      • Period Billed in Advance: This is the number of days/weeks/months that a Pre-Rated Service should be billed in advance.
        If the Wallet of the Subscriber does not have enough money to cover for the Pre-Rated period, then the Service(s) cannot be activated.  

    Expenses do not have a Billing Type as they are always billed by the next Billing Run.

    Note
    • If no Services are defined there will be no Services to select from when creating a Subscription with the specific Billing Term Scheme.
    • Additional filtering takes place on the Subscription Services available to be added to a Subscription, based on the Subscription Type and the selected Provisioning Distributor.
    • The Billing Type is set once all Services are added, by selecting the Services and using the SET BILLING TYPES Action.
    Price Plans
    Price Plans

    Determines the Price Plans available during the creation of Billing Terms having that specific Billing Term Scheme. By default, all Price Plans can be selected in the allowed Price Plans of a Billing Term Scheme.

    Note

    If no Price Plan is selected, then all valid Price Plans will be available for selection for Subscriptions with the specific Billing Term Scheme.

    Billing Rules
    Generic
    Billable Period Start Date*

    Determines the start date of the billable period of each subscription service Subscription Service (it answers to the question “from which date should I start billing this service”). Subscription service billable period start date is by default set equal to the subscription service effective date, but it can be overridden by the rules specified in these definitions or by the subscription action which is adding the subscription service, if the billable period start date is explicitly defined there. The supported the Service be considered by the Billing Run”).  For example, if a Service is 'Effective' from the 1st of June but the Billable Start Date is the 1st of August, then the Billing Engine will only start considering the Service from the 1st of August.
    Billable Period Start Date is set equal to the Subscription Service Effective Date, by default. The available options are the following:

    • Subscription action performed date
    • Subscription action performed date + X UOT (i.e. + 1 month)
    • Subscription Service Initial Effective Date
    • Subscription Service Initial Effective Date + X UOT (i.e. + 1 month)
    • Subscription Service Latest Effective Date
    • Subscription Service Latest Effective Date + X UOT (i.e. + 1 month)
    • Binding Start Date
    • Binding Start Date + X UOT (i.e. + 1 month)
    • Agreement Date
    • Agreement Date + X UOT (i.e. + 1 month)
    Billing effective date*Effective Date*

    The date on which a Service should start being billed. Subscription service billing effective date is by default It is set equal to the subscription service effective date, but it can be overridden by the rules specified in these definitions or by the subscription action which is adding the subscription service, if the billing effective date is explicitly defined there. The supported Subscription Service Effective Date, by default. The available options are the following:

    • Subscription action performed date
    • Subscription action performed date + X UOT (i.e. + 1 month)
    • Subscription Service Initial Effective Date
    • Subscription Service Initial Effective Date + X UOT (i.e. + 1 month)
    • Subscription Service Latest Effective Date
    • Subscription Service Latest Effective Date + X UOT (i.e. + 1 month)
    • Binding Start Date
    • Binding Start Date + X UOT (i.e. + 1 month)
    • Agreement Date
    • Agreement Date + X UOT (i.e. + 1 month)
    Allowed Attributes
    Allowed Services
    Supported services

    Determines which services are supported by the billing term scheme. This means that the billing term scheme related to a subscription will define which services are available to exist on the subscription.

    If a billing term scheme does not include any services as supported ones, then this means that all services are allowed for this scheme.

    Only termed, usage and expense services are allowed to be added in that list

    Status
    colourRed
    titleAvailable from CRM.COM R9.0.0

    Defines if the specified service should be billed for a period in advance or for a period of time which was already exceeded. The supported are the following:  

    • Post-Rate: This is the default option. If selected, then the related service will be rated up to the date that the prepaid billing run was performed
    • Pre-Rate: If selected, then the related service will be rated up to the date that the prepaid billing run was performed + the "period billed in advance" defined for that service

    Period Billed in Advance *
    Mandatory id the Pre-Rate billing type is selected 

    Status
    colourRed
    titleAvailable from CRM.COM R9.0.0

    Defines the period that the specified service will be billed in advance. The period can be specified in days, weeks or months. This information is applicable and mandatory only for Prepaid Billing Term Schemes and only if the supported service's billing type is set to Pre-Rated.
    Can only take integer values greater than 0Allowed Price PlansPrice plansDetermines which price plans should be allowed to be used during the creation of billing terms having that billing term scheme. By default all price plan can be selected in the allowed price plans of a billing term scheme. If a billing term scheme does not include any price plan as allowed ones, then this means that all valid price plans are allowed for this scheme.

    Defining your own Billing Term Schemes for Subscriptions tailored to your company's needs

  • Navigate to CONFIGURATION > BILLING APPLICATION > BILLING > SET UP BILLING TERM SCHEMES
  • Either search for an existing one or from the Top Menu click on NEW
    PREPAID BILLING TERM SCHEMESImage Removed

  • MAIN INFORMATION

    1. Provide information for the following fields

      1. Code: Provide name for the scheme

      2. Name:  Provide name for the scheme
      3. Type: Select PREPAID from the Drop down list
      4. Classification: Select Subscription from the Drop down List
      5. Description:  Provide a description for the scheme

  • ALLOWED ATTRIBUTES

    1. SERVICES

      1. Click on ADD to search and add the services that will be available for subscription created based on the specific scheme

      2. Billing Type: Select between Pre-Rate and Post-Rate 

        Status
        colourRed
        titleAvailable from CRM.COM R9.0.0

      3. Period Billed in Advance: Type the period to be billed in advance and the UOT which can be days, weeks or months - 
        Status
        colourRed
        titleAvailable from CRM.COM R9.0.0
    2. PRICE PLANS
      1. Click on ADD to select from the drop down list the price plans that will be available for subscription created based on the specific scheme

  • BILLING RULES

    1. GENERIC

      1. Billable Period Start Date: Select the billing method from the drop down list

      2. Billing Effective Date: Select the billing method from the drop down list

      3. Discount Option: Select the billing method from the drop down list. 
        Select Flexible Pricing if you would like to enable Additive Discounts application 

      4. Allow Concurrent Usage: Check the box if you would like to enable concurrent usage

  • From the Actions Menu click on SAVE

    • LOG INFORMATION

    Include PageLog Information - GlobalLog Information - Global AnchoramendamendAmending Billing Term Schemes for Subscriptions

    Billing Term Schemes cannot be updated in case there is at least one subscription/job that uses the specific Billing Term Scheme. If a Billing Term Scheme is required to change then a new Version of the scheme will be created. In this way:

    • When Billing Term Scheme A Version 1 is amended and Version 2 is created
    • Then
      • Subscriptions that have been created with Billing Term Scheme A Version 1, will keep abiding by rules and restrictions on Billing Term Scheme A Version 1
      • Subscriptions that have been created with Billing Term Scheme A Version 2, will abide by rules and restrictions on Billing Term Scheme A Version 2

    Amend Billing Term Scheme

    To amend a Billing Term Scheme follow the steps below

    1. Navigate to CONFIGURATION > BILLING APPLICATION > BILLING > SET UP BILLING TERM SCHEMES
    2. Search for an existing Billing Term Scheme
    3. Click on the number of the scheme to go to the Data Entry Page
    4. From the Actions Menu click on ACTIONS > AMEND
    5. Make the required changes
    • Note that the following fields cannot be amended
      • Code
      • Type
      • Classification

    System Processing

    • New Billing Term Scheme
      • Version number will increase by 1
      • Effective Date will be set to the current date
      • All the configuration will be carried over from previous version
    • Previous Billing Term Scheme
      • Expired On  will be set to the current date
      • Life Cycle Date will be updated to Terminated

    Viewing Previous Versions 

    Accessing a billing term scheme with multiple versions, you will always see the latest version, while you have the option to View configuration of Previous versions by using the "VIEW PREVIOUS VERSIONS" link found in the Main Information tab
    Discount Options*

    Determines if the Billing Terms will use a 'Fixed' or 'Flexible' pricing. If 'Fixed' pricing is selected, Additive Discounts cannot be applied on Subscriptions and Jobs having Billing Terms of this specific Scheme.

    Allow Concurrent UsageDetermines if Concurrent Usage-based pricing, which is used to bill the customer based on the number of concurrent Services used or Physical Goods sold, is allowed to be specified in Billing Terms of this specific Scheme.
    Log Information
    Log detailsThe standard set of Log Details information available in all entities .
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