Versions Compared

Key

  • This line was added.
  • This line was removed.
  • Formatting was changed.

Back to Subscriptions Main Page

Excerpt
hiddentrue

Learn to configure Billing Term Subscription Business Definitions that will determine the overall behaviour of Billing Term Subscription

Panel
nameblue

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
minLevel2

Navigating to Billing Term Subscription Definitions

Info

CONFIGURATION > BILLING APPLICATION > BILLING > SET UP BILLING TERM DEFINITIONS

 

What are Billing Term Subscription Definitions?

Billing Term Definition Rules include validations and restrictions that will be used across Billing Terms. A Billing Term represents the agreement between a customer and the company and defines the Rules and conditions that should be applied during Billing. All Billing Terms, regardless of their related Billing Schemes, will use Billing Term Definitions to apply general business Rules and restrictions. 

These business Rules will be used to validate several processes that will be applied to either the Billing Term or its related billable entities. For example, Rules can be defined where Regret is not allowed after a certain number of days, or cancellation penalties can be defined based on a particular Service and the remaining Binding Period.

One or more exceptions can be specified for each Rule.  It is also possible to define the Billing Term Schemes for which the Rules must be applied.  If no Billing Term Schemes are defined, then the Rule is applied to all billable entities.  If one or more Billing Term Schemes are specified, then the Rule is applied only to billable entities of the specific Billing Term Scheme.

Billing Term Subscription can be edited, deleted and have their Life Cycle State changed provided that validations and restrictions are met.

  • Navigate to Billing Term Subscription Definition and explore existing entries via the Summary page.
  • Click on the link (Name or Number) of the entry of your interest to access the Data Entry page and see more detail.
  • Use the Actions Menu to create a NEW Definition, modify (EDIT), or DELETE an existing one.
  • Use BACK to return to the Summary page and CANCEL to revert any unwanted changes made to the Definition. 

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

BILLING TERM DEFINITIONS


Anchor
validations
validations
Validations & Restrictions

ActionValidationsRestrictions
General
  • Multiple Billing Term Subscription Definitions can exist in the System, but each one should have a unique Name and Alternative Code.
  • Only one 'Active' Billing Term Subscription Definition can exist at any given time.
  • If no 'Active' Billing Term Subscription Definition exists, then no Billing Term Subscription can be created.
Create
  • Mandatory Fields must be defined.
  • Name and Alternative Code must be unique.
  • Not Applicable
Edit
  • Mandatory Fields must be defined.
  • Name and Alternative Code must be unique.
  • Not Applicable
Delete
  • Not Applicable
  • Cannot be deletedifitsthe'Active' Definition.

Anchor
attributes
attributes
Billing Term Subscription Definition Attributes 

Name

Description

NumberAn auto-generated number that uniquely identifies the Billing Term Definition.
Name*A name for the Billing Term Definition.
Alternative Code*An alternative code for the Billing Term Definition.
DescriptionA description for the Billing Term Definition.
StateThe state of the Billing Term Subscription Definition. Only one active Definition per Classification should exist.
Classification*

Determines the Type of billable entities on which the Billing Term Definitions will be applied. In this case, the Classification is set to Subscriptions.

Billing Term Rules
Billing Term Amendment Rules

Determines the Rules that are applied during Billing Term Amendments. The Rules consists of the following:

  • Restrict binding period extension.
  • Restrict binding period adjustment.
  • Restrict binding period renewal.

Applicable on Billing Term Schemes (drill-down): Defines the Billing Term Schemes that the Subscriptions should follow, for the specified processing method to be applicable. Multiple Billing Term Schemes can be specified through that list.

Exceptions on specific Users or Units can also be defined for each Rule.

Status
colourRed
titleApplicable up to R9
Prepaid Billing Rules

Note

Status
colourGreen
titleAvailable from CRM.COM R10.0.0

From CRM.COM R10 onwards the section is no longer available.

The logic on Prepaid Billing Run Rules will be replaced as follows:

  • The minimum Wallet Balance threshold is defined in the Wallet Definitions and is applicable across all Billing Term Schemes.
  • The Prepaid Billing Run will not bill Subscription Services if the available Wallet Balance minus the amount to be debited is less than that specified threshold.

 

Determines the Rules that are applied during Prepaid Billing Runs. The Rules consist of the following:

  • Restrict the debiting of Wallets with a Balance less than the Stop Service threshold: If enabled then the Prepaid Billing Run will debit Wallets up to the remaining Balance (not more). For example, if the Wallet Balance is 10 and the Stop Service threshold is 0, and this Rule is enabled, a Prepaid Billing Run for €15 will result in a Wallet Debit TransAction for 10 and not 15 euros, resulting in a Wallet Balance of 0. If the Rule is not enabled, then the Wallet Debit TransAction will be created for the amount of 15, resulting in Wallet Balance of - €5.
  • The disconnection threshold can be configured in the Prepaid Billing Run Definition under Stop Service Tab which becomes available once enabled.

Applicable on Billing Term Schemes (drill-down): Defines the Billing Term Schemes that the Subscriptionsshouldfollowforthe specified processing method to be applicable. Multiple Billing Term Schemes can be specified through the list.

Price Changes

Determines the Rules that are applied whentherearemodificationinPrice Plans which are already used in Billing Terms. The Rules consist of the following:

  • Applying price changes only on customers in binding
  • Applying price changes only on customers out of binding

Applicable on Billing Term Schemes (drill-down): Defines the Billing Term Schemes that the Subscriptionsshouldfollowforthe specified processing method to be applicable. Multiple Billing Term schemes can be specified through that list.

Usage Services Billing Rules

Note

Status
colourGreen
titleAvailable from CRM.COM R10.0.0

From CRM.COM R10 onwards the following change applies:

  • Usage Service Billing Rules are only applicable on Normal Billing Term Schemes.
  • Usage Services will always be billed immediately after execution if the Subscription follows a Prepaid Billing Term Scheme

Defines the Billing Rules that should be applied to Usage Services based on a set of conditions. Multiple Rules can be specified but the conditions should not be contradicting.

  • Status
    colourRed
    titleApplicable up to R9
    Processing Method (radio button): 
    Defines if the Usage Services should be processed and billed immediately when submitted them or if they should be billed by the Billing Run process. The supported values are the following:
    • Billing Run process (the default option)
    • Immediately after execution
  • Status
    colourGreen
    titleAvailable from CRM.COM R10.0.0
    Maximum unbilled amount threshold:
    Defines the maximum rated total amount of all Usage Services that needs to be reached for them to be included in a Bill (Applies only for Normal and not Prepaid Subscriptions).
  • Status
    colourGreen
    titleAvailable from CRM.COM R10.0.0
    Maximum number of unbilled UDRs:
     Defines the maximum number of unprocessed Usage Detail Records required for Usage Services to be included in a Bill (Applies only for Normal and not Prepaid Subscriptions).
  • Applicable on Billing Term Schemes (drill-down): Defines the Billing Term Schemes that the Subscriptions should follow, for the specified processing method to be applicable. Multiple Billing Term Schemes can be specified through the list.

Override Credit Limit Rules

Status
colourYellow
titleAvailable from CRM.COM R11.0.0

A set of Rules/conditions which when satisfied override the default CRM.COM Credit Limit Rule, which blocks the execution of Events (Subscription Actions) if the customer's Credit Limit, as defined on their Accounts Receivable, is exceeded. i.e. if the Balance of the Accounts Receivable is greater than the Credit Limit.
If no Rules are defined, then the default behaviour is applied where Subscriptions cannot be activated unless the Balance of the Accounts Receivable is less than the Credit Limit of the Account.

The Override Credit Limit Rules determine the conditions required for Actions to override the Credit Limit Rule and be applied on Subscriptions.

Name

Description

Events

The Events on which the Rule is applicable:

  • Become Effective Subscriber
  • Subscription Activation
  • End Subscription Resting
  • Subscription Service Start
  • Service Upgrade
  • Service Downgrade
  • Service Swap
  • Add Service Usage
  • Short Term Subscription Activation
  • End Short Term Subscription Deactivation 
  • Change Subscription Distribution
  • Change Subscriber Account
  • Extend Grace Period
  • Amend Bundled Services
Applicable on Conditions

A set of conditions that should be met for the Rule to be applied and override the Credit Limit Rule. Conditions set in the same row must all be met for the Rule to be applied.
If no conditions are defined, the Rule is applied anyway. The following can be set:

  • Accounts Receivable Classification
  • Credit Rating


Subscription Action Rules
Activation Conditions
Status
colourGreen
titleApplicable up to CRM.COM R10
 
Note

Status
colourGreen
titleApplicable up to CRM.COM R10
- Activation Conditions are available up to CRM.COM R10. As from CRM.COM R11 Override Credit Limit Rules, thefunctionality is used to control the activation of Subscriptions.

 

Determines the conditions that should be fulfilled for a Subscription or a Subscription Service to become 'Effective'. The condition set includes the following:

  • Billing Term Scheme
  • Financial Account Classification
  • Credit Rating
  • Outstanding Amount Less Than
  • Outstanding for Less Than X Days
    If the actual Due amount (calculated using the number of X days that have lapsed) is more than or equal to this amount, the Subscription will not be activated.
  • Account Balance
    If the actual Account Balance is more than or equal to this amount, the Subscription will not be activated.

 

Note

If Billing Term Scheme and Account Classification conditions are met, then the System will proceed to check the remaining conditions (Credit Rating, Balance, Outstanding Amount).
If these conditions are met, then the Subscription will not be activated. These fields act as restrictions to Activation.

 

The conditions are applicable for the following set of Events (more than one Event can be selected for each condition):

  • Become effective subscriber
  • Subscription activation
  • End Subscription Resting
  • Subscription Service start
  • Service upgrade
  • Service downgrade
  • Service Swap
  • Add Service Usage: If checked, then the activation conditions will be applicable whenever an Add Service Usage is submitted.
  • Short Term Subscription activation
  • End Short Term Subscription deactivation

Resting Period Rules

Determines the Rules that are enforced whenever a Subscription goes into Resting. The Rules consist of the following:

  • Allowed days in Resting per year, starting from one of the following dates:
    • First day of year
    • Subscription effective date
    • Billing start date
    • Agreement date
  • Allowed times in Resting per year, starting from one of the following dates:
    • First day of year
    • Subscription effective date
    • Billing start date
    • Agreement date
  • Minimum and maximum days each time a Subscription goes into Resting.

The Rules can be applied either on all Billing Term Schemes or only on specific Billing Term Schemes. Exceptions on specific Users or Units can also be defined for each Rule.

Grace Period Rules

 

Determines the Rules that are enforced whenever a Subscription's Grace period is extended. The Rules consist of the following:

  • Allowed days in Grace per year, starting from one of the following dates:
    • First day of year
    • Subscription effective date
    • Billing start date
    • Agreement date
  • Allowed times in Grace per year, starting from one of the following dates:
    • First day of year
    • Subscription effective date
    • Billing start date
    • Agreement date
  • Minimum and maximum days each time a Subscription goes into Grace.

The Rules can be applied either on all Billing Term Schemes or only on specific Billing Term Schemes. Exceptions on specific Users or Units can also be defined for each Rule.

Regret Period Rules

Determines the Rules that are enforced whenever a Subscription or Subscription Service is Regretted. The Rules enforce the customers to Regret within a specificperiodaftertheSubscription, or the Service was activated. The Rules consist of the following:

  • Allow Regretting a Subscription
    • Maximumperiodafter Subscription effective date, agreement date or binding start date, measured in days, weeks, months or years.
  • Allow Regretting a mandatory Subscription Service
    • Maximum period after Subscription Service effective date, agreement date or binding start date, measured in days, weeks, months or years
  • Allow Regretting an optional Subscription Service
    • Maximum period after Subscription Service effective date, agreement date or binding start date, measured in days, weeks, months or years

The Rules can be applied either on all Billing Term Schemes or only on specific Billing Term Schemes. Exceptions on specific Users or Units can also be defined for each Rule.

Note

All the conditions will be validated. 

i.e., if an Allow Subscription Regret is defined which is one day after the Effective Date and an Allow Mandatory Service Regret is defined, which is five days after the Effective Date when the mandatory Service is Regretted, the Subscription Regret will also be validated. The mandatory Service can only be Regretted if only one day has passed since its Activation.

Either the Period to Regret Subscription or the Period to Regret Mandatory Services can be defined along with the Period to Regret Optional Services. All three restrictions cannot be defined.

Service Swap Rules

Determines the Rules that are enforced whenever a mandatory or optional Service is Swapped. The Rules enforce the customers to Swap Services only if a period after the date that the Subscription or the Service was activated has passed. The Rules consist of the following:

  • Swap Type
    • Allow Service upgrading
    • Allow Service downgrading
    • Allow Service switching
  • Minimumperiodbefore Swapping is allowed, starting from:
    Services can be Swapped after the selected date
    • Subscription Effective Date
    • Subscription Service Effective Date
    • Binding Start Date
    • Agreement Date
    • Status
      colourYellow
      titleAvailable from CRM.COM R11.0.0
      Rated Up To Date

The Rules can be applied either on all Billing Term Schemes or only on specific Billing Term Schemes. Exceptions on specific Users or Units can also be defined for each Rule.

Cancellation Outside of Binding Rules

Determines the Rules that are applied whenever a billable entity is Cancelled while not in binding. The Rules enforce the customers to notify the Service provider before cancelling a Subscription or Subscription Service, X UOT before their requested cancellation date. The Rules consist of the following:

  • Cancellation Type: 
    • Subscription cancellation
    • Mandatory Subscription Service cancellation
    • Optional Subscription Service cancellation
  • Cancellation notice: A period before cancellation, which can be measured in days, weeks, months and years

The Rules can be applied either on all Billing Term Schemes or only on specific Billing Term Schemes. Exceptions on specific Users or Units can also be defined for each Rule.

Note

Either define Allow Subscription Cancellation or Allow Mandatory Services Cancellation along with Allow Optional Services Cancellation. All three restrictions cannot be defined.

Cancellation During Binding Rules

Determines the Rules that are applied whenever a billable entity is Cancelled while in binding. The Rules enforce the customers to cancel their Subscriptions or Subscription Services only if the cancellation date is near the Binding End date or the allowed cancellation date. The Rules consist of the following:

  • Cancellation Type:
    • Subscription cancellation
    • Mandatory Subscription Service cancellation
    • Optional Subscription Service cancellation
  • Cancellation Type: A period before the Binding End date or the allowed cancellation date, which can be measured in days, weeks, months and years

The Rules can be applied either on all Billing Term Schemes or only on specific Billing Term Schemes. Exceptions on specific Users or Units can also be defined for each Rule. If no Rules are specified or applied then cancellations while in binding are not allowed.

Note

The conditions will all be validated. 

i.e., if a Subscription Cancellation Notice is defined which is one day before the Binding End date and a Mandatory Service Cancellation Notice is defined which is for five days when the mandatory Service is Cancelled, the Subscription Cancellation Notice will also be validated. The mandatory Service can only be Cancelled one day before Binding End

TIP: Either define Allow Subscription Cancellation or Allow Mandatory Services Cancellation along with Allow Optional Services Cancellation. 

Short Term Activation Period Rules

 

Determines the Rules that are applied whenever a Subscription is activated for a short period. The Rules consist of the following:

  • Allowed days in short-term effective per year, starting from one of the following dates:
    • First day of year
    • Subscription effective date
    • Billing start date
    • Agreement date
  • Allowed times in short-term effective per year, starting from one of the following dates:
    • First day of year
    • Subscription effective date
    • Billing start date
    • Agreement date
  • Minimum and maximum days each time a Subscription goes into short-term effective activation.

The Rules can be applied either on all Billing Term Schemes or only on specific Billing Term Schemes. Exceptions on specific Users or Units can also be defined for each Rule.

Short Term Deactivation Period Rules

 

Determines the Rules that are applied whenever a Subscription is deactivated for a short period. The Rules consist of the following:

  • Allowed days in Short Term Not Effective per year, starting from one of the following dates:
    • First day of year
    • Subscription effective date
    • Billing start date
    • Agreement date
  • Allowed times in Short Term Not Effective per year, starting from one of the following dates:
    • First day of year
    • Subscription effective date
    • Billing start date
    • Agreement date
  • Minimum and maximum days each time a Subscription goes into short-term deactivation

The Rules can be applied either on all Billing Term Schemes or only on specific Billing Term Schemes. Exceptions on specific Users or Units can also be defined for each Rule.

Note

The Conditions applicable to all Subscription Action Rules follow the logic below:

Values on the same row are related by AND.
Values on different rows are related by OR.

Policies

Note

Conditions of Rules added in the 'Applicable on Conditions' Section follow the logic below:

Values on the same row are related by AND
Values on different rows are related by OR

 

Expense ServiceThe Expense Service that will be automaticallyaddedontheSubscription automatically addedonthe Subscription once the policy's conditions are met. Only Products marked as 'Expense Services' are available for selection.
Event *
Mandatory if an Expense has been Selected 

A list of Events upon which the Expense Service might be eligible to be automatically applied on a Subscription as long as the policy's Conditions are met. Only one Event can be selected each time. The following Events are available:

  • Subscription Initiation
    Expense Service is added automatically whenever a new Subscription is created and activated or when a 'Draft' Subscription is activated.
  • Short Term Subscription activation
     
    Expense Service is added automatically whenever a Subscription is activated for a short period.
  • Subscription Cancellation
    Expense Service is added automatically whenever a Subscription is Cancelled.
  • Subscription Regret
    Expense Service is added automatically whenever a Subscription is Regretted.
  • Change Subscriber
    Expense Service is added automatically whenever the subscriber changes on the Subscription (change of Subscription owner, not of Accounts Receivable).
  • Add Installed Item
    Expense Service is automatically added when a new Installed Itemisaddedon the Subscription through the Add Installed Item Action.
  • Swap Installed Item
    Expense Service is automatically added when a new Installed Itemisaddedon the Subscription through a Swap Installed Item Action.
  • Remove Installed Item
    Expense Service is automatically added when an Installed Item is Removed from the Subscription through a Remove Installed Item Action. 
Conditions

A set of Conditions that should be met for the Expense Service to beaddedontheSubscription. Multiple conditions can be defined for each Event-based conditional expense policy.

Note

If no condition is defined then, the expense will be added every time the Event is triggered.

The conditions set includes the following:

  • Subscription Types
  • Billing Term Schemes
  • Binding State
    • In Binding
    • Out of Binding
  • Existing Installed Item
    • Existing Installed Item Product (available for all Type of Events)
    • Existing Installed Item Product Type (available for all Type of Events)
    • Existing Installed Item Product family (available for all Type of Events)
  • Installed Item to be Added
    • Installed Item Product to be Added (available only if the Event is Add Installed Item or Swap Installed Item)
    • Installed Item Product Type to be Added (available only if the Event is Add Installed Item or Swap Installed Item)
    • Installed Item Product family to be Added (available only if the Event is Add Installed Item or Swap Installed Item)
  • Installed Item to be Removed
    • Installed Item Product to be Removed (available only if the Event is Remove Installed Item or Swap Installed Item)
    • Installed Item Product Type to be Removed (available only if the Event is Remove Installed Item or Swap Installed Item)
    • Installed Item Product family to be Removed (available only if the Event is Remove Installed Item or Swap Installed Item)

Add Expense Action Type

Status
colourBlue
titleAvailable from CRM.COM R12.0.0

The Subscription Action Type that will be used while performing ADD EXPENSE Action on a Subscription.

Note

Add Expense Action Type is applicable and mandatory only if Action Types exist with behavior code equal to ADDEXPENSE.

Add ExpenseSub ActionType

Status
colourBlue
titleAvailable from CRM.COM R12.0.0

The Subscription Sub Action Type that will be used while performing ADD EXPENSE Action on a Subscription.

Note

Add Expense Sub Action Type is applicable and mandatory only if Action Types exist with business classification code equal to ADDEXPENSE.


Settings

Note

For each of the Rules added in the Settings, Conditions in the 'Applicable on Conditions' Section follow the logic below:

Values on the same row are related by AND
Values on different rows are related by OR

 

Billable Life Cycle States

Used to determine additional Billing directions to extend the System's default behaviour. Additional Billing direction consist of the following:

  • Additional Billable Subscription Service Life Cycle States: Billable Subscription Service Life Cycle States are used to determine which Subscription Service Life Cycle State History periods are billable.BydefaulttheSystem considers 'Effective' and 'Short Term Effective' periods as billable, but this can be extended by defining additional billable Subscription Service Life Cycle States. The supported states are the following:
    • Draft
    • Not Effective
    • In Resting
    • Short Term Not Effective
  • Additional conditions are available, which include the following:
    • Subscription Services
    • Subscription Types
    • Billing Term Schemes
    • Binding State (in binding / out of binding)
Note

Status
colourGreen
titleAvailable from CRM.COM R10.2.0
- As from CRM.COMR10.2.0 the only default billableLife Cycle State is 'Effective'.

Non-Creditable Life Cycle States
  • Additional Non-creditable Subscription Service Life Cycle States are used to determine which Subscription Service Life Cycle State History Periods should never be refunded (i.e. credited). By default, the System considers 'Effective', 'Short Term Effective' and 'Draft' periods as non-creditable, but this can be extended by defining additional non-creditable Subscription Service Life Cycle States. The supported states are the following:
    • Draft
    • Expired
    • Not Effective
    • In Resting
    • Cancelled
    • Swapped
    • Removed
    • Short Term Not Effective

Additional conditions are available, which include the following:

  • Subscription Services
  • Subscription Types
  • Billing Term Schemes
  • Binding State (in binding / out of binding)
Note

Status
colourGreen
titleAvailable from CRM.COM R10.2.0
- As from CRM.COMR10.2.0 the default non-creditable Life Cycle States are 'Effective' and ' Draft.'

Allowed Billing FrequenciesDetermines the billing frequencies which can be used in Billing Term Schemes, along with a label translation. Five custom options are also available. The time unit of each custom option can also be configured in this section.
Allowed Binding PeriodsDetermines the binding options which can be used in Billing Term Schemes, along with a label translation. Five custom options are also available. The time unit of each custom option can also be configured in this section.

Penalties

Note

For each of the Rules added in each area of the Penalties, Conditions in the 'Applicable on Conditions' Section follow the logic below:

Values on the same row are related by AND
Values on different rows are related by OR

 

Cancellation Penalties

Cancellation Penalties are used to determine the penalties that will be applied when a Service is Cancelled either within or outside of binding.

Cancellation penalties can be specified either as a fixed amount or as a percentage.In case of 'Cancellation Within Binding', on the percentage is applied to the remaining time up to the Binding End date.
Different Cancellation Penalties within binding can be configured to cover different periods before Binding End date. For example, 20% if the cancellation is 12 to 6 months before the Binding End date and 10% if the cancellation is 6 months before the Binding End date.

Multiple cancellation penalties can be defined. Each penalty can be applied on all specific subscribers based on their:

  • Subscription Services
  • Subscription Type
  • Billing Term scheme
Panel
namegrey

Related Areas

Filter by label (Content by label)
showLabelsfalse
spacesV4Manual
showSpacefalse
labelsnormal-billing-basics-r7,normal-billing-advanced-r7,normal-billing-admin-r7

Panel
namegrey

Helpful Links

Filter by label (Content by label)
showLabelsfalse
spacesV4Manual
showSpacefalse
labelsglobal