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Learn to work with usage service catalogues

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Excerpt
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Learn to work with usage service catalogs

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Overview

Usage Service catalogues Catalogs (USCs) are catalogues for contain products that are offered on customer request and charged based on their consumption. USCs contain offer information on the pricing and service validity of products and options for integrating CRM.COM with third-party provisioning systems.  

Usage

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service catalog features

  • Usage Service Catalogs (USCs) are required for the operation of the over-the-top (OTT) business model, as services include pay-per-view (PPV) or Video video on demand (VOD) movies, video games or , and telephone calls, making USCs suitable for supporting the Over-the-top (OTT) business model.  Despite their name, USCs .
  • USCs are not limited to services.  The catalogs can also contain physical goods (, such as fuel) and can therefore support diverse lines of business.
  • Use usage service catalogue definitions to define standard rates for services of the same type, for efficiency when creating usage service catalogues.
  • Usage services are added to subscriptions, supporting diverse lines of business.
  • Usage services are added, managed and billed through the 'the Add Usage Service' subscription  subscription action.
  • Addition of usage services to a subscription may require the presence of a termed service on the subscription, which can be defined through the usage service catalogue.
  • Usage services from multiple catalogues may be selected and added to a subscription.
  • When a usage service is added a Usage Detail Record is created which holds information related to the order of the usage service and used for billing.
  • Already rated (billed) usage services (i.e. UDRs)  
  • Usage services from more than one catalog can be added to the same subscription.
  • The presence of a termed subscription service can be required for the addition of services.  
  • Each time a service is added, a Usage Detail Record (UDR) is created for billing purposes. 
  • UDRs of billed services can be imported into CRM.COM from external system in which cases billing in CRM.COM can handle only additional discounts providedsystems, to provide additional discounts.
  • Standard rates for services of the same type can be defined through USC definitions, to simplify the process of creating catalogs.


Setting Up Usage Service

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Catalogs

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 Configuration > Finance Application > Usage Service cataloguesCatalog

Definitions

A usage service catalogue catalog definition is the set of business rules that determine the behaviour of catalogues maintained in the system.The behavior of catalogs maintained in the system.

When creating a new catalog, the following must be defined when creating a catalogue:

  • The types of usage services that will be availablebe offered through the catalog
  • Default billing rates for each service that can be added to the cataloguecatalog
  • The available provisioning providers

Usage Service catalogue Definition Data Entry page

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Definition fields

The table describes the sections of the Usage Service catalogue Catalog Definition Data Entry page and explains how the fields in on the page are used.

 Mandatory   Configurable

Used to provide discounted rates as long as the conditions are met. Several tiered rates can be specified as long as their conditions do not overlap. Each rate is defined in a different row and applied if the row conditions are met.

Tiered rates consist of:

ConditionsUsage MethodDeviceSource Category (that will initiate the provisioning)Destination Category (that will receive the provisioning)
  • Usage Start Time (inclusive)
  • Usage End Time (inclusive)
  • Minimum Usage (inclusive)
  • Maximum Usage (inclusive)
  • Rate

  • Allowed Attributes

    Defines the attributes that can be used for creating or modifying Usage Service catalogues.usage service catalogs

    Provisioning Providers

    Define the providers that will be available when creating a new service cataloguescatalog, and a default provider.  If the service is offered by a third party , then its provider and necessary information (e.g., the provisioning ID) offers the service, then the provider and provisioning ID will be available directly from the cataloguecatalog.

    Usage Service Types

    Define the product types that can be added to the catalogue catalog and the default type when creating a new cataloguecatalog.

    Default Rates Per Usage Service Type

    Predefined rates based on product type speed up the setup of cataloguescatalogs.

    The rate for each added product type is assigned in the definition and can be modified

    Rated: Select for usage services imported to CRM.COM (through the WEB API) whose billing rates are determined by third party systems.  When checked, the 'Base Rate' and 'Tiered Rates' fields in the catalogue will be unavailable.

    Apply Additional Discount: Select for 'rated' usage services that additional discount should be applied through CRM.COM

    Unit of Measurement: The unit of measurement based on which usage service of the specified product type will be rated. This is a read only field and defined once the UDR type is selected.

    Base Rate: The basic charge for the service type, which is applied if tiered rates are not defined or their conditions are not fulfilled.

    Tiered Rates

    Related configuration areas

    The following module is related to usage service catalogues and may be configured for the usage service catalogues module to operate at its full capacity.

    Manual LinkAreaDescription
    ProductsProduct Types and Products

    Product types must be configured in order to be rated.

    Usage Detail Records (UDRs)Setting up UDRsSet up Usage Detail Records attributes which can be used as conditions in the tiered rates of catalogues and catalogue definitions

    Normal Subscriptions

    Billing Term SchemeDefine the maximum number of unbilled UDRs that should be present in the system or the maximum cumulative amount from ordered UDRs (within a subscription), before being billed.
    Additive DiscountsAdditive Discount DefinitionsDefine discounts that should be used to discount usage services.

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    Using Usage Service catalogues

    Info

    Finance > Product & Pricing > Usage Service catalogues > Manage Usage Service catalogues

    Usage Service catalogue Data Entry page

    Usage Service Catalog Data Entry pageImage Removed

     

    Usage service catalogue fields

    The table describes the sections of the Usage Service catalogue Data Entry page and explains how the fields in the page are used.

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    Termed Service Requirements:

    Subject to business rules, subscribers can be charged a monthly service fee (such as a VOD service subscription fee), as a prerequisite for ordering a usage service (e.g., a movie).  The service fee can be defined in CRM.COM as an optional termed service. Select between:

    • Requires an Effective Termed Service (a termed service must be present and effective on the subscription)
    • Requires a Termed Service (a termed service must be present on the subscription)
    • Does Not Require a Termed Service
    Provisioning Provider: A catalogue
    Main Information

    is assigned in the definition and can be modified

    Rated: Enable for usage services imported to CRM.COM (through the WEB API) whose billing rates are determined by third-party systems.  When checked, the 'Base Rate' and 'Tiered Rates' fields in the catalog will be unavailable.

    Apply Additional Discount: Enable to allow the application of additional discounts to rated usage services through CRM.COM.

    Unit of Measurement: The unit used for rating usage services of the specific product type; the field is read-only and defined when the UDR type is selected.

    Base Rate: The basic charge for the service type, which is applied if tiered rates are not defined or their conditions are not fulfilled.

    Tiered Rates

    Used to provide discounted rates as long as the conditions are met. Several tiered rates can be specified as long as their conditions do not overlap. Each rate is defined in a different row and applied if the row conditions are met.

    Tiered rates consist of:

    • Conditions
      • Usage Method
      • Device
      • Source Category (that will initiate the provisioning)
      • Destination Category (that will receive the provisioning)
      • Usage Start Time (inclusive)
      • Usage End Time (inclusive)
      • Minimum Usage (inclusive)
      • Maximum Usage (inclusive)
    • Rate

    Related configuration areas

    The following modules are related to usage service catalogs and may be configured for the usage service catalogs module to operate at its full capacity.

    Manual LinkAreaDescription
    ProductsProduct types and products

    Product types must be configured so that they can be rated.

    Usage Detail Records (UDRs)Setting up UDRsAttributes used as conditions in the tiered rates of catalogs and of catalog definitions must be set up.

    Normal Subscriptions

    Billing term scheme

    The maximum number of unbilled UDRs that can be present in the system and the maximum total unbilled amount resulting from ordered UDRs (within a subscription), must be defined.

    Additive DiscountsAdditive discount definitionsDefine discounts for usage services.

     

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    Using Usage Service Catalogs

    Info

    Finance > Product & Pricing > Usage Service Catalogs > Manage Usage Service Catalogs

    Image Added

     

    Usage service catalog fields

    The table describes the sections of the Usage Service Catalog Data Entry page and explains how the fields on the page are used.

     Mandatory   Configurable

    Main Information

    Termed Service Requirements: Subject to business rules, subscribers can be charged a monthly service fee (such as a VOD service subscription fee) as a prerequisite for ordering a usage service (e.g., a movie).  The service fee can be defined in CRM.COM as an optional termed service. Select between:

    • Requires an Effective Termed Service (a termed service must be present and effective on the subscription)
    • Requires a Termed Service (a termed service must be present on the subscription (in any life cycle state)

    Installed Item Requirements: Subject to business rules, subscribers may need to have a registered installed item on their subscription to be allowed to order a usage service.

    • Requires an Installed Item: An installed item will have to be selected before ordering when using the Add Service Usage subscription action.
    • Does Not Require an Installed Item

    Provisioning Provider: A catalog is associated with a third-party service provider, so that information (such as the provisioning ID) can be obtained directly from the cataloguecatalog.  The provider must be defined in the active usage service catalogue catalog definition to be available for selection.

    Life Cycle State represents the operational condition of the cataloguecatalog, which can be: 

    • Draft
    • Effective
    • Not Effective
    • Cancelled

    Services can only be added to subscriptions from 'Effective' usage service cataloguescatalogs.

    Accounts Receivable (available if the catalog is assigned to a corporate customer): The account that the catalog is used for, according to the pricing agreement.

    Validity

    The period during which the catalogue catalog is available and its services can be added to subscriptions. E.It g., certain movies are only available during the summer months.

    Validity can be set to 'Always Valid' or 'Valid for Specific Period'.E.g., Some movies can be made available only during summer.

    Usage Services

    The list of offerings of the specific cataloguecatalog, their rates (which can be conditional) and their validity.

    Usage Service: An offering from the specific cataloguecatalog. Only services of the type designated in the active usage service catalogue catalog definition can be added.  

    Note

    If multi-country network is enabled in General Settings, then additional rates in other currencies can be specified. Same service can be defined multiple times as long as it is in a different currency.


    Pre-Rated
    : Select Enable, for usage services imported to into CRM.COM (through the WEB API) whose billing rates are determined by third-party systems.  When checked, the 'Base Rate' and 'Tiered Rates' fields in the catalogue will be catalog become unavailable.  Usage services with a 'Rated' usage services (type designated in the active catalogue definition as Rated, will automatically be catalog definition) are automatically enabled in the cataloguecatalog.  

    Apply Additional Discount: Select for 'rated' usage services that additional discount should be applied  Enable to allow the application of additional discounts to rated usage services through CRM.COM.

     

    Unit of Measurement: The unit of measurement based on which usage service of the specified UDR type will be rated. This is a read only field and defined based on the UDR type of the serviceThe unit used for rating usage services of the specific product type; the field is read-only and defined when the UDR type is selected.

    Currency: in which the USC base rate is specified for the specific USC and product (must be different than the system currency as defined in the Global Settings).

    Base Rate: The basic charge for the service type, which is applied if tiered rates are not defined or their conditions are not fulfilled.

    Provisioning ID: Identification supplied for each service by the third-party provider.  An ID must be provided for all usage services whose product type is classified as a provisioning service.
    The ID can also be entered through the Data Entry page of each provider in the provisioning module.

    Start Date / Time: when the provisioning of a service (such as a Paypay-per-view show) will begin. E.g., at 09:00 on 1 Jan. 2017.

    End Date / Time: when the provisioning of the service will end. E.g., 00:00 on 2 Jan. 2017.

    Tax Model: Define whether the base and tiered rates of the specified usage service catalog are tax inclusive. By default, the tax rate follows the model defined in the Tax Definition.

    Tiered Rates

    Used to provide discounted rates as long as the conditions are met. Several tiered rates can be specified as long as their conditions do not overlap. Each rate is defined in a different row and applied if the row conditions are met.  Each rate is defined in a different row.

    Tiered rates consist of:

    • Conditions
      • Usage Method
      • Device
      • Source Category (that will initiate the provisioning)
      • Destination Category (that will receive the provisioning)
      • Usage Start Time (inclusive)
      • Usage End Time (inclusive)
      • Minimum Usage (inclusive)
      • Maximum Usage (inclusive)
    • Rate

    Subscription Conditions

    Define the the Types of subscriptions, Billing Term Schemes, subscriber Price Plans and Termed Subscription Services that should be present on subscriptions to enable the addition of services from this cataloguecatalog.

    Multiple rows can be added in each section and at least one of the conditions should be fulfilled in each row for the usage service catalogue catalog to be available.

    Conditions added in multiple sections (such as an account classification and subscription type) must all be fulfilled.

    Accounts Receivable Conditions

    Define the accounts receivable Classifications and Credit Ratings that enable the addition of services from this cataloguecatalog.

    Multiple rows can be added in each section and at least one of the conditions should be fulfilled in each row for the usage service catalogue catalog to be available.

    Conditions added in multiple sections (such as an account classification and subscription type) must all be fulfilled.


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    Creating and processing usage service

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    catalogs

    Note

    Actions are subject to validations, which Validations take place before an action is initiated (prerequisite) or after it is submitted (postcondition).

    Selecting and creating

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    usage service

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    catalogs

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    Specify the criteria that match the usage service catalogues you catalogs you are interested in or use NEW from the Actions menu to create a new cataloguecatalog. Provide the mandatory information and SAVE the cataloguecatalog. The life cycle state of the catalogue catalog must be 'Effective' in order to start adding services to a subscription from the cataloguecatalog.

    Editing existing usage service

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    catalogs

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    Use EDIT from the Actions Menu menu to add new, edit or delete existing usage service rates or change the validity and conditions set on in the cataloguecatalog.   

     Additional Information

    Prerequisites

    Catalogues Catalogs must be in a 'Draft', 'Effective' or 'Not Effective' life cycle state to be updated.

    Postconditions

    Usage services can be removed from catalogues catalogs in a 'Draft', 'Effective' or 'Not Effective' life cycle state, provided that services added on subscriptions are already billed.

    Information on the service can be updated even if the service was added to a subscription and not billed.

     

    Deleting a usage service

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    catalog

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    Use DELETE from the Actions Menu to remove a usage service catalogue catalog from the list of available cataloguescatalogs.

    Additional Information

    Prerequisites

    Catalogues Catalogs can be deleted if their life cycle state is 'Draft' or 'Cancelled' and as long as any services added on subscriptions are already billed.

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    Canceling a usage service

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    catalog

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    Cancel a catalogue Catalogs and its their included services so that it is are canceled so that they are no longer available to subscriptions.  Cancelled catalogues

    Canceled catalogs can still be viewed in the system.  They can be deleted but not modified. 
    To cancel a catalogue catalog from the Data Entry page, click Cancel in the Actions Menumenu.

    Additional Information

    Prerequisites

    Catalogues Catalogs in a 'Draft', 'Effective' or 'Not Effective' life cycle state can be cancelledcanceled, provided that services added on subscriptions are already billed.

    Changing the life cycle state of a usage service

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    catalog

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    The life cycle state of a usage service catalogue catalog can be altered changed from the Actions Menumenu.

    Select 'Set as Effective' to make the catalogue catalog available to subscribers.  'Not Effective', 'Draft' and 'Cancelled' catalogues catalogs are not available to subscribers.

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    Prerequisites

    The life cycle state of a catalogue catalog can go from 'Draft' or 'Not Effective' to 'Effective', and from 'Effective' to 'Not Effective'.

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    Usage Service

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    Catalogs Business Example

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    titleCompany ZX OTT Model

    Scenario 1

    Company ZX has introduced new packages for (Overover-the-top) OTT subscribers. The OTT packages include several PPV (Paypay-per-view) movies.

    • Movies are charged €5.00 when provided between 00:01 and 6:59 and €10.00 during the rest of the day.
    • Older movies are always charged €3.00.
    To order a PPV movie, subscribers Subscribers must have an 'Effective' PPV service on their subscription to order a PPV movie.
    Movies Movies are free free for VIP subscribers.
    • Movies should be billed instantly.

    Customers can place their orders from their decoders or by calling the call centrecenter.



    Solution

    To meet the above requirement:

    • Product types of classification 'service' and service type , 'usage' and 'termed' must be configured.
    • Movies must be imported or created in the system with a usage service classification product type.
    Provider A provider must be configured (provisioning IDs for each OTT Service should be defined).
    • Usage service catalogue catalog definitions must be configured and activated.
    • Two usage service catalogues catalogs must be created including the available movies, one for VIP and one for normal subscribers.
    • Normal billing term scheme and usage service billing rules must be set for billing to take place whenever one or more movies are added.

    Configuration

    Product Types

    Product TypesClassificationService TypeComposition MethodUsed For Provisioning
    Usage ServicesServiceUsageFlatYes
    Termed ServicesServiceTermedFlatYes

     

    Products

    ProductTypeInformation
    PPV ServiceTermed ServicesNecessary in order to authorise authorize the addition of PPV movies to the subscription.
     
    PPV movies

    One product must be created for each available PPV movie.

    Usage services are added in usage service catalogues catalogs (not price plans).

    Lord of the Rings 1Usage service 
    SerendipityUsage service 
    LimitlessUsage service 

     

    Provisioning Provider example
    NagraVision Media Live provider

    Provisioning ProviderProvisioning ProtocolEnd PointUsernamePasswordEncodingDistributorsServicesPhysical Goods
    Nagra Media PlatformNagra Media Live Platformhttp://ott.nagra.com/customer/VTV/api/smsservice_1.2?wsdlRequest passwordRequest passwordUTF-8Nagra Media Live Main

    Define through Usage Service cataloguesusage service catalogs

    Thomson Decodersdecoders

     

     

    Usage Service catalogue Catalog Definitions

    Life Cycle StateAllowed AttributesDefault Rates by Usage Service Type
     Usage Service TypesProvisioning ProvidersService TypeBase RateTiered RateConditions
    ActiveUsage ServicesNagra Media LiveUsage Services€10.00€5.00
    • Usage Start Time: 00:01
    • Usage End Time: 06:59

    Usage Service catalogue Catalog for Normal Subscribers

    Provisioning ProviderValidityUsage Services
      Usage ServiceBase RateProvisioning IDTiered RateConditionsComments
    Nagra Media Live PlatformAlways ValidLord of the Rings€10.001AQ8€5.00
    • Usage Start Time: 00:01
    • Usage End Time: 06:59

    Usage service details will be set automatically according to the definition (base rate, tiered rate, tiered rate conditions).

    Nagra Media Live PlatformAlways ValidLimitless€10.001BQ1€5.00
    • Usage Start Time: 00:01
    • Usage End Time: 06:59

    Usage service details will be set automatically according to the definition (base rate, tiered rate, tiered rate conditions).

    Nagra Media Live PlatformAlways ValidSerendipity (old movie)€5.001BQ4Usage service details will be set automatically, according to the definition (base rate, tiered rate, tiered rate conditions); the user must manually update the base rate to €5.00 and remove any tiered rates.

     

     

    Usage Service catalogue Catalog for VIP Subscribers

    Provisioning ProviderValidityUsage ServicesAccounts Receivable Conditions
      Usage ServiceBase RateProvisioning IDTiered RateConditionsComments 
    Nagra Media Live PlatformAlways ValidLord of the Rings€0.001AQ8€0.00 

    -

    Usage service details will be set automatically according to the definition (base rate, tiered rate, tiered rate conditions); the user must manually update all to 0 and remove tiered rates.

    Classification = VIP
    Nagra Media Live PlatformAlways ValidLimitless€0.001BQ1€0.00 

    -

     

    Usage service details will be set automatically according to the definition (base rate, tiered rate, tiered rate conditions); the user must manually update all to 0 and remove tiered rates.

    Classification = VIP
    Nagra Media Live PlatformAlways ValidSerendipity (old movie)€0.001BQ4€0.00 -

    Usage service details will be set automatically according to the definition (base rate, tiered rate, tiered rate conditions); the user must manually update all to 0 and remove tiered rates.

    Classification = VIP

    Normal Billing Term Scheme

    Usage Services Billing Rules
    Maximum number of unbilled UDRs
    1

     

    User Process
    Subscribers can order PPV movies through:

    • a A portal that can be integrated to with CRM.COM using its WEB API library
    • the A subscriber 's device , provided it that is integrated with CRM.COM
    • the CRM.COM User Interfaceuser interface, using Add Service Usage.
    Note
    titleNotes

     

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    Glossary  

    CRM.COM TermDefinition
    Over-the-top (OTT)A broadcasting model where media (video, audio) are transmitted via the Internet as standalone products, without the need for a cable or satellite operator.
    Anchor
    udr
    udr
    Usage Detail Records (UDRs)
    Information describing the use of Usage Subscription Servicesusage subscription services.
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    provider
    provider
    Provisioning Provider
    Third-party systems Conditional Access conditional access (CA) and Overover-the-top (OTT) platforms with which CRM.COM integrates to provide services such as video content, telephony or games.
    Termed ServiceA service that is provided continuously and billed for a recurring period, regardless of usage.
    SubscriptionA collection selection of customer services billed on a recurring, usage or one-time basis.
    Accounts ReceivableA ledger of the financial transactions carried out between a company and its customers, such as invoices and payments.
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