Getting Started

So you are interested in Pricing!!!!

All you need to do is read this Getting Started guide to find out all the CRM.COM related to pricing modules. Via these modules you can define the rates for all of your products, create discounts that can either be added automatically or on agent's selection, request to bill customers for a longer period of time in advance while providing discounts, as well as set Price rates for Usage services.
We have deliberately placed focus on setting up the system with regards to pricing. Additional Getting Started Guides are available that cover other important areas of the system.

• Getting Started with CRM.COM
• Getting Started with Normal Subscriptions
• Getting Started with Prepaid Subscriptions
  
• Getting Started with OTT-based Subscriptions
• Getting Started with Rewards

Setting up your Business Rules

In this Getting Started Guide you will find out about the following modules, required for setting up and supporting your Pricing model in CRM.COM

• Price Plans
• Additive Discounts
• Buy in Advance
• Usage Service Catalogs
  
  

Setting Up Your Price Plans

Price Plans are your company's price catalogues. All the billed Products must be added to at least one Price Plan in order for billing to be applicable, with exception to Usage services which are added in dedicated Usage Price Catalogs. Price Plans can be conditional; the rates that are specified will be applied only on fulfilling the conditions specified on each Price Plan, making Conditional Price Plans a powerful tool used for providing several types of promotions and discounts to customers.

What Comes First

To be able to use Price Plans you need to configure the system to support your own business model. In the following table you can find all the related configuration modules related to Price Plans. Unlike other modules, Price Plans, do not have a configuration section. All you need to do is to work with the Price Plan module available under Billing Application.

• Fast Track: If you would like to set up your system with the basic functionality and get started with using it, follow the sub modules that are marked by the Fast Track Icon
• Complete Configuration: If you would like to utilise the system at its maximum then configure all the sub modules, marked by the Fast Track and Complete Configuration icon

Sub-module	Type	Classification
Price Plan	Transactional
Conditional Price Plans	Transactional
Billing Term Scheme	Configuration

Step 1: Setting up Base Price Plans

First you will need to configure the Base Price Plans. 

A Base Price Plan is a type of Price Plan which provides a base Price Rate for each service or physical good included in it. Use Base Price Plans to define the basic price rates for each of your products. You need to have at least one Base Price Plan configured in the system and any chargeable product MUST be added in the Price Plan. 

Price plan rates are grouped together based on the characteristics of the services that they relate to, through price plan rate classifications which are based on the different types of Products that can be created in the system.

• One Time Service Rates: Rates related with services that will be charged one time only and not on a recurring basis based on their duration
• Expenses Rates:  Rates related with services that are provided and billed just once for a fixed amount of money 
• Termed Service Rates: Rates related with services that will be charged on a recurring basis based on their quantity and not their usage
• Physical Goods Rates: Rates related with physical goods

In addition, there are various Rate Models that you can choose from when defining a rate for a product, mainly divided to Flat and Tiered Rates.

• Flat Rate Models: Apply a single fixed price based on the quantity/subscription age length/duration of the services or physical goods, which progressively changes as the quantity increases, using a price table made up of multiple flat rates.
• Tiered Rate Models: Apply a price which starts from a base rate and progressively changes as the quantity/subscription age length/duration increases, using a price table made up of multiple tiers. 

Using the above information add all of your services and physical goods to the Price Plan.

System Access Via: BILLINGPRICE PLANSMANAGE PRICE PLANS

 To learn more, visit Creating Base Price Plans & /wiki/spaces/V4Manual/pages/9831566

Step 2: Setting Up Conditional Price Plans

Conditional Price Plans are not required to be configured, in order for the system to be able to bill an entity, as the rates can always be taken from the Base Price Plans. A Conditional Price Plan is always created and related to a Base Price Plan, which will serve as the basis and will be applied in case Conditional Price Plan conditions are violated and cannot be applied for billing.

A Conditional Price Plan,will allow you to provide different rates, to the rates of the Base Price Plan (usually discounted rates) on groups of customers that can be distinguished by common characteristics. For example, create a Conditional Price Plan that will apply a 0 rate for all of the products, if the customer is classified as a VIP customer.

Price plan conditions are divided into two categories: 

• Conditions to select a price plan 
  Applicable at the time that you are creating / modifying the billing term of a billable entity (Subscription or Job) 
• Conditions to apply a price plan
   Applicable during actually billing the billable entity (Subscription or Job)
  
  

System Access Via:  BILLINGPRICE PLANSMANAGE PRICE PLANS

 To learn more, visit Creating Conditional Price Plans & /wiki/spaces/V4Manual/pages/9831566

Step 3: Setting up Billing Term Scheme

Once you create your Price Plans make sure that you will add them to the Billing Term Schemes that they should be made available from.

Configure the following section accordingly

•  Billing Term Schemes- Allowed Attributes: Add the created Price Plans to the Price Plans Allowed Attributes tab and select which one will be set as the default one

System Access Via:CONFIGURATIONBILLING APPLICATIONBILLINGSET UP BILLING TERM SCHEMES

 To learn more, visit Configuring Normal Billing Term Schemes 

Do it Yourself!!

Setting Up Your Additive Discounts

Additive Discounts are used to generate discounts when certain predefined conditions related to the customers' Accounts Receivable, Subscriptions and Jobs are met. They can be applied automatically by the System during Billing or Ad Hoc by agents.

In order to be able to add Additive Discounts to your subscription or job, you will need to create the related definitions in the system. One definition represents a discount that you can apply. 

What Comes First

To be able to use Additive Discounts you need to configure the system to support your own business model. In the following table you can find all the related configuration modules related to Additive Discounts.  

• Fast Track: If you would like to set up your system with the basic functionality and get started with using it, follow the sub modules that are marked by the Fast Track Icon
• Complete Configuration: If you would like to utilise the system at its maximum then configure all the sub modules, marked by the Fast Track and Complete Configuration icon

Sub-module	Type	Classification
Ad Hoc Discount Definitions	Configuration
Auto Apply Discount Definitions	Configuration
Billing Term Schemes	Configuration

  Step 1: Setting up Ad Hoc Discount Definitions

Start by configuring your first Ad Hoc Discount Definitions, which will be made available for agents to add on subscriptions or jobs if the conditions defined in the criteria sections are met.

Via the Additive Discount Definitions page start creating your definition by providing the following information

• Type: Define whether the discount is Ad Hoc or Auto Apply
• Classification: Define if the discount will be used for Subscriptions or Jobs
• Discount Settings: Define Settings, such as the discount amount, the validity, the number of time the discount can be applied etc.
  • Amount: Define the discount amount, percentage or the free period
  • Validity: Select the period for which the discount will be available
  • Duration: Provide duration using a plethora of conditions on when the discount will be applied and when it will expire
  • Discounted Products: Provide the products that the discount should be applied on
  • Approval Settings: Ad Hoc discounts have additional security where the discount may need to be approved before it is actually applied on a subscription. Approval can be turned on or off, but if its on then go to Approval Settings and select the users or units that can approve the discount.
• Criteria: Select from a list of conditions that can be applied as conditions to the selection and application
  • Usage Criteria: Select from a list of criteria based on Usage Services and Usage Service Catalogs

  • Non Usage Criteria: Select from a list of criteria related to subscriptions, accounts receivable, segments, price plans, products and buy in advance requests
    

    Note that criteria based on Usage services and specific Non usage criteria are only available for subscriptions

     

• Allowed Organisational Units:  Additive Discounts are Controlled Selection entities, which means that they can only be selected by specific users once created. The users that will have access to the discount will be the ones that belong to an Organisational unit that has been defined in the Allowed Organisational Unit tab of the definition or belongs to an organisation collaborating with one of the allowed organisational units

System Access Via BILLINGADDITIVE DISCOUNTSSET UP BUSINESS DEFINITIONS

 To learn more, visit: 

• Configuring Additive Discount Definitions for Subscriptions 
• Configuring Additive Discount Definitions for Jobs

Step 2: Setting up Auto Apply Discount Definitions 

Apart from Ad-Hoc Discounts now you can start configuring Auto Apply Discount Definitions, which will be automatically applied on a subscription or a job if the conditions defined in the criteria sections are met. 

• Type: Define whether the discount is Ad Hoc or Auto Apply
• Classification: Define if the discount will be used for Subscriptions or Jobs
• Discount Settings: Define Settings, such as the discount amount, the validity, the number of time the discount can be applied etc.
  • Amount: Define the discount amount, percentage or the free period
  • Validity: Select the period for which the discount will be available
  • Duration: Provide duration using a plethora of conditions on when the discount will be applied and when it will expire
  • Discounted Products: Provide the products that the discount should be applied on
• Criteria: Select from a list of conditions that can be applied as conditions to the selection and application
  • Usage Criteria: Select from a list of criteria based on Usage Services and Usage Service Catalogs

  • Non Usage Criteria: Select from a list of criteria related to subscriptions, accounts receivable, segments, price plans, products and buy in advance requests
    

    Note that criteria based on Usage services and specific Non usage criteria are only available for subscriptions

System Access Via BILLINGADDITIVE DISCOUNTSSET UP BUSINESS DEFINITIONS

 To learn more, visit: 

• Configuring Additive Discount Definitions for Subscriptions 
• Configuring Additive Discount Definitions for Jobs

Step 3: Setting up Billing Term Scheme

Billing Term Schemes are required by Jobs and Subscriptions in order to be created. In order to be able to use Additive Discounts for Subscriptions and Jobs then its Billing Term Scheme will need to support Flexible Pricing.

Configure the following section accordingly

•  Billing Term Schemes- Billing Rules: The Discount Option will need to be set to FLEXIBLE PRICING in order for any additive discount (ad-hoc or auto apply) to be allowed.

System Access Via:CONFIGURATIONBILLING APPLICATIONBILLINGSET UP BILLING TERM SCHEMES

 To learn more, visit Configuring Normal Billing Term Schemes manual

Do it Yourself!!

Setting Up Your Buy in Advance

Buy In Advance is a financial function which provides subscribers with the possibility to be billed for a period longer than that of their normally contracted billing frequency, in exchange for a discount or convenience.

What Comes First

To be able to use Buy in Advance you need to configure the system to support your own business model. In the following table you can find all the related configuration modules related to Buy in Advance. 

• Fast Track: If you would like to set up your system with the basic functionality and get started with using it, follow the sub modules that are marked by the Fast Track Icon
• Complete Configuration: If you would like to utilise the system at its maximum then configure all the sub modules, marked by the Fast Track and Complete Configuration icon

Sub-module	Type	Classification
Buy in Advance Definitions	Configuration
Additive Discount	Configuration

Step 1: Setting up Buy in Advance Definitions

First you will need to configure the Buy in Advance Definition, which is a set of business rules used to control the behavior of Buy in Advance throughout their whole life cycle. Via the definition, you can define the length for which Buy in Advance requests can be submitted, while having the option to define conditions for each allowed defined period. Only one active Buy in Advance definition can exist at any given time and if no active Buy in Advance definition exists, then no Buy in Advance request can be created.

Start by creating your Buy in Advance definition

• Allowed Duration: This is a range of time for which a Buy In Advance Request may be created.

• Subscription Types: Define subscription types per Allowed duration which will be used as a condition. For example you may want to define a specific Buy in Advance period to only be available to specific Subscription types.
  You can define multiple periods (range of time), and this can be overlapping however in this scenario make sure that you have defined different Subscription Types for each allowed period.

System Access Via CONFIGURATIONBILLING APPLICATIONBUY IN ADVANCESET UP BUSINESS DEFINITIONS

 To learn more, visit Configuring Buy in Advance Definitions

Step 2: Create an Additive Discount for Buy in Advance

The discounted price provided to customers that request a Buy in Advance, can be configured via Additive Discounts.
Create Auto Apply Subscription Discounts setting the Buy in Advance period in the criteria. Follow the information provided in Auto Apply Additive Discounts section above

Do it Yourself!!

Setting Up Your Usage Service Catalogs

Usage Service Catalogs are used to maintain information related to Usage Services, which are provided upon customer request and charged based on their usage. Information included in Usage Service Catalogs includes the pricing of the Service, the Service provider and their identifier, as well as information related to the validity of the Services. The Over-The-Top (OTT) business model is supported by using Usage Service Catalogs.

 

What Comes First

To start using Usage Service Catalogs configure the System to support your business model. In the following table, you can find the configuration modules related to Usage Service Catalogs.

Usage Service Catalogs do not have optional configuration modules. However, Usage Detail Records optional configuration modules can be used by the Usage Service Catalogs Definition and Usage Service Catalogs.
A related setting in Billing Term Definitions is provided under the configuration of Usage Service Catalogs, as it is directly related to the Billing of Usage Services ordered through the Usage Service Catalogs.

 

Sub-module	Type	Classification	Navigation	Dig In
Usage Service Catalogs Definitions	Configuration		CONFIGURATIONBILLING APPLICATIONUSAGE SERVICE CATALOGSSET UP USAGE SERVICE CATALOG DEFINITIONS	Usage Service Catalogs
Usage Service Catalogs	Application		BILLINGUSAGE SERVICE CATALOGSMANAGE USAGE SERVICE CATALOGS	Usage Service Catalogs
Billing Term Definition	Configuration		CONFIGURATIONBILLING APPLICATIONBILLINGSET UP BILLING TERM SCHEMES	Subscriptions

Step 1: Setting up Usage Service Catalogs Definitions

First, you must set up the Usage Service Catalog Definitions. 

Usage Service Catalogs Definitions are a set of business rules used to control the behaviour of Usage Service Catalogs throughout their Life Cycle.  

Through the Definition you can:

• Define the values of related allowed entities.
  • Usage Service Types: the Product Types which can be included in Usage Service Catalogs. Only Product Types which are classified as Usage Services can be specified in this section.
  • Provisioning Providers: the Providers who can be used for processing the Provisioning Requests.
• Define Default values for Services of specific Types.
  Also provide default rates for Service Types in the Definition. These (updatable) rates will be automatically selected when creating new Catalogs using the specific Services.

Step 2: Creating Usage Service Catalogs

With Usage Service Catalog Definitions in place you are ready to start creating your Usage Service Catalogs, through which you can define the following:

• The Provisioning Provider that will be responsible for the provisioning Usage Services defined in the specific Usage Service Catalog.
• The period for which the Catalog will be valid. Multiple periods or always valid can be defined.
• All the Usage Services that should be provided (the services created in the Products module).
  For each Service, define the following:
  • Base Rate: The price of the Service for Billing.
  • Provisioning ID: The CA ID required by the Provisioning Provider to identify each Service.
  • Start and End Time: the periods for which the Service should be available for ordering.

  • Tiered Rates: You have the option to provide conditional rates which are different than the specified Base Rate. For example, provide a different rate for the Service if it is used during a specific period or provided via specific devices.
    

    Usage Detail Record configuration modules must be configured to define related conditions for the Tiered Rates.

• Define conditions related to Subscriptions or Accounts Receivable which will determine whether the Usage Service Catalog is available for selection. 
  Usage Service Catalogs will be filtered (when adding a Service on the Subscription) based on the conditions defined in the Usage Service Catalog. 

Step 3: Setting up Billing Term Definition Rules

Billing Term Definition Rules include validations and restrictions that will be used across Billing Terms, regardless of their Scheme. Specifically, through Billing Term Definitions you can define the Billing Rules that should be applied on Usage Services based on a set of conditions. These rules are only applicable for Normal Billing Term Schemes. If the Usage Service is added on a Prepaid Subscription then it is billed immediately after execution of the Action.

Configure the following section according to your requirements.

• Billing Term Definitions - Usage Service Billing Term Rules (For Normal Subscriptions)
  • Maximum unbilled amount threshold: Define the maximum rated total amount of all Usage Services that needs to be reached in order for them to be included in a Bill. 

  • Maximum number of unbilled UDRs:  Defines the maximum number of unprocessed Usage Detail Records required in order for Usage Services to be included in a Bill.

Do It Yourself!

Let's see how you can quickly set up the System to start using Usage Service Catalogs and the UDRs module for OTT business. In our example, we will create a catalog for the three Usage Services that were created in the products example. The three movies which can be provisioned via Nagra Media Live Provider are normally charged €3 and €2 if ordered between 00:01 and 6:59. Every time a movie is ordered it is billed directly.

No configuration is necessary for the modules, sections and attributes not mentioned below.

Usage Detail Record Type

UDR Type
Usage Services

Usage Service Catalog Definition

Life Cycle State	Allowed Attributes		Default Rates per usage service Type
	Usage Service Types	Provisioning Providers	Service Type	Base Rate	Tiered Rate	Conditions
Active	Usage Services	Nagra Media Live	Usage Services	3	2	Usage Start Time: 00:01 Usage End Time: 06:59

Usage Service Catalog and Αdd Usage Services

Provisioning Provider	Validity	Usage Services					Subscription Conditions
		Usage Service	Base Rate	Provisioning ID	Tiered Rate	Conditions
Nagra Media Live Platform	Always Valid	Braveheart	3	1AQ8	2	Usage Start Time: 00:01 Usage End Time: 06:59	Termed Subscription Service: PPV Movies
		Serendipity	3	1AQ9	2	Usage Start Time: 00:01 Usage End Time: 06:59
		Limitless	3	1BQ1	2	Usage Start Time: 00:01 Usage End Time: 06:59

Do it Yourself!!

Using the Software

Managing Price Plans

Adding a Price Plan on a Job

You are now ready to start using the Price Plans you created and add them on a Job

• Navigate to Jobs and create a new Job
• Go to Job Information tab and select a Job Type 
• Once the Job type is selected you will be required to select a Billing Term Scheme
• Once you select a Billing Term Scheme you will be required to select a Price Plan.
  The system will make available all Base Price Plans added in the Allowed Price Plans of the Billing Term Scheme and any Conditional Price Plans that their conditions are met. 
• Select the Price Plan you would like to bill the Job from.
   

System Access Via: CRMJOBSMANAGE JOBS

 To learn more, visit Managing Jobs 

Changing the Price Plan on a Job

CRM.COM allows you to change the Price Plans you have added on a Job, given that is is not already billed.

• Navigate to Jobs and search for an incomplete Job
• From the Data Entry screen click on ACTIONS > AMEND JOB TERM
  The system will make available all Base Price Plans added in the Allowed Price Plans of the Billing Term Scheme and any Conditional Price Plans that their conditions are met. 
• Select the Price Plan you want to apply 
   

System Access Via: CRMJOBSMANAGE JOBS

 To learn more, visit Managing Jobs

Adding a Price Plan on a Subscription

You are now ready to start using the Price Plans you created and add them on a Subscription

• Navigate to Subscription and create a new Subscription
• Go to Subscription Terms tab and select a Subscription Type 
• Once the Subscription Type is selected you will be required to select a Billing Term Scheme
• Once you select a Billing Term Scheme you will be required to select a Price Plan.
  The system will make available all Base Price Plans added in the Allowed Price Plans of the Billing Term Scheme and any Conditional Price Plans that their conditions are met. 
• Select the Price Plan you would like to bill the Subscription from.

System Access Via: BILLINGSUBSCRIPTIONSMANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS

 To learn more, visit Become Subscriber

Changing the Price Plan on a Subscription

CRM.COM allows you to change the Price Plans you have

• Navigate to Subscription and search for a Subscription 
• From the Data Entry screen Preview & Action Panel click on AMEND BILLING TERMS found under Subscription Related Actions
  The system will make available all Base Price Plans added in the Allowed Price Plans of the Billing Term Scheme and any Conditional Price Plans that their conditions are met.
• Select the Price Plan you want to apply
  

System Access Via: BILLINGSUBSCRIPTIONSMANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS

 To learn more, visit Amend Billing Terms

Managing Additive Discounts

Adding an Ad Hoc Discount on a Job

You are now ready to start adding Ad Hoc  Discounts to Jobs

• Navigate to Jobs and search for an incomplete Job
• From the Data Entry screen click on ACTIONS > PROVIDE AD HOC DISCOUNT
  The system will make available all Ad Hoc Discount definitions that can be selected for the Job based on the conditions set.
• Select a Discount Definition and provide any additional information required before submitting the discount
  

System Access Via: CRMJOBSMANAGE JOBS

 To learn more, visit Managing Ad Hoc Discount

Adding an Ad Hoc Discount on a Subscription

You are now ready to start adding Ad Hoc Discount to Subscriptions

• Navigate to Subscription and search for a Subscription 
• From the Data Entry screen Preview & Action Panel click on PROVIDE AD HOC DISCOUNT  found under Subscription Related Actions
  The system will make available all Ad Hoc Discount definitions that can be selected for the Job based on the conditions set.
• Select a Discount Definition and provide any additional information required before submitting the discount

System Access Via: BILLINGSUBSCRIPTIONSMANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS

 To learn more, visit Managing Ad Hoc Discount

Approving an Ad Hoc Discount

If the definition of the discount requires an Approval then in order for the discount to be applied, it requires to be approved first.

• Navigate to Ad Hoc Discounts
• Search for discounts with Pending Approval Life Cycle State
• Click on the number link to go to the Data Entry Page
• From the Actions Menu click on ACTIONS > APPROVE

System Access Via: BILLINGADDITIVE DISCOUNTSMANAGE AD HOC DISCOUNTS

 To learn more, visit Managing Ad Hoc Discount

Cancelling an Ad Hoc Discount

If the definition of the discount requires an Approval then in order for the discount to be applied, it requires to be approved first. If the discount is not to be applied, i.e. is not approved, then it will need to be cancelled

• Navigate to Ad Hoc Discounts
• Search for discounts with Pending Approval Life Cycle State
• Click on the number link to go to the Data Entry Page
• From the Actions Menu click on ACTIONS > CANCEL
  

System Access Via: BILLINGADDITIVE DISCOUNTSMANAGE AD HOC DISCOUNTS

 To learn more, visit Managing Ad Hoc Discount

Managing Buy in Advance

Creating Buy in Advance request for a Subscription

You are now ready to start applying Buy in Advance requests on subscription

• Navigate to Subscription and search for a Subscription 
• From the Data Entry screen Preview & Action Panel click on SUBMIT BUY IN ADVANCE REQUEST found under Subscription Related Actions
• Provide the duration for which the customer would like to be pre-billed and submit the request
   
  
  

System Access Via: BILLINGSUBSCRIPTIONSMANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS

 To learn more, visit Managing Buy in Advance Requests

Cancelling a Buy in Advance request for a Subscription

Buy in Advance requests can be cancelled in case that they have not already been processed 

• Navigate to Buy in Advance requests
• Search for requests with Effective Life Cycle State
• Click on the number link to go to the Data Entry Page
• From the Actions Menu click on ACTIONS > CANCEL
   

 System Access Via: BILLINGBUY IN ADVANCEMANAGE BUY IN ADVANCE REQUESTS 

 To learn more, visit Managing Buy in Advance Requests

Managing Usage Service Catalogs

Adding Usage Services on Subscriptions

Usage Services can be added on existing effective subscriptions which already have an effective termed service, on which, usage services will be related. To add services on the subscription you will need to use the "Add Service Usage" action which is available in the Action Panel of the Subscription Data Entry page. The specific action will allow you to select from the available usage services defined in one of the active Usage Service Catalogs. 

The available Usage Services will first be filtered based on any conditions that are set in the Usage Service Catalogs and then based on the date that the usage service addition is scheduled to be executed which is compared against the Start and End date which are defined in again the Usage Service Catalogs. Additional filtering is allowed by selecting a specific usage service catalog, product family, type or product.

The usage services are submitted against a specific termed subscription service, therefore the selection of a termed subscription service is mandatory. Additional information that will be used for the creation of the UDR such as UDR Type, usage method, device, source system, usage amount, source category and destination category, can be defined here.

• Navigate to Subscription and search for a Subscription 
• From the Data Entry screen Preview & Action Panel click on ADD USAGE SERVICE  found under Subscription Service Related Actions
  
  • Select a distributor and related criteria and search for available services
  • Select the ones to be added on the subscription and submit the action
     

System Access Via: BILLINGSUBSCRIPTIONSMANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS 

  To learn more, visit Add Service Usage 

Integrating with CRM.COM

Are you a web developer? Are you interested in integrate with CRM.COM? 

Click on the links below for a complete description of the available Web APIs 

• Additive Discounts
  
  •  Additive Discounts Web API
• Buy in Advance
  
  •  Buy in Advance Web API
• Usage Service Catalogs
  
  • Usage Service Catalogs Web API
  • Usage Service Catalogs Configuration Web API
• Usage Detail Records
  
  • Usage Detail Records Web API
  • Usage Detail Records Configuration Web API