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Overview

Perception TV is an over-the-top (OTT) video platform that streams content to pay-per-channel (PPC) or video-on-demand (VOD) based subscriptions.

CRM.COM provides a ready-made implementation for Perception TV using the Perception provisioning module, which primarily handles the activation and deactivation of signals transmitted to devices. For example, when a new subscription is created in CRM.COM, Perception TV is immediately updated and provisioning signals are sent to the subscriber devices to activate the registered services.

In addition to handling provisioning signals, the Perception module can be used to send personal and broadcast messages to subscriber devices, to update device PINs and to terminate active sessions across all devices that a subscriber is logged in from.

Although provisioning is a real-time application, batch processing makes it possible to synchronize subscriptions when the transmission of a request fails.

Major features

Integration with Perception v4.8.
Real-time activation and deactivation of subscriptions.
Batch processes can be used to manage out of sync subscriptions simultaneously.
Utilities can be used on individual subscriptions (to reset an out of sync subscription, update a PIN or remove multiple sessions).
Archiving of former provisioning requests (refer to Utilities for more information).

Using Perception

The Perception implementation submits requests to the Perception system in real-time.
- Subscription actions update the subscription provisioning state in CRM.COM. If the modification should be reflected in Perception, a request is constructed (using Perception commands) and forwarded to Perception.
In case subscription modifications take place while CRM.COM and Perception are experiencing a communication issue (e.g., during a downtime of Perception), a reset run is available. The run identifies the subscriptions that must be updated, constructs a request (using Perception commands) and forwards it to Perception.

Setting Up Perception

Billing > Provisioning > Perception > Set Up Provisioning Provider

Provisioning provider

The parameters that are necessary to access the CA/OTT platform and to map the CRM.COM services and physical goods to be provisioned can be supplied from Provisioning Provider Data Entry page.

Provider fields

The table describes the standard sections of a Provisioning Provider Data Entry page and explains how the fields in the page are used.

Mandatory Configurable

Main Information
Provider Information	Name and Alternative Code of the provider Provisioning Protocol Life Cycle State: Must be 'Effective' to send commands to the CA/OTT platform.
Connection Parameters	End Point that will be used when calling the CA/OTT platform. User Name, Password: Credentials used to login to the CA system. Character Set Encoding used by the web services (defaults to UTF-8).
Distributors
Distributors are used to associate the services and devices (installed items) of a subscription with the provisioning provider. Multiple distributors on a subscription represent separate viewing locations. Each device can offer different services. In a pay TV subscription, for example, two distributors can represent the decoder and channels available in a living room and bedroom. Create the distributors that can be provisioned through the provider. One or more provisioning distributors must be present for a provider to be 'Effective'. ADD a new distributor and supply the information required in the modal.
Main Information	Name, Alternative Code for the provisioning distributor.
Allowed Services	Define the services available through the distributor. Once a distributor is selected, only the services defined as 'Allowed' will be available for selection when adding subscription services. Two options are supported: All Provisioned Services: All services provisioned by the provider can be distributed. Specific Provisioned Services: Only the services in the list can be distributed. The available services are filtered and validated against those defined in the 'Services' section, which can be provisioned by the associated provider.
Restrictions	Minimum/Maximum Optional/Mandatory service restrictions determine the number of services that can be added to the distributor. Restrictions per Service Type: Define the minimum and maximum number of services that can be added to the distributor, from specific service types. Restrictions per Physical Good Type: Define the minimum and maximum number of installed items that can be added to the distributor, from specific physical good types.
Dependencies	Define services, service types, physical goods or physical good types that must be added to the distributor, if enabled.
Services
One or more service mappings must be present for a provider to be 'Effective'. Service: Termed and usage services that can be provisioned by the provider. CA ID: The unique identifier for the service at the CA/OTT platform. An ID is not mandatory for a non-provisioning service (i.e. a service whose product type is not set as 'Used for Provisioning').
Physical Goods
A list of devices that are necessary for provisioning through the provider. For example, a decoder and a smartcard, or only a decoder or only a modem. A specific device type may be mandatory for a certain provider. The Installed Item Alternative Code represents the ID of devices communicated to the CA/OTT platform.

Connection Parameters	URL used when calling the Perception Web API. Client ID: The username used by the Web API. Identifier: The password used by the Web API. Version of the Web API. Defaults to v4.8 if not specified. Timeout in Seconds before the connection is terminated ('5' by default). Click on Test Connection once all the information is provided to verify that a connection to Perception can be established.
Default Values	Default PIN that will be assigned to new subscribers (up to 14 characters, '0000' by default). Default Post Code assigned to set-top boxes (STBs) when added on subscriptions (up to 256 characters). Default Region assigned to new subscribers (up to 200 characters). The region can be specified manually or through a search link that retrieves all the regions available in Perception. Default Network OTT Method: 'Enabled' or 'Disabled'.

Connection Parameters

URL used when calling the Perception Web API.

Client ID: The username used by the Web API.

Identifier: The password used by the Web API.

Version of the Web API. Defaults to v4.8 if not specified.

Timeout in Seconds before the connection is terminated ('5' by default).

Click on Test Connection once all the information is provided to verify that a connection to Perception can be established.

Default Values

Default PIN that will be assigned to new subscribers (up to 14 characters, '0000' by default).

Default Post Code assigned to set-top boxes (STBs) when added on subscriptions (up to 256 characters).

Default Region assigned to new subscribers (up to 200 characters). The region can be specified manually or through a search link that retrieves all the regions available in Perception.

Default Network OTT Method: 'Enabled' or 'Disabled'.

Related configuration areas

Mandatory modules must be configured for the provisioning module to work.

Manual Link	Area	Description	Configuration
Products	Physical Good Types Service Types Physical Goods Services	Configure the physical good and service types, and the physical goods and services that will be offered to subscriptions, by adding them to the provisioning provider.	Mandatory
Communications	Communication Queue External System	Set up the external system that will be used to handle mail messages created for the provider.	Optional

Using Batch Processes to Handle Subscriptions

Billing > Provisioning > Perception

Resetting out of sync subscriptions

Billing > Provisioning > Common Services > Perform Reset Subscription Runs

Reset subscription runs are used to identify and synchronize subscriptions that have gone out of sync, by communicating the necessary commands to the CA/OTT platform. It is possible to preview the subscriptions that will be reset by the run, by using Preview from the Actions menu.

The table describes the sections of Reset Subscription Runs Data Entry page and explains how the fields in the page are used.

Mandatory Configurable

Main Information
Provisioning Protocol: Select an effective provisioning provider to synchronize with CRM.COM.
Criteria (optional) (Used to identify the subscriptions that should be reset)
Subscription Creation Period: Define the period during which the subscriptions to be processed were created (otherwise, all subscriptions will be processed). Subscription Types that should be included in the run.

Main Information

Provisioning Protocol: Select an effective provisioning provider to synchronize with CRM.COM.

Criteria (optional)

(Used to identify the subscriptions that should be reset)

Subscription Creation Period: Define the period during which the subscriptions to be processed were created (otherwise, all subscriptions will be processed).

Subscription Types that should be included in the run.

Using a Utility to Handle a Subscription

Billing > Provisioning > Perception

Utilities are used to handle individual subscriptions.

Set subscription PIN

Resets the PIN of a single STB, either to its default value or to a value specified by the user.

Select a smartcard to reset its PIN. Provide a new PIN, otherwise, the PIN is reset to the default value of provider. Select the subscription you wish to reset and SUBMIT the request.

Remove subscription sessions

Use to terminate sessions which are used by a Perception subscriber (e.g., on a mobile phone, laptop or tablet). Provide the subscription whose multi-sessions should be removed and SUBMIT the request. If the request is successful, a 'Sessions removed successfully' message is displayed.

Reset single subscription

Updates an out of sync subscription, so that the provider reflects the state in CRM.COM.

Perception Requests

The table below displays CRM.COM processes and actions that trigger the requests sent to Perception.

Contract represents the 'Main' CRM.COM subscription service.
Packages represent the 'Additional' CRM.COM subscription services.

Request	Use	Triggered By
Add Subscribers	Register a subscriber in Perception.	Subscription reset run Reset subscription utility Subscription Actions Become subscriber ('Effective') Activate subscription End short-term deactivation End subscription resting Short-term activation Change subscription distribution Service Actions Add effective services Start services Swap services Add service usage Installed Item Actions Add installed items Swap installed items
Remove Subscribers	Un-register a subscriber from Perception.	Subscription reset run Reset subscription utility Subscription Related Actions Terminate subscription for canceling Terminate subscription for regretting
Set Subscriber Contract	Add the main package (subscription service) on the subscription. There is no command to remove 'Contracts' (unlike 'packages'). The removal of a 'Contract' amounts to the cancellation of the subscription and is handled by another command.	Subscription reset run Reset subscription utility Subscription Actions Activate subscription End short-term deactivation End subscription resting Short-term activation Change subscription distribution Service Actions Add effective services Start services Swap services
Disable Subscribers	Deactivate a Perception subscription and all of its related services.	Subscription reset run Reset subscription utility Subscription Actions Deactivate subscription Short-term deactivation Rest subscription End short-term activation Change subscription distribution Service Actions Remove services (Cancel) Remove services (Regret) Stop services
Enable Subscribers	Activate a Perception subscription and all of its related services.	Subscription reset run Reset subscription utility Subscription Actions Activate subscription End short-term deactivation End subscription resting Short-term activation Change subscription distribution Service Actions Add effective services Start services
Add Packages	Register a new 'Usage' or a 'Termed' provisioning service in Perception.	Subscription reset run Reset subscription utility Subscription Actions Change subscription distribution Service Actions Add effective services Start services Swap services Add service usage
Remove Packages	Deactivate a 'Usage' or a 'Termed' provisioning service in Perception.	Subscription reset run Reset subscription utility Cancel UDRs Subscription Actions Change subscription distribution Service Actions Remove services - Cancel Remove services - Regret Stop services Swap services
Add STB	Register the subscription set-top box to Perception.	Subscription reset run Reset subscription utility Subscription Actions Become subscriber ('Effective') Change subscription distribution Service Actions Add effective services Installed Item Actions Add installed item Swap installed item
Remove STB	Un-register the subscription set-top box from Perception.	Subscription reset run Reset subscription utility Subscription Actions Terminate subscription for 'Canceling' Terminate subscription for 'Regretting' Change subscription distribution Installed Item Actions Remove installed item Swap installed item
SET PIN	Reset the PIN of a subscriber.	Set Subscription PIN utility Perception WEB API
Remove Sessions	Terminate active subscriber sessions on any registered device.	Remove Subscription Sessions Utility Perception WEB API

Perception Business Examples

Subscription with multiple viewing points

Provisioning Distributors

Scenario 1

Company ZX offers its customers the option to have multiple viewing points for each subscription. Customers can have a separate 'box and card' pair in each room, and choose to have a different selection of channels available from each pair. Up to four viewing points can be added to a subscription.

Solution

CRM.COM must have a different provisioning distributor available for each pair (box and card) offered to subscribers, as channel availability and restrictions can be set separately for each box.

To support this, the following distributors must be set up in the provisioning provider.

Main
TWIN1
TWIN2
TWIN3

Notes

If you are using a previous release, view CRM.COM Release Changes.

Use the WEB API to create and manage Perception from an external system, such as a customer portal. Refer to the Perception WEB API for a comprehensive list of available actions.

Glossary

CRM.COM Term	Definition
Over-the-top (OTT)	Media content, such as audio or video, that is delivered over the internet with no intervention from the service provider.
Pay-per-channel (PPC)	Live channel streaming in which the customers select channels from a menu.
Video on demand (VOD)	A system that allows users to select and view content (e.g., a movie) for a specific period.
PIN	Subscriber personal identification number, used for authentication on their devices (e.g., required to add or remove parental control).
Provisioning State	In reference to a termed subscription service (channel), it is 'Active' when provisioning signals are sent to the subscriber device and 'Inactive' when signals are not sent.
Out of Sync	Subscriptions that have a different provisioning state in CRM.COM than in their provisioning provider (Perception).
Contract	The term used by Perception for CRM.COM main subscription services that are added to a subscription. Only one contract can be added for each subscription.
Package	Any additional subscription service added to a perception subscription.
Provisioning ID	The ID used by Perception to identify the subscription service devices to which signals should be transmitted. Perception separates Provisioning IDs into Contract and Package IDs.
Media Access Control (MAC) Address	The unique ID number of a piece of hardware. The MAC address of Perception set-top boxes (STBs) is kept by CRM.COM.

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