Mediabilling

MediaBilling Server is the software core of the billing system that serves the database, controls and manages system agents, interacts with the controlling client (the system administrative web-interface) and provides appropriate implementation of operations and functions, initiated by users of the system (the administrator, managers and end-users). The Server was developed as the interlink between all the components of the system and the data storage: the general purpose of the core is processing queries to the database from the system modules, including the controlling web-client.

The interaction between the core and the components of the billing system is realized by the MediaBilling Server API, which fulfills numerous tasks:

• Database indexing: the core overassigns identifiers of services as appropriate (IP address in leased line services, telephone numbers for PBX based services and account entries for the agents, operating via RADIUS protocol);
• Recurrent operations: the MediaBilling Server implements rating and charging tasks and appropriate handling of settlement account balances; processes primary data in background to provide users with the latest statistics of services immediately on demand; preparation and issuing monthly reporting and payment papers etc.;
• Service functions: generation and activation of prepaid cards; notification of the administrator of system errors or any events, claiming attention; notification of subscribers on the state of their balances etc.

Another important purpose of the MediaBilling Server is interaction between the system and any external software (e. g. data interchange with accountancy software). This capability of the system core allows to avoid the necessity to repeatedly fulfill similar operations in numerous systems, applied by a provider for serving subscribers, managing work-flow and business.

The management and administering of the billing system (general system configuration, services and subscribers management) is implemented via the MediaBilling controlling client that represents the system administrative web-interface. Along with the control tools, the web-client provides a possibility to limit access privileges of system managers, which helps to protect the system against unqualified actions, secure information and delimiter responsibilities of the system managers. Delimitation of access privileges and responsibilities can also be used to outsource billing and management functions to partners and multi-provider businesses.