To make a simple Billing system for a telecom operator

[imash]

Will anybody help me in designing and developing a billing system?
What should be the desired features of the system ??

[tranz]

Why reinvent the wheel? What services and, or products are going to be offered?

[DizixCom]

Are you looking to build a fully functional telco billing platform? I'm not sure what "telecom operator" means exactly.

First, I suggest looking into the many third party billers. Take a look at Convergys, if for nothing else than an overview of what they provide. It will give you insight to what you want to build.

Second, look at the developers out there and ask yourself if you can really compete. Portal Software, Inc. is one of (if not the) biggest, take a look at some of their White Papers. Some of their more simple will take a team of developers several months to develop.

Last, telco billing is a very very difficult industry. It's regulated to death and is not a no barriers to entry business. It's a tough industry these days.

[tranz]

**POOF** there went the dream....

Just Kidding, hey go for it! Others have and it has worked out in the end.

[DizixCom]

I'm hoping I'm just misinterpretting the question and telco billing isn't the target. :D

If that's the case, then I say go for it! Please! We need something good. There is no really desirable billing system out there for web hosting. Frankly, every single web hosting related billing system that I've evaluated has been garbage with the exception of that which is built into HSPComplete, and even it isn't anywhere really near what I'd expect.

A few design notes, obvious from an accounting perspective but completely missed by most billing system developers:

- Build a solid accounting framework before starting on the billing system. Make sure there is a journal, chart of accounts, AR and AP. Follow strict double entry rules. NEVER delete transactions, apply reversals only. This is very important because even mistakes must be visible in your reporting.

- Remember this work flow: A financial entry can be a line item on an invoice. An invoice is a composition of financial entries, and is a payable document. An order produces an invoice. A subscription produces recurring orders.

- A statement is a composition of all invoices for a given period of time. A statement is not a payable document, but it should contain references to payable documents.

- Payments are entered against an invoice, applied to each line item separately through your journal system.

That's a good start I think.

[Adam]

I run a mini telco in the UK, i have only aruond 400 customers and i generate extra income by running 2,200 premium rate phone lines and advertising them.

But about the telco billing. Our system we use...heck i dont know how to work it i have a Telecom Manager who works full time with me and goes to the office more than i can be bothered!

He doesn't have to do much admittedly as bills are auto generated and printed out then labels arejust attached by hand for mailing adresses etc....no point buying a franking machine for just 400 customers.

What i am saying is in agreement with earlier posts...there is no "out of box" solution. I do believe the billing system was worked on for 2 and a half months (thats 9-5 mondays-fridays..11am-6pm saturdays) for 2 and a half months.

If you just search the web for information on current telecoms billing systems, and then apparoach the company who has made it enuiring about the setup what is needed, prices entailed and so on and so forth.

Dont bother going to telcos like BT or Telewest...they have their own bespoke systems as far as im aware. But do approach minor companies.