Authorization and accounting i.e the billing part is fully integrated with the softswitch engine into one application what makes the platform exceptionally efficient as it utilizes internal billing procedures without having to connect to external systems. Moreover, this approach results in uniform interface that extend the platform functionality by joining accounts billing details with routing and switching settings in comprehensive manner.
THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BILLING SYSTEM:
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Pre-paid and post-paid accounts.
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Support for monthly plans with free or promotional minutes to certain destinations.
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Recurring payments: Monthly, daily or others e.g. monthly payment for DID number, subscription plan, Voicemail to text transcription, E911 etc.
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Managing user accounts, blocking, setting limits.
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Automatic accounts (PIN) generator.
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Creating and managing rates sheets, attributing rates sheets to individual accounts.
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Creating and managing rates sheets, attributing rates sheets to individual accounts.
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Advanced rating system, defining special rating properties per destination/globally per sheet .
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Billing for terminators (Cost control) .
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Profit reports.
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Invoicing – Automatic invoices generation, invoices available to customers through the web interface or sent by email (PDF format) .
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Detailed calls history reports, available for customers from the web interface (Excel or TXT format), also can be sent along with invoice in PDF format.
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Detailed calls history reports, available for customers from the web interface (Excel or TXT format), also can be sent along with invoice in PDF format.
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Import/Export accounts from/to Excel or TXT file.
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Import/Export rates sheets from/to Excel or TXT file.
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IAll accounts and billing information stored in SQL database.
BELOW ARE PICTURES FROM VOIPSWITCH MANAGER(VSM):
PROVISINING :
With the main package are delivered graphical interfaces for managing the whole system. From their level administrator or user with restricted rights can perform various tasks from creating new accounts to debugging the traffic.
VOIPSWITH REAL-TIME MONITOR:
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Real-time monitoring, live calls information, statistics at a glance ( number of connections, connected calls, registered users, ASR/ACD/ PDD and others).
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Registered users details, gatekeepers/sip registrars status, system logs.
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Debug functionality for selected connections.
VOIPSWITCH MANAGER(VSM) – windows graphical interface for managing the entire platform.
Callback module allows for implementation of various types of callback based services. What is common for all of them is that it is the system (VoipSwitch) thatinitiates connections to two end points on a user request. The types of callback differ in the way of how a user can trigger the service and also they are often divided depending on how the user’s requests are authorized:
REGULAR CALLBACK :
Initiated by making a phone call to a provider’s service number. The service number can be implemented by the mean of DID from DIDs provider, PSTN or GSM gateway or a mobile phone connected to a PC (not necessarily server) with a special application (which is part of the module) that communicates with the mobile and forwards requests to VoipSwitch
AUTHORIZATION METHODS:
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By PIN the system calls back to the caller ID that has come with the call, after the call is connected the IVR prompts for a PIN, after successful authorization the two stage dialing scenario is processed.
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By Caller ID (ANI) the system tries to authorize the Caller ID received with the triggering call, if authorization is successful (the caller ID is associated with a user account in the system), the system makes a call to the caller ID or to a default phone number assigned to the user account (defined by the user e.g. from the web)
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By DID in this method each user has a unique DID (virtual phone number) associated with his/her account. After dialing this DID the system initiates a call to a predefined phone number associated with the account (not the caller ID). This service is mainly for users that for requesting callback use phone services with blocked caller ID
SMS CALLBACK :
In this method users trigger the callback by sending SMS to a provider’s service number.
The service number can be implemented by the mean of a mobile phone connected to a PC (not necessarily server) with a special application (which is part of the module) that communicates with the mobile and forwards requests to VoipSwitch. Another method is renting the SMS number from SMS provider which will forward incoming text messages to specified VoipSwitch URL.
Authorization in this method can be by Caller ID of the phone from which SMS has been send or by user/password (or PIN) send in SMS content.
WEB CALLBACK :
This service is sometimes called Connect Two and is a conference between two parties initiated from the web interface level or from a special, desktop application i.e. Callback Dialer.
IP IVR Calling card module:
EXAMPLES OF ADDITIONAL IP IVR SCENARIOUS:
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Max call duration announcement.
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Actual balance information
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Last minute (or any other defined period) before the call end warning.
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Recharge by PIN
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Support number and others.
The IP IVR module extends VoipSwitch of the whole set of services that utilizes voice interaction with users. The IP IVR version for Calling cards services is sold separately as a module. The IP IVR for other services is the part of the main package (VoipSwitch platform).
The IP IVR can be used with any VoIP equipment that is compatible with SIP or H323 protocol. Also it supports DIDs (SIP or H323 trunks). Thus, the access number for example for Calling cards can be implemented by using DIDs rented from a provider (instead of owning a PSTN gateway). In this scenario DID or DIDs are delivered over Internet directly from DID provider to VoipSwitch.
The IP IVR supports following Codecs: G723.1, G729, G711, GSM, G722. The voice prompts are stored in already compressed format what makes the system robust as it does not have to convert the prompts while realizing the IVR procedures.
The IVR scenarios as well as voice prompts are customizable. It comes with predefined scenarios that can be found useful in different applications. Also the new scenarios can be built by system administrator using XML scripting language.
The system is multilingual by default there are several languages uploaded, for example English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Hebrew and many others.
RESELLERS :
Reseller’s module is an additional module that enhances VoipSwitch services by enabling reseller accounts structure.
As shown on a picture below the resellers are divided on three levels with different rights. The system enables for selling VoIP services through network of service distributors/agent, which can provision their end-users themselves through the web interface which is part of the module.
The module architecture allows resellers to have own, unique Web Portal module, Online Shop and branded softphone. Thus, they become in fact virtual VoIP providers based on one, central VoipSwitch, with possibility to manage the Web Portal (under their own domain name) and integrate with own online payment processors (e.g. PayPal accounts)
The billing system behind the reseller structure is based on separate rates sheets associated with each reseller account. The resellers can create own rates sheets for their users or sub-resellers.
THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RESELLERS MODULE:
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Multi-level structure.
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Web-based management interface.
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Active calls monitoring.
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Multi-lingual.
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Own, branded Web Portals for resellers.
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Branded softphone (Vippie).
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Advanced reporting.
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Own E-Shop account.
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Multi-currency.
CALLSHOP:
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Additional modules.
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Hardware.
The Callshop module is an additional module, it is intended for Callshops facilities, where customer can step in and make international phone calls. Phones are usually installed in cabins (booths). After making a call or many calls, the customer comes to the cash desk where he receives a bill for made connections. In this scenario, regular phones are replaced by VoIP clients which can be for example multiple lines FXS gateways, SIP/H323 IP phones (adapters) or even softphones installed on personal computers (for example in internet cafes).
The whole communication is carried out over VoIP directly between the end-points in Callshop and VoipSwitch.
The Callshop module consists of two parts:
» Server side Callshop listener integrated in VoipSwitch main application » Web flash interface; calls status is shown in real time.
Below is a short video showing the Callshop application in action:
ONLINE SHOP
Online Shop module is an additional module, it’s an online payment system that works with various payment processors. It allows for payments by credit cards, Paypal or other forms of electronic transactions. The Online Shop is fully integrated with the Web Portal enabling visitors sign up automatically or add funds to existing accounts.
Additionally the module includes a component for selling goods online, for example VoIP devices.
THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ONLINE SHOP MODULE :
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Web interface with basket for selling goods online.
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Web interface with basket for selling goods online.
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Support for multiple choice payment providers user can select which method he/she would like to use for making payment.
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Automatic accounts generation, the settings sent to customers via.
Support for several online payment processors, below is a list of the most widely used:
Web Portal is a web interface that is offered with the VoipSwitch main platform and consists of two parts:
» Web interface for logged users
» Admin part
The admin part provides advanced tools for managing the entire portal’s appearance and functionality, delivering ready to use objects that enables users to utilize fully all the features offered by VoipSwitch.
The Web Portal is offered as a part of the VoipSwitch package and comes with a set of exemplary design templates. As an optional service we provide also custom-made designs.
THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WEB PORTAL INCLUDE :
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Customizable web interface for all types of end-users.
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Admin section with built-in tools for modifying the portal’s look.
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Predefined web components e.g. hot rates box, rates, sign up.
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Contacts (phone book) stored on the server side and accessible from the web as well as the mobile and PC SIP clients.
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Calls history with export to various formats (Excel, XML, PDF and others).
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Payments history.
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Invoices.
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User’s profile (Address information, special settings) .
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Auto-recharge on low account balance or for monthly payments (Monthly plans, DIDs, E911 and other special services) .
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Profit reports.
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Invoicing – Automatic invoices generation, invoices available to customers through the web interface or sent by email (PDF format) .
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Auto-recharge on low account balance or for monthly payments (Monthly plans, DIDs, E911 and other special services).
Voicemail management, personalized welcome greetings dependent on the caller ID.
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Missed calls details.
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Web callback/bridge call applet with real-time call status messages (connect two service).
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Virtual numbers management with automatic orders placing procedures with support for DIDs providers APIs (Voxbone, DIDX), also support for DID numbers stored in local database.
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Registering phone numbers (caller IDs) for calling cards or callback services.
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Sign-up and recharge functions, support for credit cards, PayPal, moneybookers.
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Recharge by vouchers/PINs.
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Online shop integration for selling goods online, multilingual interface support.
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Instant messenger (Jabber) with video conferencing.
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Web based softphone integrated with the Contacts.
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SMS module allowing for sending and receiving short text messages.
