SIPware Prepaid and Post Paid Services

The RadiSys SIPware Prepaid and Post Paid solution offers service providers a complete, feature-rich solution for delivering profitable prepaid and post paid calling services. The application includes a long list of features that enhance the subscriber experience, while giving service providers greater control over their service offering.

Shared Features

• Branding Prompts-Service providers can add customized prompts to play at specific points in the IVR, based on the specific details of the call (e.g. access number, product). These points include the initial welcome, post-PIN, post-destination, disconnect and first use.
• Dial Out to Customer Service Representative (CSR)-Service providers can direct calls to their existing call centers, or utilize the integrated ACD solution to provide screen pop and call completion.
• Speed Dials-Subscribers can configure up to 90 speed dial numbers using the IVR or Web interfaces.
• Multiple Access Number Support-Service providers can set up multiple access numbers, each identified by service provider, welcome prompt, dialing plan, domestic/ international origination and language.
• Dialing Plan Support-Service providers can enable all commonly used domestic and international dialing plan variants.
• Pound Sign (#) Re-origination-Enables subscribers to press the pound sign to terminate one call and initiate another. This capability is dependent on third party media gateway product functionality.
• PIN Locking-Prevents multiple callers from using the same PIN simultaneously.
• PIN Fraud Protection-Disconnects the caller after a specified number of invalid PIN attempts and blocks future PIN fraud attempts from the same telephone number (ANI).
• Calling Restrictions-The ECM allows assigning "role" labels to conference callers. Service providers can restrict calls based upon dialed digits or block all international calls.
• E-mail Notification-On initial account approval/disapproval and on credit limit thresholds.
• Last Call Redial-Allows subscriber to request the application to redial the last number dialed.
• Minimum/Maximum Time Per Call
• Minimum Dialed Digits Based on Dialing Plan Used
• Express Calling-Allows subscribers to make prepaid calls without any IVR interaction. Subscriber simply dials the call and the application can authenticate the subscriber and rate the called number.
• PIN-less Calling-Allows subscribers to access their prepaid account without entering a PIN. The subscriber registers their phone number against their account so whenever they dial the access number, the application will recognize their phone number, immediately authenticate their account and prompt them to enter their destination number.
• Callback Trigger Options-Callback can be triggered via dedicated access number, the application's integrated self-care web portal, or API (e.g. SMS-initiated callback).
• Configurable Retention of Expired PINs-Service providers can specify a configurable purge delay for unused, expired subscriber records.
• Subscriber Management API-A full set of SOAP/XML API's to allow integration of the SIPware application with third-party customer are systems and/or existing a subscriber account portal.
• Access Number Group Subrate Assignment-Allows service providers to define one or more access number groups and assign them to a single access number subrate.
• Access Number Upload/Download Tool-CLI allows uploading or downloading access numbers from the RadiSys system.
• Account Event Detail Records-Logs an event detail record whenever an application transaction activates, disables or reactivates an account, enabling tracking of account status changes.
• Flexible ANI Resolution-Allows the application to capture the caller's ANI, even if the various DID providers deliver it differently in the SIP message.
• Authorized ANI Quotas-Enables service providers to control the maximum number of ANIs that may be associated with a subscriber.
• Branded Announced Call Duration for Free Calls-Enables service providers to define if a caller making a zero-cost call will either hear nothing or a branding prompt for the free call (rather than "Time Remaining").
• Bulk Change Subscriber Product Offering-Allows service providers to change the product offering assignment of a PIN group belonging to a single lot. Service providers can also change the parameters, Expiration Behavior (both used and unused) and Initial Value.
• Configurable CIC Codes per Product Offering-Allows the application to include a product-specific routing code in the outbound call; allowing the network to provide "product-aware" routing (e.g. premium vs. economy routes).
• CSR Credit Limits-Service providers can limit the quantity and amount of customer credits per currency that a CSR may grant in a calendar day (The limits to CSR credits are only available through the Operator Assistance application as part of the ACD agent definition.)
• Easy Call Application-Allows service providers to offer a follow-me service, where a caller who enters the correct Easy Call ID is automatically connected to the subscriber at the PSTN number they specified, and the subscriber (i.e. the called party) pays for the call.
• First-Use Announcement-Allows for the use of a first-use prompt for single and two-stage calls. The first-use prompt will not play on future use of their service. The service provider may specify a different prompt for each product offering.
• IVR Language Menu-Service providers can define a language menu to be assigned to an access number. Up to nine languages can be assigned to DTMF keys.
• IVR Usage Charge-Allows service providers to charge the subscriber's account for time spent in the IVR when the subscriber does not complete a billed call.
• Last-Call Redial-Allows subscribers to request the application to redial the last number dialed in their current active session, regardless of whether the call completed.
• Service Provider Credit Limit-Allows the platform owner to limit a service provider's wholesale usage, disabling the service provider when limit is exceeded.
• Subscriber Management API for Portal-Allows access to the subscriber creation and management functionality, including:
  • Create new subscriber account (Prepaid or Post Paid)
  • Recharge Account - Disable/Reactivate Account/PIN
  • Modify Credit Limit or Credit Limit Usage - Retrieve Payment/Call History
• Support Single-Stage Dialing Only-Allows an application server to support single stage dialing without the need for Call Treatment Code and Service Provider Codes to be added to the destination number.
• Third-party ACD Support-Service providers may define a "transfer-to" phone number for customers who request operator assistance while in the IVR. The application connects the caller to the specified number.

Rating/Billing Features

• Support for both per-minute, currency-based rates and "bucket of minutes" rate plans
• Time of Day, Day of Week discount calling rates
• Integrated Credit Card Recharge-Application allows subscribers to top-up their account (prepaid) or pay off their accumulated usage (post paid) via credit card. The application connects to the credit card authorization network in real time to obtain authorization for the transaction.
• Generic Credit Card Gateway API-Provides an API for developers to connect application initiated credit card validation requests to the authorization network of their choice, including those not supported b the "Integrated Credit Card Recharge" feature.
• Global Matrix Rating-Allows service providers to define rates on a matrix basis (for all calls based on a combination of origination and destination). The global matrix rate definition allows for international originations and/or destinations. Service providers can define regions based on domestic and global dial patterns.
• Rate Checker API-The application allows the API client to verify rating/time available calculations for any rate plan via an application API.
• GUI Subrate Upload/Download-Allows service providers to upload or download subrates through the ACE. Subrates may be uploaded or downloaded for the following rate types: domestic destination, international destination, matrix, and access number.
• Matrix TOD/DOW Discounts-Service providers can specify Time of Day/Day of Week discounts for calls to specific domestic or international subrate destinations for matrix rates within a rate plan.
• Call Rate Surcharge-Service providers can specify that the surcharge defined in the destination/matrix subrate be applied to all rate parameters of all rate types in the rate plan, not just the rate parameters in the destination/matrix subrate.
• Call Rounding per Sub Rate-Enables service providers to specify call rounding at the sub rate as well as the service level.
• Point of Sale Interface-Provides an API that enables point-of-sale applications to activate and recharge subscriber accounts.
• Unannounced Rate Parameters-Service providers can define specific rate parameters as "unannounced." When authorizing a call request, the application does not consider unreserved rates when calculating the announced call duration and allowed call duration. Post-call, the application considers unreserved rates when billing the call. When billing, if the account balance is not sufficient to cover the charges of all rates (including the unreserved rate), the application will collect the remaining balance in the account.
• Unreserved Rate Parameters-Service providers can define specific rate parameters as "unreserved." When authorizing a call request, the application does not consider unreserved rates when calculating the announced call duration and allowed call duration. Post-call, the application considers unreserved rates when billing the call. When billing, if the account balance is not sufficient to cover the charges of all rates (including the unreserved rate), the application will collect the remaining balance in the account.
• Zero-Cost Calling-Allows prepaid and post paid subscribers to make zero-cost calls.

Post Paid-only Features

• Corporate Account Management-Allows grouping of subscribers under a single business and departments within that business for ease of tracking call activity.
• "Bucket of Minutes" Rate Plan-Subscribers can be billed based on the minutes they use instead of the balance in their account. At the start of each billing cycle, a subscriber is granted a specified number of calling minutes for the month, which are decremented as the subscriber places calls. The rate plan may be configured to allow for an automatic refill of the subscriber's bucket when their initial balance is used.
• Rated CDR's-For every call, the application can calculate a call cost and include this cost in the call's order.
• Credit Limits-Allows service providers to limit a subscriber's usage to only the value of their assigned credit limit. The application tracks ongoing usage against this credit limit, and will cut off a call in real time (and not allow new calls) once the account's usage exceeds its credit limit.
  • Hard Credit Limits: The application does not allow multiple simultaneous uses of an account.
  • Firm Credit Limits: The application allows multiple simultaneous uses of an account.
• Post Paid Payment via Credit Card-Allows Post Paid subscribers to make payments through the application's integrated credit card recharge system.
• 10- to 20-digit Account Numbers

Prepaid-only Features

• Recharge Vouchers- Allows the Administrator to generate recharge vouchers. PIN numbers allow subscribers to purchase additional calling time for their account and "top up" their account with this value via both IVR and web portal.
• Account Balance-Available in Units or Currency.
• Bad Balance Transfer Restriction-Allows the service provider to restrict the number of times a subscriber can enter a bad PIN for a balance transfer operation through the portal or IVR.
• Prepaid Multi-Leg Calls-Allows application to authorize and account for multiple simultaneous prepaid calls with all parties connected via a conference.
• Sign-up Bonuses-For first-time account set-up.
• IVR Usage Charge-Allows service provider to charge subscriber's account for time spent in the IVR when the subscriber does not complete a billed call.
• Payment Gateway API-Allows for the programmatic posting of credits and debits to the prepaid subscriber's account from an external system.
• Max Sessions-Allows limiting the number of simultaneous sessions that are allowed.
• Payphone Swipe Strip-Allows using a prepaid calling card with a data swipe strip at swipe-equipped payphones.
• PIN Inventory API-A full set of SOAP/XML API's that allow an external system to create, activate, suspend and cancel groups of prepaid accounts. This allows for integrating the SIPware application with third-party inventory control and distributor management systems.
• Rate Plan by Call Sequence-Service providers can define the rate plan applicable to a call for each Prepaid calling service, based on a subscriber's billed call sequence. For example, the first five calls may have a specific identified rate plan. All calls after the fifth billed call may have a different rate plan defined.
• Require Authorized ANI for Calls-Enables service providers to configure specific Prepaid product offerings only to allow subscriber access from authorized ANIs.
• 4- to 18-digit PINs

Reporting/Archiving

The RadiSys SIPware Prepaid and Post Paid solution provides a secondary database that serves as an archival and reporting database, and includes a comprehensive set of reports. Service providers can customize standard reports, develop new reports or request RadiSys professional services to develop additional reports.

Web-based Administration Application

The SIPware Prepaid and Post Paid solution also includes the Applications Configuration Environment (ACE), a Web-based application that enables platform owners and service providers to configure system settings.

Application Partitioning for White-label Service

• Each partition can fully run its business (i.e. create PINs, define rates, etc.), but may not access the data of any peer partitions.
• Parent partitions have full access to their children.
• "Wholesale" rates allow for tracking of a partition's usage.
• Parents may limit the resource usage of a child partition. This helps to minimize that chance that a single partition could impact the operation of other partitions.
  • Number of accounts
  • Max number of sessions
  • Credit limits
• Multi-level partitions.
• Run reports.

SIPware Operator Assistance Integration

To enhance the subscriber experience, the SIPware Prepaid and Post Paid solution integrates seamlessly with SIPware Operator Assistance. Features include:

• Multiple Initiation Options for Operator Assistance:
  • Subscriber presses "0"
  • Access number is configured to send the participant directly to a CSR
  • Subscriber exceeds the maximum allowable passcode validation attempts
• Multiple Partition Support-CSRs can simultaneously support subscribers from multiple partitions or can be dedicated to a single partition.
• Optimal CSR Matching-Facilitates optimal matching of CSRs and subscribers. CSRs can be associated with languages, skills, group or location, and service providers.
• Route Reason Display-When a request is sent, the CSR's screen pop indicates the reason the subscriber was routed to the CSR.
• Supervisor Privileges-CSRs with supervisor privileges can monitor the real-time status of queues concerning the status of CSRs, supervisors, assignments and requests.
• CSR Credit Limits-Limits amount of money a CSR can credit to an account on a daily basis.