Invoice Verification through Structured Test Data. White Paper

Transcription

1 White Paper Invoice Verification through Structured Test Data With increasing complexity in the billing process, it is becoming imperative for operators to develop a robust invoice verification process. This whitepaper discusses a proactive strategy of invoice verification using structured test data methodology.

2 Introduction With the introduction of large number of tariffs and packages, it has become necessary for telecom operators to monitor their invoicing processes. However, due to the complexity of the processes involved, it is necessary to identify an effective and efficient strategy for invoice verification without the cost and complexity of running a full shadow billing process. Subex, with its experience in revenue assurance across different markets, recommends invoice verification through structured test data for efficient verification process. Key Objectives The following are the key objectives of implementing a solution for invoice verification: All customers are invoiced Invoice components are accurately reflected Invoice calculations are accurate Key Concepts of Structured Test Data Verification method The key concepts behind this proactive approach are as follows: Proactive approach to billing and invoice verification: The tests are performed before every invoice cycle to ensure that all tariff elements are applied correctly. This provides confidence to the billing team and the management in ensuring that issues are detected and corrected proactively, prior to generating invoices thereby minimizing any impact on the subscriber base. Monitor the rate plans and invoice types that are used by most customer segments: This ensures that the cost of monitoring and identifying these problems remains inline with the benefits to be achieved using this process. Use known test data that allows efficient analysis: This also ensures that all scenarios are captured correctly. This is more advantageous than the traditional approach as scenarios that are not covered by the subscriber calling patterns are also addressed. Structured Test Data Verification Process The process is carried out in the following steps: 1) Identification of tariffs and packages for testing: The identification should be based on the usage and contribution to the revenue stream. This ensures that the major revenue impacting issues are detected early. 2) Preparation of test scenarios: The test scenarios can be generated based on the following parameters: a. The rate plans that need to be supported b. Traffic scenarios that need to be supported. This can be derived from the traffic point table. c. Billing scenarios according to the business rules that correspond to each type of rates applied. 02 Subex Limited

3 Scenario Building Run Monitor Analyse Optimise ROC Revenue Assurance Invoice Prepare test data Feed test data to mediation Pull out invoices from Billing System Compare expected result to output Prepare test plans for TCG Run test plans Extract usage data Review Test Metrics Build Test Metrics - Expected Result Monitor associated control points Analyse root cause through ROC Revenue Assurance Expand Test Coverage 3) Preparation of structured test data: The test data can be prepared in multiple ways: a. Using test call generators: In this method, a test call generator can be configured to generate specific set of know calls to emulate different calling scenarios. This approach can also detect inaccuracies in metering and logging of events by the network. b. Using test files: Test files containing call details corresponding to the subscriber being tested. In this method, a file containing calls corresponding to the tested scenario is prepared. Revenue Assurance analysts can reuse this call file by modifying the parameters of the call to adapt to a new scenario. This file is fed into the mediation system for downstream elements, i.e. Rating, pricing and invoicing to process. This file can represent specific scenarios such as calls affecting tax calculations, conditions that result in creation of different billing flags that are used for tax calculations, different rate plans, specific discounts, special EDR fields that affect tax per event (indicating special services or specific conditions such as region of call) The base test data can be modified to address new scenarios thereby increasing the coverage. 4) Verification of the calls and invoicing process: a. The calls are collected by ROC Revenue Assurance from various systems such as mediation, billing system and filtered using queries and automatically verified. This ensures that all usage components of the invoice are accurately accounted. b. Comparison of the test number invoices with the expected result In addition, Subex recommends configuration monitoring of the following control points to augment this process through regular functions of ROC Revenue Assurance 03 Subex Limited

4 Verification of the number of invoices generated with the total number of subscribers who had activity in the network. This ensures that all customers are invoiced. Verification of the provisioning of customers between billing and network to ensure that all customers who have activity in the network are being billed for the services, especially the recurring charges. Verification of new subscribers to the one time charges applied to ensure that all one time charges are applied. Components in ROC Revenue Assurance to support the approach Data adaptors that can take data from various systems including output of test call generator. Import of test results using reference table update. Query Filters to filter the data corresponding to the test calls based on one or more parameters in the CDR Measures that allow automatic comparison of call details between multiple control points. KPIs that provides automatic alert to the analysts if problems are detected. ROC Revenue Assurance is Subex s revenue assurance system that has the ability to utilize the structured test data methodology for invoice verification. Advantages with Structured Test Data Verification Method The Structured Test Data Verification method provides the following advantages: Easy analysis and faster resolution: This method provides controlled data for analysis. Here the variables are known and controlled. In the traditional approach, the analyst is forced to analyse large number of records that Proactive approach allowing operators to identify and correct problems before they affect the revenue chain. The tests can be performed at any time rather than waiting for the bill cycle to commence. Wider coverage for the most important and revenue impacting invoicing and billing component by virtue of choosing the data rather than depending on the calls generated (purely driven by the calling pattern during that time). Low cost of maintenance as the system does not require high and continuous involvement of the billing team to maintain and run the shadow billing system. More structured and effective analysis as the design of the test data aids root cause analysis. Control for the Revenue Assurance team: As all the functions are being performed by the Revenue Assurance team, they have better control over the entire testing process than wait for process completion from different teams. Disadvantages with traditional approach of Invoice verification Although traditional approach was effective during early days of revenue assurance, due to the increasing complexity and load conditions in the billing system, the approach is proving more and more ineffective. The following are some of the disadvantages of this approach: 04 Subex Limited

5 Billing systems typically handles high amount of complexity to accommodate modern rate plans and packages. Having a shadow billing and invoicing system requires a second full billing infrastructure to monitor the existing system together with a configuration team almost as large as a billing system configuration team. Importing of rating information automatically into the system allows all errors in the billing system into the verification system, thereby rendering it ineffective. Continuous maintenance of fully fledged shadow rating and invoicing system requires analysis. Some Frequently Asked Questions Q1 How can the test data be generated? Test scenarios are identified to address the key elements of popular price plans. Subex Professional Services Organization provides active support to the operator to identify the right price plans, control points and generation of test data/ test plans for test call generator during the implementation process. Q2 Can this approach provide same level of coverage as the traditional invoice verification method? Yes. In a structured manner, operator can achieve the same level of coverage as traditional invoice verification method. The key advantage is that this approach is less complex, easier to implement and requires significantly less maintenance on an ongoing basis. Another key advantage is the ability to perform the test proactively and under the full control of the revenue assurance team. This gives independence to the test as well as less reliance on other teams to perform the tests. In many cases the coverage can be higher, because the operator is in control of the scenarios that can be tested rather than depending on customer calling. The use of test calls extends the scope even further, to include metering and logging accuracy within the network. Q3 Does the approach guarantee return of investment? Yes. The cost of operation of this method is significantly less than the traditional approach. Hence any identified revenue leakage is likely to be a saving; moreover it proactively prevents issues from affecting revenue chains (the cost of finding and correcting problem in the regular billing cycle is significantly higher than resolving it before). Q4 Has this approach being adopted by any other operator? Yes. Tier 1 operators in Europe have adopted and used this methodology for number of year with high amount of success. 05 Subex Limited

6 About Subex Subex Ltd. is a leading telecom analytics solutions provider, enabling a digital future for global telcos. Founded in 1992, Subex has spent over 25 years in enabling 3/4th of the largest 50 CSPs globally achieve competitive advantage. By leveraging data which is gathered across networks, customers, and systems coupled with its domain knowledge and the capabilities of its core solutions, Subex helps CSPs to drive new business models, enhance customer experience and optimise enterprises. Subex leverages its award-winning analytics solutions in areas such as Revenue Assurance, Fraud Management, Asset Assurance and Partner Management, and complements them through its newer solutions such as IoT Security. Subex also offers scalable Managed Services and Business Consulting services. Subex has more than 300 installations across 90+ countries. Pipeline Innovation Award 2017 for Innovation in Managed Services and Security & Assurance category Global Telecoms Business Innovation Award 2017,2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011 Awarded Global Carriers Awards 2015 Winner of Telecoms Award 'Advances in B/OSS' category Awarded Best Global Product/Services Received Global Market Share Leaderin Financial Assurance Award 2012 BSS&OSS Latin America Best Fraud Prevention Project Award 2016 Subex Limited Subex, Inc Subex (UK) Ltd RMZ Ecoworld, Devarabisanahalli, Outer Ring Road, Bangalore India Airport Way, Bldg. 1, Ste. 390, Broomfield, CO st Floor, Rama 17 St Ann s Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 1JU Tel: Fax: Tel : Fax : Tel: Fax: For more information write to info@subex.com Subex (Asia Pacific) Pte. Limited 175A, Bencoolen Street, #08-03 Burlington Square, Singapore Tel: Fax: Regional offices: Dubai Ipswich Subex Limited All rights reserved. Although every endeavour has been made to ensure that the information contained within this document is up to date and accurate, Subex Limited cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracy or error in the information contained within this document