Usable programs in:

* MS Access

* MS Excel

* MS Project

* MS Word formats

In telecom, the right billing system, operating efficiently, is key to profitability. Telecommunications Billing Systems — from two of the field’s top consultants—is the first and only book to offer comprehensive, practical help to telecom managers facing strategic decisions in this important area. This indispensable resource helps you—

* Define your business’s needs

* Get the most bang for the company’s buck

* Apply practical guidelines for suitable product choices

* Determine the right technical architectures

* Implement new systems seamlessly with ready-made plans

* Save time and duck headaches when migrating

* Find answers on wired, wireless, and Internet services

* Develop acceptance criteria and testing procedures

* Modify sample RFPs to fit your needs

DIRECT LINE TO ANSWERS

Go right to the information you really want with this practical, easy-to-follow guide. Whether you want to start at ground level and proceed step by step through a complete education in billing systems and their strategic impacts, or jump directly to how-tos for a successful conversion, Telecommunications Billing Systems has what you need to make every aspect of selection, implementation, and conversion easier.

Top-tier strategizing on telecom billing systems used to be pricey. But with this guide from two of the field’s most sought-after consultants, cutting-edge expertise is now affordable.

Contents            

   SECTION I: WHAT DOES A BILLING SYSTEM DO?
    Chapter 1: Introduction to What Billing Systems Do
    Chapter 2: Customer Accounts
    Chapter 3: Product Descriptions
    Chapter 4: Business and Operational Management
    Chapter 5: Processing Usage
    Chapter 6: Processing One-Time and Recurring Charges
    Chapter 7: Compiling the Bill
    Chapter 8: Bill Rendering
    Chapter 9: Bill Distribution
    Chapter 10: Account Maintenance
    Chapter 11: Payments, Collection, and Treatment
    Chapter 12: Reports, Data Feeds, and Query Databases
    Chapter 13: Account and System Controls
   SECTION II: BILLING SYSTEMS AND BUSINESS STRATEGY
    Chapter 14: What Does Your Business Need?
    Chapter 15: Defining Products and Services
    Chapter 16: Consolidating and Analyzing Product Information
    Chapter 17: Customer Considerations
    Chapter 18: Regulatory and Tax Considerations
    Chapter 19: Cash Flow Considerations
    Chapter 20: Interfacing System and Process Considerations
   SECTION III: SELECTING A BILLING SYSTEM SOLUTION
    Chapter 21: Business Requirements and Billing Solution Selection
    Chapter 22: Customer Level Requirements
    Chapter 23: Product/Service Level Requirements
    Chapter 24: Operational and Systems Level Requirements
    Chapter 25: Data Interfaces to Billing Systems
    Chapter 26: Billing-Related Standards
    Chapter 27: Unique Billing Considerations
    Chapter 28: Managing and Prioritizing Requirements
    Chapter 29: Types of Products and Vendors
    Chapter 30: Identifying and Qualifying Vendors
    Chapter 31: What is an RFI?
    Chapter 32: Using RFI Responses
    Chapter 33: Writing a Good RFP
    Chapter 34: Evaluating Proposals
    Chapter 35: Negotiating a Billing Solution Contract
   SECTION IV: IMPLEMENTING A BILLING SYSTEM
    Chapter 36: Overall Project Plan
    Chapter 37: Preparation Planning
    Chapter 38: Planning Your Implementation
    Chapter 39: Planning Integration
    Chapter 40: Planning Conversion/Migration from Legacy Billers
    Chapter 41: Testing
     APPENDIX A: DATA GATHERING FORMS
     APPENDIX B: REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT MODELS
     APPENDIX C: DOCUMENT MODELS
     APPENDIX D: RESOURCES
     GLOSSARY
     INDEX