Selecting a Successful OSS Billing Strategy (Cont'd)

Resale Channels
Another factor to consider when in the market for an OSS application is the system's capacity to manage and bill customers attained through resale channels. This is a need that resellers share according to a report by tech-analyst organization Atlantic-ACM. Therefore, a solid billing system helps to attract and retain resellers and builds channel markets. A good OSS system can bill resale customers through a branded portal, as well as automatically calculating reseller commissions and generating sales reports. A single configurable portal is an effective aggregation point for customers, therefore a painless method for branding the portal to company's "look and feel" is of utmost importance. A flexible OSS system enables quick branding through the use of Custom Style Sheet files and logo files so that changes and upgrades are easy to handle. And because a centralized OSS system is being utilized for all services, commissions are easy to implement and can be applied to any service added to the mix. Commissions may be set up to apply to specific services or service plans and may be utilized on a variety of dimensions, including sale type, transaction type, and sales person.

Hosted Systems
While there are many systems and options for service providers to consider when purchasing a system, providers may opt for a hosted application with the same features and functionality of a licensed version. Since hosted systems are web-based, service providers can customize with their logo and branding properties, add or revise service plans, update rate tables or add new customers (or customers can self-provision and activate services, in some cases) from any browser at any time. Plus, system upgrades and new features are routinely offered as part of the monthly service fee. Hosted OSS applications are a good solution for providers that don't have the expertise or network resources to manage an internal system.

Whether the system is managed internally or hosted, service providers must utilize an OSS billing system strategy that can simultaneously expand with their business needs and offer their customers optimal convenience. A well-engineered OSS system and strategy is an easy way for the service provider to optimize the business plan and realize rapid return-on-investment.

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