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| Crestel packs rich features in its end-to-end solution offerings for interconnect. Some of the crux features of this solution are discussed below : |
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| Crestel - Interconnect Solution Components |
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| Click on the image for an enlarged view |
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Crestel Mediation’s easy-to-use Server Management provides seamless and scalable integration with third party network elements. It allows providers to manage multiple servers and instances. Not only does it map the proprietary CDR formats into downstream system requirements, but it also caters to varied data record formats such as SMS and MMS that come in with the bundling of different services in a single package. |
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The mediation system provides an interface to map the network attributes with downstream system attributes to form unified CDRs. The parsing function transforms these network attributes into unified form so that downstream functions like rating can interpret it and thereby move on with their own respective functions. It also provides interfaces for configuring rules for checking duplicity, filtering, enriching and validating these records based on various attributes. As part of processing, the mediation system allows further enrichment of these unified attributes to ease decision making for further processes. For example, calls can be classified as NLD and ILD by enriching the value of the Distance Band attribute. Such transformation is a value-added input to the rating process. Mediation communicates with downstream business support systems such as rating, billing and revenue assurance systems. Besides these powerful features, it also enables tracking of CDRs from collection stage to the distribution stage, which is very essential in the interconnect scenario where transparency with partners on revenue-related aspects is extremely critical. |
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Rating is another vital aspect in the interconnect scenario. Crestel allows providers to create different rate cards for incoming and outgoing calls and apply them based on charging policies. Policies are framed based on attributes of unified CDRs and they define the criteria for application of rates for incoming as well as outgoing calls. Besides, it also supports differential rating treatment for a single call which runs from peak rate to off-peak rate and vice-versa. Such calls can be rated on a prorated basis, or on the basis of peak rates or off-peak rates. In case of transit partners, a single CDR means a source of credit from the incoming partner and a source of debit towards the termination partner. Crestel’s rate card supports both debit and credit rate specifications to measure upto this requirement. All these features enable providers to speedily gear up with ever-changing rates with credibility. Crestel Rating effectively manages complex rating considering peak & off-peak time, holiday & special day rates, and different rates considering the same destination but different partners. It also provides support for re-rating and re-processing to assuage any possible revenue leakages. |
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Crestel provides a secure and robust billing platform for interconnect providers. It is adaptive to changes in rounding policies, calculation of taxes, collection of security deposits, and provides multi-currency support considering international partners. Besides, it also supports an assortment of billing cycles considering the interest of different partners. |
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Reconciliation forms an integral part of any interconnect solution. It is important to ensure that there is no revenue leakage taking place due to loss of data records or rating inaccuracies due to manual errors in configuration. Crestel allows providers to set the Allowed Percentage Variation for each partner which acts as a threshold percentage value for reconciling CDRs. Summary or details of partner’s usage can be uploaded in the Interconnect Billing system for reconciliation. Reconciliation can be done on a daily or monthly by comparing the actual usage volume and amount received from or passed to the partner, with the usage data available from the interconnect billing system. Crestel also provides Partner Level Reconciliation and Daily Reconciliation Reports. It also ensures that there is no loss of revenue by allowing tracking of CDRs in all stages of the mediation process. It also provides re-rating and re-processing support to plug any leakage. |
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Crestel provides various kinds of reports targeting different audience. These reports aid concerned personnel to monitor and take corrective measures based on hard facts depicted in them. The following is a partial list of reports that are provided as part of the offering: |
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MIS Reports provide information based on which partnership profitability can be gauged. |
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Carrier-wise Revenue: These reports provide summarized information on the total revenue generated by each carrier and the net revenue generated by them. |
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Carrier-wise Revenue Comparison: This report gives the provider a comparative analysis of revenue generated from various carriers with whom they’ve partnered. |
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Best and Worst Performing Carriers: These reports provide an insight into the best and worst performing carriers based on highest and lowest total revenue generated and resource utilization. |
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Carrier Net Revenue: There are reports providing summary on the net revenue, total receivables and total payables of each partner carrier. |
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Reconciliation Reports provide an insight into the revenue inflows and outflows. |
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Reconciliation: Reports for reconciliation include ones for partner reconciliation and daily reconciliation. |
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Engineering Reports provide information on network behavior and utilization. Technical problems, if any, can be spotted and corrective measures taken to eliminate them. |
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Carrier-wise ASR: The report conveys the percentage ratio of successfully answered calls vis-à-vis total calls attempted i.e. seizures. The calculated ASR value can vary depending on user behavior. The ASR conveys the actual billable usage of the network. |
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Network Efficiency Report: This report conveys the percentage ratio of network efficiency by calculating total answered calls, unanswered calls, user busy and terminal rejection calls vs. total call attempts. This report is critical for technical view and health of network. The results may vary based on the traffic generated on the network. The NER shows actual downtime or non functional network state, which is useful enhancement - maintenance of network. |
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Mediation-level CDR Statistics: CDR statistics at mediation level are provided in summarized and detailed forms. These reports depict total CDR count, parsing error count and parsed CDR count details. Apart from this, information on total CDR details file wise and module wise (collection, parsing, processing, distribution and integration) can also be obtained. |
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Call Direction-wise Carrier Usage Summary: This report provides information on the usage summary of each carrier based on the specified call direction. |
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As part of Partner Management, Crestel allows providers to bind different rate cards for different partners. Allowed Percentage Variation for each partner can be specified to ensure that any revenue leakages occurring are highlighted so that proactive measures can be taken to eliminate the same. Crestel also allows providers to bind partner agreements with their respective accounts. |
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