Recurrent Cost Control Balance

The Recurrent Cost Control Balance feature in the OCS.io is designed to monitor and control expenses related to specific types of usage, such as calls to off-net destinations. It allows service providers to set up and manage balances dedicated to monitoring the expenditure of money for these types of usage.

When setting up a Recurrent Balance, service providers can define the validity period, specifying how long the allocated free units remain active and available for usage. They can also configure whether unconsumed units are rolled over to the next period and, if so, for how long. This allows customers to carry forward unused units and maximize their usage over an extended period.

In cases where rollover units are available, service providers can set the priority of consumption for rolled-over units. For example, they can prioritize the usage of newly allocated free units before utilizing any carried-forward units, ensuring that customers fully utilize the most recent allocations first.

The system configures up to three independent notifications based on predefined threshold levels to keep customers informed about their spending. These thresholds can be set at various utilization percentages, such as 0%, 80%, and 100%. When the configured thresholds are reached, the system triggers notifications, providing customers with timely information about their expenditures and allowing them to manage their usage accordingly.

In addition to notifications, service providers can configure the behavior when the balance is exhausted for a certain type of usage. They have the option to reject further usage of that type once the balance reaches zero. This feature ensures that customers do not exceed their allocated budget or go beyond the predefined limits.

Configuration in the GUI

This section describes how to configure Recurrent Cost Control Balance in the GUI.

Recurrent Cost Control Balance Service
Item Description

Create Balance At

Chose when recurrence occurs:

  • Subscriber Anniversary - applicable on Anniversary when Subscriber becomes Active

  • Offer Subscription - applicable at the date when Offer Subscription becomes Active

  • Bill Cycle Start - applicable at the Start of the Bill Cycle

  • Bill Cycle End - applicable at the End of the Bill Cycle

  • Month Start - applicable at the Start of the Calendar Month

  • Month End - applicable at the End of the Calendar Month

  • Monday - applicable on Monday

  • Tuesday - applicable on Tuesday

  • Wednesday - applicable on Wednesday

  • Thursday - applicable on Thursday

  • Friday - applicable on Friday

  • Saturday - applicable on Saturday

  • Sunday - applicable on Sunday

Every X (Recurrence Period)

Enter the length of the Recurrence Period.

Execute immediately

If checked, Balance is applied immediately. If not checked, Balance is applied from the next Recurrence Period.

Pro-Rate when Activated

If checked, Balance is Pro-Rated. This is applicable when the state becomes Active for the first time.

Pro-Rate when Not Charged

If checked, Balance is Pro-Rated. This is applicable only for the Suspended state when the appropriate State Reason is flagged as Charged.

Pro-Rate Mode

Choose how Pro-Rate functionality behaves:

  • Second - Pro-Ration is calculated with Seconds precision.

  • Day - Pro-Ration is calculated effectively at the end of the Day. Last state valid at the end of the Day is considered.

  • Noon - Pro-Ration is calculated effectively at the Noon. Last state valid at the Noon is considered.

  • Customer Friendly - Pro-Ration is calculated as "Friendly" for customer on Day basis. If the one of the State at the Day is marked as Not Charged independent on any other State at the Day, entire Day is not charged.

  • Provider Friendly - Pro-Ration is calculated as "Friendly" for customer on Day basis. If the one of the State at the Day is marked as Charged independent on any other State at the Day, entire Day is not charged.

Recurrence Cycles

Enter the number of Recurrence cycles for which Balance is applied.

Granted Balance

Enter Balance which will be granted.

Reject when 100% Threshold reached

If checked, charging of event will be rejected when 100% threshold is reached.

This flag only applies if the Usage is charged online.

First Usage

If checked, the First usage Notification will be triggered.

On Recurrence

If checked, the On Recurrence Notification will be triggered.

Threshold #1 (%)

If a value is provided, the Threshold #1 Notification will be triggered when the defined threshold is reached.

Threshold #2 (%)

If a value is provided, the Threshold #2 Notification will be triggered when the defined threshold is reached.

Threshold #3 (%)

If a value is provided, the Threshold #3 Notification will be triggered when the defined threshold is reached.

Include sub-classes

If checked, subordinate Charging Classes will be included in the evaluation of Balance application.

List of Charging Classes

Check all Charging Classes for which Balance will be applied.