December 1998

One difference between the IAF/3 and its predecessors is its ability to reduce costs to service providers through flexibility and scalability. While monthly flat fees and timed connections are no longer sufficient measures of customer usage, the IAF/3 rates and bills for complex services. Usage-based billing for new IP services like Internet telephony and video conferencing, as well as traditional services like e-commerce and dedicated access, is just one way the IAF/3 increases provider revenues. A flexible Web-based graphical user interface (GUI) to the rating engine allows providers to create, edit, and manage pricing rules.

The IAF/3 focuses on customer care and service management as well, with Java and Web-based architecture that allows providers to maintain complete control of user account information. Advanced customer self-care provides customers with billing and account information as well as immediate access to services without provider involvement, further reducing costs. The framework also promotes brand loyalty with auto registration that enables CD promotions and allows providers to cross sell their products. A Provisioning Data Collector toolkit allows new services to register themselves and offer a configurable set of features that can be administered and added to existing installations without service interruption.

Other features of the IAF/3 include electronic customer billing with flexible formats, support for multiple languages, currencies, and taxation systems, and carrier-class scalability through joint development with Bellcore. The product also distinguishes itself by exposing all service attributes including Quality of Service (QoS). And, marketing drives price management, discounts, and bundles through advanced product management features.

The IAF/3 will be available to the public in the first quarter of 1999 on Sun Microsystems and Hewlett-Packard Unix platforms, supporting Windows 95/NT clients. It is available immediately to charter customers.

For additional information, contact Solect at 416-363-7844 or visit their Web site at www.solect.com.