Wireless Calling Card Terminals

Business Challenge

One of our clients requested an activation system for calling cards that provided several important benefits, including elimination of theft and fraud, greater merchandising flexibility, and billing only after the product is sold. Instead of the active telecards displayed today at most of the stores the client asked for the system that allowed shipping of inactive cards thus eliminating the need for an outlay of cash.

The proposed system had to allow the retailer and the end user to get on line with the easy to use prepaid "Smart Terminal". The PhoneCards became more mainstream, the need for effective inventory controls and a method for eliminating shrinkage was essential. To address these current issues, the client wanted to offer a simple device which solves every issue. This solution had to provide the following important features:

• Eliminates theft and fraud. The system keeps the record of every PIN number generated and who generated it. So that the retailer knows exactly when every PIN number was printed, and who printed it.
• Eliminates virtually all inventory cost and re-stocking problems.
• No Investment (Retailer) You are only billed for what you sell, and there is no extra charge for the system and its setup.
• Keeps an unlimited amount of inventory on hand but only pay for it when it sells through. The PINs have no value until the PhoneCard is printed, so you can keep plenty of stock on hand without risking any money.
• Displays product in plain site with no possibility of theft or fraud. The PhoneCards have no value until you print the PIN number on them, making our PhoneCard "Shop-lifter Proof!"
• Reports available daily by location, clerk, shift, date, week(s), month... and more!

System Functionalitites

The system technology is build on separating operations in blocks - this approach significantly improves the information processing speed and simplifies system management. The main module for information management and searching is placed on SQL server. This allows decreasing terminal processors load and decrease the network traffic, thus improving clients processing speed. Data storage on terminals is completely eliminated. All the information obtained by a terminal is transferred to the terminal memory on the operator's request and erases all the previous information. This approach allows us to completely eliminate the possibility of data loss or stealing. The system also requires terminal operators identification when entering. Distribution of user's rights for system users is developed in order to eliminate errors when working with data. All the rights on working within the system (entering the terminal, server requests, data management, back-up, etc.)may be granted to other users only by the system administrator. In order to simplify administration the users can be divided by groups.

Server

This is the main element of the system. It used as the data storage as a database is located on it. Database structure is developed according to specific Customer's requirements and optimized by means of database indexes in order to provide rapid access to required information. Dividing data into separate tables and reference-books allows users to eliminate errors that usually happens when entering or modifying data. Using stored SQL procedures all the calculations are performed on the server and only the resultant values and required data is transferred to the remote terminal. This improves the system performance.

Terminals

When entering the system each user is asked for the identification. According to the user information - only operations authorized for this user can be performed. This eliminates possible mistakes and differentiates data access. For instance, some store shouldn't view and edit data of another department clients.

On the client's identification an operator can request for additional client's information from the database server and print necessary documents if necessary.

Manager can make more complicated requests to the database servers. Manager can work with all clients or different stores. Manager will be able to edit, create and delete client's data, manage client's balance, print different reports.

System administrator can manage system users, distribute their rights and maintain backup and restoring procedures.

Summary

The developed system provided the following features for the client:

• Managing a large database of calling card codes of various types, and with various operating instructions.
• Managing client information including store information, store's credit limit, authorized personnel list, chain association, etc.
• Upon a request from the terminal for a specific code, a call will be placed to the central database and retrieve the code #. then, this code will be printed with all other relevant information (similar to regular calling cards) on either a paper card or regular paper at the store.
• The system also performs Accounts Receivable tasks (invoices, statements, manage balances, stop over credit limit accounts, etc)
• The system performs all Accounts payable tasks to manage payment to suppliers.
• The time to process the card at the retail location does not exceed 25 seconds.
• All codes are disbursed live, and not stored on the terminals.

Used languages & Technologies

• Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0
• C++ Builder 6.0
• MS SQL 2000
• Rational Rose 2000 Modeling Tool
• Rational Requisite Pro Requirements Management Tool
• Rational ClearQuest - defects and change requests control
• Rational ClearCase - configuration and versioning control
• Microsoft Project - Project Management and Estimation tool