ntec launches InterconnecT Automated Reconciliation to help carriers cut billing costs and improve cashflow

• Automated reconciliation of interconnect bills with multiple carriers partners can cut operating costs, improve billing accuracy and efficiency, and enhance network profitability

London, 14 May 2003: Intec Telecom Systems, a global leader in Operations Support Systems (OSS) for telecoms companies, has launched InterconnecT Automated Reconciliation (InterconnecT AR), a powerful solution to the problem of settling large and complex interconnect bills between telecoms operators. Such bills commonly represent tens or even hundreds of millions of Pounds of both revenue and cost to carriers, and even small delays and inaccuracies in settlement can have a substantial impact on cashflow and profitability.

InterconnecT AR enables automation of the process for comparing interconnect charge information from multiple independent interconnect accounting systems. It automates bill reconciliation processes through exchange, comparison and settlement of aggregated billing data. This helps avoid the overhead of manual handling of individual transactions – reducing settlement time and improving the accuracy of interconnect charges. InterconnecT AR supports both generic reconciliation and reconciliation using established standards such as CODIFI and DETRAF.

Interconnect billing is a critical process for generating operator revenue – as much as 50% of telco revenue or costs can be interconnect-related. As the telecoms market continues to become more competitive and complex, particularly with the arrival of companies offering content and IP-based communications, operators are involved with a growing number of complex interconnect billing partnerships. InterconnecT AR allows operators to automate the process of reconciliation in a highly effective way, reducing the cost and time burden of reconciling large numbers of inter-operator agreements. “Speed, efficiency and accuracy in settling interconnect bills are the key to higher margins,” said Gary Bunney, Intec’s Product Operations Director. “InterconnecT Automated Reconciliation helps operators to minimise both interconnect payments and the costs associated with bill reconciliation through automation and tighter reconciliation processes.”

Automated reconciliation offers the opportunity not only to speed up the settlement process, but also to make better use of resources, reduce operating costs and streamline business processes. Automatic reconciliation shortens settlement cycles by automating a number of processes and reducing the risk of disputes. Cash-flow management is improved, as amounts payable and receivable can be traced and monitored closely at different stages. Automatic reconciliation need not be restricted to a simple comparison of rated information: it can also be used to identify areas of dispute and suggest potential resolutions. It can also provide automatic adjustments. Financial risk can be minimised by operators agreeing to pay an amount on the understanding that there will be a later adjustment after reconciliation.

Other benefits of InterconnecT AR include added protection of confidential information – like user, rating set-up and network configuration data – as information is exchanged in the form of agreed names or codes at an aggregated level within an automatic reconciliation process. InterconnecT AR also enables the creation of rules for interconnect charge comparison, generating dispute settlement proposals, and making automatic adjustments. Cycles and schedules can be established for the various tasks individually. Charges are aggregated based on the agreed consolidation unit for each agreement.

InterconnecT AR, which is currently in production at a number of customer sites worldwide, is available immediately.

For further information:

Intec Telecom Systems
Intec Telecom Systems is an award-winning worldwide Operations Support Systems (“OSS”) vendor for fixed, mobile and IP/next-generation networks, with more than 300 customers for its products worldwide. Founded in 1997, Intec was listed on the London Stock Exchange (Code: ITL.L) in June 2000. Intec is the market leader in intercarrier billing systems and one of the top 2 suppliers of convergent mediation software. The company is currently listed in Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu’s top 500 fastest growing companies in Europe, growing international sales by almost 400% in 3 years. Intec’s portfolio includes:

• Inter-mediatE™ - convergent mediation solution
  
• InterconnecT™ - intercarrier billing including US CABS and ITU
  
• Inter-activatE™ - flow-through provisioning and activation
  
• Inter-contenT™ - end-to-end Content revenue management