The information system project for the automated billing of services
Students Name: Chernysh Vladyslav Vitaliiovych
Qualification Level: magister
Speciality: IT Project Management
Institute: Institute of Computer Science and Information Technologies
Mode of Study: full
Academic Year: 2023-2024 н.р.
Language of Defence: ukrainian
Abstract: In today’s business environment, against the backdrop of rapid technological development and heightened competition, the role of information technologies becomes critical for the success of a company, and its significance cannot be overstated. Optimization and automation of workflows, analysis of statistical data and decision-making, external and internal communication and collaboration, data security and information protection, global access and mobility, effective resource management, and so forth [1]. And this is far from an exhaustive list of factors illustrating the importance of information technologies and their impact on the success of any enterprise. Billing systems are an essential component of information technologies, playing a crucial role in modern business, especially in the service industry. To understand the essence of billing systems and their significance, it is important to analyze the concept and historical development of such systems. Billing systems, derived from the English word "billing," refer to software or sets of programs designed to automate the process of accounting and calculating expenses for services provided to users. The history of billing traces its roots to the telecommunications industry, where initially, the calculation of the cost of phone calls was done manually [2]. However, with the development of telecommunications technologies, there arose a need for the automation of accounting and cost calculation processes. Historically, these systems emerged in response to the growing demand for automating billing processes, subscription management, and financial transaction tracking. Today, they are used in various business sectors to facilitate financial management and customer support. In the 21st century, billing systems have become an integral part not only of the telecommunications business but also of other industries where it is necessary to account for expenses and provide services based on specific tariffs and agreements with customers. Modern billing systems feature advanced automation capabilities, integration with other systems, and support for various types of services, including internet, mobile communication, hosting, cloud services, and more. Automated accounting systems are a key tool for service-providing companies. They enable accurate and efficient calculation of service costs for each user, control expenses, automate invoice creation processes, and provide customers with detailed information about their service usage. Study object - Business processes, specifically the entire life cycle of service provision and accounting within the company, that create a broad space for analysis and improvement. Examining the life cycle of service delivery, from order acceptance to invoice issuance and post-sales support, reveals key stages where process enhancements can lead to significant improvements in the company’s operations [3]. Study subject - еhe integration of modern information technologies through the implementation of an improved billing system involving all stages of its design, development, and support. Goal of research - development and implementation of an information system for automated service accounting (billing system), which will enable the automation of service provision and accounting, optimization of processes associated with these services, collection, storage, and formatting of statistical data. The research tasks encompass the analysis of current business processes within the company, finding optimal ways to automate them, a detailed examination and structuring of the company’s needs and challenges, and ultimately defining clear and unambiguous requirements for the development of an information system. This system should take into account the specificity of the company’s activities, meet the defined requirements, and fully correspond to them. The research results contribute to improving internal enterprise accounting, ensuring the accuracy and promptness of calculations, enhancing customer service levels, and improving the quality of the products introduced to the market. It provides analytics for making effective managerial decisions. Additionally, automated processes contribute to reducing the risk of errors and optimizing costs, which is crucial for the economic stability of the company [4]. The successful experience of implementing the developed billing system in a specific company opens up prospects for its application in a wider range of enterprises. Positive project outcomes offer the system the option to not only serve as an internal tool for the company but also to be introduced to the market as an independent product for other organizations with similar or related specializations seeking effective solutions for service accounting automation. Keywords: Billing system, automation, subscription management, optimization, business processes, requirements analysis. References. 1. Dr. Raul L. Katz. Why Are CRM and Billing Systems Implementation Projects in the Telecommunications Industry So Prone to Failure? [web source] – 2008. – URL: https://www.teleadvs.com/wp-content/uploads/articles/new_paper.pdf 2. Official website of Stripe payment system. Automated billing systems 101: How they work and how to get started. [web source] – 2023. – URL: https://stripe.com/resources/more/automated-billing-systems-101 3. Project Management Institute. PMBOK® Guide – Seventh Edition. [web source] – 2021. – URL: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/foundational/pmbok 4. International Journal of Scientific Research in Computer Science, Engineering and Information Technology. Implementation of Improved Billing System. [web source] – 2020. – URL: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ishu-Kumar-2/publication/345776202_Implementation_of_Improved_Billing_System/links/60bc96c9299bf10dff9c9319/Implementation-of-Improved-Billing-System.pdf