Billing and Revenue Management API Developer 7.4

Course Description

In this technical course, students will develop an in-depth understanding of the Oracle Communications Billing and Revenue Management server. The Server Developer class is appropriate for students who need to know how to customize the system for specific business solutions. They will understand the data structures and how to extend the database using the Developer Center. The APIs are powerful tools and students will learn how to use the APIs to extend existing Billing and Revenue Management functionality and/or add new functionality. During hands-on labs, students will work on an end-to-end customization of the product.

Skills Gained

• Define BRM data structure
• Describe BRM architecture
• List the ways that BRM can be customized
• Extend the database by creating new fields and storable classes
• Set up event notification
• Customize the registration process and activity tracking
• Create a custom Opcode and Facility Module
• Create a custom Data Manager

Who Can Benefit

• Developer

Prerequisites

• Knowledge of basic programming constructs and logic
• Proficiency with text editors, vi for UNIX users, WordPad
• Familiarity with C or C++ programming, UNIX basic commands

Syllabus

BRM Architecture

• Identify the four tiers of the BRM architecture
• Describe the rating and discounting architecture
• Describe the processes in the CM and DM tiers
• Use BRM Online Documentation to locate information

BRM Directory Structure

• Navigate through the BRM server directory structure
• Interpret the contents of the BRM configuration files
• Start and stop BRM processes

BRM Data Structures

• Define the Storable Class, Storable Object, and Flist
• Explain Flist Specifications
• Define the BRM data types
• Explain how a storable class maps to the BRM database
• Use the Developer Center to define and view storable classes and objects

Using BRM Opcodes

• Define a BRM Opcode
• Differentiate between Standard, Policy, and Base Opcodes
• Determine the input and output Flist for a specified Opcode

The PIN Macros

• Explain the BRM programming flow
• Differentiate between the PCM and PIN Libraries
• Use the PIN macros to construct Flists and to manage memory for POIDs and Flists

The PCM Macros

• Use PCM Macros within the BRM program flow
• Become familiar with the syntax of the commonly used PCM Macros

Error Handling and Debugging

• Use PIN Macros to manage the error buffer and pinlog files
• Use the debugging process to determine the cause of errors
• Parse the contents of BRM pinlog files

BRM Pricing and Rating

• Describe BRM’s real-time rating process
• Identify the BRM Pricing Model components and their relationships
• List and explain the prerequisite tasks before creating a price plan

Customizing the Registration Process

• List four opcodes used in the customer registration process
• List the ways of changing the field validation rules
• Customize the registration process by populating new fields with defaults at registration time

Extending Event Creation

• Describe the flow of standard and policy Opcodes used in the activity tracking process
• Customize the event creation process by modifying sample_act utility and generate events
• Enable and verify event notification

Configuring Billing and Invoices

• Describe how BRM stores Accounts Receivable data
• Set up and create configurable bill items
• Setup and display custom events on invoices
• Running billing, view invoices, generate and verify A/R information

Custom Facility Modules and Opcodes

• Create a custom FM and Opcode

Creating a Custom Data Manager

• List the reasons for creating a custom Data Manager
• Describe BRM’s Data Manager design
• Create a custom Data Manager