[asterisk-users] Pre-paid Billing

[Igor Zamocky]

Isn't 'don't allow multiple calls' acceptable solution?
At least, it's the simplest one :)

I can imagine solution with multiple calls allowed, but it needs some external
synchronous processing. With every call you should start process, that will
decrement user's balance based on dialled destination, you have to update
balance every second. After balance=0 you just kill active call(s).

The fact, that there are multiple calls means nothing, just more processes
will decrement balance for the same user.

Btw, this will give You oportunity upgrade balance during call, so active call
can be longer than we originally thought - of course, you should not use S(x).

There will be probably a lot of other / more effective, easier, ... / ideas :)

Igor

> Hi Guys, we need an urgent help with Pre-paid Billing.

> We are using Asterisk at work with our own prepaid billing system. We
> calculate max number of minutes user is allowed to talk based on his
> balance and destination. We then used Dial command with S(x) parameter
> to create a call.

> However, this is a problem when user makes multiple calls
> simulatenously. What is the best way to handle it. Any suggestions.

> Please do not answer suggestion some billing packages as we have our
> own billing system which we need to enhance. Technical answer on howto
> do with bare asterisk or algorithm would help.

> Jim

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