Inter-mediate is designed for fixed, mobile or IP networks providers. It is UNIX based and runs on HP, Sun and Compaq hardware. The application design supports scalable hardware architecture, from a single computer to a multi-computer distributed system. Inter-mediatE functionality is divided into three general areas as illustrates the diagram above:

Inter-mediatE collects data files based on a schedule or manual request from external systems using a variety of data transfer protocols and data formats (supported are complex record structures including ASN.1 and TAP-3). The Input source is a data system such as a telephone switch, computer system, or tape device. Records that are derived from any of these sources are referred to as usage records.

Inter-mediatE distributes the collected and processed files based on a schedule or manual request to downstream systems in batches. You can configure the Output batch parameters, including file naming, record sorting, batch separation and batch size. The downstream systems are computer systems that perform functions like billing, fraud detection, archive, operational support, or marketing analysis.

Inter-mediatE processes the collected usage records. After Inter-mediatE collects and stores a file, it uses defined Business Logic to execute a sequence of Operations on the file. Each Operation produces one or more processed files that are sent to further Operations or Distribution Portals for delivery to downstream systems. Operations can:

If Inter-mediatE encounters an error during processing, it sends the erroneous records or files to the Error Processing System and sends a message to the Error and Alarm Log system.

Inter-mediatE is Reliable and Robust system which automatically attempt to recover interrupted input/output file transfers or Operation processing.

The following diagram illustrates Mediation in Inter-mediatE: