Support for forward billing

[ronflima]

Abstract

A subscription is commonly billed backwards, i.e., the time used by the customer is computed, rated and billed to his account. However, there are scenarios where it is important to bill the customer forward. In this billing category, the customer first pay and then use. That´s how pre-paid mobile phone subscriptions work.

Requirements

1. Give the ability to forward bill the customer, i.e., the customer first pays and then use the service.
2. Calculate the next payment date based on customer´s payment date.
3. Determine if the customer is due or not based on next payment date and current date.

Notes

1. This kind of billing does not require pro-rating the customer account since there are no bill cycles or even fixed due dates.
2. A side effect of this kind of billing is having receivables for the entire month, not only in a single group of determined dates.
3. This is a generalization for consumable items.