EyeBill: EyeBill Interactive Solutions PLC is a privately held software company based in Sofia, Bulgaria. The firm is specialized in delivering expertise in VoIP billing and customer care solutions for large- and medium-sized telecoms, carriers, start-up VoIPs and ISPs. EyeBill was established in 2000 as a result of an ambitious joint project on the part of Nexcom Telecommunications and Sirma Artificial intelligence Inc. – two market leaders in the fields of telecommunications and software development, respectively. Ever since EyeBill has expanded to cover the billing needs of all VoIP billing models: Prepaid, Postpaid, Wholesale, Call Shop, Corporate and Residential. EyeBill has a worldwide business focus.
turk-internet.com : Why you plan to come into Turkey? What is your assumptions for the market ?
EyeBill : The main reason for EyeBill to target Turkey as an attractive VoIP market is the geographical proximity of both countries. It is much easier to provide the necessary system support when working with a neighboring country, especially with well equipped local system integrators and support partners. In that way we secure immediate and effective reaction to customers’ demands.
The second reason is that EyeBill pursues emerging markets. Since Turkey opened for the VoIP licenses not so long ago, we view the country as a very attractive marketplace for billing solutions.
There is yet another reason for that market attractiveness – the assumption that there are many quality-oriented telecoms and carriers. We assume that EyeBill does not need to spend too many resources in educating the potential customers about the benefits of choosing a high-end billing and the hidden costs of choosing a low-price, low-quality solution. That is due primarily to the well developed market economy in Turkey: when the end-customers have high expectations in terms of service, so do the emerging VoIP telecoms, who demand quality on the part of the VoIP billing providers.
turk-internet.com : What is differences of your billing program from others? And specifications?
EyeBill : As a high-end solution, EyeBill differentiates on quality and performance. By quality I mean ability for the system users to customize their services and define their desired business models, system stability, scalability, and continuous support. EyeBill is different because it provides a combination of quality and a reasonable price. Probably you are well aware that the international VoIP billing market is highly polarized: on one side are the high-end solutions at very high price, and on the other – the low-end, low-priced ones. EyeBill is one of the very few firms that fill the gap between those poles.
It is very important to mention that our main office is literally within a shouting distance from Turkey. Since Bulgaria and Turkey are neighboring countries, we manage to work on close partnership agreements with major Turkish companies. In that way EyeBill assures reliable service and support that come right on time for any Turkish customer who needs it.
turk-internet.com : What is the market strategy of Eyebill? as general and for Turkey?
EyeBill : EyeBill is where the emerging VoIP markets are. Globally. Turkey fits very well that strategy – that is why we are leading advanced sales negotiations with Turkish telecoms.
turk-internet.com : Do you have partners in Turkey?
EyeBill : Yes, we have three partnering firms in Turkey. Two of them are well-known system integrators; the third company is specialized in Linux Systems implementation. Those partnerships provide us with the necessary strategic advantage to ensure a top-quality service for our Turkish customers
turk-internet.com : What is references of eyebill in Bulgaria and in the World?
EyeBill : EyeBill has over 20 installations around the world: in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia. Our customers become large- and middle-size telecoms, start-up VoIPs, and carriers.
turk-internet.com : What is importance of billing program for a telecom operator?
EyeBill : If I have to classify the importance of a good billing system with one word only, that word would be: Huge! The equivalent of this question for an owner of a supermarket, for example, would sound like: “What is the importance of having a cash register?” The billing system is where profits are generated. A good billing system assures the presence of a stable revenue stream mainly since it supports customer segmentation and reduces the risks of system failure.
Customer segmentation is assured by the VoIP billing system because all the information about call rates, special discounts, availability of initial fees, connection charges etc are predefined and stored in the billing database. So are the options for prepaid, postpaid, wholesale, corporate and residential type of billing. In other words the telecom administrators predefine according to their preferences how the billing will be made for each individual customer or groups of customers. Now you can see how a VoIP billing system supports the business focus and the customer focus of a VoIP provider.
System stability and reliability are another important aspect of the revenue stream assurance. A billing system has to resist high call traffic. A medium sized company, for example, with 70 simultaneous calls per minute and imaginary call price of 0.05 $ per minute of long-distance calls will lose at least 5000 $ each 24 hours upon a system breakdown. Not to mention the harmed company image, customer dissatisfaction, cost of repair etc.
For the fast developing VoIP businesses in Turkey, these are especially important issues to consider.
turk-internet.com : How you will support the program? From bulgaria or you will have support-technical center in Turkey?
EyeBill : EyeBill supports its clients through a network of local representatives in different countries, including Turkey. EyeBill relies on a close cooperation with two Turkish system integrators who will provide a first-level local support for our clients. For an advanced 24×7 support, our Bulgarian support center is available. In that way EyeBill customers will be granted a double-assurance for a risk-free system implementation. The latter is of extreme importance for any Turkish VoIP provider who plans to make a billing system purchase. That is why I emphasized on geographical proximity as a main advantage to alternative VoIP billing providers.
turk-internet.com : Tell us about Bulgaria market? Is it liberalized?
EyeBill : The story of the VoIP licenses in Bulgaria is very similar to what happens in Turkey at the moment – large telecoms try to win VoIP licenses one by one.
Up until the end of 2001, VoIP was not officially allowed in Bulgaria but at the same time it was not officially claimed as an illegal telecom operation. Under those circumstances the VoIP market was considered open for the ambitious VoIP telecoms and in 1998, Nexcom Telecommunications became the first company to enter the Bulgarian VoIP market. When the Bulgarian Telecommunication Company started to defend its monopoly, Nexcom launched an initiative for the official recognition of VoIP telecommunications. As a result, by the end of 2001, after hot debates, VoIP services became an available option for internet providers and alternative telecoms. Officially, Bulgarian VoIP market is fully liberalized since January 2002.
turk-internet.com : What are your plans for the future?
EyeBill : We will stick to our strategy to improve EyeBill’s global positioning by focusing specifically on emerging markets. Our plans for the future are adding additional advanced features to our billing system to assure customer satisfaction.
