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BillMax Billing Solutions 877.245.5629 sales@billmax.com |
BillMax is a UNIX based billing/Provisioning system that operates on the following platforms (see the BillMax Web site for a list of the currently supported OS releases):
RedHat™ Linux, Enterprise, and Fedora.
FreeBSD™
Solaris™ (Intel™ and Sparc™ platforms)
BillMax requires the following third-party products:
MySQL™ database - MySQL web site.
A Web Server - Recommended is the Apache™ web server - Apache web site.
A Web browser with the following technical characteristics:
JavaScript enabled.
Cookies enabled.
Frames enabled.
Internet Explorer™ 6.x and Netscape Navigator™ 7.x have been the primary test browsers.
Other third party products such as software from credit card processors or fulfillment centers may be required.
BillMax is designed to be robust. The only programs that must be continuously operational for BillMax to function are the web server, the database server, and crond, a scheduling utility present on all UNIX systems. Interactions with BillMax are self-contained atomic operations that do not require a continuous network connection. This and the nature of being a web-based application enable BillMax and Customer Service Representatives to reside in disparate geographical locations.
While most of the tasks associated with BillMax may be performed using a web browser, some require access to a UNIX command line. The ability to issue commands as root is required for installation. It may also be required for system administration tasks such as backups. Being able to edit files using an editor such as vi is also necessary.
BillMax is customizable. BillMax facilitates branding all the customer and staff interfaces such that they appear proprietary. BillMax processing may be customized to satisfy special requirements. Knowledge of the following technologies will be helpful when customizing BillMax:
Look and Feel - HTML and JavaScript.
Provisioning - A scripting language such as PERL or a programming language such as C.
Modify current backend functionality - C programming language.
Most of the files associated with BillMax are delivered to the end customer upon purchase. This allows the end customer to accomplish desired customizations. The following lists what is NOT delivered:
Table 1.1. Files not included with the purchase of BillMax
| C Source Files | Description |
|---|---|
| /usr/local/billmax/src/bin/convertpayhist.c | Convert a 1.5.x BillMax payhist table to a 2.0.x BillMax payhist table. |
| /usr/local/billmax/src/bin/create_applies.c | Create internal financial bookkeeping records. |
| /usr/local/billmax/src/bin/create_monthlysales.c | Create internal financial bookkeeping records. |
| /usr/local/billmax/src/bin/manualallocate.c | Create internal financial bookkeeping records. |
| /usr/local/billmax/src/bin/unalloctrans.c | Remove internal financial bookkeeping records. |
| /usr/local/billmax/src/bin/licenseinfo.c | Displays the BillMax license. |
| /usr/local/billmax/src/bin/licensevalid.c | Checks the validity of the BillMax license. |
| /usr/local/billmax/src/cgi-bin/ua.c | The BillMax Web Forms engine. |
| /usr/local/billmax/src/lib/billmax/*.c | libbillmax. Contains proprietary algorithms core to the integrity of BillMax. |
| /usr/local/billmax/src/lib/cgitools/*.c | libcgitools. Contains proprietary algorithms for CGI processing. |
| /usr/local/billmax/src/lib/bmuitools/*.c | libbmuitools. Contains proprietary algorithms for bmui.cgi and bmuid communication. |
| /usr/local/billmax/src/lib/gd/*.c | libgd. Contains algorithms for graphics processing. |
Security Issues. BillMax is purchased and used worldwide. Due to United States export laws, BillMax does not include any strong encryption. However, the BillMax customer may implement their own security. Some or all of the following may be done:
Modify the billmaxpub library to encrypt rather than cipher credit card information.
Encrypt credit card result files.
Copy credit card result files to removable media and delete the online versions.
SSL enable the web server.
SSL enable the BillMax Customer Interface web server.
Use an encryption tunneling technology such as stunnel to secure communication between the BillMax Customer Interface and BillMax.
Operate BillMax behind a firewall.
BillMax does not allow a user login to simultaneously access BillMax from multiple web browsers. If this occurs, it is a Login Collision.
Example 1.5. Login Collision
John is logged in using the BillMax username Sue. If Jack logs in using the BillMax username Sue, John will no longer be able to use BillMax until he logs in again.
This is a security feature that discourages the use of sharing passwords.