No matter what option a service provider may choose, both technical and business aspects must be considered before a purchase decision is made. This section describes some of the technical factors to be considered when selecting a platform.

PC Platforms

PC–based systems have the advantage of being modular and low in cost. For an entrepreneur entering the prepaid services business, PC platforms offer a cost-effective solution, as they allow the entrepreneur to start with a single PC and then add systems as the business grows. In addition to being modular and scalable, PC–based systems are usually easy to customize.

The disadvantages of PC–based systems are that multiple PCs become increasingly difficult to manage as the number of clients and the volume of calls increase; reliable network operations are not always possible; and there are limitations to call capacity.

Switch Platforms

Switch-based platforms usually have higher call capacities and offer reliable network operations as well as centralized control for call processing.

The disadvantages of switch-based platforms are that all calls must be transported to a central point for voice treatment and processing, purchase points are often higher than the PC–based platforms, and they are often not flexible enough to allow for customization.

Service-Node Platforms

Service-node platforms usually have larger switching capacity, reliable network operations, centralized control, and a modular architecture that can grow with call volume. In addition, they can be easily customized due to the fact that they come with a service-creation environment.

The disadvantages of service-node platforms include their higher purchase price and high cost for low-volume operations.