er billing processes are often batch-oriented. In a rudimentary example, a voice switch will be equipped with a tape or disk drive that records usage per customer. Those tapes or disks are pulled periodically, and the data is dumped into a billing system for processing. Such processes do not allow for real-time or near real-time data analysis, nor do they allow an IIC to provide customers with up-to-date billing and usage information. The resulting time lag often allows criminals to defraud IICs before their egregious usage habits are ever detected. Often the data has not been analyzed until after the criminals have already moved on. IICs, facing intense competition, need the ability to differentiate themselves through product offerings and discounting for special product bundles. New technologies, such as IP, have added a quality of service (QoS) component to standard billing parameters. Demand for online billing and usage analysis capabilities has increased, escalating the need for capturing detailed, real-time data from the network. These and other new demands have placed billing systems at the center of attention, and as a result, they are now tied to customer loyalty programs, CRM practices, Web-based eBusiness initiatives and new service roll-outs. Billing systems are often the first system an IIC implements, because above all, they account for every penny IIC's customers owe. Other key billing system features include bill adjustments, payment processing and collection, and dispute handling. A billing system is the heart and brains of the revenue stream. Mediation and Rating Stripping away the myriad features current billing applications can support, a sophisticated billing process depends on two key technology components: a mediation system and a rating engine. A mediation system collects usage data from network elements and/or key network nodes, filters the data down to that which the billing system needs, and associates it with specific customer accounts. Mediation applications are important for data usa