Subscription Essentials: A High-Level Overview

Designing a micro-services architecture for the Subscription and Billing Service of an Over-The-Top (OTT) platform involves breaking down the system into smaller, independent services that can be developed, deployed, and scaled independently.

Here's an outline of the key micro-services that can make up the Subscription and Billing Service:

User Authentication and Authorisation Service:

• Responsible for managing user authentication and authorisation.

• Generates and manages user access tokens for secure communication between micro-services.

Subscription Management Service:

• Handles the creation, modification, and cancellation of user subscriptions.

• Manages subscription plans, billing cycles, and pricing tiers.

Payment Service:

• Integrates with external payment gateways to process financial transactions securely.

• Manages payment methods, including credit/debit cards, digital wallets, and other payment options.

Invoicing Service:

• Generates and sends invoices to subscribers based on their billing cycles.
• Manages invoice history and provides relevant billing information to users.

Dunning Management Service:

• Monitors and manages failed payment transactions.

• Implements automated processes for notifying users about failed payments and handling subscription suspension or cancellation.

User Account Management Service:

• Manages user profiles, preferences, and account information. Integrates with the subscription and billing services for a seamless user experience.

Analytics and Reporting Service:

• Collects and analyses user data to provide insights into subscription patterns, user behaviour, and platform performance.

• Generates reports for business intelligence and decision-making.

Notification Service:

Sends notifications to users about upcoming renewals, changes in subscription status, and other relevant information.
Integrates with communication channels such as email and push notifications.

Integration with CRM and Customer Support Service:

• Integrates with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems to manage customer interactions effectively. Provides APIs for customer support tools and processes.

Security Service:

• Implements security measures such as encryption for sensitive information and secure communication.

• Manages user access controls and permissions.

Localisation and Internationalisation Service:

• Supports multiple languages and currencies to cater to a diverse user base.
• Manages localised content, including invoices and notifications.

Subscription Analytics Service:

• Analyses subscription data to provide insights into user demographics, subscription trends, and customer retention.

• Supports data-driven decision-making for optimizing subscription plans and pricing strategies.