Already serving customers for 10 years!
As long ago as 1993, Belgacom decided to exploit the technological advantages offered by EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) to replace your paper-form bill with a computer file. For this, we transfer the information in your paper bill to a computer application, thereby creating an electronic file to be sent to you, all this at no cost to yourself.
To convert the EDIFACT messages into the format of your choice, you need a standard EDI converter which you can either develop yourself or obtain from a company specializing in software development.
This service enables you to make a direct saving because you no longer incur the usual costs of entering, processing and storing your Belgacom bills.
It also guarantees you greater accuracy, since there is no longer any need for manual entry, a frequent source of errors.
This service saves your company precious time. Whether you use a spreadsheet, a database manager, an accounting application or other software of your own choosing, all you need is just a few minutes to produce a detailed statistical analysis of your bills and to process the information to meet your needs.
Lastly, Belgacom's electronic billing system allows you to allocate automatically to each of your departments the exact amount of their respective communication costs.
Advantages of the new version:
- Belgacom has received approval from the Ministry of Finances to give
the same legal value to envoices sent via Elise as paper envoices.
- This version also enable you to receive (on request) all billing details
for your call traffic.
- Credit notes granted to you by Belgacom is also accessible.
- The message format transmitted is standardized and complies with a
standard specific to the whole of the telecommunications sector (this
is in accordance with the Beltug organization).
- Security is ensured by an electronic signature.
- Message content is of course encrypted.
- The version enables you to select between two transmission modes:
the X.400 mail service or Internet (SMTP).
With this version, security is ensured by a normalised digital certificate. For this, you will need to apply for an X509v3 certificate, of class 3 at the very least, from an approved certification authority. Belgacom would recommend that you consult its Internet site www.e-trust.be, where you will find all the information you need on digital certificates and can apply for a "Normalised High Grade Professional" certificate.
But you can call our Billing Consultants or your account manager.
This version also has the advantage of allowing you to choose between two transmission modes when sending your EDI invoices: X.400 or SMTP. Remember to indicate your choice clearly in the contract you send to us.
5. Legal issues
The solution offered by Belgacom is not only reliable but also perfectly
legal. An Act on the dematerialization of bills was passed on 31 December
1992. This law states that companies may bill their customers electronically
once they have obtained the express approval of the authorities to do
so. The first such authorization for a Belgian company was granted to
Belgacom by virtue of a ministerial decree published on 11 January 1993.
Users of such services require no authorization. To have force of law,
all that is required is to abide by the procedure set out in the "Message
Implementation Guide" (see Point 7).
The current version is equally in accordance with the Ministry of Finance's directive E.T. 102693 of January 2003.
Click here for a copy of the contract.
Click here for a copy of the general terms and conditions (download in French or Dutch).
These documents contain all the rules, techniques and procedures applicable to the exchange of EDI messages.
The electronic invoice procedure and detailed specifications for EDIFACT messages are described in the MIG. This has, of course, been adapted to the new version.
By default, to avoid unnecessary overload, the electronic files transmitted to you do not contain call traffic data.
Elise is flexible. You can, if you want, opt for various itemisation plans. Click here for a full list of possible itemisation plans.
To subscribe to the ELISE service, please send the completed contract to:
Belgacom Corporate & Data Solutions Billing Group, Bd du Roi Albert II, 27 – 1030 Brussels.
You may also send the contract by fax to 02/202 88 93 or contact your Account Manager.
Nota bene: To receive your bills in Elise format, you must also obtain suitable converter software from a specialist company (or develop it yourself).
For any additional information, please contact (via e-mail) our Billing Consultant or your Account Manager.
You can also consult our "Frequently Asked Questions" page by clicking here.