Billing delivers a flexible architecture which can support multiple reseller models. These models differ by configuration effort required, reseller branding capabilities, provider-to-reseller billing scheme, and relationships with domain registrars. Among the most used reseller models are the following:
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Power Reseller. Within this model, a reseller is similar to a provider: Power Resellers purchase bulk resources (traffic, disk space, IP addresses and so on) from service providers and package and price them in their own way creating their own service templates and service plans.
Providers can create Power Resellers for their own use. For example, a provider owns several brands and creates a separate Power Reseller for each brand. Another scenario is where a provider does business in different countries and creates several power resellers to sell in those countries in different currencies and according to different local law and regulations.
- Value Added Reseller (VAR). Within this model, resellers market ready-made service plans delegated to them by providers and earn on the price margin. VARs cannot modify the service plan structure (add, configure, or remove subscription periods or resources), but can add their price margin, adjust refund settings, and use their own product descriptions. VAR is a turnkey reselling model and the easiest way to start as a reseller.
- "Operating Unit" reseller.
A reseller can also use a combination of models, both reselling delegated service plans and marketing their own.
Note: Irrespective of the reselling model, resellers can use their own merchant accounts for payment processing and domain registration. They also can choose either to have direct billing relationships with their customers or to use their provider's merchant account.