How it Works

Pricing#

During installation, you’ll set a CUSTOMER_PRICE_MARKUP to add a percentage markup to Platfone base prices. This percent is added to customer prices and is how you make a profit.

Billing#

• Your Firebase project must be on the Blaze plan, which bills for Firebase resources used. The Firebase free tier is generous and sufficient for a solid start.
• Both you and your customers will be charged for received SMS only. If no SMS are received, there are no charges.
• If your Platfone balance is insufficient to cover the cost of received SMS, your customers will not be able to receive SMS until you top up your balance.

Privacy and Security#

• Open-source code provides full transparency and allows for customization.
• Customer data synced to Platfone is anonymous; no personal information is shared.
• Platfone has no access to your Firebase project, payment gateways, or any sensitive keys.

Technical Overview#

The Platfone Firebase Backend is a set of Firebase Cloud Functions that proxy requests to the Platfone Retail API. Each end-user request is authenticated using Firebase Auth, then the Firebase user ID and Platfone API key are attached to each Retail API request, ensuring operations are authenticated and customer-specific.

The backend also processes and verifies payment transactions, storing them in Firestore and updating user balances via the Platfone Retail API.

Firebase App Architecture#

The following diagram illustrates the basic architecture of the Platfone Firebase App:

License#

The Platfone Firebase Backend is open-source and available under the MIT License with an API Restriction Clause. You can use it for free in your personal and commercial projects if used with the Platfone Retail API.

Getting Started#