Traditional call accounting systems are typically hosted locally within an office or centralized within a group of offices. Data from a key system, PBX, iPBX or VoIP communication servers and gateways is collected and manipulated by call accounting software. The system typically attaches additional information, such as the subscriber’s name and transaction cost, to the activity record (or more commonly, the call detail record (CDR)). More sophisticated communications management systems will identify network bottlenecks, highlight misuse and abuse, and suggest the provision of additional resources to more effectively manage communication facilities.
CDR data delivery methods are as varied as the manufacturers. The vast majority of manufacturers still offer CDRs over a real-time serial link (RS 232). Some of the newer, IP-based systems offer date-stamped files sent or retrieved via File Transfer Protocol (FTP). Some providers use a syslog to deliver CDR data and others use proprietary protocols that require registration with their various partner programs. Newer iPBX providers provide access to information through online databases for extraction by external applications. The voice-related data collected typically includes the caller, date, time, duration, destination person, and authorization or account code.
Unlike the typical residential phone bill that is assigned to an individual or family, business phone statements cannot be easily accounted for. Telephone bills typically do not include specific details, such as the originating extension to identify individual calls. Instead, they summarize the overall cost of equipment, leased lines, and activity details. For a company to accurately disburse expenses to users, groups, or departments, it must reconcile invoices with an internal call accounting package or outsource the task to a hosted call accounting provider (www.hostedcallaccounting.com).
Many organizations have high overhead costs, staff turnover, and little time for internal software. These companies often require accurate remote management information to allocate costs and track activity. Hosted call accounting eliminates the need for internal software. The service helps companies more accurately manage telecom expenses without any investment in equipment or expertise.
Resources Software International Ltd. (RSI) offers complete outsourcing services for remote surveys, authorization code billing, chargebacks, network planning, traffic analysis, carrier/service comparisons and ad hoc reporting. Many organizations have high overhead costs, staff turnover, and little time for internal software. These companies often require accurate remote management information to allocate costs and track activity. With our .NET option, you select the variety of billing, traffic, exception, and diagnostic management reports your organization needs. RSI takes full control of data collection, processing and regular reporting delivery to a secure online portal.
In fact, some customers use our real-time data access feature to get up-to-the-minute reports. Our unique IP buffers allow us to transparently and cost-effectively collect data from anywhere in the world in secure real-time.
