PBX Call Tarifficator Pro

Introduction

PBX Call Tarifficator Pro is a call accounting and billing system, which helps you to manage all telephone traffic to and from your office switching system. It can log information for all local, long distance, international and incoming calls, calculate call costs, generate print and export detailed cost reports, and statistics charts.

PBX Call Tarifficator Pro consists of two modules: Logger module and Calls Browser. Logger module is installed on a PC connected to PBX system. Supported connection types are: direct serial cable (RS-232), Telnet network connection or TAPI interface (only for PBX models that support it). Calls Browser can be installed on network workstations.

Logger module

Logger module automatically loads on PC startup and continuously receives SMDR information from the PBX system. Valid SMDR records are converted from text to database format and stored on disk. Once setup, Logger module requires no operator interaction, though you can reach the menu by clicking on the yellow handset icon in traybar.
Logger

Logger module also provides conversion of the incoming SMDR records. For example, you can exclude some trunks, extensions or destinations from logging, delete unwanted prefixes from dialed numbers. You can also set min. and max. dialed number length.

Output database files are automatically named according to call date. Separate databases will be generated for monthly or daily.

Logger module provides a watchdog utility that can be used to alert system administrator in case of sudden PBX connection problems. Watchdog timer alert is generated if Logger module doesn't receive any information from the PBX system for a predefined timeout period.

Sometimes PBX system is located far from the server and RS-232 connection cable length is limited.

Some PBX systems don't have internal buffer for SMDR information or the buffer can hold only small amount of data. If PC is disconnected (maintenance reboot, hardware or software failures) SMDR information is lost. To protect valuable data you'd need external buffer.

In both cases the solution is to use serial-to-Ethernet converters and data buffer. Converter resides close to PBX system, connects to RS-232 SMDR port and plugs into nearby Ethernet LAN socket. PBX Call Tarifficator Pro runs from any PC in the LAN. When link to PC isn't available, converter will store SMDR data in the internal buffer and transmit it to PC as soon as link is reestablished.

PBX Call Tarifficator Pro supports any serial-to-Ethernet converter/buffer which offers Telnet connection capability. It also allows to configure serial port parameters via RFC-2217 compatible Network Virtual Terminal.

We recommend PortStore2 device from HW-group. The device has 2048 KB of flash memory that can store up to 35,000 typical SMDR records. PBX Call Tarifficator Pro provides native support for PortStore2 allowing to search for devices connected to LAN and configure IP address and port number. No extra software is required.

Logger module has built-in terminal emulator support. You can use it to troubleshoot link related problems, or to change PBX system configuration. As an option, incoming SMDR information can be automatically saved to a separate text file. Logger module can even work in off-line mode, importing SMDR data from text files. This feature can be used with remote PBX system, connected via modem.

Calls browser

Calls browser displays a list of call records. Every call record include basic information: call start date and time, extension which placed or answered the call, trunk, dialed number, call duration and calculated cost. Your PBX system can also output some extended information: Caller ID for incoming calls, marks for transferred, forwarded and DISA calls, account codes. The software can be setup to provide additional information: call type (local, long-distance or international), telecom carrier, trunk group, employee and department who should be charged for the call.

You can sort calls list by any column - ascending or descending. There are two sort levels - grouping and sorting itself. For example, you can group calls by employee and sort by date inside the group. Local, long distance, international and incoming calls are displayed in different colors. Status line shows number, total duration and total cost of the filtered calls. You can change number and order of columns, as well as color palette. Calls list can be automatically refreshed as soon as new call records arrive from the PBX system.

For convenient call browsing, PBX Call Tarifficator Pro has advanced filtering function. This feature helps to display only calls that meet filter criteria. For example you can leave only toll calls, or calls made on specific day. It's possible to define complex filters, save filters and quickly apply them later.

Right-clicking on a call record brings up context menu - a useful tool for quick filtering. You can quickly select calls from current extension or trunk, calls to specific destination or number, or calls from employee / department. It's also possible to apply predefined complex filter, add extension or trunk number to the database. The software can dial the number through TAPI interface.

It's possible to find a specific call record if you know the dialed number (of just first digits).

PBX Call Tarifficator Pro can generate HTML, XML or text reports based on XML templates. You can generate summary report or detailed per extension, trunk, trunk group, account code, employee or department. It's possible to define time period for the report or use filters. Reports can be immediately printed, or saved to file for later viewing with Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Report header can include company name, address, contact phones and company logo. Basic package has more than 30 templates. You can create new templates or modify existing to suit your needs. Report templates can even include scripts written in JavaScript or VBScript for interactive presentation.

PBX Call Tarifficator Pro can provide call statistics information in easy-to-read graphics charts. It allows to quickly check if some of the CO lines are overloaded or not used at all, see which extension makes most calls, display daily or hourly load for extensions or CO lines. Charts can be printed or saved for later viewing.

PBX Call Tarifficator Pro features large country codes database, which is used to determine call destinations. This database includes all world countries and major cities and areas. Country and city codes are stored in international format. To localize the software you should only add prefixes for long-distance and international dialing used in your country and define toll call rates for all connected carriers.

To calculate call cost, PBX Call Tarifficator Pro applies predefined rates depending on call starting time, duration and destination. Up to 4 time-segmented rate definitions are allowed. Discount rates can be applied on weekdays, holidays and weekends. It's possible to define different rate settings for every destination (country or city code), though destinations can be grouped together for easier editing. It's also possible to set rates for local and incoming calls. Up to 6 telecom carriers (phone companies) with different rates are supported. Carriers are distinguished by fixed lines connection or dialed prefixes (IP telephony). PBX Call Tarifficator Pro can use call cost information provided by the carrier. Carrier can supply call charges directly or in metering pulses. Note that this feature is not supported by all PBX system models.

The software can be easily localized to include your organization structure. You can add all employees and assign them to departments. Single employee can have multiple extension numbers and account codes. It's even possible to give discounts or extra charges for certain employees. Phone book function allows assigning labels to outgoing and incoming (caller ID) phone numbers. This information will be available in calls list, filter and reports.

PBX Call Tarifficator Pro can export calls databases and other data (codes and rates tables, employee data) to text or .csv files. Exporting options allow changing the number and order of fields.

For convenient data editing, PBX Call Tarifficator Pro has advanced importing functions. All tables can be prepared in text or .csv files format and imported in the database later. Import options allow changing the number and order of fields, as well as file format.

PBX Call Tarifficator Pro has unique interface localization feature - all text within the application can be translated to any language using built-in localization module. Basic installation includes English and Russian language packs. It's possible to switch languages on the fly.

System requirements

PBX Call Tarifficator Pro runs under Windows 98 / ME / NT / 2K / XP / 2K3, requires min. 16 Mb RAM and available serial port (RS-232) for serial connection or network adapter for Telnet connection. Report Generator module requires Internet Explorer 4.0 or later.

Download DEMO

Download demo versions and see if our software could satisfy your needs in call accounting.

Download PBX Call Tarifficator Pro DEMO

Download User Manual

User manual in Acrobat Reader (PDF) printable format.

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