Call Accounting Suggestions?

[MCP2000]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am in the process of designing/programming a call accounting system from the ground up. I am looking for professional input from you "phone guys and gals" out there. I am putting this together for myself and my coworkers... not really looking to sell it.

I just wondered if you might have any input on what to include in this system. This is going to be designed completely around Avaya CM 3.x (and up... hopefully).

Motivation? The data is critical, and I am responsible for it. System we have won't handle all of the data that I need. The systems that will handle it, the company won't pay for. Solution: Develop my own system that will function how I want with the data that I want.

Feel free to throw questions or comments my way. Thanks!

 

[telnettech]

what are you looking for the system to do.....might have a few solutions.....very inexpensive depending on the number of ext you have

Brian

To error is human.....if the machine doesnt work, then KICK IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MCP2000]

I am looking to accept all data that the PBX will spit out. Parse the data and dump it into a SQL database. Then build an application that can apply costs to the records based on trunkgroup & duration. I am also trying to provide directory security & a web interface, so that users such as accounting, call center managers, etc. can see the data that they need to and nothing more. I am trying to build a system that will "auto-update" the directory based on PBX station exports.

My location has almost 4000 extensions (plus VDNs), but I am looking to tie all of our IP connected sites to it.

Thanks

 

[MCP2000]

No suggestions? Anyone??

 

[phoneguy55]

Check out the FAQ's. There are some posts on call accouting that may help.

http://www.tek-tips.com/faqs.cfm?fid=2462

http://www.tek-tips.com/faqs.cfm?fid=4327

 

[MCP2000]

Thanks phoneguy, but what I am looking for is something like a "if you could get the CAS of your dreams, what would it be" kind of thing.

I want to build a full-featured call accounting system with all of the "point-n-click" reporting, alarming, etc., so that non-techie types can use it.

Right now, my biggest issue is writing the collection piece of the software. Trying to collect data from 30 sites and keeping the records straight is the tough part.

 

[phoneguy55]

IMO. Time is money. The amount of time it would take someone to write an application would be greater than the amount of money necessary to purchase an off the self product that works 100% from day 1. I use ecas and have multiple sights and it does everything you stated + more.

 

[telnettech]

sorry MCP......call us @ 614-751-2000 and ext 1114....This is Ravi and he may have a solution for you.

Brian

To error is human.....if the machine doesnt work, then KICK IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MCP2000]

phoneguy, I completely agree, but the people who sign the checks don't see it that way. In fact, they would flip if they knew that I was spending my time on it. The fact of the matter is, it is a non-issue... until they want the data. Then it's critical. I'm sure you're familiar with the corporate scene.

Don't spend the money for what you need, and throw a tantrum when you can't get the data. Then ask the tech why he/she doesn't have a better system.

 

[phoneguy55]

Someone on this board once said "I don't have a techincal solution for your management problem". I think that really applies here. I think you need to tell your management that the cost for an off the shelf call accounting package that works %100 will be $10,000 and a call accounting package that you create will take 1000 hours at $50 per hour which = $50,000 and will work 80% of the time. Then let them make the decision.

 

[MCP2000]

Well, all of the CAS packages that we have looked at have been at least $100k. That's why I have been looking at creating one.

Believe me, I would much rather buy one, but that is a battle that I am tired of fighting.

 

[js2801]

I did this for my company. We have three PBXs that we collect CDR records from. I attached device servers to the serial ports on the PBXs (there are no C-LAN cards on our systems) and read the records via TCP sockets.

The program was written in C# and dumps the data into a SQL database. It was not difficult to write, the biggest gotcha was handling socket and SQL database errors in realtime. I have the program written as a windows application. I plan to covert it to a service in the future. I have about 200 hours into the program. Our DBA has less then 40.

This program was written to collect the data I need, do some realtime alerts, and some management reporting. I'm not planning on making it into a full featured CAS. If management wanted features like web based reports, detailed department by department reporting, etc., then I'd recommend buying a CAS. My time would be better spent managing the network vs. writing a CAS with all the bells and wristles.

 

[spotless]

Or you could look at Call Accounting Mate for free.

 

[vamosalavaya]

Hi,
we develloped our own system to collect CDR but not to bill it.

We made a TCP sockets on Linux server and route flow to Postgress QL.
We could be interested in your billing System if you are interested by our Sockets.
Basicaly and without devellopement, you can use 'netcat ' under Windows or Linux to collect the CDR

May we can work together.

send me a mail

Regards

Working on Avaya S8700 and tampering with Asterisk !

http://benasterisk.homelinux.com

 

[dmthames]

Well MCP2000....how'd it go?
You up and running yet?

 

[FortKnox]

I have done exactly what you want.
I have a port listener that runs and dumps all the data into a SQL database.
From nanpa.com I created a SQL database of all the NPA+NXX and the corresponding city and state.
I created a SQL database of all my employees and their extensions.
I know what the l/d rate is on all the trunks.
I wrote a web page with tons of various reporting features.
The records on my web page shows date,time,duration,originator, destination,city & state, and the cost.

My various pages are:
Search by extension & date range
Last 300 Calls
Last 300 Outbound
Last 300 Inbound
Top 25 Talkers
Top 25 Most Expensive Calls
Search by Name
Search by Date
And Top Talkers within Hunt Groups.

 

[MCP2000]

I am not even close to being up and running. I have been getting hammered with office moves, upgrades, and the like, so I have been spending all of my time on programming PBX's. I am still trying to put something together, but I will have to wait until all of the major projects die down.

Thanks for all of the info, folks.

 

[FortKnox]

What I would just absolutely LOVE, and I mean LOVE, someone to write is a customizable port listener. My port listener was written by someone that I cant get in touch with anymore.

I would like a port listener application that I can set the port number on, the fields, the field length, the field type, and where I want the data to go.

If someone could write that, anyone could write their own reports, web pages, whatever w/o the need for expensive software.

Anyone up to the task? I am not a coder.