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Getting it Right with Call Accounting

By STEFANIA VISCUSI TMCnet Assistant Editor for Channels

Call accounting, or the process of properly identifying and collecting telephone usage and allocating charges on a number of different call records is an especially important function of telecom expense management. Generally call accounting functionality is delivered though software solutions that are managed in-house however some organizations outsource call accounting activities to third-party vendors.

Call accounting solutions involve collecting call detail records from a PBX, Key system or IP switch, reporting on the call data, and applying charges to the correct cost center. In this way, call accounting allows telephone call activity to be better accounted for, facilitates billing process improvements, and control of over spend becomes much easier.

Since call accounting makes it is easier to allocate charges and spending, enterprises can enforce corporate phone use policies that are effective for each individual businesses group's telecommunications needs.

Call accounting solutions identify which department or staff is utilizing more of the telecom services and spend-- helping the organization search for and procure service plans that can be optimized and cost efficient for the needs of the organization.

By utilizing call accounting, businesses are also able to improve workflow between invoice processing and the call accounting functions to further optimize telecom spend at their operations.

AnchorPoint's Call Accounting Module makes it possible to bill, report and cost for telecommunications services like switch calls, cellular calls, credit card usage paging device usage and other calls reported by a vendor, for a fully integrated workflow from inventory to audit to chargeback and analysis.

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Stefania Viscusi is an established writer and avid reader. To see more of her articles, please visit Stefania Viscusi's columnist page.