Call logging

Call logging is the process of collecting phone call data, analyzing this data, and then reporting on the telephone network's cost, performance, capacity and quality of service (QoS). It should not be confused with telephone tapping or call recording. The former refers to listening to calls, while the latter is about recording conversations.

Collecting data

Data is collected from a PBX and is referred to as CDR data. On older, traditional PBXs, this is usually through a serial port. On newer models, an Ethernet connection is normally used. The CDRs are delivered via the appropriate method to a PC running the call logger software. Some PBX manufacturers provide their own basic call logging software but there are many other third party software packages available.

Call logging software

The job of the call logging software is to interpret the raw CDR data and allow the user to produce graphical reports. Call logging software packages differ in the sizes of PBX systems that they can support (from hundreds of extensions to hundreds of thousands of extensions). They also differ in reporting capability and support for specialized PBX features. In general terms, call logging reports can highlight such areas as:

• Cost Control – cost of calls, cost of trunk lines, costs by department or individual extension, number of unused extensions, etc. Call logging software can also discover instances of Telephone fraud.
• Performance Management – looks at how long it is taking an organization to answer phone calls by operator, department or extension and demonstrates whether they meet acceptable target levels for that organization.
• Capacity Management – judges whether the system is being over or under utilized. It examines trunk usage and call patterns that show where extra capacity is required or where cost savings can be achieved.
• QoS Reporting – modern VoIP PBXs are able to output quality of service data in addition to standard CDRs. An up to date call logging package should be able to include this data along with its other reports to help monitor and improve system performance.

History

During the 1970s, Post Office Telecommunications, as it was then called, were embarking on upgrading the telephone network, with the view to modernizing the various established mechanical switching devices (Strowger) employed in the UK telephone exchanges, and replacing them with an electronic system, which came to be known as System X. In parallel and as part of this network upgrade, a dedicated engineering group was formed within the division THQ (Telecoms) to design a call logging system and to establish its feasibility for integration within the various existing Strowger and Electronic exchanges, prior to their eventual replacement. A mix of different telephone exchange equipment was selected for trial within Scotland, comprising Strowger pre-2000, 2000 and 4000 type switches located in Director and non-Director areas. The call logging trial proved successful and while it was initially designed to gather phone call data and cost of billing details specific to the customers' calls, a hidden benefit emerged such that local management were also able to see a pattern of the types of calls being generated, i.e. calls to and from certain businesses in addition to billing information, which was used to ease flow of traffic during peak times in the exchange and to plan for future customer provision within a catchment area. The concept of this call logging equipment was also deployed in UXD exchanges for remote areas where a System X exchange was not considered feasible.

See also

• Call management
• Call accounting
• Call tracking – recording and analysing incoming call information, often for marketing purposes
• Telecom expense management

References

1. Roger T.S.Parr (retired) BTUK/THQ. Push-button telephone

2. Nick Furley BT/THQ

3. System X (Telephony)