Home > Ask the Unified Communications Experts > Questions & Answers > Is there a billing system that allocates usage costs?
Ask The Unified Communications Expert: Questions & Answers
EMAIL THIS

Is there a billing system that allocates usage costs?

Carrie Higbie EXPERT RESPONSE FROM: Carrie Higbie

Pose a Question
Other Unified Communications Categories
Meet all Unified Communications Experts
Become an Expert for this site


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   


>
QUESTION POSED ON: 19 March 2006
Our company is based in Australia, with a geographically dispersed IP telephony comprised of about 1,000 handsets based on Cisco Call Manager v4.

Can you recommend a billing system that will allow us to charge off-net calls to the organizational users or clients?


>
One system that I know works -- because I know other customers that use it -- is Infortel Select. Their VoIP View supports tracking, reporting and billback for IP telephony. It integrates with Cisco's CallManager, 3Com's NBX and Alcatel's OmniPCX 4400, and all traditional voice platforms, for unified enterprise-wide reporting. The cool thing about this package is that it is very customizable -- for instance, some people in the hospitality industry use it. For more information on this system, go to www.isi-info.com.

Another product is Avotus Professional or Avotus Enterprise. Avotus collects call detail records (CDR) from Cisco CallManager and produces management reports for viewing over the corporate intranet from a standard Web browser. Usage costs can be allocated back to users' departments and divisions. This one also works well and will interface with CallManager.

According to their blurb on the Cisco forum:

"Avotus delivers intelligent communications management for all verticals. To date, our greatest successes have been in healthcare, education, financial services, utilities, and hotel/hospitality. In addition, Avotus offers software targeted to particular verticals.
  • Legal and professional services: account code/matter code/authorization code support for Cisco CallManager
  • Higher education: Call Cost Summary and Detail Display on the Cisco IP Phone.
  • "

Their web address is www.avotus.com.

These are the two best ones that I have heard about -- check them out.


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   



RELATED CONTENT
UC strategies with Matt Brunk
What is the difference between E&M and junction lines, and do you have any advice on how to check faults in these?
How can MPLS help in VoIP implementation between a parent company and its branch offices?
What is the difference between a proxy server and B2BUA when it comes to SIP? How can I decide which one I should go for?
Can virtualization's benefits apply to UC?
How does one cope with echo in a VoIP-enabled network? What's the best way to use an echo canceller?
Does implementing VoIP security affect the QoS? How would one handle it, if it does?
Successful UC assessment team structure and methods
Do hosted and managed UC systems provide more benefits for certain enterprises?
Security concerns for migrating from open source VoIP to UC
Convergence and open source solutions the next big things in UC

IP Telephony Systems
What are the operational costs associated with VoIP after implementation?
Unified communications infrastructure virtualization now a reality
HD voice value proposition: Just try using an HD phone
Tutorial: Connecting and leveraging VoIP islands
VoIP islands 101: How did we get here?
Do desk phones matter in the UC everything, IP everywhere era?
The new Nortel: LTE patents reviving Nortel?
Eldorado Casino can't afford to gamble on IP-PBX telephony upgrades
Agito first to make BlackBerry a dual-mode phone
Nortel voice customers are the vendor's only enterprise asset

VoIP QoS and VoIP Security
Linking VoIP islands: The value of SIP trunking
SIP trunking ROI: Linking VoIP islands and more
The benefits of linking VoIP islands
Mobile IP networks: An overview
Tutorial: VoIP ROI
VoIP implementation study guide
How will VoIP impact the quality of phone calls on our network?
How does one cope with echo in a VoIP-enabled network? What's the best way to use an echo canceller?
Does implementing VoIP security affect the QoS? How would one handle it, if it does?
IBM, Avaya deals signal IP telephony quality control's coming of age

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS
Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary
vishing  (SearchUnifiedCommunications.com)

RELATED RESOURCES
2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems
Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts
Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary



Search and Browse the Expert Answer Center
Search and browse more than 25,000 question and answer pairs from more than 250 TechTarget industry experts.
Browse our Expert Advice



Voice and Data Communications Tips
About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
SEARCH 
TechTarget provides technology professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective purchase decisions and managing their organizations' technology projects - with its network of technology-specific websites, events and online magazines.

TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Site Map




All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2008 - 2009, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy
  TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts