Voice over IP (VoIP) technology provides major benefits in both cost reduction and flexibility for mobile employees. But as is the case with any technology, different rules apply to how VoIP telephony is used and managed.

Collecting VoIP call detail records is a challenge, because the data differs from that generated by standard PBX calls. However, most companies want the ability to search call detail regardless of the technology that is used.

Capturing call detail records, both local and long distance, is important because it can be used for usage verification, billing reconciliation, network management and to monitor telephone usage to determine volume of phone usage, as well as abuse of your company's telephone system. CDR's are an asset in managing long distance telephone costs and aid in the planning for future telecommunications needs.

Telecommunications costs can also be easily controlled with CDR analysis by enabling businesses to:

* review all CDR's for accuracy

* verify costs and usage

* resolve discrepancies with vendors

* disconnect unused service

* terminate leases on unused equipment

* deter or detect toll fraud of long distance services

* negotiate the most cost-effective call routing

VoIP systems typically do not provide the same level of standardized call detail essential to manage, report, and charge back for those services. Even when it is possible to capture some VoIP data, companies are finding that it is complex and difficult to normalize before incorporating the information for analysis.

For the best results, choose a call accounting software system that offers full call accounting and billing for Cisco's CallManager telephony systems and other contemporary telephone systems.

Since call detail records, like those used with MegaCall, provide a reliable method of safely transferring information to call accounting or telemanagement systems, call record buffers have long been broadly accepted as the preferred storage device as a safeguard against cases of delayed call collection or communication failure.

The right call accounting software should captures CallManager data from the server as it rates the calls. The data is and accessible via the reporting system, featuring hundreds of reporting options.

Author, Karen Ritz, VP Business Development for TelSoft Solutions, writes on the business benefits of call accounting and call detail record technology. More information can be found at http://www.telsoft-solutions.com