t limit for phone charges can be entered into the cal printed reports. Colour is often used with the graphic reports and system. As calls are made, this limit is checked. When the limit is displays. Rather than printing reports, the output may be written to exceeded, the call accounting system informs the PABX to block magnetic media or retained on the system for manual scanning and further calls. selected report printing. 36/6 Call management Call cost information may be included in the reports with the cost The user has to decide whether a PC-based system can handle the calculated from a current tariff database using V&H co-ordinates. call volume and peak traffic periods, plus provide the reliability, or The report may be used directly for billing or for comparison of used whether a mini or mainframe will be needed. From history or by facilities versus the alternative tariffed facility. estimates, a determination has to be made of how many call records Exception reports, if available, can provide very beneficial infor- will be created per reporting period(s) and the call rate during the mation. Exception reports can list those calls with call durations peak traffic periods. longer than a specified length or greater than a specified cost. The user must decide whether the system will be directly con- Exceptions can also show those extensions where more calls than a nected to the call centre or whether it will interface through a polling specified amount were made, plus the total calls made to specified unit. If polling is used, then the frequency of polling and the call rate numbers. The reports can be used to detect misuse, high or low will determine the requirements for the size of the call buffers. volume traffic patterns to areas which may require network recon- There are other questions which have to be answered. Will the figuration and facility changes. Exception reports can also indicate system be dedicated to one call centre or will it be connected to switching hardware and trunk circuit problems. Trunk c