Charging clients for calls

[Dupablada]

We are looking at switching a client across to 3CX. Their current phone system allows them to dial out, but at the point they dial out they can dial a random four digit code prior to dealing the phone number.

The random number is essentially a job code so they can then pull a report at the end of the month and bill those calls back to their clients. It's the first time I've come across this and wanted to check if this is possible in 3CX. I'm not even sure how to term this.

The job codes are not pre-programed into the phone system so they don't have to ensure these are setup before hand.

Anyone got any thoughts on this?

 

[Evolute IT]

Use the billing codes. It's exactly what you need.

https://www.3cx.com/docs/pbx-dial-codes/#h.ihqaztatq9vr

 

[Dupablada]

Thanks I literally just found that as an option which seems to work. However I seem to have to generate a report for each billing code I don't seem to be able to just generate a report that contains all the calls for a time period with a billing code column. Any idea if this is possible?

 

[Evolute IT]

Unfortunately no, you have to use different reports for each. Once configured, no need to change them tho. One report per customer!

 

[VoIPTools]

As usual, Frederick beat me to the answer. This will do precisely what your customer did with their previous phone system. However, there are some considerations when using billing codes in 3CX. For one, as you noted, there is no validation when entering the billing code. A user can enter whatever they like, including fat-fingering an invalid code. Also, there is nothing that enforces the use of the code, so if the agent forgets to enter the code... there is no way to later associate that call with a code. That leaves too many opportunities for errors in my opinion. Still, if you are just trying to duplicate what the customer already had, 3CX can do it.

If you want to address some of these questions, I would encourage you to take a look at our 3CX Enhanced Billing Codes tool. Our tool makes billing codes mandatory in order to make outbound calls. Further, we validate the code to make sure the code was entered correctly. Finally, we have both department level reports as well as global reports (containing all account codes). These reports can be generated automatically based on a schedule.

 

[Dupablada]

Thanks for the replies I'll defiantly take a look at the enabled billing codes looks interesting.