Frequently asked questions – SORT
[2006-05-09]
The most frequent questions about SORT billing system, which have been asked by our customers.
- What is SORT products family ?
- What is SORT PABX ?
- For whom SORT PABX is dedicated ?
- What is SORT CATV ?
- For whom SORT CATV is dedicated ?
- What is SORT PSTN ?
- For whom SORT PSTN is dedicated ?
- What are the hardware requirements of the SORT PABX system?
- What does the BKF (Subscribers database and invoices) module enable ?
- What does the FAR (CDR data filtering and analysis) module enable ?
- What does the STR (Traffic analysis) module enable ?
- What does the DOL (Online access) module enable ?
- What are the functional features of the SORT CATV system ?
1. What is SORT products family ?
The SORT products family is a software designed for settling accounts for provided telecommunications services mainly dedicated to telecommunications services providers. Depending on the character of provided services, the SORT system may be exploited by PSTN providers (SORTPSTN), cable TV providers (SORTCATV), and networks subscribers (SORTPABX).
2. What is SORT PABX ?
The SORTPABX system is software dedicated to companies owning internal communications systems to settle accounts for telecommunications services. The system enables charging for calls made via PABX as well as connections performed via platforms based on IP technology. Furthermore, it enables settling accounts for calls made using office mobile phones.
3. For whom SORT PABX is dedicated ?
SORTPABX meets customers’ needs of the dynamically developing market of telecommunications services offered by public providers. It can be deployed in various companies organised in single- or multi- department structure. SORTPABX is a valuable tool in all the places where detailed analysis of telecommunications traffic and strict expenses policy are used to improve the use efficiency of telephone lines by minimizing telephone bills and limiting private calls.
4. What is SORT CATV ?
SORTCATV system is a professional solution supporting Cable TV providers in all aspects of their business activity. The core system functionality is to settle subscribers' accounts for provided services, customers service and management of malfunctions/complaints reported. Furthermore, the system enables cost calculations based on various criteria, definition of discount, limits and pauses concerning provided services. These advanced features allow to enrich the offer with new, unusual, and difficult to charge services. The crucial advantage of the system is complex customers service including: settlement of accounts for various services (Telephony, Internet, Cable TV).
5. For whom SORT CATV is dedicated ?
SORTCATV system is a perfect solution for (is dedicated to) cable TV providers who included or plan to include telecommunications services in their offer. The product ensures precise calculations of charges based on data imported from external telecommunications systems such as telephone exchanges or VoIP platforms.
SORTCATV supports customers service from managing agreements, through sales and services provision, accepting payments (cash or electronic via mass payments system) and settling accounts, to debt collection.
6. What is SORT PSTN ?
SORTPSTN is a system supporting business activities of telecommunications services providers. It enables complex customers service based on precise and consistent charges calculation system.
7. For whom SORT PSTN is dedicated ?
SORTPSTN system is dedicated to telecommunications solutions providers. SORTPSTN supports customers service from managing agreements, through sales and services provision, accepting payments (cash or electronic via mass payments system) and settling accounts, to debt collection.
Additional functionalities enriching SORTPSTN are as follows: registering of devices, managing malfunctions reported and advanced documents workflow. Apart from customers service, SORTPSTN system enables interconnect and traffic analysis in order to support cooperation of providers.
8. What are the hardware requirements of the SORT PABX system.?
For deployment of SORTPABX system so that it supports a typical company's internal communications system a single PC class workstation is suggested. The minimal hardware configuration of the workstation is as follows:
CPU processor – Pentium 4
System RAM – 256 MB
Hard disk – 40 GB
CD-ROM drive
10/100 Mbs Ethernet card
LPT, USB port
Internal/External modem
Laser printer supporting A4 format
Operating system – Windows 2000/XP (or newer)
According to the presented solution all the functional modules may be installed on a single workstation that performs all the processing of call detail records (CDR). In case when the SORTPABX system is deployed in a multi-department companies, a set of workstations is suggested to be provided (including a separate machine for the database server). In this case the hardware configuration of workstations/server is prepared individually.
9. What does the BKF (Subscribers database and invoices) module enable ?
BKF module enables creation of subscribers database including basic information about customers and charges configuration parameters as well as issuing of invoices and making reports concerning the invoices generated.
10. What does the FAR (CDR data filtering and analysis) module enable ?
FAR module enables visualization of the call detail records (CDR) gathered in the database with the functionality of advanced filtering and sorting of the data. Furthermore, it allows the user to create own SQL queries. The CDR data may also be exported into external files in the following formats: TXT, DBF, XLS.
11. What does the STR (Traffic analysis) module enable ?
STR module performs statistical communications traffic analysis and calculations such as: traffic load and efficiency parameters for selected trunks. It also offers real-time monitoring of traffic quality parameters like successful/unsuccessful calls.
12. What does the DOL (Online access) module enable ?
The DOL module enables users/subscribers to access billing data via WWW browser without the necessity to install additional software. After authorization a DOL user gains access to the CDR data (subscriber's own calls) and is able to view, filter, and export these data into an external text file. Additionally, subscribers may view their agreements and invoices (with the ability to download a copy to print) as well as examine their current balance.
13. What are the functional features of the SORT CATV system ?
The system offers a range of tools to support telecommunications services provider business activities. In case these are not satisfactory, COMFORTEL as the producer of the software may modify the system in order to meet the client’s requirements.
SORTCATV system enables creation of the subscribers database including basic data concerning subscribers. An individual account number may be configure for each subscriber in order to identify them in a mass payment system. Furthermore, it supports managing of agreements (an annexes). The system is also capable of logging the alterations made to subscribers personal data.
The documents generator allows issuing/editing sales documents and exporting invoices' data to external financial-accounting system. An enhanced feature of the system is that it supports edition of document templates so that it is possible to prepare several versions of the same documents and assign them individually to selected subscribers (or groups of subscribers).
Price lists may consist of charges for services of several categories (TV, Internet, phone, other) and include parameters such as: validity period, VAT rate, etc. In addition, the system enables grouping of charges into packages and definition of discounts (fixed sum or per cent).
- settling accounts and debt collection
SORTCATV system enables its operator to juxtapose payments and amounts due of the subscriber as well as to accept cash payments or import bank reports of electronic ones (mass payment system).
- management of malfunctions and complaints reported
SORTCATV system enables registration of malfunctions and complaints. It gives the ability to prepare repair orders for technicians and manage the technical department workload. Historical data may always be reviewed.
Documents workflow supports built in the system takes into account the structural organization of the company. It defines procedures of handling specific documents according to previously determined criteria.
The advanced reporting system allows data access based on freely selected periods. The offered set of reports includes: activations/deactivations of provided services, VAT register, sales structures, and repairs status.
The DOL module enables users/subscribers to access billing data via WWW browser without the necessity to install additional software. After authorization a DOL user gains access to the CDR data (subscriber's own calls) and is able to view, filter, and export these data into an external text file. Additionally, subscribers may view their agreements and invoices (with the ability to download a copy to print) as well as examine their current balance.
The interconnect subsystem allows to settle accounts for incoming/outgoing connections established via selected trunk. Furthermore, it enables definition connection costs and tariff change time individually for each prefix.
