Directory and Friendly Graphical User Interface
A familiar user interface gives you complete control from your PC desktop. Our
comprehensive Directory allows you to allocate phone usage back to five levels of
hierarchy that can mirror your organizational structure. Drag-and-Drop
makes moves, adds, changes only a click away. Point-and-click shortcuts reduce
training and maintenance efforts. The Multiple Document Interface (MDI) structure
allows you to manage your system more easily and efficiently.
|
|
MS SQL Server or Microsoft Database Engine (MSDE)
Apogee Enterprise's® utilizes the full version of MS SQL Server database which
is a robust platform that refuses to collapse under the weight of real-world data loads.
SQL Server allows Apogee Enterprise® unlimited call storage. Apogee
Desktop® utilizes Microsoft's royalty-free MSDE database. This
slimmed down version of SQL Server is an economical alternative that preserves the power
of SQL Server. MSDE will support call storage volumes up to 1 million records.
In either choice of database massive amounts of detail call records are stored in both
raw and processed format files allowing you to quickly run reports or reprocess older
data if needed. This reliability is the foundation for Apogee’s meaningful
historical and real-time reports.
|
|
Concurrent System Administration
Apogee Enterprise® provides unlimited network access for on-demand reporting,
real-time monitoring, and administration. Apogee Desktop® allows
up to 5 concurrent users. Apogee's n-tier architecture allows multiple users
to access the entire system simultaneously, without database lockouts or single-user mode
requirements. Apogee Enterprise® allows hassle-free network access with
its true enterprise database.
|
|
Security
Extensive hierarchical password protection allows admin to place clerical limitations on
subordinates. Managers can be restricted to running reports on only their people -
even if their department spans across multiple sites. For example, a sales manager
can be given access to run reports only over the sales department. Includes full
NT authentication support.
|
|
Crystal Reports XI
Apogee’s embedded Seagate Crystal Reports is a powerful reporting engine capable of
presenting concise graphical summary and convenient tabular “drill-down” access to
complete detail accounting on a single report. Apogee is a true reporting system
that protects against information overload and efficiently presents concise facts in
over a hundred report formats. With Version XI, report generation is up to ten
times faster than previous versions. Ten different export formats are available
including: Excel, Word, HTML, Text, and Crystal. Click here for
sample reports.
|
|
Automatic Report Scheduling & Integrated Email Distribution
The auto report scheduler lets you run, save, post, and print your user designed reports
automatically to any file or printer on your network, as well as, distribute your reports
or bills via e-mail on a scheduled basis. Non-MAPI email integration is also
available for additional charge (SMTP/POP, VIM, MHS, Vines Intelligent Messaging, Active
Messaging). The new email merge feature makes life easy. Instead of running
individual reports for every department, you can run one report over the entire
organization and the system will automatically email only the correct portions to the
appropriate departmental managers.
|
|
Web Posting
Apogee's java-based report viewer let's users view reports via their Internet browser
without the need for numerous client installs throughout your network. The viewer
allows users to easily navigate through reports and print the details they need.
|
|
Comprehensive Report Filters
Powerful filtering capabilities let you decide exactly what information you want to see,
without bogging you down with unnecessary data. Filters can be set up for a
specific item, range, or pool. Filter settings can be saved for later reporting
use. For example if you only want to see internal calls on a report you can utilize
Apogee's reporting filters.
|
Filters may include calls in reports based on:
|
| |
Extension, auth code, user, department, section, division, company
|
| |
Trunk, trunk group, site
|
| |
Phone number (including caller ID), phone number group, phone number,
ANI name, wildcard support (like 630-355-* or 1-???-555-1212 or )
|
| |
Account code, matter code, account code group
|
| |
DNIS, DNIS group
|
| |
CDR type group: in, out, trunk-to-trunk on net, trunk-to-trunk off net, internal
|
| |
Call type group: local, national, international, special numbers
|
| |
Call type (for both in and out): local, intra intra, intra inter, inter intra,
inter DDD, Canada, PR/VI, Mexico, Car, Pacific, Special Number Patterns
|
| |
CDR types including: incoming, incoming transfer initial leg, incoming transfer
additional leg, abandoned, voice mail, outgoing, outgoing transfer initial leg,
outgoing transfer additional leg, outgoing transfer additional leg, trunk-to-trunk
on net, trunk-to-trunk off net
|
| |
Calculated CDR call types including: abandoned, transfers, outgoing internal,
incoming internal, voicemail
|
| |
Cost, duration ranges
|
|
|
Detailed Inbound Call Reporting
While tracking inbound calls is similar in principle to tracking outbound calls there
is often more information available for an inbound call. Here are some example:
Caller ID Processing (ANI)
Incoming calls can also be labeled with the callers’ names and numbers through caller
ID processing, helping you provide outstanding customer service.
Transfer Call Tracking
Unlike most call accounting packages that report on either the first or last leg of an
inbound call, or treat each leg like a new inbound call, Apogee correctly processes each
leg individually, allocating duration and cost to the proper extension. Furthermore,
Apogee provides an accurate count of your total inbound calls regardless of the number
of transfers.
Abandoned Call Tracking
Some telephone systems identify an inbound call as abandoned if the caller hangs up while
on hold. Apogee identifies these calls. Other telephone systems do not tag calls as abandoned but Apogee can still recognize
certain calls as abandoned by carefully watching the trunks the calls came in on.
The concept is simple. The process is complex. Contact SDT for more details.
Wait Time Reporting
Hand-in-hand with abandoned calls, Apogee can calculate how long callers wait on hold
before growing impatient and hanging up. Contact SDT for more details.
Intended Extension Reporting
Some telephone systems record the extension for which the call was intended. For
example, it's difficult to allocate voice mail calls to individual employees because a
voice mail port is often shared by many employees. But if your system records the
intended extension in addition to the actual extension (where it ends up), Apogee can
give you the full picture.
DNIS Reporting
DNIS can be utilized in many applications. Apogee provides DNIS Billing with line
item charges.
|
|
Custom Call Translation
Custom Call Translation is a powerful tool with many applications. One example is
the ability to automatically tag an account code to a phone number for automating
bill-back allocation. Another example is when companies have established
software-defined networks between different locations. An employee in Houston
can call an employee in Chicago by dialing abbreviated digits such as 56666 instead of
630-355-6666. Custom Call Translation will allow you to cost and report on these
type of calls accurately.
|
|
Line Item/Equipment Charges and Tenant Billing
Apogee provides detail and summary billing reports. In addition to usage charges,
line item charges can be included in the billing statements. These charges can be
one-time or recurring every N days, weeks, or months. In addition, line item charges
can be distributed to users equally or based on their portion of phone usage.
Prorating and taxes can be automatically calculated.
|
|
Wizards
Extensive wizards provide time-saving setup and changes. Increased productivity
through an advanced, easy-to-use interface helps managers accomplish tasks more efficiently
and with fewer errors. The following wizards are included: basic and advanced
billing method wizard, markup wizard, and line item charge wizard.
|
|
Professional Services
Apogee includes support for account code billing. Account codes can be composed of
major and minor codes to streamline reporting. Disparate account code pricing is
integrated into Apogee's comprehensive costing methodology.
|
|
Directory Import/Scheduler and Auto Extension Recognition
The Directory Import Scheduler links database Move/Add/Changes at the PBX to Apogee’s
five level organizational structure providing time saving single-point-of-entry.
Your telephone system is required to export the Directory information in an ASCI format.
If your telephone system does not have this capability, Apogee's automatic extension
recognition will auto populate the Directory database with active extension numbers.
|
|
Trunk Facility and Gateway Costing
The foundation for the systems comprehensive pricing engine is the trunk database which
establishes a trunk facility. Trunk lines and trunk groups are supported for
legacy PBXs, while gateway costing for VoIP, lets you assign costs to PSTN calls based
on the gateway used.
|
|
Scheduler
Apogee saves you time. Practically all functions can be scheduled to run
automatically including: reporting, purging, importing, back-ups, data collection,
and processing.
|
|
Flexible CDR Layout Support
Apogee supports many different products from large PBXs to small key systems, from
computer telephony boards to customer provided files such as credit card calls.
pogee's flexibility provides support for thousands of make, model and product versions.
|
|
Site Scalability
A stand-alone system might meet your needs today but what about tomorrow.
The scalability and flexibility that Apogee Enterprise provides for growth in
the future is invaluable.
Apogee supports an unlimited number of data sources in a single system.
For example, a business might have one or two large switches at regional
headquarters and ten or so key systems scattered amongst the smaller branch
offices. Apogee can provide a comprehensive consolidated telemanagement solutions
for all of these sites. This scalability provides a corporate wide solution.
License required per each additional site.
|
|
Multi Site Splitter
This module takes advantage of your organizations telephone network.
Many of today's PBXs have the capability to export raw call data (SMDR/CDR)
from a single PBX containing call data for all phones in the telephone
network regardless of location. Apogee can properly parse this call
data based on either the call's trunk identifier or extension and provide
site-specific: reporting, and monitoring, in addition to accurate: trunk
reporting, traffic analysis, call type identification, and call pricing.
License required per each additional processing site.
Example:
Let's use an Ericsson telephone network with two sites (sometimes called nodes)
as an example.
Site 1 (Headquarters) is in Area Code 630 and Site 2 is in Area Code 773.
Extension 1225 at Site 1 places
the first call. Extension 1378
at Site 2 places the second call.
Here is the raw data (keep in mind both records come out in Site 1's SMDR/CDR)
1026 0018 M 9 70
2676770 1225
1026 0033 M 9 70
7591420 1378
Here is how Apogee processes the calls . . .
Without the Additional Processing Site:
| Ext |
Phone Number |
Area Code |
Location |
| 1225 |
267-6770 |
630 |
Roselle, IL |
| 1378 |
759-1420 |
630 |
Lemont, IL |
The system processes extension 1378's call as if dialing from Area Code 630
when in fact extension 1378 is dialing from Area Code 773; therefore the call
is processed incorrectly to Lemont, IL.
With the Additional Processing Site:
| Ext |
Phone Number |
Area Code |
Location |
| 1225 |
267-6770 |
630 |
Roselle, IL |
| 1378 |
759-1420 |
773 |
Itasca, IL |
Apogee knows extension 1378 is in Site 2 which is in Area Code 773; therefore
the call is processed correctly to Itasca, IL.
|
|
Flexible Data Collection Methods
For both single and multi-site systems there are numerous methods for collecting
the call data from your telephone equipment.
Direct Connect with No Buffer
The simplest method connects your phone system directly to a PC via cable
and records the data the phone system generates about the calls in real-time.
Direct Connect with a Buffer
An optional hardware unit known as a buffer can
be added to protect against data collection loss due to OS crashes and
power failure that may occur at the PC. The buffer collects the
call records via the RS-232 cable and automatically transmits data to the
PC via another RS-232 cable at user defined intervals. If the PC has
malfunctioned, the buffer will store the call records until the PC is ready.
The buffer checks before clearing its memory to verify that the PC has
received all records. For this reliability, a buffer is recommended
for all revenue bill-back applications - a lost call is lost revenue.
Buffer Polling via modem
Calls records are stored in the buffer residing at a remote site and
automatically polled via modem across the public telephone network or T1 to
a PC at the central site. The buffers require an analog port. Buffers
range in capacity from 256K to 4Meg with a five day battery and internal
modem. A 256K buffer stores approx. 6,000 to 9,600 call records.
PC Polling via LAN/WAN
Like Buffer Polling, Network Polling is required when the PBX is located
away from the Apogee System. Instead of using the telephone
network to poll the data, Network Polling takes advantage of your
organization’s infrastructure. Although an Ethernet enabled
buffer is more reliable than a PC, the system requirements for a data
collection PC are minimal and oftentimes this connectivity plan is
more cost effective than FTP polling.
FTP Buffer Polling
This method utilizes a business’s data network. Call records are collected
and stored by an enhanced buffer, which transmits the data across a
business’s Intranet or Internet using FTP protocol. No long distance
charges and faster transmission provides an efficient and cost effective method.
Computer Telephony File
If your company has a non-PBX system, that does not generate SMDR/CDR records,
but does log calls in a file, then this is the method of choice.
|
|
Built in Traffic Analyzer and Simulator
Paying for phone lines you don’t need, or lines that are out-of-service can
also be costly? Or maybe you need additional lines? Apogee®
can answer these questions and provide a comprehensive resource for analyzing
strategic network trends. The built-in algorithm analyzes your calling patterns,
forecasts blocked calls, and allows you to simulate an increase or decrease in
call traffic in order to see its effect on your line requirements.
|
|
Links to Customer Databases
Built in links to customer contact databases gives the ability to print the
name of the person called, which makes reports easy to read and act upon.
Managing your sales force is much easier when you can see customer
activity in the reports. You can also use the database as a
filtering tool to display only customer activity in the reports.
|
|
Comprehensive Telco Grade Pricing with Flexibility
Charges can be based on user-defined rates, the latest carrier tariffs, or
a combination of both. Rates can be defined for up to twenty three
tariff call types and unlimited user defined call types. For example,
all long distance calls can be charged a rate of $.055 for the fist 30
seconds and $.015 for each additional 6 seconds. Locals calls can be
assigned a rate of $.15 per call. This custom rating can mirror
negotiated rates with local and long distance companies and can be assigned
to specific trunks. The rating engine can also incorporate the included rate
tables which can be modified by percentage increase or decrease. Another
feature is the ability to price a unique phone number or pattern such as
1-???-555-1212. In addition, unique pricing methodology can be set for
inbound, trunk-to-trunk on-net and trunk-to-trunk off-net calls as well.
Apogee Desktop and Apogee Enterprise® offer unlimited markup classes
that can be assigned to a specific extension, auth code, account code (major),
and/or DNIS code. The markup class wizard makes it easy to assign the
correct markup class and provide distinct pricing of calls based upon the
extension number and trunk facility that carried the call. This pricing
engine is ideal for tenant billing applications.
|
|
Detailed City/State and Country Locator
Included with every system is a built-in city name table. This database
pin-points the city/state location for each call made or received (caller id
required) and this information is then available in the reports.
Apogee also tracks calls to destinations within Mexico with radar accuracy.
US Carriers typically identify eight bands or regions within Mexico which are
often ignored by US designed call accounting systems. Standard Apogee tariffs
include these eight zones and furthermore specifies city names uniquely to six
total digits beyond the international dialing code (011) . For example Apogee
identifies calls to each of the following central offices -
011523510... is priced and identified as Zamore, MX;
011523511... is priced and identified as Chilchota, MX;
011523514... is priced and identified as Villamar, MX;
011523516... is priced and identified as Churintzio, MX;
and not just as being in the Guadalajara region or more simply as just in
Mexico. Custom rates are also available for Mexico with central office
specificity at additional cost.
|
|
Real Time Monitors & Alarms
Up to the second monitors are a glance away giving a look at call volume, cost and
handling efficiency. Monitors can be set to display 30 day call volume down to
5 minute intervals. Alarm triggers can be set to detect tele-abuse and fraud
before it's too late by alerting via pager, email, monitor, or report.
|
An alarm may be triggered based on:
|
| |
Calls over a specified duration and/or cost.
|
| |
Calls made to and from a user-defined phone number.
|
| |
Calls made to and from a user-defined extension.
|
| |
Calls made with a user-defined auth code.
|
| |
Calls made to and from with a user-defined account and/or matter codes.
|
| |
Calls received with a user-defined DNIS code.
|
| |
Calls made to and from with a user-defined trunk group and trunk.
|
| |
Calls made with a user-defined PIC and/or PIC Access code for specified
long distance carriers.
|
| |
Calls made to and from with a user-defined custom code 1-3.
|
| |
Daily peg counts for too many calls received with a user-defined definition
of short.
|
| |
Daily peg counts for too many international calls.
|
| |
Daily peg counts for too many abandoned calls.
|
| |
No calls alarm detect CDR shut-off or malfunction is Apogee does not
receive any call records in a specified time interval during business hours.
|
|
