The solution?  SDT’s latest cost recovery tool: Apogee Professional Services Package (PSP).  PSP is an Apogee call accounting module, which runs on Windows NT/2000/XP platforms, and is designed especially for professional service firms.  PSP distributes personalized phone call data to individual client desktops over the network.  The information is retrieved from Apogee’s robust MS SQL Server database engine and provides up-to-the minute call history information.  Users throughout the company can take advantage of the easy-to-use call log screen to see a history of inbound and outbound call activity from their desktops.  With just a few mouse clicks or keystrokes, users can also assign/edit account codes for timely and accurate client bill-back.

PSP Log
Phone call records are displayed in a grid and appear chronologically, but can be sorted in ascending or descending order by simply clicking on the heading above the appropriate column. 

Spreadsheet Editing
A key feature to the application is its spreadsheet editing methodology. Some key spreadsheet editing features are listed below. 

• Locked Columns: User-definable column locking ensures that the most important data is always visible.

• Variable Sort Order: Users choose the record order. For example, by sorting the spreadsheet by digits dialed, all calls to the same number are grouped. This makes account code assignment very simple.  Typing any value in the text box above a column will filter info so that only records starting with a matching value will be displayed.

• Account Code Lookup: While editing calls, users do not have to remember the correct account code numbers.  With PSP, they can look up the numbers by the code or the actual name, speeding the process of finding the correct numbers to charge.

• Attachable Memo: Users can add notes to individual call records to support billing validity.

• Invalid Codes: Users can easily identify misdialed account codes and correct the entries.

Security
PSP contains a sophisticated security methodology that is designed to restrict access to authorized personnel.  A user can be restricted to viewing and editing their own records or a designated person can be restricted to viewing and editing records for an assigned workgroup.

Support for Alphanumeric Account Codes
Firms using alphanumeric account codes cannot enter the codes at the telephone.  In the past these firms had few, if any, options for assigning codes to calls.  PSP supports the entering of alphanumeric account codes, making this an ideal solution for these firms. 

Alternative Caller ID and Dialed Digits Billing
Other firms choose to identify and bill their clients based on caller id and dialed digits rather than using Account codes.  This method requires users to maintain a list of client names and phone numbers that can be imported into the system. 

Auto Dialing
Users can dial from their PCs by doubling clicking any row in the Phone Log or highlighting any phone number in a third party application.  This does not require a modem or any new phone cabling or phones, but does require an inexpensive Dialogic telephony board and works with virtually all telephone systems.  Refer to Automated Dialer specifications for further details.  The dialer board can also auto block numbers on a Do Not Call list.  The Personal Directory tab allows the user to maintain a list of frequently dialed numbers and respective account codes.  Personal Directory entries can be created quickly by simply copying the info from the Phone Log grid.

Time and Billing Interface (optional feature)
PSP provides a two-way interface to all major time and billing systems.  PSP automatically accepts lists of valid clients and matters and posts transactions without user intervention.