Account Codes

Account codes are commonly used to control cost allocation and out-going call restriction. Once a successful call has been completed using a certain account code, that account code information will be removed from the internal call information. This means that using the redial button will not re-activate the account code; the user must re-enter the account code each time the restricted number is dialed.

The method for entering account codes depends on the type of phone used. Refer to the relevant telephone User's Guide for details.

Account codes can also be made mandatory for users via Force Account Code.

The account code used on a call is included in the call information output by the system's call log. Incoming calls can also trigger account codes automatically by matching the Caller ID stored with the account code.

• To create an account code:

  1. Click Account Code to display a list of existing account codes.

  2. Double-click on an existing account code to edit it or right-click on the displayed list and select New.

  3. In the Account Code field, enter the code to be used to track specific calls.

  • Alphabetic characters can be used in account codes for users dialing from Phone Manager.

  • Wildcards can be used within the account code. The wildcard ? matches a single character, for example 123??? matches any 6 digit account code starting 123. The wildcard * matches any digits, for example 456* matches any account code beginning with 456.

  4. In the CLI field (optional), entering a Caller ID means that the account code is automatically assigned to incoming or outgoing calls with the same Caller ID.

  5. Send the configuration changes to the Control Unit via Merge.

   

An account code can be entered before the number is dialed if the user knows the number to be dialed is restricted. If the account code is entered before the number is dialed, a dial tone is supplied to indicate the line is ready to accept the phone number. If the phone number is dialed first, a re-occurring beep will sound to indicate the request for an account code. There are two ways users can enter an account code prior to dialing the phone number:

• Creating a short code

• Via Phone Manager - See the Phone Manager User Guide

Once the account code is created, it can be used in the following ways:

• To force the use of account codes for individual users

• To force the use of account codes at the system level

• To allow Plain Ordinary Telephone (POT) users to enter account codes

If you have IP Office Phone Manager, the list of account codes can be made available to Phone Manager users. See Account Codes and Phone Manager.