Streamline Billing with 3CX Enhanced Billing Codes: Enhance Efficiency, Security, and Organization
3CX Enhanced Billing Codes revolutionizes customer call handling by merging collection efforts with customer billing codes, improving efficiency, security, and organization. Collectors now input billing codes when initiating calls, creating a direct link between phone numbers and transactions integrated into customer accounts. With this feature, security measures can be enhanced by mandating an account code. Outbound calls are automatically logged, enabling the generation of comprehensive billing code reports based on account code, department, extension, and date range. This allows for better expense management and informed decision-making. If you are looking to enforce account code usage, allocate call costs to specific departments, or strengthen security measures, 3CX Enhanced Billing Codes is the ideal solution. It enhances accountability, streamlines cost allocation, and fortifies your system effortlessly.
During billing calls, it is essential to actively input customer billing codes to ensure accurate recording of billing information, thereby eliminating the risk of losing any critical details. By diligently entering these codes, you can secure the preservation of vital billing information for each call, minimizing the likelihood of errors or oversights.
EMPOWERED RESTRICTIONS
Experience enhanced control and security with the introduction of Account Codes and their advanced billing codes. These innovative features enable the restriction of authorized calls exclusively, unlocking a new level of security and control.
AUTOMATIC DATA STORAGE
When using enhanced billing codes, every call you make is automatically linked to a specific billing code. Once your call is finished, all relevant information is stored in a database for generating reports and analysis.
SWIFT PHONE NUMBER RETRIEVAL
Enter the billing codes to swiftly retrieve customer phone numbers, enhancing the efficiency and speed of the process for a seamless experience.
EASY ESTIMATE OF YOUR CHARGE-BACK CALL COSTS
3CX Enhanced Billing Codes enable efficient monitoring and tracking of outbound calls. This feature proves beneficial for professionals such as attorneys, consultants, or individuals who are conscious of call expenses. It allows you to allocate costs to each outgoing call based on the country, area code, or specific phone number. By utilizing automated reports, invoicing and chargebacks become simplified, as they accurately calculate call durations and costs.
ENHANCED SECURITY
Enhance the security of your phone system by implementing 3CX Enhanced Billing Codes. These codes effectively mitigate the risk of unauthorized usage by imposing restrictions on international calls per extension. By mandating the use of an account code, an additional layer of protection is added, ensuring that security measures extend beyond the scope of extensions alone.
MONITOR COSTS LIKE NEVER BEFORE
Leverage the capabilities of 3CX Enhanced Billing Codes to gain a transparent overview of your telecommunications expenditures. This feature enables automated tracking of outgoing calls and facilitates the generation of comprehensive reports categorized by account codes, departments, extensions, and specific date ranges. Effortlessly administer and enhance your telecom expenses, ensuring complete control over cost management.
NOTE:
3CX provides the option to assign an account code when making a call, but it lacks a verification system to confirm the existence or accuracy of the entered account number. In the event that you fail to input the account code before initiating the call, there is no means to associate an account with that particular call.
You can order 3CX Enhanced Billing Codes online at https://www.voiptools.com. Your order confirmation email will include your license key and a link to download the software.
There are a number of prerequisites that must be installed prior to installing the 3CX Enhanced Billing Codes. These prerequisites include Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) and Microsoft SQL Server
This User Guide contains step-by-step instructions to successfully install 3CX Enhanced Billing Codes. Begin by extracting the installer from the downloaded zip file (Step 1 above), then run the setup program named EnhancedBillingCodes.exe
You must register your license key to activate 3CX Enhanced Billing Codes. Your license key is included in your order confirmation email, and can also be found in your order history on our website.
Find the software download link in the Order Confirmation Email, or you can find it in your order history on our website and download the 3CX Enhanced Billing Codes application.
In the Microsoft Defender SmartScreen, click the More Info option.
Figure 1: Microsoft Defender: More info
Click the Run Anyway option to start the installation.
Click on the software installer downloaded in Step 1. The installation wizard will automatically identify the prerequisites and assist you with each installation required to 3CX Enhanced Billing Codes. It includes .NET Framework (Web Installer), SQL Server Express (Web Installer), and SQL Server Management Studio.
Click the downloaded installer executable to launch the Prerequisites Setup Wizard and click Next.
Figure 3: 3CX Enhanced Billing Codes Setup Wizard
In the Prerequisites window, install all the required prerequisites identified by the installer, or select/ unselect the applications based on your requirements and click Next to continue.
Figure 4: Prerequisite installation Selection
The installer will download and install the selected applications. It may take several minutes to complete.
Figure 5: Prerequisites Installation on progress
The Microsoft SQL Server License Terms page gets displayed if you install SQL Server Express. Click Accept to acknowledge the license terms and continue.
Figure6: Microsoft SQL License Terms
In the Media Location field, browse to change the location and click Install to begin the installation of SQL Server Express.
Figure7: SQL server selects media download target location
Click Close when you install the prerequisites.
Figure8: Microsoft SQL installation completed successfully
Click Next when the installation is complete.
Figure9: Microsoft SQL downloading install packages
Click Yes in the Confirmation Message Box to reboot the computer.
Click Next on the 3CX Enhanced Billing CodesSetup Wizard screen.
Figure11: Enhanced Billing Codes setup wizard
On the Select Installation Folder window, the Folder field displays the path where the 3CX Enhanced Billing Codes gets installed. You cannot change the location path.
Click Next to continue with the installation.
Figure12: Enhanced Billing Codes select the installation folder
In the 3CX Relay Services window, in the Relay Host field, enter the FQDN of your 3CX server.
Enter 8801 in the Relay Port field.
Enter the public key you took from VoIPTools Relay services in the Public Key text area.
Figure13: Select Relay Port
Click the Test Relay Settings to confirm ‘3CX Exporter’ can communicate with the Relay services running on the 3CX server.
If the ‘3CX Exporter’ is successfully able to communicate with the Relay services that run on the 3CX server, a Success message box appears. Click OK. If the test fails, you will not be able to continue until communication with the relay is established.
Click Next to continue with the installation.
Figure14: Relay test success message
NOTE:
You must set the Relay Port to 8801.
If the Relay test fails, you cannot continue the installation until you establish communication with the Relay. If the test was unsuccessful confirm the following,
Confirm you have the correct firewall port open (default TCP 8801) on the 3CX server and the firewall protecting the 3CX server.
Confirm that you have entered the correct FQDN for the 3CX server.
Confirm that the 3CX On Call Manager and Relay use the same port and protocol.
When configuring 3CX Enhanced Billing Codes, select an existing Microsoft SQL Server instance in your environment. The database server can be a remote SQL Server or a local instance running on the VolPTools server.
On the SQL Database window in the Server field, select the desired instance of SQL Server.
To use SQL Authentication, uncheck the Trusted Connection checkbox.
In the Username and Password fields, enter valid SQL login account credentials.
Figure15: Configure SQL database
NOTE:
We recommend you use SQL Authentication rather than Windows authentication. Many of our tools leverage a Call Flow Designer (CFD) application running on the 3CX.Frequently our CFD applications require access to a SQL database. If the 3CX server and the database server are not in an Active Directory domain, Windows authentication will fail.
To use SQL Authentication, you must configure the SQL server to run in Mixed Mode. If you install SQL Server with our tools, we configure SQL in Mixed Mode.
To use Windows Integrated Authentication (not recommended), check the Trusted Connection (Windows integrated authentication) checkbox.
NOTE:
In the Database field, the installer will automatically display the default database name. We encourage you to use the default name. To upgrade or reinstall 3CX Enhanced Billing Codes, select the current database name from the list.
Click the Tool buttons to confirm connectivity to SQL Server. and click OK on the Test Results message box.
Figure16: TOOL Test SQL Connection results
Click the CFD buttons to confirm connectivity to SQL Server and click Ok on the Test Results message box.
To ensure the authorization of your license key, it is necessary to complete the registration process. By registering with VoIPTools, you gain access to a range of benefits:
Key Replacement Assistance
In the unfortunate event of a lost license key, registering with VoIPTools lets us provide you with a replacement key promptly.
Product Updates and Reminders
By registering, you will receive timely notifications from VoIPTools regarding any product updates. Additionally, we will send reminders when your key is nearing its renewal date, ensuring uninterrupted access to our services.
Follow the procedure to register your software,
Double-click the 3CX Enhanced Billing Codes desktop icon to open the web application.
On the Login page, do the following tasks,
In the Extension field, enter your 3CX extension number.
In the PIN field, enter your 3CX voicemail PIN.
Click the Login button to log in to your account.
Figure 23: 3CX Enhanced Billing Codes Web Portal Login
On the top menu, click the License tab.
Figure 21: Licensing tab
In the Licensing tab, enter your registration information in all the fields (Note the red dot denotes a required field).
Click Register to complete your registration.
Figure 22: Software Registration
NOTE:
The license key permits you to install the software on one computer. This is not free software.
The installer will download and install the selected applications. It may take several minutes to complete.
To enforce the use of billing codes, the phone system must be configured to reject any calls that are not placed through 3CX Enhanced Billing Codes (EBC). To accomplish this, the 3CX administrator needs to create outbound rules that reject phone calls unless they phone number matches a specific format. When a call is placed through Enhanced Billing Codes, it automatically prepends secret digits (8888) to the phone number. By creating outbound rules in 3CX that require the number start with 8888, we ensure numbers dialed directly on the phone are rejected. For this reason, it is imperative that the secret digits not be known by anyone other than the 3CX administrator.
It is important to understand that calls placed through EBC are NOT associated with a specific extension. Rather, the call is placed by the 3CX API method “MakeCall”. Rules intended to be used by EBC CANNOT include extension or group restrictions because MakeCall is not an extension and does not belong to any groups.
The example below can be used as a guide for creating your outbound rules. The important settings are circled in red.
You MUST enter “8888” in the “Calls to numbers starting with prefix” field.
Do NOTenter values in the “Calls from extension(s)” or “Calls from extension group(s)” fields
You MUST pace a “4” in the “Strip Digits” field to remove the secret digits from the phone number before sending the call to your carrier.
It is RECOMMENDED you add a DID in the “Outbound Caller ID” field. Remember, MakeCall is not an extension, so it does not present a valid Caller ID to your carrier. 3CX will pass “MakeCall” as the Caller ID if you do not override the value in some way. Because “MakeCall” is not a valid Caller ID, most carriers will reject the call without a valid Caller ID specified.
If you need to allow some people to bypass EBC, simply create rules that include an extension or group filter.
To access the ‘3CX Enhanced Billing codes’ web portal, click the Web Portal desktop icon that was created during the installation process (3CX Enhanced Billing Codes web).
The Call Log screen enables you to view the timing, collection and evaluation of data for all the telephone calls. You can also export the call log report to various formats like .csv, .xlsx and pdf.
The Owners screen enables you to manage Owners, including assigning emails for automated reports and activate or inactivate an owner. Once an owner is successfully created and activated, the Owner displays in the Owner drop down list of the Accounts screen. Account code reports will be grouped based on the Owner assigned to the account.
The Accounts screen enables you to create an account code. From here, you can define restrictions on the types of calls permitted. These restrictions will block calls if the phone number dialed is less than the minimum or more than the maximum number of permitted digits, or block calls starting with digits that match a list of specified prefixes (separated by a comma).
The editor enables you to select a fixed length for your Account Code. If the code length is selected as ‘0’ then, the Account Code length value will not have any restrictions.
ACCOUNT
This column displays ‘Account Codes’, which are used for (billing) tracking purposes. With these codes, you can control cost allocation and out-going call restrictions.
NOTE:
If the Account Code Length is set to ‘0’ then, while dialing, the owner needs to type: ** # If the Account Code length is fixed to any length then, while dialing, the owner needs to type: #
DESCRIPTION
The maximum length of phone number
OWNER
The name of the ‘Account’ owner.
RESTRICT
Check this check box if you want to apply the restrictions defined for the Account Code.
MIN
The first number of dialed digit(s). Here, you can enter multiple prefix codes separated by commas (,) (for example 801, 004, 920988).
If the ‘Restrict’ checkbox is checked, then the prefix restrictions will be applied to all the calls using this account code.
MAX
Minimum length of the phone number
PREFIX
The maximum length of the phone number
ACTIVE
Check the check box if you want to activate the account. If an account code is no longer used, uncheck the checkbox.
Enter the account code, ensuring the number of digits matches the specified Fixed Length Account Codes length.
Enter ‘0’ to create an Unrestricted Account Code.
In the column header and in the first column, click the Add button.
In the Account field, enter the account number.
In the Description field, enter a brief description for the ‘Account’.
In the Owner field, select the Account Owner from the drop-down.
Check the Restrict checkbox if you want to apply the account code restrictions.
In the Min and Max fields, enter the minimum and maximum length of the phone number respectively.
In the Prefix field, enter the prefix code for the phone number (if desired).
Check the Active checkbox to activate the Account.
Click the Save button to save your new account.
NOTE:
To restrict calls starting with digits that match a list of specified prefixes, you can specify multiple prefixes separated by commas (,). The account code restrictions will apply if you check the ‘Restrict’ checkbox for the account.
If the phone number dialed is less than the minimum or more than the maximum number of permitted digits, the account code restrictions will block the call.
Click the Deletebutton beside the Account Code record that you want to delete.
Figure 40: Delete button
Click OK on the alert message to confirm your deletion.
Figure 41: Confirm Deletion message box
NOTE:
To ensure historical information is displayed correctly on reports, we STRONGLY discourage the deleted of account codes that have been used in the past. Rather than delete the account code, it is recommended that you uncheck the Active check box.
The Services tab enables you to ‘Stop’, ‘Start’ or ‘Refresh’ a service.
To start or stop a service, click Start / Stop button.
Click the Refresh link to update the status if changes to the service status were made directly in the Windows Service Snap-in.
Figure 42: Services Screen
NOTE:
If the service status is “Unknown”, this is typically caused by the 3CX Enhanced Billing Codes IIS Application Pool user having insufficient rights. To view changes to the service state made in the Windows services applet, press the refresh button.
IP Address or Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) of your email server.
Example: 192.168.1.20 or mail.mydomail.com
PORT
Default port number is 25. (Google: 587).
FROM EMAIL
This is the email address from which the emails and SMS text notifications will be sent.
TO EMAIL
Enter a valid test email address. This temporary value is only used for sending test emails and is NOT required.
USER & PASSWORD
Enter login credentials of the email account from which you want to send the reports (if required by your mail server).
SSL/ TLS
Your mail server may require a secure connection – Secure Socket Layer (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS) to relay email.
Gmail, Google Apps and Microsoft 365 require a secure connection.
TEST BUTTON
You can test whether your SMTP settings are correct by entering an email address in the ‘To Email’ field, then click the ‘Test’ button.
REPORT TIME
You schedule when automatic reports are sent by entering the desired time in the ‘Report Time’ field.
REPORT TYPE
You can generate automated reports on a daily, weekly, and/ or Monthly basis.
DAYS OF WEEK
Select the day(s) of the week so that the report will be emailed on all the selected days of the week.
NOTE:
Be sure to test both the email address and SMS text message. We suggest you to test each email, distribution, or SMS address to ensure you can send to all addresses. Sending mail within your domain may not require authentication, while sending outside your domain (SMS address for example) may require authentication. The domain for sending SMS text messages is specific to the wireless carrier.
Email Example: user@mydomain.com
SMS Example (Verison): 9999999999@VText.com
Owners will receive automated reports that include data for their assigned account codes, while Global email addresses will receive emails containing date for all accounts.
To configure the General Settings,
Hover over the Settings tab to display the settings dropdown.
Select the General Settings option in the settings dropdown.
The Email Address grid maintains a list of global email addresses. Global email addresses receive automated reports containing call information for all accounts based on the configured Report Settings
This section lets you define who should receive automated reports containing all accounts
On the left of the Email Address column header, click the Add button to add email addresses. The grid supports batch edit which enables you can add or delete or edit multiple addresses before you save or update the list.
In the Email Address field, enter the email address that will receive automated reports containing all accounts.
On the Settings menu, in the Email Settings section, in the Mail Server text field, enter the IP Address or Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) of your email server.
In the Port field, enter the port number of the mail server.
In the Reply Address field, enter the email address from which the reports will be sent.
In the User and Password fields, enter the login credentials of the email account from which you want to send the reports (if required by your mail server).
NOTE:
If you want to reveal the password, click the More button; and to conceal it, click the same button once again.
Figure 46: View password button
Check SSL/ TLS check box if your mail server requires a secure connection.
To test if SMTP settings are properly configured, enter a valid email address in the To Email field and click Test.
In the Report Time field, select the desired time to send automated reports.
Select the Report Type as:
Daily – if you want to send the reports regularly for the selected day(s) of week.
Monthly – if you want to send the reports on a monthly basis.
NOTE:
‘Report Type’ is multi-selective. If you select ‘Report Type’ as ‘Monthly’ then, the report will be emailed on the last day of every month at 11:59:59 PM.
If you select the Report Type as Daily, select the desired Days of the Week to send automated reports.
The Reports screen enables you to view reports for all the accounts within the selected time range, in a customizable group view. You can also export the reports to the desired format from the available various options including .csv, .xlsx and .pdf
When a user runs a report based on Time Range only, the system retrieves the reports of all the users that fall within the selected Report Time Range.
From the Report Start Time date box, select the start time for the time range within which you want to run the report.
From the Report End Time date box, select the end time for the time range within which you want to run the report.
Click Run Report to get the data.
Figure 58: Retrieve Report Data on Time Range
Scenario: 2 – Run Report based on Time Range and Department#
When a user runs a report based on Time Range and Department value, the system retrieves the reports of the selected owner that fall within the selected Report Time Range.
To run the report, follow these steps:
Select the start time for the desired time range by choosing a date from the Report Start Time date box.
Select the end time for the time range by selecting a date from the Report End Time date box.
In the Department drop-down list, select the owner for whom you wish to retrieve the report data within the selected time range.
Click on the Run Report button to initiate the report generation process.
NOTE:
While running a report, ‘Report Start Time’ and ‘Report End Time’ cannot be blank.
A single owner can contain multiple accounts. Hence, while retrieving the data of an owner that has more than one account, the system retrieves call log reports for all the accounts of the owner that fall within the selected Report Time Range.
Figure 59: Retrieve Report Data on Time Range and Department
Scenario: 3 – Run Report based on Time Range and Account Code#
When a user runs a report based on Time Range and Account Code value, the system retrieves the reports of the selected Account Code that fall within the selected Report Time Range.
From the Report Start Time date box, select the start time for the time range within which you want to run the report.
From the Report End Time date box, select the end time for the time range within which you want to run the report.
From the Account Code drop down list, select the Account Code for which you want to retrieve the report data within the selected ‘Report Time Range’.
Click Run Report.
Figure 60: Retrieve Report Data on Time Range and Account Code
Scenario: 4 – Run Report based on Time Range, Department and Account Code#
When a user runs a report based on Time Range, Department value and Account Code value, the system retrieves the reports of the selected owner’s specified Account Code that fall within the selected Report Time Range.
From the Report Start Time date box, select the start time for the time range within which you want to run the report.
From the Report End Time date box, select the end time for the time range within which you want to run the report.
From the Department drop down list, select the owner for whom you want to retrieve the report data within the selected ‘Report Time Range’.
From the Account Code drop down list, select the Account Code of the selected owner for which you want to retrieve the report data within the selected ‘Report Time Range’.
Click Run Report.
Figure 61: Retrieve Report Data on Time Range, Department and Account Code
When 3CX Enhanced Billing Codes is installed, two special single-digit extensions are automatically created (Extensions 8 and 9). These two extensions are assigned to separate 3CX Call Flow Designer (CFD) applications. When the extensions are called, both applications prompt the caller for the account code and the number to be dialed. When 8 is dialed, the caller is carefully prompted to enter the required information. If 9 is dialed, a streamlined process is presented with fewer prompts (for experienced users).
This extension steps the caller through the process of collecting the account code and phone number by carefully prompting the user for the needed information. This is the best option to choose when initially getting started with Enhanced Billing Codes.
From your phone, dial 8 and wait to be connected to the CFD application.
You will be prompted for a billing code. Enter your billing code and press # to continue to the next step
The billing code you entered will be read back to you. If the code is correct, press 1. If incorrect, press * to reenter the code.
The billing code will be validated against a list of valid account codes
Next, you will be prompted for the phone number to be dialed. Enter the desired phone number and press #.
The phone number will be validated against any restrictions associated with the account code
After validation, the call will be placed automatically
Once you are comfortable using Enhanced Billing Codes to place calls, you can use a more streamlined approach by dialing 9 (rather than 8). This version of the application simply beeps when it is ready and no prompts (other than the beep) are played.
From your phone, dial 9 and wait to be connected to the CFD application.
The CFD is ready to accept your account code and phone number when you hear a beep.
After the beep, enter your account code and phone number, separated by “**”. (For example: 1234**8016424655). Press # when finished entering the digits.
After the billing code and phone number are validated, the phone call will be placed automatically
The call will be logged in a database for reporting
You get quick answers to most of your inquiries in our online manual. If you prefer direct contact, we offer various support channels, including phone, email, live chat, and our helpful VoIPTools forums.
Rest assured, our dedicated team is here to assist you around the clock, every day of the year. Whether you’re based in the USA or India, we’re ready to provide prompt responses to your technical queries.
Windows Event Log for VoIPTools Applications and Services #
For troubleshooting any application errors, our Windows Event Log contains a comprehensive list of error messages, warnings, and informative notes related to all our VoIPTools applications and services. It’s a valuable resource to help you pinpoint and resolve any issues you may encounter.
Are you looking to collaborate with other VoIPTools customers facing similar challenges? Our forum is the perfect platform to exchange ideas, solutions, and best practices. Join the conversation at: https://www.voiptools.com/community/
Got questions that need immediate answers? Our chat support team is available to assist you in real-time. Just click on the Live Chat button located at the lower right corner of our website, and we’ll acknowledge your queries right away.
To ensure a thorough understanding of your concerns, feel free to email us at support@voiptools.com. Describe your issue in detail, and we’ll get back to you within one business day with the support you need.
If you prefer to speak with a representative directly, you can reach us at +1 801-642-4655. Our attentive team is available to take your calls from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Central Standard Time).
If you’ve purchased our products through a VoIPTools Partner, rest assured that they provide first-level support at no additional cost. Partners have access to 100% free technical assistance and actively participate in the troubleshooting process.
VoIPTools customers enjoy access to our online manuals and receive support through emails (with responses within one business day) and live chat. However, please note that we do not provide remote server login assistance.
For a more hands-on experience, consider our “Installation Support” package. Our expert support team can log in to your servers, and install and configure all our tools for you. This comprehensive service includes setting up SQL Server Express and Internet Information Server if necessary. We’ll work closely with you to tailor our applications to best meet your specific requirements.
We’re committed to providing top-notch support to ensure your VoIPTools experience is smooth and hassle-free. Contact us today, and let us assist you in making the most of our powerful tools!
NOTE:
NOTE:
to open the web application.
to complete your registration.
button to expand the groups to view the complete data.
button
button to save the owner.
button beside the record that you want to delete.
button to save your new account.
button beside the Account Code record that you want to delete.
/ Stop 
button.
button to add email addresses. The grid supports batch edit which enables you can add or delete or edit multiple addresses before you save or update the list.
to save the email addresses.
button.
button to save your customizations.
