Matrix PRASAR UCS - Configuring LCR

378 Matrix PRASAR UCS System Manual
Configuring LCR
Least Cost Routing (also referred to as Automatic Route Selection) is an expense control feature of PRASAR UCS.
Least Cost Routing (LCR) is useful when there are different trunk lines for making outgoing calls, and the service
providers of these trunks offer different tariffs for calls made to certain locations or numbers or during a particular
time of the day.
When a call is made from an extension of the PRASAR UCS, LCR recognizes where the call is going. Depending
upon how the LCR is programmed, the system routes the call through the assigned trunks.
The system can be programmed to select the most cost effective trunk for the time of the day when the call is made
from the extension or to select the most cost effective trunk for the destination number dialed from the extension or
to select the most cost effective trunk considering both time of the day and destination number.
Accordingly, PRASAR UCS supports four types of LCR which can be configured, namely:
1. Time-based LCR: This type of LCR may be used when you have trunk lines of more than one service
provider, and each offers a different tariff according to the time of the day.
For example, Service Provider 1 offers a lower tariff for calls made between 9am to 8pm, while Service
Provider 2 offers a lower tariff for calls made between 8pm to 9am.
When Time-based LCR is programmed, the system uses the Online-dialing logic, whereby digits dialed by
the user are directly passed on to the trunk.
2. Number based LCR: This type of LCR may be used when you have trunk lines of more than one service
provider, and each offers different tariffs according to the area or distance, or phone numbers dialed. For
instance, Service Provider 1 provides cheaper calling rates for calls made from City A to City B, than
Service Provider 2 and Service Provider 3.
3. Time and Number based LCR: This type of LCR is a combination of number and time based LCR, that is,
the service providers offer different tariffs according to the time of the day as well as area/distance.
For example, Service Provider 1 offers lower rates for calls made from City A to City B during peak hours
9am to 8pm, as compared to Service Provider 2, whereas Service Provider 2 offers cheaper rates for calls
made from City A to City B during off peak hours (8pm to 9 am).
When Time+Number-based LCR is programmed, the system uses Store and Forward dialing logic,
whereby digits dialed by the user are first stored at a memory location in the system, and then dialed out
on the assigned trunk.
4. Service Provider-based LCR: This type of LCR may be used when the same Service Providers offer
different rates for calls made to numbers within their own network and for calls made to numbers of
another Service Provider's network. For example, Service Provider 1 offers lower rates to call a Service
Provider1 number in City A and in City B, than for calling numbers of Service Provider 2 in the same cities.
This type of LCR may also be used when the same Service Providers apply different charges for different
subscriber services provided by them. For example, Service Provider 1 offers both Voice Mail as well as
Call Recording services and applies different charges for providing both these services.