A number represents something you can bill usage charges against. This is typically a telephone number billed for making or receiving calls, but could also be a SIP channel, broadband line, or similar service.
Tariffs are attached to numbers to control how usage charges are calculated. You can also attach one-off and recurring charges (such as line rental) through features.
Key Features
- Bill usage charges based on tariffs and call plans
- Support for telephone numbers, SIP channels, broadband, and more
- Attach features for one-off and recurring charges
- Bulk-add multiple numbers to a customer at once
Field Reference
The number detail page is split into two sections. The first shows the full details of the number. The second shows summaries of related items. The left context menu includes a link to the customer who owns the number.
In enhanced mode, tabs show extra information such as the customer’s details and all numbers owned by that customer.
Number Details
Number Type
The Number Type is the category of the number, such as 0800, 0845 or WLR. If the number receives incoming calls, the type controls the rate at which calls are billed. If the wholesale call costs module is enabled, the type is also used to calculate wholesale call costs.
For UK non-geographic numbers, you can set the type to “Auto Detect” and the platform works out the correct type.
Number, Alternate CDR Number(s) and Extension
The Number field stores the number as it appears to the customer (on invoices and in the portal). When usage data is processed, the number in the data must match the number stored here. Spaces and hyphens are ignored during matching. If the number differs in other ways, use Alternate CDR Numbers to make the match.
If the extension billing module is active, the Extension field becomes available. An extension must match the extension in the usage data files. An empty extension acts as a catch-all, matching all extensions not present on another number.
Description and Site
The Description appears alongside the number on invoices and in the portal. Use it to label each number. The Site groups numbers together on invoices and in the portal. This grouping can be used for cost-centre billing.
Number Status
The status controls whether the number is billable:
- Active: Billed as normal
- Dropped: No new fixed charges are added, but existing charges are still billed. Usage charges are allocated based on the date range the number was active, not the current status.
- Active - Do Not Bill: Not billed during billing runs, but charges still build up. These can be carried forward or billed manually.
The exact behaviour of each status is customisable.
Dropped / Reinstated Date
Set this date when dropping or reinstating a number. It controls when recurring and usage charges start or stop. See dropping and reinstating numbers for details.
Sale / Provisioning Details
Date Sold
The Date Sold shows when the number was sold to the customer. Unless you specify otherwise, the platform begins charging one-off, recurring, and usage fees from this date.
Tariff Details
The Tariff Details set the rates for usage charges (not one-off or recurring charges). Tariffs are split into sections such as “Inbound” and “Mobile”. See the tariffs section for more details.
Per-Class Markup
When a tariff has no rate for a particular call type, the platform can apply a percentage markup instead. Each call class (Inbound, National, Mobile, etc.) has its own markup field. Values set here override the customer-level defaults. If left blank, the platform uses the value from the customer. Per-class markup fires during call rating and uses the best available cost base (suggested retail price, CDR cost, or carrier cost).
Fallback Markup
If a call has no tariff rate and no per-class markup, the platform applies a fallback markup at billing time. The fallback applies across all call classes. Values set here override the customer-level defaults. The platform checks for a fallback on the tariff first, then the number, then the customer. See Rating priority for the full chain.
Discount Plans
Use Discount Plans to apply discounts to usage charges, such as free or inclusive minutes.
Annual Increase
When the annual-increases module is active, two fields track the number’s annual price increase schedule:
- Annual Increase Profile: The type of increase that applies to this number: CPI, RPI, Fixed Amount, or None.
- Annual Increase Reference Date: When the next annual increase is due.
These fields are for reference and reporting. They don’t trigger price changes automatically. See Price Increases for full details.
New Number Details
When adding a new number, extra fields appear. These aren’t shown when you later view the number. Instead, they set up features which you can view separately.
Finding Numbers
Viewing a Number’s Details
Click any number link to view its details. Number links appear throughout the platform when viewing features and other related items. Links are colour-coded to show the number’s status.
In enhanced mode, hover over any number link to see a summary tooltip. This lets you confirm you have the right number without opening the full record.
Number links also appear in reports that reference that number, such as feature reports.
Finding a Number
To find a specific number, use either SmartSearch or QuickSearch.
SmartSearch
The SmartSearch box appears in the left-hand menu on every page.
- Enter the number or CDR number. Spaces and dashes are ignored when searching.
- Press Enter or click the SmartSearch button
Results:
- Single match: Takes you directly to that number
- Multiple matches: Shows a list. Click the number you want.
QuickSearch
QuickSearch lets you search using both number and customer criteria. Access it from the left-hand menu, the Index option, or the main menu.
- Enter your search criteria. You can filter by number status, type, carrier, or by digits the number contains.
- Click Search
- Browse the results and click a number link to view its details
If the number you need isn’t listed, click Modify Search or the New Search link in the context menu.
Adding a Single Number
- Optional: Check the number hasn’t already been entered using SmartSearch or QuickSearch
- View the customer who owns the number
- Click Add New Number(s) in the context menu or Add > Number in the menu bar
- Optional: Load default values using Default Values > Load in the menu bar
- Enter the number details
- See the Field Reference section for details of the fields available
- Set the correct calls and features start dates and the feature charge interval. These are used straight away to create features and call plans.
- Click Save. The number details page appears so you can confirm everything is correct.
- A call plan is created automatically. The start date for usage charges is the calls start date (if provided), or the sold date.
- If you added one-off or recurring charges, features are created using those details. If no feature start date is given, the platform uses the previous feature’s start date, the calls start date, or the sold date.
- Optional: Add any extra features you didn’t include during number entry
Adding Numbers in Bulk
Use bulk entry when adding several similar numbers to the same customer (for example, a range of numbers or extension billing).
- Optional: Check the numbers haven’t already been entered using SmartSearch or QuickSearch
- View the customer who owns the numbers
- Click Add New Number(s) in the context menu or Add > Number in the menu bar
- Optional: Load default values using Default Values > Load in the menu bar
- Enter the shared details (tariffs, dates, etc.)
- Set the correct calls and features start dates and the feature charge interval. When adding in bulk, mistakes are multiplied, so take extra care.
- Leave the Number field blank
- Set the Bulk Number Addition Mode to match the details you’re entering (number, description, extension, etc.)
- Enter the numbers in the Numbers box, one per line. For multiple fields, separate them with commas or tabs (this lets you paste from a spreadsheet).
- Click Save. A list of the added numbers appears. Click any link to check the details.
- Optional: Add any extra features you didn’t include during number entry
A more flexible bulk import method also exists, allowing you to enter numbers against multiple customers with different tariffs.
New Number Details
When adding a new number, extra fields appear that aren’t shown when you later view the number. These set up features and call plans.
Call Plan Details
Each number typically has a call plan. The call plan is what allows a number to receive usage charges. It’s created automatically when you add the number.
Call Plan Standard Feature: If you’ve set up standard features for call plans, choose one here.
Calls Start Date: By default, usage charges start from the Date Sold. If you want billing to start from a different date, enter it here. Setting the right date prevents test calls from being billed and handles transfers between customers correctly.
Charge Details
If a number needs one-off or recurring charges, add features. As a shortcut, you can add up to two features during number entry. The fields here are a subset of those available when adding a feature separately. You can also enable full feature entry for up to ten features.
Bulk Number Addition
Set the Bulk Number Addition Mode to match the details you’re entering. Enter numbers one per line in the Numbers box. Separate multiple fields with commas or tabs for easy spreadsheet pasting.
Default Values
Some fields (including number type and tariffs) are pre-filled when you add a new number. You can save and manage multiple sets of default values to speed up data entry. See Managing Default Values for full details.
Editing a Number
- View the number and click Edit
- Make the changes you need
- See the Field Reference section for details of the fields available
- Click Save
What happens:
- If you changed the status, the platform may update features linked to this number
Dropping and Reinstating Numbers
To drop or reinstate a number, use the Actions menu on the number view:
- Actions menu > Drop Number: Stops billing for this number and drops all its features.
- Actions menu > Reinstate Number: Reactivates a dropped number and restores its features.
See the Dropping a Number and Reinstating a Number sections for step-by-step instructions.
Note: These instructions use the default number statuses. If your statuses have been customised, adjust accordingly.
Dropping a Number
Drop a number when a customer no longer needs it but remains an active customer. If the customer is leaving entirely, drop the customer instead, which automatically drops all their numbers.
Steps:
- View the number
- Click Actions menu > Drop Number
- Fill in the action form:
Required:
- Drop Date: The last date charges should apply (including any notice period or minimum contract term)
Optional:
- Cancellation Notice Given: The date the customer told you they no longer need this number
- Status Reason: Why the number is being dropped
- Ignore Traffic Number Type: How to handle remaining call traffic on this number
- Click Drop Number
What happens:
- All active features on the number are dropped
- The platform adds charges up to the drop date, or refunds if you’ve already billed beyond it. Usage charges after that date are also refunded.
- Usage charges continue to be allocated if they fall within the active period of the call plans, as long as the customer remains active
- Any remaining charges for this number are billed as normal, provided the customer stays active
Reinstating a Number
If a dropped number is reconnected, you can reactivate the features attached to it from a date you choose.
Steps:
- View the dropped number
- Click Actions menu > Reinstate Number
- Fill in the action form:
Required:
- Reinstate Date: The date you want to reinstate from
Optional:
- Status Reason: Why the number is being reactivated
- Click Reinstate Number
What happens:
- Features that were dropped with the same end date as the number are made active again. Their end dates are removed.
- If the reinstate date is in the past, the platform adds back-dated recurring charges
- The number is billed as normal from the next billing run
Tip: To bill any back-dated charges straight away, raise a manual invoice after reinstating.
Deleting a Number
You can permanently delete a number and all its historical data. This should only be done if the number was entered by mistake (for example, an accidental duplicate). Deleting a number also means you need to recreate any invoices that reference it.
Important: Deletion removes all historical data and prevents simple reactivation.
Steps:
- Make sure the number has nothing attached to it (no features or notes)
- Click Actions menu > Delete. If you can’t see this option, either the number still has linked items or you don’t have delete permissions.
- If successful, you’re taken to the customer details page for the customer who owned the number.