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Step-by-Step Tariscope Setup: Configuring Your Call Accounting System

Setting up a call accounting system requires precision to ensure accurate data collection and billing. Tariscope is a powerful solution designed to monitor telecom traffic, analyze costs, and manage subscribers. This guide provides a straightforward, step-by-step walkthrough to get your Tariscope system fully operational. Prerequisites Before Installation

Before launching the setup wizard, ensure your environment meets the necessary technical requirements. Server OS: Windows Server 2019 or later is recommended.

Database Management: Install Microsoft SQL Server (Express or Full edition).

Network Connectivity: Ensure port access between Tariscope and your telephone system (PBX).

Admin Rights: Log in with full administrator privileges on the host machine. Step 1: Install the Tariscope Software

The installation process copies the core services and management utilities to your server.

Download the latest Tariscope installer from the official website. Run the executable file as an Administrator.

Accept the license agreement and choose your installation directory.

Select the components you need (Tariscope Server and Tariscope Administrator are required).

Click Install and wait for the process to complete, then reboot if prompted. Step 2: Initialize the SQL Database

Tariscope relies on a SQL backend to store Call Detail Records (CDR) and configuration settings. Launch the Tariscope Database Manager utility. Select your SQL Server instance from the dropdown menu.

Choose Create New Database and enter a secure name (e.g., Tariscope_DB).

Specify the authentication method (Windows Authentication or SQL Server Authentication). Click Create to initialize the database tables and schema. Step 3: Configure the Communication Node

The communication node acts as the bridge that collects raw CDR data from your telephone exchange. Open the Tariscope Administrator application.

Navigate to the Equipment or Nodes section in the main menu tree.

Click Add New Node and select your specific PBX model (e.g., Cisco, Avaya, Asterisk).

Choose the connection type used by your PBX, such as TCP/IP Server, TCP/IP Client, or FTP/SFTP.

Input the IP address, port number, and login credentials required to access the PBX data stream. Step 4: Map the CDR Format and Parser

Raw data from a PBX varies wildly by manufacturer, requiring a parser to translate it into readable metrics.

Go to the properties of your newly created communication node. Select the Parser tab.

Choose the predefined parsing script that matches your PBX model and software version.

Use the Test function to import a sample raw text file from your PBX.

Verify that fields like Call Start Time, Duration, Calling Party, and Called Party map correctly. Step 5: Define Tariffs and Telecom Providers

Accurate billing depends on matching call records against your provider’s actual rate sheets.

Navigate to the Providers section in Tariscope Administrator.

Click Add Provider and enter the name of your telecommunications carrier. Go to the Tariff Plans sub-menu to create a new rate plan.

Input your base rates, connection charges, and regional prefix costs manually, or import them via a CSV file.

Assign the tariff plan to the communication node or specific trunks. Step 6: Create Subscribers and Departments

Organizing your users allows you to generate localized reports and track department-level spending. Go to the Subscribers section in the navigation panel.

Create your company structure by adding Departments and Sub-departments. Click Add Subscriber to create individual user profiles.

Assign telephone extension numbers, PIN codes, or authorization codes to each subscriber.

Link subscribers to their respective departments for structured accounting. Step 7: Verify Data Collection and Generate Reports

The final step is ensuring that live calls are being logged and processed without errors.

Make a few test calls from an extension monitored by the system.

Open the View Calls window in Tariscope to check if the records appear in real-time.

Verify that the call cost is calculated correctly based on your tariff settings.

Navigate to the Reports wizard to run a sample “Department Summary” or “Top Extention Costs” report.

Set up an automated schedule to email these reports to department heads weekly or monthly.

To help tailor any further troubleshooting or advanced setup advice, tell me:

What specific PBX model (e.g., Cisco CUCM, Asterisk, 3CX) are you connecting to Tariscope?

Which connection method (TCP/IP, FTP, or serial port) does your phone system use to output CDR data?