Importance

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Abstract

A call management system is disclosed that may interface with an existing PBX or may be utilized as a separate unit. In a preferred embodiment, the call management system includes a tariff data server, a local client computer and one or more line units. The tariff data server holds tariff data of service providers and transmits the tariff data to the local client computer via a communications link. The communications link can include the Internet making the tariff data widely available. Each line unit couples a telephone set to the telephone line provided by the LEC. The local client computer maintains a communications link with each line unit. Each line unit can be coupled to more than one LEC, allowing cost optimizations to take into account the LEC in addition to long distance carriers. The line unit intercepts the dialed digits and transmits them to the local client computer. The local client computer determines an optimum route for the call based on various parameters and transmits the complete dialing string back to the line unit which does the actual dialing of the digits. The local client computer maintains a client database of tariffs of telephone service providers and determines, from information in its client database, which telephone service provider or providers to utilize to execute the telephone call. The client database is updated on a periodic basis via, for example, electronic mail or FTP over the Internet. The local client computer also includes a carrier performance monitoring unit and call accounting unit. In another preferred embodiment, the call management system includes a telephone dialing unit and a data server which interfaces to existing PBX equipment.

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First Claim