Billing Management

CDR Processing & Billing Configuration

The Billing Management dashboard provides comprehensive tools for managing CDR processing, rate configuration, filtering, and automated billing processes. This central hub controls all aspects of the billing system.


Billing Management Dashboard

Overview

The Billing Management system is where you prepare and control how ictVoIP Billing turns raw CDRs into billable usage. In a typical v1.4.0 deployment you will:

  • Import and maintain tariffs that define per-destination rates.

  • Configure packages that link tariffs to WHMCS products and include any free minutes or custom rules.

  • Apply CDR filters so internal calls, test numbers, or emergency calls are handled correctly.

  • Use Autobill to process CDRs and hand the resulting charges to WHMCS for invoicing.

This page focuses on tariffs, packages, filters, and the built-in Autobill debug view. For the CRON execution and runtime details of the Autobill scripts themselves, see Automated Billing (Autobill).

Key Features: * CDR processing and filtering * Rate management and export * Automated billing configuration * Debug and testing tools * Comprehensive filtering options

Tariff Management

Tariff Importing

Import provider rate cards and configure pricing structures. For detailed information, see: Tariffs

Tariff Exporting

Export existing tariffs to CSV format for review or modification:

  1. Select the tariff name from the dashboard

  2. Click Export to download the CSV file

  3. Review and modify rates as needed

  4. Re-import the updated tariff

Warning

When re-importing exported tariffs, do not include the “status” column in your CSV file.

Package Management

Package Configuration

Configure VoIP service packages with specific rates and features. For detailed information, see: Package Rates

Package Features: * Rate structure configuration * Free minute allocation * Custom rate application * Global markup management

Autobill Debug

Debug Configuration

The CDR Autobill Debug settings on this page control the addon’s built-in debug view for CDR processing. Use this to test and monitor how billing rules are applied before enabling fully automated runs.


Autobill Debug Configuration

Debug Process:

  1. Enable Debug Mode - Activate debug logging

  2. Set Test Date - Configure client’s next due date to current date

  3. Run Manual Test - Execute autobill process manually

  4. Review Output - Analyze billing calculations and results

Debug Output:

The debug process displays detailed information including: * CDR processing results * Rate calculations * Billing summaries * Error messages and warnings

Warning

When running CRON via browser, processing can be very slow. Please be patient during execution.

Manual Testing:

Test your installation by accessing the autobill script directly in your browser:

URL: https://your-domain.com/modules/addons/ictvoipbilling/crons/autobill.php
Method: GET or POST
Authentication: Required

For detailed CRON configuration, see: Autobill CRON

CDR Filtering

Filter Configuration

Configure CDR filtering to exclude or suppress specific call types and destinations. Filtering is applied per provider and affects both billing and display.

Filter Types:

  1. Exclude/Suppress - Remove CDR records from billing and display

  2. Exclude from Billing - Remove from billing but keep in display

  3. Custom Filters - Specific filtering rules

Exclude/Suppress Filtering

Purpose: * Exclude - Remove filtered CDR records from billing * Suppress - Hide CDR records from client view

Common Exclusions:

Internal System Calls: Exclude internal PBX system calls and features:

Filter Pattern: *xx,#xx,4443,4747,201,202,203,999,555

Examples:
*97 - Voicemail access
*71 - Call forwarding
*72 - Call forwarding activation
#72 - Call forwarding deactivation
4443 - System announcements
4747 - System features

Extension Calls: Exclude direct extension-to-extension calls within the same tenant:

Filter Pattern: 201,202,203,204,205

This excludes calls between extensions 201-205 from billing

System Features: Exclude PBX system features and announcements:

Filter Pattern: 999,555,4443,4747

Examples:
999 - Emergency system
555 - Test numbers
4443 - System announcements
4747 - Feature codes

Exclude from Billing

Purpose: Remove specific calls from billing while keeping them visible in CDR reports.

Toll Free Numbers:

Exclude North American toll-free numbers from billing:

Filter Pattern: 844xxxxxxx,888xxxxxxx,877xxxxxxx,866xxxxxxx,800xxxxxxx,1800xxxxxxx,1844xxxxxxx,1866xxxxxxx,1877xxxxxxx,1888xxxxxxx

Examples:
1-800-555-1234
1-888-555-5678
1-877-555-9012

Emergency Numbers:

Exclude emergency service numbers:

Filter Pattern: 911,112,999,000

Examples:
911 - North American emergency
112 - European emergency
999 - UK emergency
000 - Australian emergency

Local Services:

Exclude local service numbers and features:

Filter Pattern: [local],[inbound]

Examples:
Local DID numbers
Inbound call records
Voicemail access
Ring group calls

Custom Exclusions:

Create custom exclusion patterns for specific needs:

Filter Pattern: 2264763054,8884163054,18884163054

This excludes specific numbers from billing

Filter Configuration Best Practices

Pattern Design:

  • Use Wildcards - xxxxxxx for variable digits

  • Include Variations - Account for different formats

  • Test Patterns - Verify filter accuracy

  • Document Rules - Maintain filter documentation

Common Patterns:

# Toll Free Numbers
8xx,1-8xx,1-800,1-888,1-877,1-866

# Emergency Numbers
911,112,999,000,119,110

# System Features
*xx,#xx,4443,4747

# Local Services
[local],[inbound],[voicemail]

Testing Filters:

  1. Enable Debug Mode - Activate detailed logging

  2. Run Test CDRs - Process sample call records

  3. Review Results - Verify filter accuracy

  4. Adjust Patterns - Refine filter rules

Vendor Compatibility:

Note

Filter patterns depend on each vendor’s PBX CDR output format. While we maintain consistency across platforms, test filters before applying to production.

CDR Column Dependencies:

Filters are applied to specific CDR columns: * Direction - Call direction (inbound/outbound) * Description - Call description or feature * Destination - Called number * Source - Calling number

Troubleshooting

Common Filter Issues:

  • Over-filtering - Too many calls excluded

  • Under-filtering - Unwanted calls still billed

  • Pattern Errors - Incorrect filter syntax

  • Vendor Differences - PBX-specific formatting

Debug Steps:

  1. Review CDR Output - Check raw CDR data

  2. Test Filter Patterns - Verify pattern matching

  3. Check Column Values - Confirm column content

  4. Monitor Billing Results - Review billing output

Support Information:

For filtering issues, provide: * CDR sample data * Filter patterns used * Expected vs actual results * PBX vendor and version

Next Steps

After configuring billing management:

  1. Test Configuration - Run debug tests

  2. Monitor Results - Review billing output

  3. Adjust Filters - Refine filtering rules

  4. Production Deployment - Enable automated billing