Client Matter Codes and Forced Authentication Codes

Forced Authentication Codes (FACs) and Client Matter Codes (CMCs) allow you to manage call access and accounting. CMCs are often referred to as account codes and assist with call accounting and billing for billable clients. FACs regulates the types of calls that certain users can place.

The CMC feature benefits law offices, accounting firms, consulting firms, and other businesses or organizations that need to track the length of the call for each client. To use the CMC feature, users must enter a client matter code to reach certain dialed numbers.

You can use FAC for colleges, universities, or any business or organization when limiting access to specific classes of calls proves beneficial. Likewise, when you assign unique authorization codes, you can determine which users placed calls.

FAC Concepts

For each user, you specify an authorization code, and then you enable FAC for relevant route patterns by checking the appropriate check box and specifying the minimum authorization level for calls through that route pattern.

When you enable FAC through route patterns in Cisco CallManager Administration, users must enter an authorization code to reach the intended recipient of the call. When a user dials a number that is routed through a FAC-enabled route pattern, the system plays a tone that prompts for the authorization code. Figure 17-11 illustrates the FAC process, which follows these steps:

Step 1.

A user dials a number that goes to a FAC-enabled route pattern.

 

Step 2.

Cisco CallManager tells the phone to play the tone.

 
   

Step 3.

The user enters the authorization code, followed by the # key.

 

Note

The pound sign (#) at the end of the client matter code cancels the interdigit timeout. If users do not append the # to the authorization code or client matter code, the system waits for the T302 timer to extend the call (System > Service Parameters for the Cisco CallManager service). The default for the T302 timer is 15 seconds.

Step 4.

The call is extended to the exiting gateway.

 

Step 5.

CallManager generates a Call Detail Record (CDR) flagged with the FAC number.

 

Figure 17-11. FAC Process

In Cisco CallManager Administration, you can configure various levels of authorization. Users are given codes that assign them a certain authorization level. Route patterns are then assigned authorization levels. If the user authorization code does not meet the level of authorization that is specified to route the dialed number, the user receives a reorder tone. If the authorization is accepted, the call is placed. The name of the authorization writes to Call Detail Records (CDRs), so that you can organize the information by using CDR Analysis and Reporting (CAR), which generates reports for accounting and billing.

To implement FAC, you must devise a list of authorization levels and corresponding descriptions to define the levels. You must specify authorization levels in the range from 0 to 255. Cisco allows authorization levels to be arbitrary, so that you define what the numbers mean for your organization. For example, you could configure authorization levels as follows:

CMC Concepts

You apply CMC through route patterns, and you can configure multiple client matter codes. When a user dials a number that is routed through a CMC-enabled route pattern, a tone prompts the user for the client matter code. When the user enters a valid code, the call is placed; if the user enters an invalid code, a reorder tone is played. CMC is written to the CDR, so you can collect the information by using CAR, which generates reports for client accounting and billing.

Tip

The FAC and CMC features are very similar and often confused. Cisco created the FAC primarily to prevent toll fraud and to limit and track the users able to make calls by authorization levels. CMC is a nearly identical feature allowing organizations to track calls based on the CMC code dialed rather than authorization level.

Figure 17-12 shows a basic CMC call where the route pattern 8.@ is configured to require the user to enter a client matter code:

Step 1.

When the user dials 8-214-555-0134, the dialed string matches the 8.@ route pattern.

 

Step 2.

Cisco CallManager plays a "zip-zip" tone to prompt the user to enter the client matter code associated with the dialed string, in this example, 1234.

 

Step 3.

If the user enters 1234 followed by the # key, the call is immediately extended to the voice gateway. If the user does not enter a code or enters the wrong code, the user hears a reorder tone, and the call is not extended.

 

Step 4.

Because the user entered a valid code, Cisco CallManager extends the call to the voice gateway for call completion.

 

Step 5.

Cisco CallManager generates a CDR with the associated client matter code for client-tracking and reporting purposes.

 

Figure 17-12. CMC Process

CMC and FAC can be implemented together for a given route pattern. For example, you can allow only certain users to have authorization to place certain long-distance calls, and then require the user to enter a CMC for that call. The tones for CMC and FAC sound the same to the user, so the feature tells the user to enter the authorization code after the first tone and enter the account code after the second tone.

FAC and CMC Configuration

To implement CMC or FAC, you can perform the following steps:

Step 1.

If using CMCs, create a document with a list of CMCs and associated client names that you want to track. If using FACs, create a document listing the authorization levels you want to create and the authorization levels required for restricted route patterns.

 

Step 2.

Insert the CMC or FAC codes by using Cisco CallManager Administration (choose Feature > Client Matter Code or Feature > Forced Authorization Code).

 

Step 3.

To enable FAC or CMC, update route patterns by selecting Require Client Matter Code or Require Forced Authorization Code and entering the level of FAC required.

 

Step 4.

Update dial plan documents as necessary.

 

Step 5.

Provide information to users and explain how the feature works.

 

Creating CMC Codes

Complete the following steps to add CMCs in Cisco CallManager Administration:

Step 1.

In Cisco CallManager Administration, choose Feature > Client Matter Code.

 

Step 2.

In the upper-right corner of the window, click the Add a New Client Matter Code link.

 
   

Step 3.

In the Client Matter Code field, enter a unique code of no more than 16 digits that users will enter when placing a call, as shown in Figure 17-13. The client matter code displays in the CDRs for calls that use this code.

 

Figure 17-13. CMC Configuration

 

Step 4.

In the Description field, enter a name of no more than 50 characters. This optional field associates a client code with a client.

 

Step 5.

Click Insert.

 

Creating FAC Codes

Complete the following steps to add FACs in Cisco CallManager Administration:

Step 1.

In Cisco CallManager Administration, choose Feature > Forced Authorization Code.

 

Step 2.

In the upper-right corner of the window, click the Add a New Forced Authorization Code link.

 
   

Step 3.

In the Authorization Code Name field, enter a logical name representing the authorization, as shown in Figure 17-14.

 

Figure 17-14. FAC Configuration

 

Step 4.

In the Authorization Code field, enter the code users will dial to obtain this level of authorization.

 

Step 5.

In the Authorization Level field, enter the level of authorization the user obtains if they enter the authorization code.

 

Step 6.

Click Insert.

 

Enabling Route Patterns for FAC and CMC

Complete the following steps to enable route patterns for FAC and CMC:

Step 1.

In Cisco CallManager Administration, choose Route Plan > Route/Hunt > Route Pattern.

 

Step 2.

Open the properties window for the route pattern you want to modify.

 
   

Step 3.

If you are configuring the route pattern for CMC, check the Require Client Matter Code check box, as shown in Figure 17-15.

 

Figure 17-15. Route Pattern Configuration

 

Step 4.

If you are configuring the route pattern for FAC, check the Require Forced Authorization Code check box and enter the level of authorization required to access this route pattern.

 

Step 5.

Click Update.

 
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