Vodavi Starplus Sts Key Systems Programming Operation Manual

							IntroductionB-3
Appendix B - Least Cost Routing
Introduction
The Least Cost Routing (LCR) feature allows the system to automatically select the least costly 
route available according to the number dialed, the time of day/day of week, the class of 
service (COS) assigned to the station/trunk group priority level assigned. When a station user 
dials an outside number, the LCR feature analyzes the number, then automatically chooses 
an outside line from the group that is programmed as most economical.
The LCR feature puts the responsibility of choosing the least expensive route for each area 
code and exchange code on the system administrator, not on the station user. In order to 
make a routing decision, the LCR feature is programmed in the system database. The 
successful operation of this feature is completely dependent on the accuracy of the 
programming. The STS may be programmed on a per station basis to force the use of LCR for 
outgoing access. This allows the system administrator to maintain greater control over 
dialing patterns and the lines used for placing outgoing CO calls.
LC R Ta b l es
There are eight (8) different tables which are set up to monitor the dialing of digits of a 
station and to select the best route programmed for the call.
3-Digit Routing Table -- allows the system to handle call routing in areas that require a 1 
before a long distance number and in areas that do not require the 1 for 7-, 8-, 10-, &
11-digit dialing.
6-Digit Routing Table -- is used to determine the route for one or more office codes 
programmed within the same area code.
Exception Code Table -- is used to route operator assisted calls and any other calls which 
would use a one or two-digit number rather than a three-digit area code.
Route List Table -- contains four Time Period Routing Lists that are used in conjunction with 
other LCR table settings.
Insert/Delete Table -- is used to add/remove digits from a number before or after it is dialed.
Daily Start Time Table -- allows the user to match the Time Periods discount structure to the 
carrier’s rate schedule.
Weekly Schedule Table -- allows the user to assign the Time-of-Day and Day-of-Week to use 
the least costly route for a specific dialed number.
Toll Information Table -- allows common call routing for all toll information calls:
1-(xxx)555-1212, (xxx)555-1212, 1-555-1212, and 555-1212.
DEFAULT LCR Database -- provides basic routing for all local and long distance dialing. 
						

							B-4Introduction
Appendix B - Least Cost Routing
Related Information
Quick Reference
 Flash 05 Button #7 LCR function must be enabled after LCR Tables are programmed 
(refer to “Enable/Disable Least Cost Routing” on page B-19).
 Flash 06 Button #9 LCR Call Progress feature -- To allow all users to hear digits being 
dialed (refer to “LCR Call Progress” on page B-15).
 Flash 01 Button #20 Interdigit Timeout (refer to “Inter-Digit Time-Out” on page 2-173). 
						

							IntroductionB-5
Appendix B - Least Cost Routing
LC R Fl owc h ar t
This diagram illustrates the path of an outgoing call as it relates to the LCR feature when 
programmed.
Figure B-1: LCR Flowchart
ROUT E
A SSIGNED
FR O M
6-DIGIT
TA BLE 
						

							B-6Programming LCR Tables
Appendix B - Least Cost Routing
Operation ( When LCR is Enabled)
To place an Outside Call:
1. Dial [9] on the dial pad,
-or-
Press preprogrammed LCR button.
2. Dial the desired telephone number.
3. Wait for an answer. Lift handset or use the speakerphone to converse.
If all available lines are busy, remain off-hook for four seconds to automatically be queued 
onto LCR for an available line, then hang up.
To answer an LCR Queue Call Back:
1. When telephone is signaled, answer the call.
2. Desired telephone number is automatically redialed.
CO Line Queue Cancel
To cancel a Call Back Request:
1. Dial the CO Line Queue Cancel code [626] on the dial pad.
2. Replace handset or press ON/OFF button.
Programming LCR Tables
Description
The Least Cost Routing (LCR) feature allows automatic selection of the most economical 
trunk according to the number dialed and the time of the day and day of the week. There are 
eight (8) different tables set up to monitor the dialing of digits of a station and to select the 
best route programmed for the call.
The buttons on the digital telephone are defined as shown when entering the LCR Tables 
Programming area:
Only one LCR Queue Call Back request may be initiated by a station. When a 
second request is made, the first request is cancelled.
If the 911 feature is enabled, the LCR access code is 800 instead of 9.
Flash 05, button #7 must be used to enable the Least Cost Routing feature.
3-DIGIT
TABLE6-DIGIT
TABLEEXCEPTION
TABLESROUTE LIST
TABLE

1Q
2W
3E
4R
INSERT /
DELETE TABLEDAILY TIME
TABLEWEEKLY TIME
TABLETOLL
INFORMATION

5T
6Y
7U
8I 
						

							Programming LCR TablesB-7
Appendix B - Least Cost Routing
Programming Steps
If the system is in the programming mode, continue using the program codes. If starting to 
program here, enter the programming mode.
1. Press FLASH and dial [75]. The following message displays:
2. There are eight tables which can be programmed here for LCR (you must also program 
LCR Class of Service in Station Programming). Use the procedures listed below to 
program these LCR tables.
3-Digit Area / Office Code Table
Description
Both Leading 1 and Non-Leading 1 tables include all area codes (NPAs), and office codes 
(NXXs), from 200 to 999, including such numbers as 911, 411, etc. A complete entry into these 
tables include a route list table to be used, if the 6-digit table is to be checked and the 
number of digits likely to be dialed (Example: 7 or 10 digits). All local office codes must be 
entered in this table even if they do not require long distance calling.
The number of digits to expect entry aids the system in identifying when the last digit is 
dialed and to begin routing the call. This also helps to free SLT DTMF receivers if SLT traffic in 
the system is heavy.
For international calls, use 00 as number of digits to expect. This causes the system to wait 
five seconds (or inter-digit time-out) after user dials last digit before the system accesses a CO 
Line and dials out.
Programming Steps
1. Press the 3-DIGIT TABLE flexible button (FLASH 75, Button #1). The following message 
displays:
L = [0] for Non-Leading 1 (1 not dialed), [1] for Leading 1 (1 is dialed)
NNN = Area/Office Code
RR = Route List Number 00-15
Y = [0] Do not go to 6-digit table, [1] Go to 6-digit table
PP = Number of digits expected to be dialed.
2. Press the HOLD button to save the entry. A confirmation tone sounds and the display 
updates.
LC R  TABL ES
ENTER  BUTTON  NUMBER
It is extremely important that the worksheets be completed before programming 
the LCR tables.
3  DIGIT  ROUTING  TABLE
ENTER   L   NNN   RRY   PP   HOLD 
						

							B-8Programming LCR Tables
Appendix B - Least Cost Routing
6-Digit Office Code Table
Description
The 6-Digit Office Code Table determines a route for one or a group of individual office codes 
within an area code. Certain office codes within an area code can be given unique or special 
routing. If the office code dialed is not found in the 6-digit Office Code Table, the call is then 
routed according to the route list table as was entered in the 3-digit table.
The system allows twenty 6-digit Area/Office code tables (up to 800 entries per table) that 
may be used to route specific office codes within an area code. Each table routes calls for a 
common area code to a specified route. All entries made to a table route those office codes to 
the specified route list table. An area code may be entered into more than one 6-digit table 
with different routes specified.
Programming Steps
1. Press the 6-DIGIT TABLE flexible button (FLASH 75, Button #2). The following message 
displays:

 = [0] to remove codes, [1] to add codes
AAA = Area Code
RR = Route Number 00-15
NNN = Office Code
2. Press the HOLD button to save the entry. A confirmation tone sounds and the display 
updates.
3. Enter additional office codes to be programmed into the same Area Code/Route Table, 
pressing HOLD after each office code entry.
4. Press a flexible button to program a different table.
To Delete All Entries in an Area Code/Route Table:
Enter [0 AAA RR ###].
6  DIGIT  ROUTING  TABLE
ENTER   

   AAA   RR   NNN   HOLD 
						

							Programming LCR TablesB-9
Appendix B - Least Cost Routing
Exception Code Table
Description
The Exception Code Table is used for operator calls and any other calls that use a one- or 
two-digit entry, rather than a three-digit area code.
Programming Steps
1. Press EXCEPTION TABLES flexible button (FLASH 75, Button #3). This message displays:

 = [0] to remove code from table, [1] to add code to table
XX = Exception codes for single digit codes, press MUTE button as 2nd digit. 
(The [

] may be entered as the 1st digit only.)
RR = Route Table Number 00–15
2. Press the HOLD button to save the entry. A confirmation tone sounds and the display 
updates.
3. Press FLASH 75, Button #3 again for further entries. Up to 20 Exception Codes may be 
programmed in this table.
Route List Table
Description
Each of the 16 Route List Tables available contains four Time Period Routing Lists, one for 
each of the 4 daily start time periods. Within each Time Period Route List up to 7 CO (outside) 
line groups and their corresponding Insert/Delete table, if any, and LCR Class Of Service 
Priority are programmed on a per line group basis.
When routing a CO call through LCR, CO Line groups are accessed in sequence so that the 
first line group entered represents the least costly (and first selected) and the last line group 
entered represents the most costly (and last selected).
The Route List Table references many other tables when processing a call for routing. First, 
the Daily Start Time Table is referenced to determined what start time entry should be 
checked in the Weekly Schedule Table. The corresponding entry in the weekly schedule table 
depending on the day of the week then determines which Time Period Route List should be 
used within the Route List Table.
The system then begins to check for idle lines in the first entered CO line group and proceeds 
until an idle line is found. While it is searching for an idle CO line the Station LCR COS is 
checked against the entries for LCR COS Priority of the specific CO line groups (see LCR COS 
Priority explanation).

When an idle CO Line is found with a LCR priority equal to or higher than the stations LCR 
COS, a final check should be made to see if an Insert/Delete Table should be referenced.

When all of the tables and entries are checked, the system then processes the call on the 
outside CO line.
EXCEPTION  CODE  TABLE
ENTER   

   XX   RR   HOLD
Make sure you made entries into all Time Period Route Lists referenced in the 
weekly schedule table. 
						

							B-10Programming LCR Tables
Appendix B - Least Cost Routing
LCR COS Priority
A station should be assigned a class of service for LCR. The LCR COS can be between 0 and 6, 
with 0 being unrestricted and 6 being the most restrictive. Within the time period route List 
table, line groups are given an LCR COS Priority assignment between 0 and 6.
A station using LCR is able to use only those CO (outside) line groups with a priority 
assignment of equal or higher value than the station’s LCR Class of Service (e.g., a station with 
LCOS 3 can use line groups with a priority between 3 and 6).
Programming Steps
1. Press the ROUTE LIST TABLE flexible button (FLASH 75, Button #4). The following 
message displays:
RR = Route List Table Number 00–15
T = Time Period Route List 1–4
GG = CO Line Group 00–23
DD = Insert/Delete Table reference 00-19 (## for none)
L = LCR Class of Service (LCOS)
2. To create an entry, dial [RR] + [ T ] + [GG] + [DD] + [L], then press HOLD to save the entry.
A confirmation tone sounds and the display updates.
3. To enter additional CO Line groups in the same Time Period Route List number,
dial [GG] + [DD] + [L], then press HOLD.
Table B-1: LCR Class of Service Table
Allow Access
To RouteLCR CO Line Group Priority
0123456
S
T
A
L
C
R
C
O
S0YYYYYYY
1
NYYYYYY
2
NNYYYYY
3
NNNY YY Y
4
NNNNYY Y
5
NNNNNY Y
6
NNNNNNY
N = Cannot Use Line Group
Y = Has Access to Line Group
ROUTE  LIST  TABLE
RR   T   GG   DD   L 
						

							Programming LCR TablesB-11
Appendix B - Least Cost Routing
To enter data for a different time period route list:
1. Press program FLASH 75, Button #4 and enter all data (RR T GG DD L).
2. Repeat the above to program a new Route Number 00 to 15 or press a flexible button to 
program other LCR information.
3. To advance to the next entry, use Button #18.
4. To return to a previous entry, use Button #19.
When Call Cost feature is enabled in FLASH 05, Button #11, the following message 
displays.
RR = Route List Table Number 00- 15
T = Time Period Route List 1- 4
CCC = Cost for one minute ($ 0.00–$9.99)
GG = CO Line Group 00-23
DD = Insert/Delete Table reference 00 -19 (## for none)
L = LCR Class of Service (LCOS)
Insert/Delete Table
Description
Digits can be either added or deleted when dialing a number. For instance, if a user dials a 
long distance call that should be placed on a foreign exchange (FX) line, the digit [1] and the 
three-digit area code (NPA) dialed by the user must be deleted before the call can be placed 
on that FX line. An Insert/Delete table can be programmed to do this.
Digits can also be added to a number that has been dialed by the user. For instance, Other 
Common Carrier (OCC) access codes and authorization (ID) codes can be automatically 
inserted by the system either in front of, and/or behind the number dialed.
There are twenty Insert/Delete Tables and each allows entries in a delete table and a pre- and 
post-insert table. Up to 40 digits (including pauses) can be inserted (20 pre and 20 post) and 
up to 16 digits can be deleted. Digits can be inserted before or after the number dialed, but 
can be deleted only from the start of the number dialed.
To ensure that a pause is inserted in LCR at default, the database programming was changed 
to add a pause in each of the 20 LCR Insert and Delete Tables and insert table 0 in each of the 
route tables.
ROUTE   LIST  TABLE
RR   T   CCC   GG   DD   L 
						

							B-12Programming LCR Tables
Appendix B - Least Cost Routing
Programming Steps
1. Press INSERT/DELETE TABLE flexible button (FLASH 75, Button #5). The following 
message displays:
2. Enter the table information as follows:

T T = Insert/Delete Table Number 00–19

X = [0] Pre-Delete numbers (first digits dialed in the number),
-or-
[1] Pre-Insert numbers (insert digits in front of number dialed,
-or-
[2] Post-Insert numbers (insert digits behind number dialed).

DDD = Digits (up to 16-digits may be deleted from the beginning
of the number dialed and up to 40 digits can be inserted (20 pre and 20 post).
3. Press the HOLD button to save the entry. A confirmation tone sounds and the display 
updates.
To add and delete numbers in the same table:
1. Enter the different Insertion/Deletion tables in step 1.
2. Enter as separate entries using the same table number.
3. In the Insert Tables for LCR Programming, press the TRANS button for a pause.

The [
] and [#] digits are allowed as valid digits for inserting digits dialed over the 
network.

The [
] and [#] are valid entries for adding digits in both the pre (in front of) or post 
(behind the number) tables.

The [
] and [#] cannot be used as delete characters in the Delete tables.
To delete a table:
Enter a valid table number and press the HOLD button.
Daily Start Time Table
Description
The Daily Start Time Table correlates the LCR Routing Table to the time sensitive discount 
structure offered by the customers carrier.
EXAMPLE -- In the most common situation:

The most expensive rate period is between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, often called the day 
rate.

The first discount period usually starts at 5:00 pm and runs until 11:00 pm, often called 
Evening Rates.

The remaining time (from 11:00 pm until 8:00 am) is referred to as night time rates which 
usually have the biggest discount.
DIGIT   INSERT   /   DELETE
ENTER   TT   X   DDD   HOLD