Telecommunications

Abstract

Many hotel managers find telecommunications to be a little understood technology. Call-accounting equipment allows hotels to resell long-distance calls and to account for local calls. Hotel switchboards should include such features as least-cost routing and automatic call rating (pricing). Several variables can be modified to affect call placement, distribution, and pricing to improve profitability, particularly variables relating to whether the hotel uses analog or digital "trunks" (cables used to connect to the phone-service provider). Yesterday's call-accounting systems need to be reviewed and updated to current standards and to determine whether their features are optimal, particularly in view of the impending change in the pattern of North American area codes, beginning January 1, 1995, that will mean reprogramming all switchboards.