Click on an index letter to navigate through our glossary terms:

A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Z

CALL FORWARD
A PBX feature that automatically routes calls to another selected station. This can be done in different ways: (1) On all calls immediately, (2) If the phone rings more than (x) times, (3) If the line is busy.
CALL PICK-UP GROUP
The telephone system will allow a station user to pick up a call at their station from another ringing station other than their own by using a code.
CALL WAITING
The system provides a tone on the line while in use, to let the station user know that a call is waiting
CALLER ID
See ANI
CAS (CENTRALIZED ATTENDANT SERVICE)
Having a group of operators in one central place answer calls for several telephone switches at different locations.
CBX (COMPUTERIZED BRANCH EXCHANGE)
A computer that performs the functions of a PBX using electronic switching
CCIS (COMMON CHANNEL INTEROFFICE SIGNALING)
A method for sending signaling for a number of communication channels on one common channel using digital multiplexing techniques.
CCITT (COMITE CONSULTATIF INTERNATIONAL TELEGRAPHICQUE ET TELEPHONEIQUE)
Now known as INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS UNION (ITU) (see also)
CCSA (COMMON CONTROL SWITCHING ARRANGEMENT)
An arrangement whereby phone traffic on a private network is switched by one or more common control switching systems, which may be shared by other private networks or with the public telephone network.
CDR (CALL DETAIL RECORDING)
Also known as SMDR (STATION MESSAGE DETAIL RECORDING) (see also)
CENTRAL OFFICE (CO)
The location where the common carrier maintains the switching equipment and where customer telephone lines and trunks terminate.
CENTRALIZED PROCESSING
An operation that processes information from multiple remote locations in a central location. (HG) In a system with SMDR data collection at multiple locations or switches, the data from each location is transferred to a central location and processed at that site. The individual units can be reported on separately or collectively. See also DISRTIBUTED PROCESSING.
CENTRALIZED RECORDING
(HG) A voice recording system that records calls from one or more central units, rather than at individual workstations located at each telephone or radio set (DISTRIBUTED RECORDING) (see also).
CLASS OF SERVICE (COS)
A group of stations that share the same category for the purpose of allowing, denying or queuing features or services of the telephone system
CLEC (COMPETITIVE LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIER)
A phone service company that competes with the already established LEC (LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIER) (see also) to provide phone service through its own network and switching or by leasing other companies' equipment
CODEC
In communications, CODEC stands for COder/DECoder and refers to a circuit, usually a chip, that converts signals from analog to digital and from digital to analog. A CODEC is also a computer program that can COmpress/DECompress data to reduce file sizes by storing the information in fewer bytes. (HG) The HigherGround Screen Capture Codec allows for screen capture data to be stored in highly compressed files, thus allowing for more hours worth of recordings to be retained in a given amount of hard drive space.
COMMON CARRIER
A regulated company that provides telephone, telegraph, facsimile, TWX, telex, and data communications. CONDUIT : Rigid or flexible pipe, tubing or channeling used to house and protect cable and wire. It should be of sufficient size to allow for future growth of cabling requirements of the telecommunications system.
CPE (CUSTOMER PREMISE EQUIPMENT)
The telephone equipment located on the customer's premises, including telephones, PBXs, modems, etc.
CPU (CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT)
The "brain" behind a computer. The computer chip that controls all the functions of, and flow of information through, a computer system. CPUs execute sets of instructions (programs) that tell them how to communicate with memory and the various devices attached to the computer; how to take in, process and output information; and how to interact with users.
CTI (COMPUTER TELEPHONY INTEGRATION)
The integration of computers with telephone systems such that computers interact with calls behind the scenes or with callers themselves. Computers can initiate calls, route them, manage queuing, or provide data or pop-screens to computer users who answer incoming calls. IVR (see also) systems are specialized CTI applications that allow users to interact with the phone system by responding to spoken prompts with key presses.