How to Start a Call Shop Business

The IPsmarx Multi-level Callshop Solution enables service providers to manage multiple callshops or “internet cafes” with one user friendly solution. By taking advantage of this multi-level application, administrators have the ability to deliver billing and call routing to their agents and callshop managers, reducing their operating costs and encouraging business growth.

Designed based on industry demand, the IPsmarx Callshop Solution offers features that cater directly to Callshop operators and agents a like. Backed by IPsmarx Technology’s award winning technology, the Callshop Solution boasts unique features such as optional point to point video support and DID support.

Who benefits from the IPsmarx Callshop Solution?

Existing Internet Café owners looking to expand their customer base by using their current infrastructure to offer additional services.

Traditional PSTN Call Shop owners wanting to reduce costs and boost profits by simply 'switching' or upgrading to VoIP-based systems.

Carriers who would like to increase their wholesale traffic and enlist more customers by offering hosted  Call Shop services.

Entrepreneurs who would like to operate callshops or manage a network of agents who sign up existing callshops.

Features

• Multiple Levels of Access
• Real-time Billing
• Prepaid/postpaid support
• Booth Management
• Rate Management
• Flexible CDR Reporting
• Rate Finder

Multiple Levels of Access

The IPsmarx Call shop Solution comes equipped with three levels of access; Administrator, Callshop Owner, and Operator. There is a unique URL for all levels of acces. Administrators have the ability to limit the rights of each user and control available options, including number of booths available and permission to view CDR and balance or receive incoming calls and video calls.

Real-time Billing

Our internal RADIUS server for AAA (Accounting, Authorization, and Authentication) procedures guarantees optimal performance and outstanding billing functionality. This feature is compliant with RFC-2865 industry standard. Callshop operators can also add additional charges, such as internet usage, to each bill and print the bills/receipts in the callshops themselves.

Prepaid/postpaid Support

Callshop Administrators have the flexibility to offer prepaid or postpaid services.

Booth Management

With the IPsmarx Callshop Solution, operators may activate or deactivate a booth at anytime. They can also allow a booth to receive incoming calls. All parties have the ability to disconnect a call at anytime.

Rate Management

The IPsmarx user-friendly rate management feature allows Administrators to define their selling rates and make them available to Callshop Owners and Operators. Callshop Owners and Operators then have the ability to set their mark up based on the pre-defined rate.

Flexible CDR Reporting 

The CDR, Call Detail Record, is an enhanced reporting tool which enables administrators, callshop owners, and operators to view call details, cost, profit, and duration of each call.

Rate Finder

With this feature, operators have the ability to quickly look up rates based on a phone number. For example, if a customer would like to call a US number, the operator may enter this number in the system and they will be able to let the customer know how many minutes they can talk for a specific dollar amount.  

Note that the callshop solution is an add-on module to the softswitch. For a complete list of softswitch features, click here.

How does the VoIP CallShop Solution work?

Stand-Alone Call Shop: You Are the Owner of a Stand-alone Call Shop

• A customer places a call from your Call Shop by dialling a destination number.
• The CallShopVoIP software running on the operator's PC at your Call Shop starts to record the CDR (Call Detail Record) for the call.
• Your Gateway sends the call over the Internet to the carrier that was configured in the software for the calls destination.
• The carrier routes the call to the destination.
• When the call terminates, the operator's CallShopVoIP retains the complete CDR for that call. It can be used to invoice the customer and any business analysis reporting needs.

Hosted Call Shop: You Are the Owner of a Hosted Call Shop

• A customer places a call from your Call Shop by dialling a destination number.
• Your Gateway sends the call over the Internet to the carrier hosting your Call Shop service.
• This carrier routes the call to the destination and records the CDR for the call in their system.
• When the call terminates, your Call Shop's operator logs onto the carrier's website to retrieve the CDR and invoicing information for that call.
• You may also log into the carrier's website at any time to access other features such as to define/modify service rates and generate reports.

Advanced Call Shop: You are the owner of a carrier hosting Call Shop services.

• You have multiple clients hosting Call Shop services from you. Each of them has their own Gateway configured to yours.
• A call is placed at one of your client's Call Shops.
• The call is routed to your Gatekeeper/Gateway and your CallShopVoIP software starts to record the call CDR.
• Your Gatekeeper/Gateway then routes the call to the destination.
• When the call terminates, the Call Shop client logs into your system through a website to retrieve the CDR and invoice information for that call.
• You bill your Call Shop clients using invoices generated by your CallShopVoIP Software.
• You may also use the software for other functions such as to define/modify rate and generate reports.

The CallShopVoIP solution gives the owner complete control of the system by owning the software and hardware.

What you will need for each Callshop location:

• Internet access with VoIP not blocked
• IP sip devices
• A PC running Windows
• A callshop operator

What you will need as the administrator:

• Server to run the CallShopVoIP IPsmarx Software
• Internet Access
• Your Own Carrier
• Remote Installation Services and Training