Introduction to the New Call Data Records System

In the ever-evolving landscape of telecommunications, managing and analyzing call data effectively is crucial. As of April 1st, 2025, 3CX has introduced a revamped Call Data Records (CDR) system that streamlines data management and enhances reporting capabilities. This article delves into the significant improvements made to the CDR structure, showcasing how the new system can revolutionize call data insights for businesses.

Historically, 3CX’s CDR was fragmented across multiple tables, complicating data retrieval and analysis. However, the recent transition to a single-table system, known as cdr_output, marks a pivotal change in how call data is stored and accessed.

Understanding the Legacy Setup

The previous architecture of 3CX’s CDR system involved four separate tables: cl_calls, cl_participants, cl_party_info, and cl_segments. Each of these tables held specific aspects of call data, including timestamps, participant details, and routing information. This multi-table setup necessitated complex SQL JOIN operations to compile comprehensive call records, which not only increased processing overhead but also hampered performance during reporting.

This fragmented approach often resulted in delays in generating reports and insights, especially when dealing with large datasets. As businesses increasingly rely on real-time analytics for decision-making, the limitations of the legacy CDR system became apparent.

The New Approach: Introducing cdr_output

The newly introduced cdr_output table represents a significant leap forward. By consolidating all call data into a single table, 3CX has eliminated the need for complex JOINs in most scenarios, simplifying the data retrieval process.

The benefits of this new structure are multifaceted:

  • Enhanced Performance: The single-table design reduces query complexity, enabling faster data retrieval and reporting.
  • Scalability: Built to support thousands of users, the new architecture maintains performance even as data volumes increase.
  • Cloud Compatibility: The streamlined structure integrates seamlessly with cloud-based analytics tools, facilitating easier data analysis.

Key Advancements in the cdr_output System

3CX’s transformation of its CDR system includes several key advancements that enhance the usability and clarity of call data:

1. Unified Data in One Table

By consolidating all relevant call data into the cdr_output table, 3CX offers:

  • Faster Queries: The elimination of multi-table complexity allows queries to execute rapidly, regardless of data size.
  • Clear Call Flows: Business intelligence (BI) analysts can now easily trace call paths without navigating through convoluted data structures.
  • Optimized Performance: Indexes on critical fields, such as cdr_id, enhance lookup speeds even with extensive datasets.

2. Comprehensive Call Context

Legacy systems often left analysts with insufficient metadata to understand call outcomes. In contrast, the cdr_output table includes rich attributes, such as:

  • termination_reason: Identifies why a call ended (e.g., “cancelled”, “dst_participant_terminated”).
  • termination_reason_details: Provides deeper context (e.g., “forward_all”, “completed_elsewhere”).
  • creation_method: Specifies how the call was initiated (e.g., “route_to”, “divert”).

This comprehensive data enables analysts to derive actionable insights, such as call drop rates and queue statistics, with minimal additional effort.

3. Clear Participant Roles

Understanding who is involved in a call is crucial for effective analysis. The cdr_output table simplifies this with distinct fields:

  • source_participant_id: Tracks the originating party.
  • destination_dn_name: Identifies the recipient of the call.
  • Flags for Incoming and Connected Participants: These flags clarify the status of each participant throughout the call.

This clarity enables businesses to analyze call flows accurately and efficiently, supporting complex scenarios such as multiple queue flows and transfers.

4. Precise Timestamping

The new system offers enhanced timestamp granularity with three distinct fields:

  • cdr_started_at: When the call was initiated.
  • cdr_answered_at: When the call was answered.
  • cdr_ended_at: When the call concluded.

This level of detail allows businesses to measure ring-to-answer times accurately, providing critical metrics for performance evaluation.

5. Future-Proof Design

The cdr_output table is designed with flexibility in mind. Unlike the previous multi-table setup, adding new features or columns is straightforward and does not require extensive schema changes. This adaptability ensures that the system can evolve alongside 3CX’s roadmap, accommodating new functionalities as they arise.

Additionally, the integration of state flags simplifies data processing and enhances compatibility with modern data pipelines and analytical tools.

Conclusion: Embracing the Future of Call Data

The transformation of 3CX’s Call Data Records system into the cdr_output table marks a significant step forward in call data management. With improved performance, clarity, and flexibility, businesses can now harness their call data more effectively than ever before. As 3CX continues to innovate, users can expect even greater enhancements that drive efficiency and insights.

To experience these new features, upgrade to the V20 Update 6 Alpha and join the ongoing discussions in the dedicated Partner or Customer Forums. Stay connected with 3CX on social media to keep up with the latest developments and feature releases.

Source Article:https://www.3cx.com/blog/releases/u6-call-data-records/