Data preparation for traffic track usage measurement

A system for tracking traffic through a telecommunication network in response to data records for calls processed by the telecommunication network, the system comprising:

• a relational database receiving and storing the records from the telecommunication network;
• a data preparation system for processing records from the relational database;
• and
• an on-line analytical processing system,
• the data preparation system comprising executable code for causing a computer system to perform the following steps:
• a) accessing the records in the relational database;
• b) translating at least one item of information in each record to corresponding descriptive information, using reference data regarding the telecommunication network;
• c) for any calls processed by the telecommunication network extending over two or more predetermined time intervals, binning usage data from the records for those calls in accord with actual usage within each of the intervals;
• and
• d) based on results of the translating and binning, formatting enhanced call data and supplying the enhanced call data to the on-line analytical processing program.

A program for preparing data records of calls processed by a telecommunication network for on-line analytical processing in accord with a selected one of a plurality of predefined types of traffic studies, comprising:

• a first routine for accessing each record of a call and reference data regarding the telecommunication network, and translating at least one item of information in each record of a call to corresponding descriptive information from the accessed reference data in a manner corresponding to the one type of study;
• a second routine for spreading records for any calls processed by the telecommunication network extending over two or more predetermined time intervals, the spreading of the records serving to allocate usage data from the records for those calls in accord with actual usage within each of the intervals;
• and
• a third routine for allocating data from the translation routine and the binning routine to a predefined table for use in subsequent on-line analytical processing.