Abstract: A data acquisition, storage and delivery system comprising a networked computing means on which is provided an acquisition agent with access to usage data (log files, databases, real-time status information, alarms etc) from a plurality of communications resources (arranged to produce communications usage data), a storage agent arranged to retain the usage data from the plurality of communications resources, and a delivery agent that delivers the usage data, in various ways, to a variety of subscribing management systems. A database is preferably provided to hold configuration information for the acquisition, storage and delivery agents. Suitable communications resources include PBX telephone systems, IP telephony systems, email servers, proxy servers, firewalls, routers, web servers, mobile telephony and other emerging media.

Abstract: A communications management system comprises a networked computing means on which is provided a translation agent with access to usage data of a plurality of communications resources, arranged to consolidate the usage data of the plurality of communications resources by converting system-specific data to data having a common format, and a processing agent arranged to extract/infer duration measurement and to calculate staff, transmission & infrastructure costs. Suitable communications resources include PBX telephone systems, IP telephony systems, email servers, proxy servers, firewalls, switches, routers, web servers and mobile telephony, and emerging media such as video conferencing systems etc. An at least semi-permanent data link from the networked computing means to a further computing means will enable it to obtain data from communications resources elsewhere. The data link can be the Internet or a dial-up connection, for example to a remote PC.