What feature of a PBX system is responsible for logging all incoming and outgoing calls?

The Station Message Detail Recording (SMDR) feature of a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) system is essential for logging all incoming and outgoing calls. SMDR serves as an invaluable tool for tracking call details, including the time, duration, and destination of calls. This logging capability is crucial for auditing purposes, billing, and monitoring call usage within an organization.

SMDR functions by collecting and recording call data in real time, allowing businesses to analyze call patterns, manage resources effectively, and ensure compliance with various operational protocols. This information can be used to identify trends, optimize telecommunications expenses, and enhance customer service by providing insights into caller behavior and communication efficiency.

The other options, while they play important roles within telecommunications, do not provide the specific logging functionality that SMDR offers. For example, Call Waiting allows users to manage incoming calls without disconnecting the current call, but it does not keep logs. Interactive Voice Response (IVR) automates call routing and handling based on caller input, and Automatic Call Distribution distributes calls to the appropriate staff but again does not record call details in a way that SMDR does.