COMMON LANGUAGE® Equipment Identification:
Carriers FAQs: CLEI™ Codes/CPRs
This page provides concise answers to key questions asked by network service providers regarding the COMMON LANGUAGE Equipment Identification product line. For further information, please call Shyhyann Lee at 732-699-7347.
Q: How is RoHS reflected within the CLEI Code Set?
A: COMMON LANGUAGE Equipment Codes (CLEI Codes) will allow for recording and tracking RoHS compliancy
and the level of compliance within the Hazardous Material Indictor (HMI) field. The data will be displayed to the
end user as found appropriate for each record, manufacturer’s product that supports RoHS as either RoHS-5 or RoHS-6.
Q: What is COMMON LANGUAGE Equipment Identification?
A: COMMON LANGUAGE Equipment Identification can help network service providers with planning,
buying, identifying, operating and tracking equipment. This product line includes
CLEI codes, asset-tracking codes (CPRs, ECNs and FRCs), bar codes, hardwired assignment codes,
frame function codes, the property record catalog, the inventory record catalog and downloadable reports.
A network service provider can obtain and use these products through a license agreement.
Q: What is a COMMON LANGUAGE Equipment Code?
A: COMMON LANGUAGE Equipment Identification products are collectively known as COMMON LANGUAGE Equipment Codes.
Q: What is a CLEI code and how is it used?
A: A CLEI code is an intelligent, 10-character code that can identify telecommunications equipment with great precision. CLEI codes are accepted by telecommunications providers as a de facto industry standard. Their primary uses include inventory management and provisioning.
There is also a 1:1 relationship between a CLEI code and a vendor's product ID. The latter defines the manufacturer, part number and manufacturing version of a given part number.
Q: How do I pay for CLEI codes?
A: We accept Visa®, MasterCard® and American Express®. A purchase order is required for noncredit-card purchases.
Q: What is a CPR and how is it used?
A: A continuing property record (CPR) is a six-character code that can be used to classify equipment items into various property types. Some property types are:
- Hardwired retirement equipment
- Plug-ins (deferrable and non-deferrable)
- Capital tools and portable test sets
- Minor items
- Expense items
CPRs also provide property record unit identification that allows network service providers to create asset records for the purpose of equipment engineering, ordering, invoice processing, asset management and auditing.
Q: What is an ECN and how is it used?
A: An equipment category number (ECN) is a three-character code that classifies an equipment item by technology, functional grouping and usage. It is used in investment-allocation and rate-base studies.
Q: What is an FRC and how is it used?
A: A field reporting code (FRC) is a four-character code that helps the field force identify and record costs. It also helps financial processing such as construction, maintenance and depreciation.
Q: Are there different types of CLEI codes?
A: Yes, there are many types of CLEI codes, all of which have been developed to reflect the wide range of telecommunications products currently available. For further information on CLEI code types, refer to document GR-485-CORE, "Generic Requirements for COMMON LANGUAGE Equipment Coding Processes and Guidelines."
Q: What is an ECI and how is it used?
A: An equipment catalog item (ECI) is a six-digit numeric code that translates into the bar code on the bar-code label. ECI codes are also used as internal processing codes.
Q: What is a bar-code label?
A: When they are affixed to communications equipment, bar-code labels and asset records provide a more mechanized means of asset verification. Current bar-code labels, known as one-dimensional labels, consist of machine-readable ECI codes, human-readable CLEI codes, and Code 39 symbology. Two-dimensional labels using MicroPDF417 symbology have also been defined and are currently being implemented by equipment makers.
For further information, visit COMMON LANGUAGE Bar Code Lab Services or refer to document GR-383-CORE, "Generic Requirements for COMMON LANGUAGE Bar Code Labels."
Q: How do I get suppliers to provide CLEI code labels for my new equipment?
A: After determining the types of equipment for which your company requires CLEI code labels, the supplier purchase contracts must include the appropriate language for supplier compliance. For example, the purchase contract may state:
"The seller shall comply with these Telcordia Technologies documents:
- GR-209-CORE: Generic Requirements for Product Change Notices
- GR-383-CORE: COMMON LANGUAGE Equipment Codes (CLEI Codes) -- Generic Requirements for Bar Code Labels
- GR-485-CORE: COMMON LANGUAGE Equipment Coding Processes and Guidelines Generic Requirements
GR-209-CORE can be purchased through The Information SuperStore. Standard licensees are welcome to browse or download GR-383-CORE and GR-485-CORE in the COMMON LANGUAGE Products Code Center.
Q: What is a hardwired assignment code?
A: A hardwired assignment code is a ten-character code that identifies equipment entities below the physical level, such as ports and slots. Hardwired Assignment codes are part of CLEI codes and are indispensable for network inventory tracking for the purpose of provisioning, network surveillance, testing, and maintenance. Hardwired assignment codes are also known as CLEI assignment codes.
Q: What is a function code?
A: A function code is used in operating systems such as the TIRKS system to automate the equipment-provisioning process. The function code is built upon CLEI codes and hardwired assignment codes (also referred to as HECIs).
Q: What is the property record catalog?
A: The property record catalog contains all the equipment information suitable for equipment ordering, invoice processing, asset management, equipment classifications, and accounting applications. It includes asset-tracking codes (CPR, ECN and FRC), product base part number, description and notes for each record.
Q: How can COMMON LANGUAGE Equipment Identification help my company order equipment?
A: For engineering orders, be sure that the equipment part numbers shown on the orders can be found in the property record catalog. It also helps to include a CPR code for each part number. If a package code or an ordering code is used, make sure that every item within the package has been assigned a CPR code for asset tracking purposes.
For plug-in replenishment orders, be sure to use either the first seven-character CLEI code or part number on the orders.
Q: When a manufacturer modifies a product version due to a defect (Class A or AC change), is the vendor required to assign a new CLEI code or function code?
A: Yes, a new CLEI code needs to be assigned. Additionally, because the first seven characters will be different, the new CLEI code requires a function-code reassignment. For additional information, refer to document GR-209-CORE, "Generic Requirements for Product Change Notices."
Q: What is the inventory record catalog?
A: The inventory record catalog contains all CLEI codes, ECIs, and bar codes assigned to manufactured items identified at the revision level. It is used for physical inventory management applications.
Q: How should manufacturing invoices be processed?
A: Network service providers should ask equipment makers to print CPRs, CLEI codes and product IDs on all manufacturing invoices. CPRs and product IDs facilitate automated invoice-payment processing; CLEI codes help with shipment and inventory processing.
Q: Are there codes available that group equipment items?
A: Since the current standard does not support the coding of equipment combinations, each item must be listed separately. The contractual agreement with an equipment maker should be closely examined to identify any invoice and billing requirements that may be specific to that account.
Q: Do CLEI codes conform to ANSI standards?
A: Yes, CLEI codes conform to ANSI standard T1.213, "Coded Identification of Equipment Entities of the North American Telecommunications System for Information Exchange." The CLEI code set has also been recognized by the TCIF Bar Code and Standard Code Committee as one of two accepted ways to identify communications equipment.