# Database Grant Overview

Cloud Voice stores its data in a MySQL database (a widely used relational database that organizes information into tables). The Database Grant feature lets you authorize an outside application to connect directly to that database and read the information it holds, instead of pulling the data through the web interface.

:::note
Use this when another system needs raw data straight from the phone system, such as a nightly billing run or a reporting tool that queries records in bulk. For a quick, one-time export, the web interface is usually simpler.
:::

## When to use Database Grant

Granting database access is useful whenever another system needs to pull data directly from the phone system. Common examples include:

- **Billing systems**: Read data straight from the phone system and copy it into your billing software so calls can be rated and charged.
- **Call center platforms**: Retrieve call detail records (CDR: the log entry created for each call, holding details such as caller, callee, time, and duration) and store them in the call center application's own database.

:::caution
Database Grant opens a direct connection to sensitive information, including call detail records for every call the system handles. Grant access only to software you trust, and review or revoke any grant once the integration is no longer needed.
:::

## How to access the database

Reading data from the phone system takes two steps:

1. [Grant an application access to the database](/pbx/administrator-guide/get-cdr-data-from-database-of-cloud-voice/#database-grant__ol_fws_kc3_lpb). This authorizes the third-party software to connect.
2. [Connect to the database from your third-party software](/pbx/administrator-guide/get-cdr-data-from-database-of-cloud-voice/#database-grant__section_lz4_pc3_lpb) and query the data you need.

:::note
For a breakdown of the individual fields and what each column contains, see [Tables in the PBX Database](/pbx/administrator-guide/cdr-table-in-the-pbx-database/).
:::