Abstract: A company/organization is enabled to optimize sessions from an agent's perspective across multiple channels. Actions may be performed, such as monitoring the journey of a user across a self service application, raising alerts to the agent based on the journey, selecting an appropriate agent to whom a session may be routed, raising alerts for a supervisor, enabling the supervisor to track sessions and intervene if required, enable the agent to run commands from an interaction window, push links to launch applications to supplement the primary interaction through appropriate mechanisms, show appropriate responses to the agent on analyzing the session, and providing shortcut keys for the agent to allow the agent to insert appropriate responses into a chat session. Analysis is provided for the sessions, data is extracted from the sessions, and appropriate forms are populated with the data from the session and with agent information.

Abstract: An instruction including one or more criteria is received. It is determined, based at least in part on the criteria, at least voice-related information in storage to which the instruction applies; the voice-related information includes call audio data, a call transcript, and call metadata associated with a call. The instruction is performed at least on the determined voice-related information.

Abstract: Transformation of binary data files created by a data logger of a telephone system used by a call center into a searchable form for generation of meaningful management reports concerning the operation and performance of a call center, its agents and equipment is accomplished by providing a report server which u, under software control, processes the data in the log file to complete fields of tables in a database. The database is then used to create and deliver management reports both automatically and in response to queries entered by supervisors.

Abstract: In a method for use in Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems, an IVR is configured such that voice prompts provided to a caller vary systematically and caller hang-up activity is attributed to the particular version of a prompt played to the caller. Voice prompt modifications are chosen based on how long the caller willingly listens to the voice prompt. A relatively short time listening to a prompt before hang-up, indicates dissatisfaction with that prompt. The system compares caller hang-up rates for each of the phrases in a prompt and chooses the optimum solution, which is the variant of the prompt with the longest caller listening time. Optionally, the system compares hang up rates to a threshold and contingent on that comparison chooses an alternative version of the prompt.

Abstract: An operator management apparatus, includes a browsing times history storage unit configured to record a number of transmission times browsing information relating to a customer service is transmitted to an operator terminal used by an operator in association with an identifier of the operator that serves customers, for each of a plurality of operators, a load degrees storage unit configured to store load degrees of an operator in association with a number of transmission times of browsing information, a determining unit configured to specify a number of transmission times corresponding to a specific one of the identifies of the operators by referring to the browsing times history storage unit, and specify load degrees corresponding to the specified number of transmission times by referring to the load degrees storage unit, and an output unit configured to output the specified load degrees.

Abstract: A method and computer readable medium are provided for monitoring customer support sessions based on at least one category associated with the customer support sessions. A request from an administrator for information associated with unresolved support sessions is received. A set of support categories is presented to the administrator. A selection of at least one support category is received from the administrator. A set of first level customer support agent identifiers associated with at least one support session queued under the at least one support category which has been selected is presented to the administrator.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for automatically generating an interactive voice response (IVR) application flow from recorded audio files of calls to or from an IVR system. The method includes identifying an IVR state sequence for each of a plurality of calls from recorded audio files of the calls. The N most common state sequences are identified for the IVR system for the plurality of calls. An application flow is then displayed for the IVR application using the N most common state sequences.

Abstract: An agent's request for a break is indicated by a pause request and pause code, where the pause code indicates the reason for the break. In one embodiment, a pause request is analyzed to determine if the agent is allowed to request a break associated with the pause code. The pause code may be further analyzed to determine if it is of an unpaid type, in which case the agent is requesting an unpaid break. If the break is of a paid type, then a threshold timer may be started at the beginning of the break that when expires indicates that any remainder of the break is processed as unpaid time. This can be accomplished by noting an event associated with the threshold timer in an agent work history log or by automatically logging off the agent at the expiry of the timer.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for providing searchable customer call indexes. Consistent with disclosed embodiments, a system may receive call information associated with telephone conversations between callers and a vendor, the call information including an audio recording or transcript for each telephone conversation. The system may also identify one or more keywords from the audio recordings or transcripts and index the call information into one or more indexes based on the identified keywords. Finally, the system may determine search results responsive to a search query based on the indexing. In some embodiments, changes to customer service may be identified based on the search results.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing estimated wait times are provided. More particularly, an estimated wait time is calculated based at least in part on agent availability information entered by the agent. The agent availability information may be obtained from the agent through a user interface provided by a contact center communication device. The user interface may include soft keys. In addition, the estimated wait time can be provided to client communication devices.

Abstract: A company/organization is enabled to optimize sessions from an agent's perspective across multiple channels. Actions may be performed, such as monitoring the journey of a user across a self service application, raising alerts to the agent based on the journey, selecting an appropriate agent to whom a session may be routed, raising alerts for a supervisor, enabling the supervisor to track sessions and intervene if required, enable the agent to run commands from an interaction window, push links to launch applications to supplement the primary interaction through appropriate mechanisms, show appropriate responses to the agent on analyzing the session, and providing shortcut keys for the agent to allow the agent to insert appropriate responses into a chat session. Analysis is provided for the sessions, data is extracted from the sessions, and appropriate forms are populated with the data from the session and with agent information.

Abstract: A machine learning system and method for contact center use. Activities associated with a plurality of contact centers are monitored and a knowledge base is updated based on the monitored activities. An outcome for a particular contact center may be predicted based on monitored interactions for the particular contact center, and based on information in the knowledge base. An output is then generated based on the predicted outcome.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention force a contact center agent to adhere to taking a scheduled break from handling communications for a contact center. In particular, a time corresponding to a start time for a scheduled break is detected and, upon detection, a current state is determined for the agent that indicates whether the agent is available to handle communications. In response to the state indicating the agent is available, the agent's state is automatically set without the agent's intervention to indicate the agent is unavailable to handle communications so that no communications are routed to the agent. At this point, the agent is to take his scheduled break. Accordingly, after a period of time, the agent's state is then automatically set to indicate the agent is available so that the agent's break is over and at least one communication is routed to the agent.

Abstract: An operator evaluation support device includes a speech recording unit configured to record speech times of a customer and an operator during a telephone call; a superposition identifying unit configured to refer to the speech recording unit and identify a superposition speech, which is a speech of the operator that has started during a speech of the customer; a problematic superposition identifying unit configured to identify a problematic superposition speech among the superposition speeches, by comparing a sound quality of a speech of the customer that has started after the superposition speech with a standard sound quality; a call information creating unit configured to refer to the speech recording unit and create telephone call information indicating the identified problematic superposition speech during the telephone call; and a sending unit configured to send the created telephone call information to an administrator terminal used by an administrator evaluating the operator.

Abstract: A system and method to provide telephonic teleservices management is provided. The system may comprise a session management module used to establish a session with an agent via a telephone of the agent. An agent management module may manage a work state of the agent within a plurality of sequential calls between the agent and a plurality of customers. During the session, the connection with the agent remains established between each of the sequential calls. A hub management module manages a call hub during a call of the plurality of sequential calls between the agent and a customer of the plurality of customers.

Abstract: A system for automatically detecting status of an agent in a call center is provided. The system may have a call center management system with a plurality of agent workstations coupled to the call center management system and a plurality of telephones associated with the agent workstations. The system may also have a switch that automatically connects calls to the telephones. An off-hook detector automatically detects a manually initiated off-hook status of at least one of the telephones and signals the switch that the agent at the telephones is unavailable. The switch may then avoid connecting a call to the unavailable agent.

Abstract: A system for flexible and scalable automated chat-based contact center testing, comprising a test case management platform, “chat cruncher”, contact center manager, chat classifier, and desktop automation engine, and method for using such a system for automated testing of a contact center's chat-based interactions environment and reporting of test results.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring deployment states of a contact center. A processor migrates a state of the contact center from a first deployment state to a second deployment state. The processor records the steps in migrating from the first deployment state to the second deployment state, and stores the recorded steps in association with metadata describing the second deployment state. The processor monitors health of the second state, and takes an action for moving the state of the contact center to a healthy state in response to determining that the second deployment state is unhealthy. The migrating may be based on detecting a condition relating to operation of the contact center. The processor dynamically adjusts at least one hardware or software resource for the contact center based on the detected condition for migrating the state of the contact center from the first to the second deployment state.

Abstract: A method for providing continuity over a series of transactions is provided, comprising the steps of (a) creating a Portable Continuity Object (PCO) as a defined digital package by an instance of PCO software executing on a computerized appliance also capable of communication transaction; (b) providing identity of a person, an address of a communication device and a continuity context in the PCO; (c) sharing the PCO in related transactions, with the PCO updated with information concerning individual transactions by digital equipment enhanced with an instance of PCO software; and (d) providing context continuity in succeeding transactions by accessing the PCO by one or both parties to a transaction.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically scaling up or down, resources of a contact center tenant, based on detected or predicted demands on the contact center tenant. A processor monitors and collects contact center operation data. The processor detects, in response to the monitoring, a condition relating to the operation of the contact center. The processor dynamically adjusts at least one hardware or software resource for the contact center based on the detected condition. Health of a particular deployment may also be monitored to learn over time which deployments are healthy for which conditions. If a current deployment is deemed to be unhealthy, the processor may take action to move the contact center to a healthy state.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an open contact center formed from multiple contact center components that conform to open standards and that intercommunicate utilizing open standards. The open contact center can provide automated interactive communications with callers, can provide queue management for callers waiting to communicate with live agents, can provide skills based routing for assigning live agents to callers based upon skills of the live agents and skills needed by the callers, and can provide tooling for provisioning and monitoring the live agents. In one configuration, the contact center components can execute within a middleware solution, such as WEBSPHERE, that has IP Multimedia Subsystem capability. Additionally, the contact center components can be implemented as service oriented architecture (SOA) components that communicate over an enterprise service bus (ESB).

Abstract: Method and systems are presented for presenting multiple activities associated with one of a plurality of call center agents correlated in time. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: determining at least one of the agents to be displayed; and displaying activity information in visual correlation with a timeline. The activity information includes a first plurality of activities originating from a first source and a second plurality of activities originating from a second source. Each of the activities is associated with the at least one agent.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a graphical depiction of a communication system incorporating multiple call centers distributed around the globe are provided. The user interface can present the graphical depiction in two or three dimensions. In addition, the user interface can provide a view of details concerning the performance of communication system components or events affecting the performance of such components, and can enable a supervisor to manipulate contact center parameters.

Abstract: A method, a system, and computer readable medium comprising instructions for real-time monitoring of agent adherence. The method comprises collecting events and data for an agent from at least one phone router, collecting time keeping data from a time clock system, collecting data and events from a scheduling system, normalizing the events, data, time keeping data and generating at least one user interface comprising normalized data, presenting at least one view of the at least one user interface to at least one application, and refreshing the at least one view with updated events and data.

Abstract: A system, device and method is provided for handling customer-agent interactions. An unsuccessful interaction may be detected between a customer and a first agent unable to resolve a problem. A successful interaction may be detected between the customer and a second agent that resolves the problem. The first agent may be sent a report summarizing the successful interaction by the second agent.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention force a contact center agent to adhere to taking a scheduled break from handling communications for a contact center. In particular, a time corresponding to a start time for a scheduled break is detected and, upon detection, a current state is determined for the agent that indicates whether the agent is available to handle communications. In response to the state indicating the agent is available, the agent's state is automatically set without the agent's intervention to indicate the agent is unavailable to handle communications so that no communications are routed to the agent. At this point, the agent is to take his scheduled break. Accordingly, after a period of time, the agent's state is then automatically set to indicate the agent is available so that the agent's break is over and at least one communication is routed to the agent.

Abstract: A call management apparatus includes a storage storing a questioner identifier in association with a reference data identifier for a call performed between a questioner and an operator who responds to the questioner, the questioner identifier identifying the questioner and the reference data identifier identifying reference data that are displayed on an operator terminal used by the operator during the call and that are used when the operator responds to the questioner; an identification unit referring to the storage, identifying the questioner identifier and the reference data identifier that are associated with a first call, and identifying a second call that is different from the first call and associated with the same questioner identifier and the same reference data identifier associated with the first call; and an output unit outputting first data related to the first call and second data related to the second call.

Abstract: A method for administering a communication session includes initiating a session between a server and a user device, the user device associated with a user phone number, associating the user phone number and a first session state phone number with a state of the session, and sending a first message associated with the state of the session from the server to the user device, the first message sent from the first session state phone number to the user phone number.

Abstract: An agent's request for a break is indicated by a pause request and pause code, where the pause code indicates the reason for the break. In one embodiment, a pause request is analyzed to determine if the agent is allowed to request a break associated with the pause code. The pause code may be further analyzed to determine if it is of an unpaid type, in which case the agent is requesting an unpaid break. If the break is of a paid type, then a threshold timer may be started at the beginning of the break that when expires indicates that any remainder of the break is processed as unpaid time. This can be accomplished by noting an event associated with the threshold timer in an agent work history log or by automatically logging off the agent at the expiry of the timer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for monitoring activities of a plurality of agents servicing a plurality of calls for an organization. The method includes the steps of monitoring a plurality of applications on a terminal of an agent of the plurality of agents, detecting selection of an application of the plurality of applications, identifying a call associated with the selected application of the plurality of calls and saving a time of selection and an identifier of the application in a respective file or database of the identified call for future retrieval.

Abstract: A method for discovering customer center information includes receiving a plurality of customer center information from a plurality of respective information sources, and correlating the plurality of customer center information to determine an identity of a customer center agent accessing customer center resources.

Abstract: To check the status of an agent assigned to a call center in which geographic areas are respectively associated with geographic area identifiers (IdZ) communication terminals (TC) are respectively associated with geographic areas, a mobile terminal (TM) in possession of a monitor capable of moving within geographic areas determines the geographic area's identifier within which an agent is located. The mobile terminal transmits a request comprising the geographic area's identifier to the data management server in order to retrieve from a lookup table an identifier (IdA) of the agent associated with the geographic area's identifier, and transmits a request comprising the agent's identifier (IdA) to the call center's server (SCA) in order to retrieve from a lookup table the identifier of the agent's status data (DonA) associated with the agent's identifier (IdA), then provides the agent's status to the monitor through graphical display based on the agent's retrieved status data (DonA).

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a user with increased flexibility and control over the appearance and behavior of objects on a user interface are described. Sets of objects can be grouped into themes to provide a user with a distinct overall impression of the interface. These themes can be switched dynamically by switching pointers to drawing procedures or switching data being supplied to these procedures. To buffer applications from the switchable nature of graphical user interfaces according to the present invention, colors and patterns used to implement the interface objects are abstracted from the interface by, for example, pattern look-up tables.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems, methods, and computer program products for sales force management that improves sales contacts, improves client service experience, and provides objective data on the end-to-end sales and service process. When a client calls his/her client manager the call will be automatically switched to a call center representative. Systems will capture relationship and call data associated with the clients making the call and the client managers that are being called. The relationship data is sent to the call center representative taking the call to help serve the client. The call data is sent to process owners to review and track the sales force management system as a whole. The call center representatives will either answer the customer's questions or prepare a notification form to capture the reason for the call and send the notification to the appropriate client manager.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing customer activity in a call center include monitoring event data. A mediator filters the event data into an event data set associated with a selected customer. A context component creates a context for the customer based on the event data set. A decision engine performs a probabilistic assessment of an occurrence related to the customer, based on the customer context, and determines an action based on the probabilistic assessment. An action processor initiates the action.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for processing and displaying call state and application usage information in a contact center environment. In a particular embodiment, a method provides receiving application usage information and call state information and processing the application usage information and the call state information to determine an amount of time spent using each application of a plurality of applications by each agent of a plurality of agents during each call state of a plurality of call states. The method further provides generating a representation of the amount of time spent using at least one of the plurality of applications by at least one of the plurality of agents during at least one of the plurality of call states.

Abstract: A web-based contact center state engine provides data describing the state of the contact center system and actionable intelligence including key performance indicators. The contact center state engine may be utilized in conjunction with the network monitoring appliance which processes and manages exceptions to the call center data allowing for action, exceptions and escalation, thereby alerting an organization to an issue and providing recommended actions in addition to post event forensic data.

Abstract: A method includes accepting, via an input interface, a caller identifier parameter and a target value of at least one call series parameter; identifying, using a data processor, a plurality of calls each associated with the caller identifier parameter from amongst a set of calls stored in a call center database; analyzing, using the data processor, the identified plurality of calls to determine a value of the at least one call series parameter for the identified plurality of calls; comparing, using the data processor, the determined value of the at least one call series parameter with the target value of the at least one call series parameter; and defining, using the data processor, the identified plurality of calls as a call series based at least in part on results of the comparing.

Abstract: Call center agent training is provided on a non-scheduled basis and is characterized as having a duration that is less than a scheduling interval used to schedule the agent for their work shift, as well as schedule other activities in the work shift. The delivery of snippet training content may be triggered by various conditions, including in response to: a request for training originating from the agent, a period of continuous call processing activity of the agent, various agent performance metrics, or probabilistically assigned to an agent in a group. Various parameters may selectively limit provision of a snippet training session. The agents provided with training are placed in an unavailable state prior to the snippet training session, and placed back into an available state afterwards. The snippet training content may be variously structured and can be grouped together to form an e-learning course delivered to the agent.

Abstract: In a method for use in Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems, an IVR is configured such that voice prompts provided to a caller vary systematically and caller hang-up activity is attributed to the particular version of a prompt played to the caller. Voice prompt modifications are chosen based on how long the caller willingly listens to the voice prompt. A relatively short time listening to a prompt before hang-up, indicates dissatisfaction with that prompt. The system compares caller hang-up rates for each of the phrases in a prompt and chooses the optimum solution, which is the variant of the prompt with the longest caller listening time. Optionally, the system compares hang up rates to a threshold and contingent on that comparison chooses an alternative version of the prompt.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system and method for routing interactions. A method may include receiving a message related to the interaction. Text included in the message may be analyzed. A destination may be selected for the message based on analysis of the text. The message may be routed to the selected destination.

Abstract: A method for transferring an automatic call distributor call includes receiving from a caller a call for distribution to one of a plurality of agents and distributing the call to a first agent of the plurality of agents for handling. The method includes receiving a transfer request to transfer the call to a supervisor and selecting an available supervisor to receive the call. The available supervisor comprises a supervisor not in an uninterruptible state. The method includes transferring the call to the selected available supervisor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling providers of PSTN toll free services to stagger simultaneous transmission of call setup signaling messages into an IP based teleconference bridge, supported by a VoIP network, by suspending a subset of calls and placing them on hold while placing other calls to be connected to the conference bridge are disclosed. The PSTN network can stagger calls by limiting the number of call setup signaling messages to be sent to the VoIP network within a predefined period of time interval and spread all the calls over multiple of such predefined periods. Prerecorded announcements or music can be played while the calls that have been placed on hold are in queue.

Abstract: A method, a system, and computer readable medium comprising instructions for monitoring caller experience in a call flow are provided. The method comprises collecting at least one selection by at least one caller in a call flow, generating performance analysis of a voice response system, combining the at least one selection and the performance analysis into a set of data, applying a monitoring formula to the set of data to form a result representing caller experience; and presenting the result to at least one service provider.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are provided for monitoring and reporting various metrics associated with objects of interest. The present invention is adapted to monitor objects of interest, such as contact center agents, to determine whether a triggering event has occurred and, if so, report metrics associated with the object of interest in a dynamic, customized, and real-time fashion.

Abstract: A balance between customer satisfaction and cost to providing customer care can be achieved based on the use of online interaction classification techniques. Such techniques can use measurements such as a log likelihood ratio to determine if an interaction should be removed from automation.

Abstract: A method, a system and computer readable storage media facilitate establishing a plurality of simultaneously occurring communication sessions between call agent devices and customer devices at a call center communication system. Each communication session is monitored to determine a priority score associated with each communication session, where each priority score provides an indication of a potential problem associated with the corresponding communication session. An indication of the priority score associated with each communication session is provided to a supervisor device.

Abstract: A routing system includes a router, a statistics server (Stat Server) coupled to the router, receiving, processing and storing statistics related to event handling, and providing information regarding the statistics for use by routing intelligence in the router, and a first proxy data server coupled to the Stat Server and to a second proxy data server at a remote contact center over a network. The system is characterized in that the Stat Server receives event statistics regarding the local queue, and through the coupled first and second proxy data servers, event statistics regarding the remote queue, provides information related to the statistics to the router, and the router determines to route incoming events to local queue or to the remote queue based on the information provided.

Abstract: An incoming call answering and rejecting method, an electronic device, and a digital data storage media are provided. The method is applied to an electronic device having a touch screen and has the following steps. A request of an incoming call is received. A dragging signal is generated on the touch screen. When the dragging signal is an answering signal, the incoming call is answered. When the dragging signal is a rejecting signal, the incoming call is rejected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for recording a call between a client and an agent through an automatic contact distributor. The method includes the steps of the automatic contact distributor receiving a recording request from the agent, the automatic contact distributor activating a recording program, the recording program sniffing traffic within a packet telephone of the agent to detect packets exchanged between the agent and client and the recording program recording the detected packets between the agent and customer.