Abstract: Systems and methods for developing and utilizing a contactability profile are disclosed. Contact information may be managed by receiving activity data associated with an entity, processing the received activity data, generating at least one contactability profile associated with the entity based upon a result of the processing, and storing the generated contactability profile.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product to accurately route a call is disclosed, by providing a resource interface having one or more interface elements mapping a resource to a call based on current calls and predicted calls, determining a dynamic handling profile from a plurality of dynamic handling profiles that include call information which maps to a resource to provide a ruleset for handling one or more types of call requests, identifying a routing rule comprising one or more routing rules of the ruleset based on caller information, receiving an activation of a resource interface element of the resource interface to initiate a call routing request to forward an assigned call to the resource, and controlling the call routing request according to the routing rule of the dynamic handling profile to perform a call function associated with the assigned call.

Abstract: A device receives a communication associated with a support issue encountered by a user, and receives information identifying one or more self-support actions performed by the user in relation to the support issue. The device assigns the communication to a position in a support queue. The support queue includes information identifying positions of other communications received from other users, when the other communications are received, and self-support actions performed by the other users. The device associates the information identifying the one or more self-support actions with information identifying the position of the communication, and applies respective weights to the one or more self-support actions. The device generates a score for the communication based on applying the respective weights, and modifies the position of the communication based on the score. The device performs one or more actions based on modifying the position of the communication.

Abstract: Method starts with a processor receiving configuration settings including an identified task, a relationship data, and a criticality value. Processor initializes a communication session with an agent client device. The communication session is between a virtual caller associated with the system and the agent client device. Processor then processes an audio signal of the communication session to generate an agent utterance and generates a transcribed agent utterance based on the agent utterance using a speech-to-text processor. Processor generates a virtual caller utterance using a task-specific virtual caller neural network associated with the identified task. The virtual caller utterance can be generated based on the transcribed agent utterance. Processor then causes the virtual caller utterance to be played back in the communication session to the agent client device. Other embodiments are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for integrating common and context-specific natural language understanding (NLU) processing in a virtual assistant application. A server identifies a common NLU processing unit comprising (i) a common NLU classification model and (ii) a common response library comprising common responses. The server builds a combined NLU processing unit based upon the common NLU classification model and a context-specific NLU classification model, the combined NLU processing unit comprising (i) a combined NLU classification model trained using the common NLU training data and context-specific NLU training data, (ii) the common response library and (iii) a context-specific response library comprising context-specific responses. The server generates a response to an input utterance by determining a user intent associated with the input utterance using the combined NLU classification model, locating a response associated with the user intent in one or more of the libraries.

Abstract: In some implementations, a cloud computing system that executes a function may receive an indication of an electronic communication to occur between a customer and an agent. The cloud computing system that executes the function may determine a classification of the electronic communication based on a first set of rules stored in a database of the cloud computing system and attributes associated with the electronic communication. The cloud computing system that executes the function may select, based on the classification of the electronic communication, a target queue from a plurality of potential queues to be associated with the electronic communication based on a second set of rules stored in the database. The cloud computing system that executes the function may select the agent from a plurality of potential agents for the electronic communication based on an association between the agent and the target queue.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media consistent with the present disclosure manage multiple telephone calls by managing a session record associated with the call, amending the session record according to a plurality of rules to reflect a plurality of instructed actions, evaluating an amended session record to derive at least one of the plurality of instructed actions, and implementing a derived instructed action on the call under the control of an automated apparatus.

Abstract: The virtual queue system includes a virtual queue controller comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor and is configured to receive a request, the request being associated with an individual guest, for a position in a virtual queue of an attraction, assign the individual guest to the position in the virtual queue in response to the request, receive ride schedule data for the attraction comprising information about a change in status of individual rides of the attraction, and determine a wait time for the individual guest for the attraction based at least on the position of the individual guest in the virtual queue, the ride schedule data, and historical guest throughput at the attraction. The virtual queue system is further configured to output a signal to a guest-associated device indicating the wait time for the attraction.

Abstract: Techniques for pairing contacts and agents in a contact center system are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for pairing contacts and agents in a contact center system comprising: assigning, by at least one computer processor communicatively coupled to and configured to operate in the contact center system, a contact to an agent based on information associated with a prior interaction of the contact with the contact center system. The assigning of the contact to the agent may result in a less favorable outcome for the contact assigned to the agent and an increase in an overall performance of the contact center system.

Abstract: A contact center system correlates one or more past user interactions to a current user interaction with the contact center system. The current user interaction may in some cases use a different communication modality (e.g., chat, voice, video, SMS, email, or social) than a past user interaction. The contact center system may automatically alert a supervisor agent when the system detects that a certain user warrants more attention. Real-time assistance may be provided to an agent of the contact center system based on aggregated data from a user's history of user interactions across modalities.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, computer program products, and computer systems for detecting and preventing exploitative calls. The computer-implemented methods include one or more processors configured for receiving voice call data corresponding to an active voice call with a user device, wherein the voice call data comprises caller voice data and user voice data; determining that the caller voice data includes a solicitation of information from a user associated with the user device; retrieving user profile data comprising user health data associated with the user; determining user call stress levels based on the voice call data and the user profile data; and responsive to determining that the user call stress levels exceed a predetermined threshold and that the solicitation of information includes a material information request, generating an alert.

Abstract: A system for estimating a wait time to connect a customer to an agent according to an embodiment includes at least one processor and at least one memory comprising a plurality of instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the at least one processor, causes the system to receive incoming interaction data from the customer indicative of a request to estimate the wait time, retrieve historical data indicative of interaction information for one or more interactions that have already been serviced in response to receipt of the request, and generate a wait time estimation based on the historical data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include computer-implemented systems and methods for routing incoming customer requests or inquiries in a customer service center. The system may include at least one processor configured to execute instructions to perform steps. The steps may include receiving a plurality of incoming customer calls and a plurality of incoming customer chat sessions. The steps may include blending the received plurality of customer calls and the received plurality of customer chat sessions into a total queue for presentation to at least one user device. The steps may additionally include determining a respective priority for each of the blended plurality of customer calls and the blended plurality of customer chat sessions and sending, based on the determined priority, to the at least one user device at least one of the blended plurality of customer calls or the blended plurality of customer chat sessions.

Abstract: Automated monitoring of a voice communication session, when the session is in an on hold status, to determine when the session is no longer in the on hold status. When it is determined that the session is no longer in the on hold status, user interface output is rendered that is perceptible to a calling user that initiated the session, and that indicates that the on hold status of the session has ceased. In some implementations, an audio stream of the session can be monitored to determine, based on processing of the audio stream, a candidate end of the on hold status. In response, a response solicitation signal is injected into an outgoing portion of the audio. The audio stream can be further monitored for a response (if any) to the response solicitation signal. The response (if any) can be processed to determine whether the end of the on hold status is an actual end of the on hold status.

Abstract: A method related to customers orchestrating engagements with service providers. The method includes providing, by a facilitator entity, a customer journey orchestration service that includes: service providers affiliated with the customer journey orchestration service; a virtual datacenter in which cloud-based applications and databases are operably linked to communication devices of the customers and to the affiliated services providers; customer interface portals for enabling the customers to interact with the virtual datacenter, each customer interface portal being associated with a specific customer; and a customer profile database that stores customer profiles corresponding to respective ones of the customers. The method further includes configuring, by the facilitator entity, an account of the customer for participation in the customer journey orchestration service.

Abstract: In some implementations, a cloud computing system that executes a function may receive an indication of an electronic communication to occur between a customer and an agent. The cloud computing system that executes the function may determine a classification of the electronic communication based on a first set of rules stored in a database of the cloud computing system and attributes associated with the electronic communication. The cloud computing system that executes the function may select, based on the classification of the electronic communication, a target queue from a plurality of potential queues to be associated with the electronic communication based on a second set of rules stored in the database. The cloud computing system that executes the function may select the agent from a plurality of potential agents for the electronic communication based on an association between the agent and the target queue.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product to accurately route a call is disclosed, by providing a resource interface having one or more interface elements mapping a resource to a call based on current calls and predicted calls, determining a dynamic handling profile from a plurality of dynamic handling profiles that include call information which maps to a resource to provide a ruleset for handling one or more types of call requests, identifying a routing rule comprising one or more routing rules of the ruleset based on caller information, receiving an activation of a resource interface element of the resource interface to initiate a call routing request to forward an assigned call to the resource, and controlling the call routing request according to the routing rule of the dynamic handling profile to perform a call function associated with the assigned call.

Abstract: A system that creates and automatically builds one or more entity models that are derived from communication-based information received over a network. Building the entity models uses machine learning, a user interface, a sentiment analyzer, a communication monitoring agent and an automated bot. Bots are created based on a bot template. New communication-based information is analyzed and processed to improve the entity model, to keep the bot up-to-date, and to update other services and products that the entity relies on. The system enables a business to cluster other entities together to assist in identifying competitors. The system provides analytical information about how users journey through an entity model. The system automatically maintains listings such as frequently asked questions. The system works in a networked environment, which may be a distributed network.

Abstract: The technology disclosed herein enables communications among users having communication session requests waiting in a queue. In a particular embodiment, a method includes determining that a first communication session request from a first endpoint is in a queue for establishing a communication session with a receiving endpoint to which the queue is regulating access. While the first communication session request is in the queue, the method includes connecting the first endpoint to a communication channel between the first endpoint and a second endpoint having a second communication session request in the queue. Also, while the first communication session request is in the queue, the method includes exchanging user communications between the first endpoint and the second endpoint over the communication channel.

Abstract: This paper presents a practical method for measuring the impact of multiple marketing events on sales, including marketing events that are not traditionally trackable. The technique infers which of several competing media events are likely to have caused a given conversion. The method is tested using hold-out sets, and also a live media experiment for determining whether the method can accurately predict television-generated web conversions.

Abstract: Technology for determining a queue position of a call from a user can include receiving, at an enterprise, the call from a user device associated with the user. The user device includes an application associated with the enterprise. The call is placed into an on-hold queue. A weighted level of importance associated with the call is determined based on call history information associated with the user device and call frequency associated with the user. The weighted level of importance is compared to at least one weight threshold. A wait time for the call is decreased based on the weighted level of importance meeting or exceeding the at least one weight threshold.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media consistent with the present disclosure manage multiple telephone calls by managing a session record associated with the call, amending the session record according to a plurality of rules to reflect a plurality of instructed actions, evaluating an amended session record to derive at least one of the plurality of instructed actions, and implementing a derived instructed action on the call under the control of an automated apparatus.

Abstract: A method and system of correcting a packet delay variation, PDV, of express traffic comprising high-priority express packets interspersed at a transmitter (2) by a preemption mechanism with a best-effort traffic comprising low-priority best-effort packets, wherein the method comprises the steps of: calculating (S1) at the transmitter (2) a preemption delay value, PRDV, which indicates a preemption delay, PD, introduced by the preemption mechanism; writing (S2) the calculated preemption delay value, PRDV, into a delay header field of a header of a high-priority express packet transmitted by said transmitter (2) via a signal line (4) to a receiver (3); extracting (S3) the preemption delay value, PRDV, from the delay header field of the header of the high-priority express packet received by the receiver (3) via the signal line (4) from the transmitter (2); calculating (S4) at the receiver (3) a variation compensation delay, VCD, value by subtracting the extracted preemption delay value, PRDV, from a predetermine

Abstract: A device receives a communication associated with a support issue encountered by a user, and receives information identifying one or more self-support actions performed by the user in relation to the support issue. The device assigns the communication to a position in a support queue. The support queue includes information identifying positions of other communications received from other users, when the other communications are received, and self-support actions performed by the other users. The device associates the information identifying the one or more self-support actions with information identifying the position of the communication and applies respective weights to the one or more self-support actions. The device generates a score for the communication based on applying the respective weights and modifies the position of the communication based on the score. The device performs one or more actions based on modifying the position of the communication.

Abstract: A computerized-method using a cloud-based computing environment for improving client service, in a contact center is provided herein. The computerized-method includes: retrieving a context of a query and a time-limit from a CTI event and attempting to retrieve data to evaluate average resolution time for the received context. When the data is found, comparing the evaluated average resolution time with the received time-limit and when the received time-limit is below the evaluated average resolution time, sending a delay notice and providing the client a menu of options for querying through other channels. When the data is not found, or when the received time-limit is above the evaluated average resolution time, presenting on an agent dashboard, the time-limit of the client and accordingly updating parameters in the agent dashboard during the inbound call, thus, improving client service, by considering the time-limit of the client before the agent addresses a query.

Abstract: Techniques for behavioral pairing in a contact center system are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for pairing in a contact center including ordering one or more contacts, ordering one or more agents, comparing a first difference in ordering between a first contact and a first agent in a first pair with a second difference in ordering between a second contact and a second agent in a second pair, and selecting the first pair or the second pair for connection based on the comparing, wherein the first contact and the second contact are different or the first agent and the second agent are different.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide methods, systems, and computer program products for sending an outbound communication to a party to generate an inbound communication from the party for a contact center. An expected response time is derived identifying a time the inbound communication is expected to be received from the party after sending the outbound communication to the party. In particular instances, an agent is identified who is expected to be available at the expected response time to handle the inbound communication when it is received by the party at the contact center. In addition, the content of the outbound communication may be composed to identify the agent to the party. Accordingly, the outbound communication is sent to the party so that the inbound communication can be routed to the agent upon being received.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include monitoring a contact's communication device while a communication session is in a hold state to determine a sentiment of the contact. Natural language recognition and natural language processing are used to determine a sentiment score of the contact based on overheard communications while the communication session is in the hold state. Then, an action is performed based on the sentiment score of the contact.

Abstract: A system and method for unified autodial campaign management, comprising a campaign management console, a data services engine, a traffic shaper, an agent desktop, Control agent desktop, an auto-dialer, and a simple dialer which allows enterprises to conduct unified communications campaigns without differentiating between prior expressed written consent consumers, and those who have not provided prior expressed written consent, to being autodialed or receiving artificial or pre-recorded voice messages, allowing for compliance with regulations regarding such consent without splitting or bifurcating or otherwise hampering communications campaigns for the enterprise customers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include computer-implemented systems and methods for routing incoming customer requests or inquiries in a customer service center. The system may include at least one processor configured to execute instructions to perform steps. The steps may include receiving a plurality of incoming customer calls and a plurality of incoming customer chat sessions. The steps may include blending the received plurality of customer calls and the received plurality of customer chat sessions into a total queue for presentation to at least one user device. The steps may additionally include determining a respective priority for each of the blended plurality of customer calls and the blended plurality of customer chat sessions and sending, based on the determined priority, to the at least one user device at least one of the blended plurality of customer calls or the blended plurality of customer chat sessions.

Abstract: A system for scheduling deferred communications is provided. A workload requirement for a deferred queue for each interval of a set of intervals is determined. Each workload may indicate the amount of work predicted for the associated interval. A staffing requirement for an immediate queue is received and may indicate the number of agents needed to handle the immediate communications for the same intervals. The system, for each interval, may consider the number of agents needed for the interval in the immediate queue. Because the deferred communications do not have to be handled at any particular interval, the system may, based on the workloads, schedule agents for the deferred queue where the immediate queue is less busy (a smaller number of agents are scheduled). The goal of the system being to smooth the intervals such that the total number of agents scheduled for each interval across the immediate queue and the deferred queue remains fairly constant.

Abstract: Agents in a contact center are often connected to communications (e.g., calls, real-time text chats) automatically and without human intervention. By analyzing the communication and/or a history associated with the customer on the communication, an auto-answer delay may be determined that is better able to provide the agent with sufficient time to prepare for the communication. The auto-answer delay may be determined as a variation from a default auto-answer delay.

Abstract: The system allows a consumer to shortcut through a call queue to reach a human agent faster. For phone or voice-based calls that require a consumer wait on hold, the system can give that consumer an accurate estimate of the wait time and allow them to skip all or some of it. It does this by using automated processes to proactively dial and wait in those call queues, measuring their time in queue. A new consumer making an incoming call can then join the call queue occupied by of those automated processes, shortcutting the consumer past all or some of the wait time.

Abstract: A system for managing contact information, the system comprising a processor and a memory having executable instructions stored thereon that when executed by the processor cause the processor to retrieve data for a sales lead from a database, the data including actual contact information of the sales lead, generate first pseudo-contact information that corresponds to the actual contact information of the sales lead, provide a first agent with access to the first pseudo-contact information on a communication system, receive a communication request including the first pseudo-contact information from a client device of the first agent, and link the first pseudo contact information to the actual contact information of the sales lead to establish a communication connection between the client device of the first agent to a client device of the sales lead.

Abstract: Methods for ensuring relevant information sharing during public safety incidents include monitoring inputs associated with a public safety incident, determining that an input includes information important or critical to communicate to a responding public safety officer, accessing communications with the officer, determining that the input has not been communicated to the officer, and initiating action to communicate the input to the officer. The input may include audio or video input, or a note composed by a dispatcher or call taker representing information provided by a person reporting the incident or obtained through a database query. Initiating action to communicate the input to the officer may include providing an indication to a dispatcher that the input includes important or critical information not yet communicated to the officer, providing data to the officer's vehicle-mounted communication device, or providing an audible alert or audio message to the officer's hand-held communication device.

Abstract: Programmatically reversing numerical line identity presented at a communications services gateway into named IP Telephony users with “prior association”, delivers dynamic “reverse address resolution” switching connections from ground to cloud, permitting any conventional telephone to dial and connect to any associated IP Telephony endpoint in the world, without changes to the conventional telephone. Reversing line identity into associated named users bridges both the addressability and economic divide between mass conventional “paying” (mobile and fixed) and “free”. IP Telephony networks.

Abstract: A computerized-method using a cloud-based computing environment for improving client service, in a contact center is provided herein. The computerized-method includes: retrieving a context of a query and a time-limit from a CT event and attempting to retrieve data to evaluate average resolution time for the received context. When the data is found, comparing the evaluated average resolution time with the received time-limit and when the received time-limit is below the evaluated average resolution time, sending a delay notice and providing the client a menu of options for querying through other channels. When the data is not found, or when the received time-limit is above the evaluated average resolution time, presenting on an agent dashboard, the time-limit of the client and accordingly updating parameters in the agent dashboard during the inbound call, thus, improving client service, by considering the time-limit of the client before the agent addresses a query.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to performing attribution channel modeling in real time using touchpoint data that corresponds to a user-specified set of channels and is retrieved from a database using a user-specified attribution model. For example, in one or more embodiments, a system stores raw data in an attribution database that comprises an aggregator and a plurality of nodes. In particular, each node stores touchpoint data associated with a different user. Upon receiving a query, the system can, in real time, retrieve subsets of the touchpoint data that corresponds to a user-defined set of distribution channels in accordance with a user-specified attribution model. The system then combines the subsets of touchpoint data using the aggregator and generates the digital attribution report using the combined data.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes detecting, using a processor system, a first delay in a conversation system. Initial contextual data is received at a first orchestration layer of the processor system, where the initial contextual data describes a context of a user. The first orchestration layer queries a first data source, based on the initial contextual data. Based on querying the first data source, the first orchestration layer augments the initial contextual data to determine updated contextual data describing the context of the user. Filler content personalized to the user is generated based on the updated contextual data describing the context of the user. The filler content is presented through a user interface during the first delay, responsive to detecting the first delay in the conversation system.

Abstract: Embodiments regard transfer of data streaming services to provide continuous data flow. An embodiment of an apparatus includes one or more processors to process data for database operation and a database storage, wherein the system is to: receive one or more process flows, each process flow including a plurality of nodes and including one or more flows between each of the plurality of nodes and another node of the plurality of nodes; and upon receipt of a request, automatically rearrange the one or more process flows, including the apparatus to evaluate a first process flow including traversing of each node of the first process flow, and generate a rearranged process flow based on the first process flow, including establishing a level and coordinate position for each node of first process flow, and establishing a logical direction for each flow between the plurality of nodes of the first process flow.

Abstract: An admission system comprising a mobile admission application in communication with a venue admission system. The mobile admission application runs on a mobile communication device under the control of an individual and operates to generate and send an admission request to the venue admission system having the identity of the member. The venue admission system operates to receive the admission request message and to verify the membership of the individual sending the request message. Provided the individual is verified to be a member of the venue, the venue admission system encrypts the member identity and sends the encrypted identity to the mobile admission application. Prior to being admitted to the venue, the mobile admission application generates and send an admission message with the encrypted member identity that is received by the venue admission system.

Abstract: A method for allocating a resource to multiple requesters is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes maintaining, for a resource, a regular queue and an express queue. The method receives requests to control the resource and determines, for each request, an anticipated amount of time that the request needs to control the resource. In the event the anticipated amount of time for a request is greater than a selected threshold, the method allocates the request to the regular queue. In the event the anticipated amount of time for a request is less than the selected threshold, the method allocates the request to the express queue. The method provides priority to requests allocated to the express queue over requests allocated to the regular queue. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A Virtual agent that is a fully automated computer software solution that can engage with real people, customers, clients and even other agents. Virtual agents have personality with animation and engage with the customer via text or voice or a combination of both as an actual person. Virtual agents are able to answer customer questions and provide information to address their issues. Virtual agents transfer calls to live agents if they cannot address customer issues.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for coordinating callers with customer service representatives. One of the methods includes in response to receiving identification information from a caller, selecting a virtual machine from a plurality of virtual machines, the virtual machine configured to generate a virtual user interface for an application executing on the virtual machine. The method includes populating the virtual user interface with information about the caller based on the received identification information. The method includes sharing the virtual user interface with an application executing on a computer of a customer service representative. The method includes connecting the caller with the customer service representative.

Abstract: Techniques for behavioral pairing in a contact center system are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for pairing in a contact center including ordering one or more contacts, ordering one or more agents, comparing a first difference in ordering between a first contact and a first agent in a first pair with a second difference in ordering between a second contact and a second agent in a second pair, and selecting the first pair or the second pair for connection based on the comparing, wherein the first contact and the second contact are different or the first agent and the second agent are different.

Abstract: Methods and systems described in this disclosure receive a call from a device associated with a caller and request an indication of a context of the call. The system can send a request for authentication credentials in a push notification to the device. The push notification can be linked to an authentication tab or page in an application. After authentication of the caller, the system can direct the application to cause a tab or page associated with the subject matter of the call to be displayed on the qualified device.

Abstract: A gateway, computer program product and a method for accessing an IPA agent, the method may include (a) receiving, by the gateway and over a wired communication link, a request to initiate a phone call; (b) determining, by the gateway, whether to direct the phone call to the IPA agent or to another agent that differs from the IPA agent; (c) directing the phone call to the IPA agent when determining to direct the phone call to the IPA agent; and (d) directing the phone call to the other agent when determining to direct the phone call to the other agent.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-readable storage medium provide for managing stranded assets of a customer service call center. The system includes an interface component that identifies an opportunity event of an established customer service session initiated by a user that is in a waiting queue for a customer service representative. The system includes an ingestion component that ingests one or more characteristics of the opportunity event that characterize at least one of: (i) the identity of the user; (ii) subject of the established customer service session; and (iii) situational context of the user. The system includes a correlation component that correlates the one or more ingested characteristics and an estimated duration of the waiting queue with at least one transaction-related content item. The system includes a publishing component that publishes a selected transaction-related content item via the established customer service session to the user while in the waiting queue.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a system and method for adaptively assigning multiple contacts to an agent determined by that agent's current metrics data or effectiveness measure. In one embodiment, there is provided a method for adaptively assigning multiple contacts to an agent in a contact center, comprising providing a reporting engine containing an agent's metrics; providing an assignment engine for assigning multiple contacts to the agent based upon the agent's metrics received from the reporting engine; storing each contact being served by the agent with at least one agent metrics element to be measured by the reporting engine; updating the agent's metrics in the reporting engine based upon the measured at least one metrics element; comparing the agent's updated metrics with stored target metrics; and assigning multiple contacts to the agent when the agent's metrics is within the target metrics.

Abstract: A system for managing resource commitment in a contact center includes: a processor; and a memory, wherein the memory stores instructions that cause the processor to: receive over a shared data communications channel a request for contact center resources, wherein the request is for handling activities for the contact center. having an activity type; transmit a signal to initiate a raise round according to the request over the data communications channel to a pool of resources registered to communicate on the data communications channel; receive a plurality of volunteer signals from a plurality of volunteering resources from the pool of resources; select one or more of the plurality of the volunteering resources for fulfilling the request; and transmit a message to the selected volunteering resources for committing the selected volunteering resources to the request, wherein the committed resources are selected for routing an activity having the activity type.