Abstract: A method for establishing at least three-way conversations between customers, service providers, and brand agents within a service delivery network (SDN) is provided. The method commences with receiving a request from a customer for a service by a brand and collecting metadata associated with the customer. The method continues with receiving identification data associated with a service provider. The service provider is selected by the brand based on at least the metadata. The method further includes initiating a two-way communication channel between the customer and one or more brand agents associated with the brand. The method further includes providing a Uniform Resource Locator to the service provider to join the two-way communication channel. The method further includes initiating an at least three-way conversation between the customer, the service provider, and the one or more brand agents via the two-way communication channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing communications between customers and service providers within a service delivery network (SDN) are provided. An example method commences with receiving an event from an operator associated with an SDN. The event indicates that a request for a service has been received, by the operator, from a customer and assigned, by the operator, to one or more service providers associated with the SDN. The method includes ascertaining, based on the event, metadata associated with at least one of the customer, the operator, the one or more service providers, the request, and the service. The method continues with establishing, based on the metadata, a channel of communications between the customer and the one or more service providers.

Abstract: Lightweight composite armor comprising a plurality of ceramic bodies embedded in a metal matrix. The ceramic bodies are preferably generally spherical alumina balls coated with a binder and ceramic particles. A particularly preferred coating comprises titanium dioxide and barium sulfate particles suspended in an aqueous sodium silicate solution at a thickness of about 0.76-1.5 mm.