Abstract: An outer case for covering a handheld electronic device or handheld electronic device case includes a base, a lid, and a collar. The lid is pivotably attached to the base. The collar is attached to the base and is moveable away from the lid such that the lid rotates away from the base during movement of the collar away from the lid.

Abstract: An outer case for covering a handheld electronic device or handheld electronic device case includes a base, a lid, and a collar. The lid is pivotably attached to the base. The collar is attached to the base and is moveable away from the lid such that the lid rotates away from the base during movement of the collar away from the lid.

Abstract: An outer case for covering a handheld electronic device or handheld electronic device case includes a base, a lid, and a collar. The lid is pivotably attached to the base. The collar is attached to the base and is moveable away from the lid such that the lid rotates away from the base during movement of the collar away from the lid.

Abstract: An outer case for covering a handheld electronic device or handheld electronic device case includes a base, a lid, and a collar. The lid is pivotably attached to the base. The collar is attached to the base and is moveable away from the lid such that the lid rotates away from the base during movement of the collar away from the lid.

Abstract: A method to determine transaction distribution among a plurality of transaction processing systems may include calculating estimated handling resources for each of the plurality of transaction processing systems based upon measured actual handling resources and identified scheduled handling resources. Transaction allocations may be determined for each of the transaction processing systems based upon the estimated handling resources.

Abstract: A method to determine transaction distribution among a plurality of transaction processing systems may include calculating estimated handling resources for each of the plurality of transaction processing systems based upon measured actual handling resources and identified scheduled handling resources. Transaction allocations may be determined for each of the transaction processing systems based upon the estimated handling resources.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing customer service request allocations based upon real-time data and forecast data, calculates estimated handling resources for each of the transaction processing systems based upon actual handling resources and scheduled handling resources. Customer service transaction workloads are forecasted for the handling resources for each of the transaction processing systems. Then, customer service request allocations are determined using estimated handling resources and the forecasted customer service transaction workload.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for performing real-time transaction routing augmented with forecast data and agent schedules. According to one aspect of the present invention, transactions are distributed among multiple transaction processing systems using both scheduled and actual handling resources. Actual handling resources associated with each of the transaction processing systems, such as automatic call distributors (ACDs), is measured at time t. Scheduled handling resources associated with each of the transaction processing systems for time t are also are identified. Then, estimated handling resources are calculated for each of the transaction processing systems for time t+n based upon the actual handling resources and the scheduled handling resources. Based upon the estimated handling resources, transaction allocations for each of the transaction processing systems is determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing customer service request allocations based upon real-time data and forecast data, calculates estimated handling resources for each of the transaction processing systems based upon actual handling resources and scheduled handling resources. Customer service transaction workloads are forecasted for the handling resources for each of the transaction processing systems. Then, customer service request allocations are determined using estimated handling resources and the forecasted customer service transaction workload.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for performing staffing-based percentage-allocation routing using real-time data. According to one aspect of the present invention, transaction allocation is determined using both scheduled and actual handling resources. Actual handling resources associated with each of several transaction processing systems, such as automatic call distributors (ACDs), are measured at times t and t+n. Scheduled handling resources associated with each of the transaction processing systems for times t and t+n are also identified. Then, estimated handling resources are calculated for each of the transaction processing systems for time t+n based upon the actual handling resources and the scheduled handling resources. Finally, based upon the estimated handling resources, transaction allocations for each of the transaction processing systems are determined. According to another aspect of the present invention, a virtual call center is provided.