Abstract: To select a shoulder-tap method or a set of methods that optimizes the delivery of a shoulder-tap with respect to feasibility, reliability, and cost, in accordance with the present invention. Each shoulder-tap method can be evaluated on its feasibility, reliability and cost. A shoulder-tap method can be selected and used that optimizes reliability and cost with respect to feasibility constraints.

Abstract: To select a shoulder-tap method or a set of methods that optimizes the delivery of a shoulder-tap with respect to feasibility, reliability, and cost, in accordance with the present invention. Each shoulder-tap method can be evaluated on its feasibility, reliability and cost. A shoulder-tap method can be selected and used that optimizes reliability and cost with respect to feasibility constraints.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus method for receiving one or more communications from a remote terminal, transmitted via a telephone exchange, the communications comprising telemetry data and voice data; selecting a call center from a plurality of call centers to receive a communication from the remote terminal, wherein selecting the call center is based at least in part on the telemetry data; sending a message from the service provider to the call center over a side-channel, the message comprising at least a portion of the telemetry data, and further comprising a request for a communication path to one of a plurality of operator stations connected with the call center; and sending the voice data to the one operator station over a public switched telephone network (PSTN) connection via the communication path requested.