Abstract: Search-based contact initiation methods and apparatus are provided. In particular, a contact initiator enters search terms in the form of qualifications or characteristics desired of a contact recipient. The search term are used to search qualifications records that include qualifications entered or selected by candidate qualifications recipients. When a match or best match between search criteria and a record associated with a candidate communication recipient is found, the contact initiator is placed into communication with that communication recipient. Communications between the communications initiator and the communication recipient are established using a contact address associated with the qualifications of the communication recipient.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a business continuity system and method where conditional profiles and processes can be set for multiple contact centers with a set of object types while each contact center object is capable of responding uniquely to a changed condition. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a contact center management system for managing conditions in a contact center, the system comprising a computer system database for storing conditional profiles, each conditional profile corresponding to a set of varying types of objects associated with a contact center; a condition monitoring unit for receiving condition notifications from the contact center; and a response unit for responding to a received condition notification with a corresponding conditional profile having the set of objects associated with that conditional profile, wherein multiple object types in the set of objects are capable of uniquely responding to the received condition.