Abstract: A multi-tiered communication system for minimizing communication latency for a caller in a remote location who initiates contact with a local data center. The system includes a local data center located in a first location including one or more Interactive Voice Recognition (IVR) functions that are configured for use with a caller who initiates contact with the local data center. The system also includes a remote media server located in a second location. The remote media server is configured to route an incoming call from the caller to the local data center, to route one or more IVR messages to the caller and to connect the caller with an agent for real-time communication. The agent is located in one of the second location or a third location that is substantially closer to the second location than the first location.

Abstract: A multi-tiered communication system for minimizing communication latency for a caller in a remote location who initiates contact with a local data center. The system includes a local data center located in a first location including one or more Interactive Voice Recognition (IVR) functions that are configured for use with a caller who initiates contact with the local data center. The system also includes a remote media server located in a second location. The remote media server is configured to route an incoming call from the caller to the local data center, to route one or more IVR messages to the caller and to connect the caller with an agent for real-time communication. The agent is located in one of the second location or a third location that is substantially closer to the second location than the first location.

Abstract: A system having N access channels, M individual disk storage arrays, a commutator for connecting each of the access channels to each of the storage arrays; and a control unit for causing the commutator to connect each of the access channels to each of the storage arrays. The disk storage arrays are capable of storing contiguous segments of a data block. In the case of movies, each segment includes, for example, a few seconds of each relevant movie. The commutator connects the access channels to the disk storage arrays in a manner whereby each of the access channels has access to all of the data. The system is such that each access channel can receive data at the maximum system bandwidth. In addition, data can be written into the storage arrays by one access channel, while another of the access channels is receiving data, both at the maximum system bandwidth.