Abstract: A caller may initiate a phone call to a device. A call preview system may send a preview message in conjunction with the phone call. The preview message may contain preview information that identifies the caller. The call preview system may use a text or media messaging service to send the preview message. Callers can manage their own preview information relieving each user from continuously updating contact information in personal contact directories. The call preview system may use different schemes for initiating phone calls. In one example, the call preview system may initiate or forward phone calls in conjunction with sending the preview message. In another example, the call preview system may delay calling a phone number or delay forwarding the phone call until a message is received acknowledging the preview message or accepting the phone call.

Abstract: A hosted private branch exchange (PBX) platform includes associated application programming interfaces (APIs) that provide a range of integration points with the PBX platform that, in turn, enables the development of a broad range of applications that can customize and/or enhance the basic functionality of the underlying PBX platform.

Abstract: Methods and systems for instant activation of virtual PBX services on a mobile device are disclosed. In one aspect, a user request for activating virtual PBX services is received on a mobile device. An available primary identification number for the virtual PBX services is retrieved from a telecommunication service provider (TSP). A user interface is presented on the mobile device including a first interface portion presenting the available primary identification number and a second interface portion configured to receive a user identifier. Upon receiving the user input specifying the user identifier and while the user interface is still presented on the mobile device, a user instruction for activating the virtual PBX services is received. Upon receiving the user instruction, the user identifier is sent to the TSP. Then, a confirmation is received from the TSP.

Abstract: Techniques are described which simplify and/or automate many of the tasks associated with the configuration, deployment, and management of network resources to support cloud-based services.

Abstract: A mobile device can be assigned to an extension configured as a Queue Agent (“QA”) in a call-queuing enabled virtual private branch exchange (vPBX). This and other mobile or fixed devices can be interconnected to form a virtual call center. Each extension can be assigned various rules, which specify how the incoming calls are answered at the extension and how calls in the call queue are selected for answering by the QA. As part of the rules, the vPBX system forwards calls from a call queue to the QA based on QA's availability status. If a location-aware mobile device is associated with the QA, the vPBX system can determine the QA's availability status based on a geographic location of the mobile device. A most geographically proximate agent can be selected for answering the call.

Abstract: A hosted communications provider or network supports communications to multiple users, each having associated accounts. The network includes memory storage device(s) for storing communications message(s) directed to one or more of the users. A web server module is configured to receive access requests for the user accounts; such requests originating from a user device. The network provides the requested access and sends the information using a non HTML format for at least a portion of the information. The user device displays the requested information on a display device. In some implementations, the information is sent to the user in a non-HTML format. In some implementations, at least a portion of the user interface is provided in a file format which does not include HTML.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for facilitating the provisioning of a single and multi-line virtual private branch exchange (PBX) including automated call distribution via a mobile device are described. In some implementations, the provisioning of the single and multi-line virtual PBX can be achieved using one or more unique provisioning interfaces. The unique provisioning interfaces can enable the setup and configuration of a virtual PBX service account instantaneously from any geographical location at any time. Changes made to the virtual PBX service account can be immediately reflected back (e.g., in real-time) to the system providing the core operating environment.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for generating and displaying various user interfaces for configuring one or more call handling rules associated with managing virtual PBX services rendered at an extension are described. The user interfaces can be used to configure virtual PBX services for a single- or multi-extension environment. The virtual PBX services can provide, for example, a main number, and calls made to the main number can be managed according to one or more sets of call handling rules associated with the virtual PBX services and which can be configured through the user interfaces. The user interfaces can be web-based interfaces accessible through a browser, and can be accessed only after a user or administrator has setup and activated the virtual PBX services.

Abstract: A mobile device can be assigned to an extension configured as a Queue Agent (“QA”) in a call-queuing enabled virtual private branch exchange (vPBX). This and other mobile or fixed devices can be interconnected to form a virtual call center. Each extension can be assigned various rules, which specify how the incoming calls are answered at the extension and how calls in the call queue are selected for answering by the QA. As part of the rules, the vPBX system forwards calls from a call queue to the QA based on QA's availability status. If a location-aware mobile device is associated with the QA, the vPBX system can determine the QA's availability status based on a geographic location of the mobile device. A most geographically proximate agent can be selected for answering the call.

Abstract: Techniques for bypassing call screening in a call messaging system. In one embodiment, for example, a method performed by one or more computing devices comprises: receiving an incoming call from a device of a caller; determining whether a bypass condition exists for the incoming call; and in response to determining that the bypass condition exists, causing the incoming call to be connected to a device of a callee without performing a call screening action of a call screening rule that, based at least in part on one or more conditions of the call screening rule, applies to the incoming call.

Abstract: Methods and systems for instant activation of virtual PBX services on a mobile device are disclosed. In one aspect, a user request for activating virtual PBX services is received on a mobile device. An available primary identification number for the virtual PBX services is retrieved from a telecommunication service provider (TSP). A user interface is presented on the mobile device including a first interface portion presenting the available primary identification number and a second interface portion configured to receive a user identifier. Upon receiving the user input specifying the user identifier and while the user interface is still presented on the mobile device, a user instruction for activating the virtual PBX services is received. Upon receiving the user instruction, the user identifier is sent to the TSP. Then, a confirmation is received from the TSP.

Abstract: An email-to-facsimile (fax) processing system efficiently services requests issued by customers of the system in a fair and impartial manner. The system illustratively includes a plurality of components configured to provide email-to-fax processing services over a network. The components of the email-to-fax system include computer nodes executing software processes and/or services embodied as one or more FaxEmail routers, FaxEmail pollers, Rendering servers and Fax assemblers. The email-to-fax processing services provided by the components illustratively include email storage and retrieval services, email-to-fax conversion services and fax organizational transmission services. One or more of these services may be performed by the components in a randomized fashion to ensure that the customer requests, such as email-to-fax requests, may be fairly and impartially processed by the system.

Abstract: A hosted private branch exchange (PBX) platform includes associated application programming interfaces (APIs) that provide a range of integration points with the PBX platform that, in turn, enables the development of a broad range of applications that can customize and/or enhance the basic functionality of the underlying PBX platform.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to computing devices and systems, as well as software, computer programs, applications, and user interfaces, and more particularly, to systems, devices and methods to facilitate message preview control. For example, the method may include generating representations for messages to present on an interface, and detecting selection of the representation for the message. Further, the method can include presenting preview information for the message, which can be an electronic facsimile. The representations for the messages can include a representation for an electronic facsimile, as well as a voice message and an email.

Abstract: Systems and methods for routing an incoming service request to one of a plurality of pod units are described. A communication system can be provided that includes a plurality of pods each having a first pod serving a first subset of user accounts associated with a hosted PBX system. The first pod can include a first pod unit in a first data center and a second pod unit in a second data center. A global user directory (GUD) can be used to store a plurality of user keys that are mapped to the plurality of pods. A router can be provided to identify a user key from an incoming service request, query the GUD to identify the first pod as being associated with the user key, and route the incoming service request to one of the first and second pod units.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for utilizing location information in a virtual private branch exchange (vPBX) system are described. In some implementations, the vPBX system can use the location information to determine an availability status of a user of a mobile device (e.g., out of the office, in the office, at home, busy, and the like). The vPBX system can obtain the geographic coordinates of the mobile device and correlate these coordinates with known coordinates for locations associated with the user (e.g., the user's office, home, or other predefined locations). An inference of the user's availability can then be determined based on the correlation (e.g., whether the user is currently out of the user's office, at the user's home, or at another location). The user's availability can be made available to other users associated with the vPBX system, and can be used for call management (e.g., routing).

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for facilitating the provisioning of a single and multi-line virtual private branch exchange (PBX) including automated call distribution via a mobile device are described. In some implementations, the provisioning of the single and multi-line virtual PBX can be achieved using one or more unique provisioning interfaces. The unique provisioning interfaces can enable the setup and configuration of a virtual PBX service account instantaneously from any geographical location at anytime. Changes made to the virtual PBX service account can be immediately reflected back (e.g., in real-time) to the system providing the core operating environment.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium for persistent format conversions. One of the methods includes receiving an original communication to be routed from a first user to a second user, wherein the original communication is received in a first format; converting, based a format conversion rule, the original communication into a second, different format; routing the original communication to the recipient in the second format; receiving a response communication related to the original communication and to be routed from the second user to the first user; and based on determining that the response communication is responsive to the original communication, converting the response communication into the first format prior to routing the communication to the first user.

Abstract: A mobile device is adapted to operate in a first communication mode and a second communication mode. An identifier is acquired for a mobile device, wherein the identifier is sent to identify the mobile device when the mobile device places a call in the first communication mode. A call is placed to a destination device while the mobile device operates in the second communication mode. The same identifier is sent to the destination device while the mobile device operates in the second communication mode. The mobile device is served by a first service provider while it operates in the first communication mode. The mobile device is served by a second service provider while it operates in the second communication mode, the second service provider being different from the first service provider.

Abstract: A caller may initiate a phone call to a device. A call preview system may send a preview message in conjunction with the phone call. The preview message may contain preview information that identifies the caller. The call preview system may use a text or media messaging service to send the preview message. Callers can manage their own preview information relieving each user from continuously updating contact information in personal contact directories. The call preview system may use different schemes for initiating phone calls. In one example, the call preview system may initiate or forward phone calls in conjunction with sending the preview message. In another example, the call preview system may delay calling a phone number or delay forwarding the phone call until a message is received acknowledging the preview message or accepting the phone call.