Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for enabling an agent to assume the identity or persona of a called party and process calls directed to the called party. In one embodiment, methods, which enable an agent to assume the identity or persona of a called party, and process calls directed to the called party are considered a call center functions and may be implemented in a call center. A call is initiated to a called party. Initiating the call generates called party information. Using the called party information a server retrieves information associated with the called party and then forward the information associated with the called party to an agent. The call is then forwarded to the agent. As a result, the agent may use the information associated with the called party to assume the identity or persona of the called party when responding to the call.

Abstract: A queueless contact center is described along with various methods and mechanisms for administering the same. The contact center proposed herein provides the ability to, among other things, achieve true one-to-one matching. Solutions are also provided for managing data structures utilized by the queueless contact center. Furthermore, mechanisms for generating traditional queue-based performance views and metrics for the queueless contact center are proposed to help facilitate a smooth transition from traditional queue-based contact centers to the next generation contact centers described herein.

Abstract: A system for soliciting and activating one or more groups of workers to service contact center business includes an interface accessible to the one or more groups for accepting group registration data, publishing contact center business and for enabling the groups to subscribe to receive business; a data repository for storing the registration data for subscribing groups; and a routing server for specifying routing strategies for event routing to the groups. The system is characterized in that the one or more groups of workers may be activated during contact center business activity to perform services based on need.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to methods, systems, user devices and computer program products for providing human-assisted natural language call routing. Systems include a call interface device on an IVR system for receiving a telephone call from a caller. The system also includes a level one agent processing module for facilitating the handling of the telephone call when it is not directed by the IVR system after an initial interaction and a second interaction between the caller and the IVR system. The system further includes a level two agent processing module for facilitating the handling of the telephone call when it is not directed by the IVR system after the initial interaction and when a level two agent is available. In addition the system includes a level three agent processing module for facilitating the handling of the telephone call when a level three agent is available.

Abstract: A system and method for maximizing efficiency of call transfer from being between a customer and a dialing agent, to being between the customer and a talker is provided. The method contains the steps of: entering a dialing agent and a talker into a campaign to maintain direct communication with the dialing agent and with the talker; calling a customer via use of a dialing agent device; receiving from the dialing agent a request to transfer a connected customer from communicating with the dialing agent to communicating with a talker; and after receiving the request to transfer, transmitting an identification of a customer record associated with the connected customer to a talker computer for identifying the customer record, where the customer record has been previously stored on the talker computer prior to receiving the request to transfer.

Abstract: A remote agent call center is functional by providing a softphone and agent bridge that allows maintaining an open telephone line to the agent's phone with or without an incoming call being connected. Incoming calls are merged into the agent bridge to allow the agent to conference with the incoming call. The softphone provides call control to allow the agent to transfer, terminate, hold, record, or the like the active call.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems are disclosed herein for dynamically allocating agents during automated operation of a system performing attempts to establish communication connections between a user and a target. When human intervention is needed in order to further process an attempt to establish a communication connection between a user and a target, the system automatically selects the best available agent based upon the skills and experience of available agents in comparison to the conditions, characteristics, or requirements of the attempted communication connection.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for processing an outbound call to a target. The methods and systems of the present disclosure may provide an interface between a human controller and an automated dialing system to prompt the human controller for permission to place the outbound telephone call to the target.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for routing callers to agents in a contact center, along with an intelligent routing system. A method for routing callers includes routing a caller, if agents are available, to an agent based on a pattern matching algorithm (which may include performance based matching, pattern matching based on agent and caller data, computer models for predicting outcomes of agent-caller pairs, and so on). Further, if no agents are available for the incoming caller, the method includes holding the caller in a shadow queue, e.g., a set of callers. When an agent becomes available the method includes scanning all of the callers in the shadow queue and matching the agent to the best matching caller within shadow queue.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for communication analysis and handling, such as automated analysis and handling of telephone calls. In some implementations, the method may comprise initiating a first communication to a destination using a first communication line, performing an analysis on the first communication, and sending a communication signal generated at the destination to a first agent. The communication signal may comprise a live communication signal, and the step of sending the communication signal to the first agent may be performed concurrently with the analysis on the first communication such that the agent may thereby be able to monitor the communication and assume a natural response to the person without unnatural delay as the communication begins.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods to provide a response to an inquiry. The systems and methods provide techniques to receive an inquiry from a party, wherein the inquiry comprises a plurality of inquiry classifiers that are provided by the party, determine a party status, translate the plurality of inquiry classifiers and the party status into a skill set, route the inquiry to a primary representative based on the skill set, and provide a inquiry response to the party.

Abstract: A system and method to cancel a blindly-transferred call in Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) includes receiving a call request from an endpoint and selecting a first call agent to handle the call request. A blind transfer of the call request is initiated to the first call agent. It is determined whether the first call agent is available to handle the call request. If the first call agent is not available to handle the call request, the blind transfer of the call request is canceled.

Abstract: A web-based hosted solution through which business entities create and manage communications campaigns is described. To reduce latency of customer-to-agent connections, the system implements an agent stay-on-line function by which a persistent telephony connection is established and maintained between the system infrastructure and an available agent. In this manner, the agent may handle multiple customers while avoiding an ACD hold queue. In addition, preferably a service-side hold queue also is established and maintained on the service-side of the infrastructure. This hold queue maintains calls that are waiting to be connected to available agents. It ensures that any customer abandons do not impair the connections being established and maintained to the agents.

Abstract: A system and method may include processing a task assignment request comprising a task type corresponding to a task and querying a database based on the task assignment request and on the task type to identify an agent profile and agent status information for the identified agent profile, the agent profile comprising identification information to identify an agent workstation. The system and method may further include determining whether to generate assignment information for assigning the task to the agent workstation based on the agent status information.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system for routing a call to a call center may generally comprise a computer system comprising at least one processor and a storage device comprising computer-readable medium in communication with the processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by the processor to receive a call from a caller at an automated call distributor, initiate an interactive voice response interrogation session with the caller, and classify the call as one of a first type and a second type based on the interactive voice response interrogation session, when the call type is classified as the first type, route the call to at least one of a plurality of branches comprising at least one agent designated to receive calls classified as the first type, when the call type is classified as the second type, route the call to a call center comprising at least one agent designated to receive calls classified as the first type and the second type.

Abstract: A web-based hosted solution (a managed service or system) through which business entities create and manage communications campaigns, such as interactive campaigns that afford target recipients an opportunity to be connected to a contact center. The managed service carries out a communications campaign on behalf of a client. A “campaign” refers to a series of calls to a contact list using one or more sub-campaigns. A sub-campaign associates a list of contacts, a script, and a timeframe. An “agent” typically is a contact center operator. A “skill group” is a set of agents that are trained to handle a given script. Call pacing enhancements are implemented to allow simultaneous progress on multiple sub-campaigns under a skill group. The techniques enable control over the pacing of individual sub-campaigns when multiple sub-campaigns are running under a single skill group.

Abstract: A method for a contact center to provide information to one or more users in response to one or more inquiries from the one or more users is presented. For example, the method includes accessing, using at least one client adaptor, at least one agent group that includes at least one agent having knowledge regarding the one or more inquiries. The method further includes the at least one agent responding to the one or more inquiries using the at least one client adaptor. The at least one agent group has pre-existing communications infrastructure that is accessed by a computing platform of the contact center using the at least one client adaptor.

Abstract: A system and method for maximizing efficiency of call transfer from being between a customer and a dialing agent, to being between the customer and a talker is provided. The method contains the steps of: entering a dialing agent and a talker into a campaign to maintain direct communication with the dialing agent and with the talker; calling a customer via use of a dialing agent device; receiving from the dialing agent a request to transfer a connected customer from communicating with the dialing agent to communicating with a talker; and after receiving the request to transfer, transmitting an identification of a customer record associated with the connected customer to a talker computer for identifying the customer record, where the customer record has been previously stored on the talker computer prior to receiving the request to transfer.

Abstract: A campaign strategy manager (CSM) component for a hosted communications campaign system allows users to define more granular and specific campaign strategies, including pass escalation for alternative channels (e.g., text and email) and/or based upon attempt results, contact attributes and response group data. The campaign strategy manager allows users to define pass strategies statically and dynamically, to manage lists across multiple campaigns, and to view results in real-time. A defined strategy is a static strategy created by a user for a particular campaign that, once created, typically is not modified. A dynamic strategy is one where, during the course of a day (e.g., as a sub-campaign is running), a user may alter the defined strategy, preferably just for that day (or portion thereof). The CSM may be used to implement a recovery strategy using a dialer pass.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for routing a call to a call center may generally comprise receiving a call from a caller at an automated call distributor, initiating an interactive voice response interrogation session with the caller, and classifying the call as one of a first type and a second type based on the interactive voice response interrogation session, when the call type is classified as the first type, routing the call to at least one of a plurality of branches comprising at least one agent designated to receive calls classified as the first type, when the call type is classified as the second type, routing the call to a call center comprising at least one agent designated to receive calls classified as the first type and the second type.

Abstract: Resource allocation in a contact center can be performed using a network of nodes. Such a network of nodes can be organized according into resource nodes, domain nodes, and service nodes, with paths from the domain nodes, through the service nodes, to the resource nodes being used in the allocation.

Abstract: A system for assuring agent connection for outbound calls placed in an automated outbound calling campaign includes an outbound dialing server, a digital data repository coupled to the outbound dialing server, the data repository storing outbound dialing records for automated outbound dialing, and software executing on the outbound dialing server from a non-transitory physical medium, the software providing a first function for determining for a specific outbound dialing record if the connection to a live agent must be an assured connection, a second function for dialing and engaging an agent via an internal call for reservation of the agent, and a third function for bridging the call connections forged between the system and the agent and the system and the outbound party upon answer of the outbound call.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system and method for blended telephone network and computer network customer support interactions. The system may include a web server, one or more controllers, a telephone exchange, a monitoring server, and one or more client devices. The method may include receiving a multimedia support request, establishing a multimedia communications session, instructing a telephony application associated with the multimedia communications session to place a telephone call, routing and connecting the telephone call to an available endpoint, identifying the available endpoint when the telephone call is connected to the available endpoint, and transmitting an invitation to participate in the multimedia communications session to the available endpoint.

Abstract: A method for determining a number of calls to generate in an automated contact center based upon a prediction of agent occupancy in a future time period. The automated contact center comprises a dialer for dialing generated calls, a queue where successfully connected dialed calls await agent handling, and an agent pool where calls are handled by agents. The method estimates a number of calls presently in the dialer, the queue, and the agent pool that would be in the agent pool in the future time period. Based upon the estimations, the method predicts a future agent occupancy in the future time period, which is used to determine the number of calls to generate in the automated contact center. Calls are generated based upon the number of calls to generate.

Abstract: A system comprises a connection accessible to one or more incoming nodes, a call transfer interface for connecting the connection with the incoming nodes to a call transfer module capable of communicating with the incoming nodes, a distributed network of two or more provider nodes interfacing with the call transfer module through a router, the router connected to the call transfer module and provider nodes connected to the distributed network, said provider nodes connected to the incoming nodes through the router connected to the call transfer module connected to the call transfer interface and routed by the router in accordance with a provider node priority.

Abstract: A distributed call pickup group system comprises a call manager having an extension module. The extension module further comprises a group pickup module, a group pickup call stack, a backup group pickup module and a monitoring group pickup module. The extension module controls and manages the functionality associated with the group pickup feature. The group pick module advantageously allows any extension regardless of its location in the system or the switch to which it is connected to be included within a pickup group. The backup group pickup module provides fault tolerance for the pickup functionality such that if a particular switch and its associated group pickup module fail, a backup group pickup module is identified and made operational. The present invention also includes a variety of methods including a method for creating a group pickup list, a method for performing through pickup and a method for backing up group picked up.

Abstract: In a remote technical support system, a technical support controller receives an indication of a maximum number of support sessions to be serviced by a remote technician. Thereafter, the technical support controller receives a service request for a user device, which service request is classified into a category and added to a preliminary queue corresponding to the category. The technical support controller determines if handling of the service request by the remote technician would cause the number of support sessions currently being handled by the remote technician to exceed the previously-indicated maximum number of support sessions. If not, the service request is added to a work queue for the remote technician and removed from the preliminary queue.

Abstract: A contact center is described along with various methods and mechanisms for administering the same. The contact center proposed herein provides the ability to, among other things, selectively interrupt a contact center agent in an AUXILIARY state. This enables the contact center to accommodate sudden influxes of work items without substantially increasing customer wait time.

Abstract: Method, system and program product, comprising: obtaining agent parameter data; percentiling agents based on the agent parameter data, to obtain an agent distribution of agent percentiles; partitioning callers based on criteria into partitions; obtaining caller propensity data; percentiling the callers based on propensity for an outcome to obtain a caller distribution; performing distribution compensation using one algorithm selected from an edge compensation algorithm applied to the distribution of agent percentiles or the distribution of the caller percentiles, near at least one distribution edge to provide edge compensation, and a topology altering algorithm applied to either or both of the agent distribution and the caller distribution to change one or more of the distributions to a different topology; and matching an agent to a caller in one of the partitions with a closest respective percentile, where one of the caller percentile or the agent percentile has been distribution compensated.

Abstract: A system and method for providing call-back options is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a call in a call routing system, providing at least one call-back option for a caller to receive a call-back, re-allocating resources in the call routing system based at least in part on the at least one call-back option, and calling the caller based on the at least one call-back option. The caller may specify a specific time, a relative time, or a time range when a call-back is preferred. The caller may also specify one or more telephone numbers in combination with the time preferences. The call-back may be initiated by a voice response unit (VRU) and additional call-back options may be presented to the customer who responds to the call-back.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for more specifically routing a communications request in an environment where an intermediary facilitates the request. The method includes retrieving a set of preferences associated with an initiator of the request, retrieving profile data related to multiple facilitators who may respond to the communications request, and selecting a specific facilitator based on the set of preferences and profile data. The system includes a preferences database for storing information related to calling preferences of a caller; a profiles database for storing a set of attributes associated with a plurality of agents who facilitate calls between parties; and a set of embodied computer-useable instructions for referencing the preferences database and the profiles database incident to receiving the communications request to designate an order to one or more of agents to satisfy the communications request.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing a call to a subject matter expert via a packet network is described. In one embodiment, a request to route said at least one call to the SME is received. A predefined location associated with the SME is also obtained. The call is then routed to a foreign Internet Protocol gateway associated with the predefined foreign location to communicate with the SME.

Abstract: A system and method may be configured for assigning initiated communications to a particular branch, location, or facility associated with a vendor. An exemplary system may include an assignment server in communication with a data network that includes a primary data line for a vendor having a plurality of associated vendor facilities. The system further may include a plurality of vendor facility data lines, each of which is associated with one of the vendor facilities. The assignment server is configured to locate a group of vendor facilities from the plurality of vendor facilities that are within a predetermined range of a location associated with the initiated communication. The assignment server is further configured to assign one of the eligible vendor facilities to the initiated communication and connect the initiated communication with the vendor facility data line of the assigned vendor facility.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to message response systems for customer service environments and provide a method, system and computer program product for dynamic message context driven application assembly in a customer service agent productivity suite of applications. In one embodiment of the invention, a message context driven application assembly method for a customer service agent productivity suite can be provided. The method can include determining a context of an inbound message in a message list of an agent user interface for the customer service agent productivity suite; selecting at least one application based upon the determined context; providing an activatable reference to the at least one application in the agent user interface; and, displaying the agent user interface to provide access to the at least one application through the activatable reference.

Abstract: Apparatus, system, and methods for automated call initiation. In some implementations, the method for automated call initiation includes initiating an automated call to a destination using a communication line, initiating a call status determination that automatically determines when a person answers the call, and sending an audio signal generated at the destination to an agent and/or assigning the automated call to an agent during the call status determination. The agent may thereby be able to monitor the call and assume a natural response to the person without unnatural delay as the conversation begins.

Abstract: Method, system and program product, comprising: obtaining agent parameter data; percentiling agents based on the agent parameter data, to obtain an agent distribution of agent percentiles; partitioning callers based on criteria into partitions; obtaining caller propensity data; percentiling the callers based on propensity for an outcome to obtain a caller distribution; performing distribution compensation using one algorithm selected from an edge compensation algorithm applied to the distribution of agent percentiles or the distribution of the caller percentiles, near at least one distribution edge to provide edge compensation, and a topology altering algorithm applied to either or both of the agent distribution and the caller distribution to change one or more of the distributions to a different topology; and matching an agent to a caller in one of the partitions with a closest respective percentile, where one of the caller percentile or the agent percentile has been distribution compensated.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a method for operating a telephonic voice content system is provided. The method, comprises in a non-live agent mode, interacting with a caller by receiving an utterance from the caller, performing a machine selection of voice content to play to the caller based on the utterance, and playing the machine-selected voice content to the caller; and upon receiving a request to speak to a live agent from the caller, switching to a live agent mode wherein a live agent holds a conversation with the caller, and selects voice content to play to the caller based on the conversation; and switching to the non-live agent mode and playing the live agent-selected voice content to the caller.

Abstract: Techniques are described for controlling communication devices using image analysis. For instance, when a communication is received by a communication device, the communication device outputs an alert to notify users of the received communication and accesses one or more images of an area proximate to the communication device. The one or more images cover an area proximate to the communication device at a time during which the communication device is outputting the alert. The communication device analyzes the one or more images to determine whether a user is present in the one or more images and in a position to perceive the received communication. The communication device handles at least one aspect of the received communication based on the determination of whether a user is in a position to perceive the received communication.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a call center system providing network metrics based off of an individual's social networking connections, and more particularly embodiments of the invention are directed to methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for providing a recommendation to an individual contacting the call center, based on the reason the customer is contacting the call center and the customer's network metrics. The network metrics include analyzing an individual's social networks and the social network of connections associated with the customer. In this way, recommendations, such as a promotion, product, service, or response to the communication to the call center may be tailored to network metrics of an individual from social networks.

Abstract: A computer-readable storage device stores instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations including prompting a caller during a call for an order identifier. The order identifier identifies a pending order. The operations also include prompting the caller to provide a reason for the call. The operations further include transferring the call to an automated check order status system in response to receiving an indication that the reason for the call is to obtain an order status associated with the pending order. The operations also include, in response to receiving an indication that the order status is not locatable, automatically transferring the call to a customer service agent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for presenting structural relationships in an automatic contact distribution system. The method includes the steps of defining a plurality of structural elements within the automatic contact distribution system, selecting a structural element of the automatic contact distribution system as a root element, identifying any related elements of the plurality of elements that together with the selected element affect contact handling within the automatic contact distribution system and displaying the root element and related elements along with an indicia of the relationship between the root element and related elements.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for routing callers to agents in a contact center, along with an intelligent routing system. One or more agents are graded on achieving an optimal interaction, such as increasing revenue, decreasing cost, or increasing customer satisfaction. Callers are then preferentially routed to a graded agent to obtain an increased chance at obtaining a chosen optimal interaction. In a more advanced embodiment, caller and agent demographic and psychographic characteristics can also be determined and used in a pattern matching algorithm to preferentially route a caller with certain characteristics to an agent with certain characteristics to increase the chance of an optimal interaction.

Abstract: A method may include receiving, at a service server, a request for services from a requesting device. The service server may identify one or more service options responsive to the request and send a list of the identified service options to the requesting device. The service server may receive a selected service option from the requesting device. The service server may collect payment information for the selected service option from the requesting device and providing accounting information to a service provider of the selected service option based on the payment information.

Abstract: A first voice call is put in an on-hold state in response to a resource being unavailable. In response to putting the first voice call in the on-hold state, a first data communication is transferred for delivery to the communication device. The first data communication drives the communication device to display an offer for a media service. A second data communication transferred by the communication device is received indicating that the offer has been accepted. The first data communication drives the communication device, in response to the acceptance of the offer, to transfer the second data communication and to retrieve media from the media service. The first voice call is terminated in response to receiving the second data communication. A second voice call is established with the communication device in response to the resource becoming available.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a method and system for handling a telephone call. The method comprises receiving an incoming call at a computer-telephony server located as service provider equipment within a telephone network, followed by setting up a call from the computer-telephony server to a customer location. The customer location has a plurality of agents, each agent having an associated computer workstation. The call is forwarded at the customer location to a receiving agent selected from the plurality of agents. There is now communication between the computer-telephony server and one or more of the agents to allow the computer-telephony server to identify the receiving agent. The computer telephony server uses voice analytics on speech input from the receiving agent to identify the receiving agent.

Abstract: A system and method for balancing call session assignments on an agent console is provided. Incoming call sessions and one or more agent consoles, each managed by an agent, are monitored. An absolute upper limit on a number of the call sessions allowed at each agent console at any given time is assigned. A load of call session assignments is balanced on each agent console. Objective conditions regarding call sessions already assigned to each agent are collected. Subjective conditions regarding the agent's opinion of a current call session are also collected. The objective and subjective conditions are evaluated against the absolute upper limit to determine a load factor. Each incoming call session is assigned to one such agent console based on the load factor.

Abstract: A call center system in which agents are geographically dispersed based on agent skill-set, agent location and caller location that results in a call being delivered to the best available agent. The call center system is comprised of a call center application module coupled to a database module with a communications network being used to couple incoming calls from customers, as well as various call center agents, to the system. The database contains a ranking of available agents, based on a dataset including information regarding skill-set, previous interaction with the customer, proximity to the customer, language capability, current availability, and so forth. The system then chooses the best available agent to service a customer call based on the agent rankings. In the case where the customer has a preference for proximity of the agent to the customer, the system adjusts the agent rankings according to the agent's distance from the customer prior to making a selection.

Abstract: A call center system has a computerized server executing software (SW) from a machine-readable medium, a data collection function of the SW enabled for collecting data regarding incoming transactions, a data processing function coupled to the data collection engine and enabled for processing the data collected against a set of business rules, the data processing function determining a priority level for individual ones of the incoming transactions, and a distribution function enabled for distributing a priority indication determined by the data processing function to one or more presentation interfaces accessible to agents, at or near the time the associated transaction is engaged by the agent.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media for voice response unit optimization are presented. Embodiments of the invention relate to providing a user with the ability to specify actions within a voice response unit (VRU). The specified actions may involve transferring a caller to a customer service representative (CSR) rather than following a pre-determined VRU call flow. In addition, users can specify how forced transfers can be routed: (1) stand alone (e.g., routing the call to the first call center), (2) shared service (e.g., routing the call to a second call center or the first call center based on the first call center's business hours or other factors), or (3) full service (e.g., routing the call to the second call center). The forced transfers can consider routing factors (e.g., call center hours of operation, wait time, skill set of CSRs).

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for authorization of independent agents for processing calls and distribution of calls to authorized agents are provided. An independent agent may purchase or otherwise acquire credits for leads related to commerce transactions. The credits may be maintained by a call center and accessed by a device responsible for routing calls to agents. Calls or other transactions leads may then be directed to the independent agent, and the independent agents credits may be deducted accordingly.