Contact Center Customization via Automated IVR and Analytics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing contact center management systems in data communications are inefficient and prone to errors due to manual contact methods, which are time-consuming, costly, and lack customization options for handling incoming communications.

Innovation Solution

A data communications server is configured to provide contact center management by determining communication dispositions based on defined parameters, comparing campaign attributes, and offering a graphical user interface (GUI) for customization of IVR queues and automatic contact lists, enabling tailored handling of communications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual contact methods are used in contact center management, then flexibility in handling individual communications is improved, but time consumption and operational costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in handling communicationsVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments contact center operations into automated campaign management and manual customization layers. Automated IVR queues handle routine communications efficiently, while human agents can intervene for complex cases requiring flexibility. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both high-speed automation and adaptive handling where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an automated communication system as an intermediary between the contact center and external contacts. This intermediary handles routine inquiries through IVR queues and automated calling lists, freeing human agents from time-consuming manual tasks while maintaining the ability to escalate to human intervention when flexibility is required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual contact methods are used, then customization options for individual cases are maintained, but operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization optionsVSAvoidoperational costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service through automated IVR queues that can independently handle communications without human intervention. The automated calling lists and disposition tracking allow the system to manage its own routine operations, reducing the need for human agents to handle every case manually and thereby reducing operational costs while maintaining customization options for when they are truly needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by allowing dynamic configuration of IVR queue behaviors, calling list parameters, and disposition criteria. These configurable parameters enable customization for different campaign types and client entities without requiring manual intervention for each case, achieving cost-effective adaptability through programmable parameters rather than manual processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If automated communication handling is implemented, then productivity increases, but customization capability for specific client entities may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact center efficiencyVSAvoidcustomization capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The automated communication system is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple client entities with different requirements. The IVR queue configuration, calling list management, and disposition tracking can be customized for each client entity while operating under a single unified automated platform. This universality allows the system to maintain high productivity across all clients while preserving customization capability through configurable parameters for each client entity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Measurement precision

If data analytics and campaign comparison are added to improve campaign success rates, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecampaign success rate measurementVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges data analytics, campaign comparison, and performance tracking functions into the existing automated communication system. Rather than adding separate complex analytics infrastructure, the system integrates measurement and comparison capabilities directly into the IVR queue management and calling list operations, achieving improved measurement precision while minimizing additional complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12206821B1Contact center customization in data communications systems
Publication Date: 2025.01.21 8X8 INC
  • US12206821B1 patent drawing
  • US12206821B1 patent drawing
  • US12206821B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed to customization of a contact center, using a data communications server. According to a specific example, the data communications server includes circuitry configured and arranged to provide data communications services to a plurality of remotely-situated client entities. The data communications server further provides a user interface for each respective remotely-situated client entity, the user interface including a display of communications-based campaigns, tools for contact center communications (e.g., interactive voice response (IVR) tools), and data analytics. Moreover, the data communications server provides a display on the user interface which may include selectable components to create for the associated remotely-situated client entity, a customized way for handling data communications by the data communications server. Accordingly, the data communications server may handle communications for the associated remotely-situated client entity according to the provided customization.