Call center operations system

• US 20060013380A1
• Filed: 09/19/2005
• Published: 01/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Systems R & D Corporation (JFE Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Systems R & D Corporation (JFE Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Yoshizawa, Isao
• Application Number:
  US11/228,298
• Publication Number:
  US 20060013380A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/265.20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5158 in combination with automated outdialling systems devices for signalling identity of wanted subscriber H04M1/26
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5175 Call or contact centers supervision arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5183 Call or contact centers with computer-telephony arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5237 Interconnection arrangements between ACD systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/60 Semi-automatic systems, i.e. in which the numerical selection of the outgoing line is under the control of an operator
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13072 Sequence circuits for call signaling, ACD systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13107 Control equipment for a part of the connection, distributed control, co-processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13148 Maximum profit routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13349 Network management
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13353 Routing table, map memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/64 Distributing or queueing

Abstract

A multi-call-center operations system is provided with a collective operator management device for determining an increase or a decrease in the number of operators in charge of outbound service at each of call centers and for transferring the resulting determination to an associated call center, and collectively manages at one location the number of operators in charge of outbound service at a plurality of call centers. The human resource of a call center and the facility resource dependent also on the number of operators are effectively used. Databases are also efficiently maintained and toll charges for calls to customers are minimized, thereby minimizing the overall cost of operating the call center.

Claims

1. A call center operations method characterized in that,

with at least either an extension number of a respective telephone connected to a PBX or an ACD number managed by the PBX being pre-registered, a PBX information collecting and routing control device for receiving from the PBX and collecting at least either information indicative of a state of a telephone connected to the PBX or information indicative of a state of an ACD queue is used, and

if at least either the state of the telephone or the state of the ACD queue has changed, a calling control unit for giving the PBX a command for providing an outgoing call to a directed telephone number stored in a database in accordance with the change-of-state notification is used, thereby

allowing the calling control unit to control the outgoing call, and

when once the call is connected, the connected call is controlled by a separately specified CTI device for controlling the PBX to forward the connected call and for providing information regarding the connected call for an operator using a telephone connected to the PBX.

2. A call center operations apparatus, characterized by comprising:

a PBX information collecting and routing control device, with an extension number of a respective telephone connected to a PBX being pre-registered, for receiving information indicative of a state of a telephone from the PBX and for sending a change-of-state notification indicative of the change if the state of the telephone has changed, and

a calling control unit for giving the PBX a direction for providing an outgoing call to a called telephone number stored in a database in accordance with the change-of-state notification, wherein

the calling control unit controls the outgoing call, and

when once the call is connected, the connected call is controlled by a separately specified CTI device for controlling the PBX to forward the connected call and for providing information regarding the connected call for an operator using a telephone connected to the PBX.

3. A computer readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, the computer program for implementing the call center operations apparatus set forth in claim 2.