Automated sales support system

• US 7,769,642 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2009
• Issued: 08/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Todd, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Airapetian; Mila
• Application Number:
  US12/321,553
• Publication Number:
  US 20090138323A1
• Time in Patent Office: 558 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27
• US Class Current: 705/26.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0605 Supply or demand aggregation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0609 Buyer or seller confidence or verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0617 Representative agent
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0631 Item recommendations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing

Abstract

A system and method for notifying salespersons of customer communications including a target item is provided. Individual customers are mapped to one or more salespersons. Target items of interest to a salesperson are defined and a salesperson is associated with a customer. For each salesperson, on-line communication channels are monitored for the occurrence of a communications involving a customer associated with the salesperson and including a target item defined by the salesperson. When such an occurrence happens, a notification is directed to the salesperson. Salesperson access to the system and customer access to the on-line communication channels requires authorization.

Claims

1. A computerized system that alerts a salesperson of consumer interactions with an employer of the salesperson, comprising:

a processor;

a module that enables the salesperson to select a target item for an individual customer to which the salesperson is assigned in communications over a plurality of on-line communication channels from the customer;

a channel monitor that monitors the plurality of on-line communication channels for an occurrence of a communication from the customer, wherein the communication includes the target item;

a notification module that notifies the salesperson upon the occurrence; and

memory for storing a record of the occurrence in a history.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a report generator that:

accesses the history; and

generates a report from the history.

3. A computerized system that alerts a salesperson of consumer interactions with an employer of the salesperson, comprising:

a processor;

a module that enables the salesperson to select a target item for an individual customer to which the salesperson is assigned in communications over a plurality of on-line communication channels from the customer including e-mail, an asynchronous on-line discussion group, a synchronous on-line discussion group or instant messaging;

a channel monitor that monitors the plurality of on-line communication channels including for an occurrence of a communication from the customer, wherein the communication includes the target item; and

a notification module that notifies the salesperson upon the occurrence.