Optimizing call-center performance by using predictive data to distribute agents among calls
US6163607A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 19, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 3, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M3/5233
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Selection of a call for handling by a call-center agent (106-108) is based on which call's handling by the available agent will tend to optimize call-center performance criteria such as efficiency (e.g., minimize per-call handling time) or derived benefit (e.g., maximize revenue). Each agent has a service profile for each type of call that they handle. A service profile (400-402) comprises present values of a plurality of service metrics, such as proficiency, profitability, customer satisfaction, and agent satisfaction. When an agent becomes available, the present values of the service metrics of the service profile (500-502) of that agent for each type (e.g. skill) of available call handled by the agent are combined (610) into a score according to one of a plurality of formulas which corresponds to that call type, and a call of the type for which the agent has the best (e.g., either highest or just-sufficient) score is assigned (612) to the agent. Preferably, a call score is also computed (807) for each available call type, based on factors such as the purpose of the call, the call's in-queue wait time, the priority of the call, etc. The call type for which the agent has the best …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.