Abstract:
A computer-implemented system and method for distributing recorded communications within a contact center for scoring based upon a set of positive and/or negative skills and attributes associated with each member of a set of scoring users and determined from each recorded communication. The central server maintains collection of recorded communications and a listing of scoring users and their associated criteria. Additionally, the system and method increases efficiency by distributing recordings to scoring users for scoring during times of low utilization or during previously scheduled scoring time blocks. When a scoring user is assigned a recording, the central server distributes the recording to the user in either a file format or through another communication device, such as a telephone, headset, or computer terminal. In addition, the central server automatically generates scoring progress and workload reports for easy assessment of progress, quality control, and workforce adjustment.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to telecommunication systems and methods, as well as systems for operating contact centers. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a system and method for automatically facilitating the process of assigning and delivering recorded communications to supervisors for scoring within a contact center. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A number of businesses and other organizations provide contact centers in which a plurality of personnel answer calls, such as telephone calls or other inquiries, e.g. from potential or existing customers. Contact centers serve a number of functions including facilitating the placement of orders for goods or services, providing information about products or the status of orders, receiving customer complaints or suggestions, dispensing product or technical information to assist customers in selecting or using products or services and the like. 
         [0003]    Many such contact centers are configured so that the telephone or other communications facilities manned by the contact center personnel are coupled via a computer controlled system, e.g. for routing calls to available agents or other personnel. In the past, some such systems have included devices for facilitating supervision and/or monitoring the performance of such agents. For example, some devices are configured to collect, store, and/or analyze statistical data, while others store actual call recordings to be later analyzed and/or scored by contact center supervisors. 
         [0004]    While previous systems of this type for facilitating supervision of contact center agents may have been adequate in many situations, they often require additional personnel and distract contact center employees from their primary task of speaking with customers. Previous systems are also inefficient at distributing recorded agent communications to appropriate knowledgeable contact center supervisors to ensure the highest level of scoring. For instance, a supervisor skilled in sales may be totally unqualified to score a dispute resolution communication. Additionally, communication recording may be routed to supervisors or experienced agents during downtime in order to increase productivity and efficiency. Therefore, there is a need for further improvement in the current ways in which agent communication scoring workload is distributed and handled 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for intelligently distributing communication recordings amongst a group of scoring users in a contact center. A contact center server records a communication, such as an incoming call, and designates it for subsequent scoring. The system then matches the attributes of the recording to those of a subset of scoring users increasing the accuracy of scoring by assigning recordings to users having the requisite skills to analyze the communication. The system receives the scores assigned to each communication by the assigned users and processes them for use by a contact center manager. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the system distributes recordings to the selected scoring users based upon availability or work load. In a further form, each scoring user is automatically scheduled for time blocks in which to receive and perform recording scoring. 
         [0007]    In a further embodiment, the attributes of a communication recording are determined using IVR response, DNIS, caller ID, key press logging, and voice recognition. 
         [0008]    In another form, the criteria associated with each scoring user may include skills possessed or lacked, such as languages spoken, sales abilities, customer service abilities, or specific product knowledge. Other criteria may include negative indications, such as the inability to score a particular type of recording, such as a recording having a particular agent due to a known bad working relationship. 
         [0009]    Yet other forms, embodiments, objects, advantages, benefits, features, and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description and drawings contained herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic view of a computer system of one implementation. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a high-level process flow diagram demonstrating the stages involved in recording and distributing communications for scoring using the system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a representative screen shot of a communication scoring template suitable for use in one embodiment of the present system and method. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a design view of a sample user profile suitable for use in one embodiment of the present system and method. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a detailed flow chart illustrating the steps for distributing a recording communication for scoring in one embodiment of the present system and method. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
         [0016]    One implementation includes a unique system for distributing communication recordings for scoring within a contact center.  FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic view of computer system  20  of one embodiment of the present invention. Computer system  20  includes computer network  22 . Computer network  22  couples together a number of computers  21  over network pathways  23 . More specifically, system  20  includes several servers, namely Call Queue Servers  24   a ,  24   b , and  24   c , and a Recording Server  26 . System  20  also includes agent client workstations  30   a ,  30   b , and  30   c . While computers  21  are each illustrated as being a server or client, it should be understood that any of computers  21  may be arranged to include both a client and server. Furthermore, it should be understood that while seven computers  21  are illustrated, more or fewer may be utilized in alternative embodiments. 
         [0017]    Call Queue Servers  24   a ,  24   b , and  24   c  and Recording Server  26  include one or more processors or CPUs ( 50   a ,  50   b ,  50   c , and  50   d , respectively) and one or more types of memory ( 52   a ,  52   b ,  52   c , and  52   d , respectively). Each memory  52   a ,  52   b ,  52   c , and  52   d  includes a removable memory device ( 54   a ,  54   b ,  54   c , and  54   d , respectively). Although not shown to preserve clarity, each computer  21  of system  20  includes one or more processors or CPUs and one or more types of memory. Each processor may be comprised of one or more components configured as a single unit. Alternatively, when of a multi-component form, a processor may have one or more components located remotely relative to the others. One or more components of each processor may be of the electronic variety defining digital circuitry, analog circuitry, or both. In one embodiment, each processor is of a conventional, integrated circuit microprocessor arrangement, such as one or more PENTIUM III or PENTIUM 4 processors supplied by INTEL Corporation of 2200 Mission College Boulevard, Santa Clara, Calif. 95052, USA. 
         [0018]    Each memory (removable or generic) is one form of computer-readable device. Each memory may include one or more types of solid-state electronic memory, magnetic memory, or optical memory, just to name a few. By way of non-limiting example, each memory may include solid-state electronic Random Access Memory (RAM), Sequentially Accessible Memory (SAM) (such as the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) variety or the Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) variety), Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM), Electronically Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), or Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM); an optical disc memory (such as a DVD or CD ROM); a magnetically encoded hard disc, floppy disc, tape, or cartridge media; or a combination of any of these memory types. Also, each memory may be volatile, nonvolatile, or a hybrid combination of volatile and nonvolatile varieties. 
         [0019]    System  20  further illustrates Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)  40  coupled to computer-controlled telephone switches  46   a ,  46   b , and  46   c  (alternatively designated switches  46 ) of servers  24   a ,  24   b , and  24   c  by pathways  42   b ,  42   c , and  42   d , respectively. Caller telephones  44  are coupled to PSTN  40  by pathway  42   a . Switches  46  are also coupled to telephones  36   a ,  36   b , and  36   c  (alternatively designated telephones  36 ) by lines  48   a ,  48   b , and  48   c . For the sake of clarity, each switch  46  is shown coupled to a single corresponding telephone  36 . However, is should be understood that each of telephones  36  may be coupled to one or more switches and that switches  48  may be located at one or more physical locations and connected to a number of phones. Switches  46  may be arranged in the form of a Private Branch Exchange (PBX), predictive dialer, Automatic Call Distributor (ACD), a combination of these, or another switching configuration as would occur to those skilled in the art. Telephones  36  may be in the form of a handset, headset, or other arrangement as would occur to those skilled in the art. Telephones  36   a ,  36   b , and  36   c  are each associated with a different one of agent workstations  30   a ,  30   b , and  30   c , respectively (collectively designated agent workstations  30 ). Agent workstations  30  each include an agent computer  32  coupled to a display  34 . Agent computers  32  may be of the same type, or a heterogeneous combination of different computing devices. Likewise, displays  34  may be of the same type, or a heterogeneous combination of different visual devices. Although not shown to preserve clarity, each agent workstation  30  may also include one or more operator input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, track ball, light pen, and/or microtelecommunicator, to name just a few representative examples. Also, besides display  34 , one or more other output devices may be included such as loudspeaker(s) and/or a printer. 
         [0020]    Computer network  22  can be in the form of a Local Area Network (LAN), Municipal Area Network (MAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), such as the Internet, a combination of these, or such other network arrangement as would occur to those skilled in the art. The operating logic of system  20  can be embodied in signals transmitted over network  22 , in programming instructions, dedicated hardware, or a combination of these. It should be understood that more or fewer computers  21  can be coupled together by computer network  22 . It should also be recognized that computer network  22  may include one or more elements of PSTN  40 . Indeed, in an alternate embodiment, PSTN  40  and computer network  22  are provided as a common network. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, system  20  operates as a contact center at one or more physical locations that are remote from one another with call queue servers  24   a ,  24   b , and  24   c  being configured as contact center server hosts, Recording Server  26  being configured as a server for storing a large number of communication recordings and associated scoring information, and agent workstations  30   a ,  30   b , and  30   c  each arranged as a contact center client host. In an alternate form, system  20  may include one or more Recording Servers  26 , such as one per geographic location or one per call queue server  24  as may be required to handle communication recording load. It shall be understood that each agent workstation (collectively  30 ) may have varying degrees of permissions, such as in the instance of a supervisor being logged in. Additional telephones  36  may be connected to switches  46  that each correspond to an additional client host to provide more agent workstations  30  (not shown). Typically contact center applications of system  20  would include many more agent workstations of this type at one or more physical locations, but only a few have been illustrated in  FIG. 1  to preserve clarity. Also, one or more servers  24  may be configured as a contact center server host at one or more physical locations. Furthermore, one or more servers  24  may also be configured to provide, collectively or individually, the features of Recording Server  26  described herein. In a further form, a database server, storage area network, or other storage type known to one of skill in the art may be connected to Recording Server  26  to facilitate storage of communication recordings and associated information. 
         [0022]    Alternatively or additionally, system  20  may be arranged to provide for distribution, routing, recording, and scoring of a number of different forms of communications, such as telephone calls, voice mails, faxes, e-mail, web chats, web call backs, and the like. In addition, while the illustrative embodiment utilizes the PSTN, alternative embodiments may implements other forms of communications such as VoIP or other digital communication. Furthermore, business/customer data associated with various communications may be selectively accessed with system  20 . This data may be presented to an agent at each agent workstation  30  by way of monitor  34  operatively coupled to the corresponding agent computer  32 . 
         [0023]    References herein to a communication shall include, but not be limited to, telephone calls, voicemails, e-mail, instant messaging, chats, video conferences, and/or any other communication type known to one of skill in the art. References to a communication recording shall be understood to include, by way of non-limiting example, a digital or analog recording or transcript of a communication, any meta-data, screen captures, and/or signaling information associated with the communication. Further, references to a telephone call in the illustrative embodiment shall be understood to include traditional PSTN calls and digital telephony such as VOIP, SIP, and SRTP to name just a few. Furthermore, references herein to a score shall be understood to include, by way of non-limiting example, one or more numerical values, one or more letter grades, or a completed evaluation form. The present system and method may be applied to many other types of communications and their use within the current system and method is desired to be protected. 
         [0024]    Turning now to  FIG. 2  with continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the stages for implementing one or more aspects of system  20  are described in further detail.  FIG. 2  is a high level process flow diagram that demonstrates the process for configuring and operating system  20  to automatically distribute selected communication recordings to a workgroup of scoring users, receive and store the scores assigned by the scoring users, and generate reports based upon scoring progress, status, and workload in addition to agent performance. In one form, the process of  FIG. 2  is at least partially implemented in the operating logic of system  20 . 
         [0025]    The process begins at start point  200  with the system  20  receiving a set of business rules defining which communication recordings should be scored (stage  202 ). In the illustrative embodiment, these business rules are utilized by Recording Server  26  to select a subset of communication recordings from a continually growing/changing collection it maintains. In one form, the business rules are defined in Recording Server  26  using an agent workstation, such as workstation  30   a , having the requisite permission, such as those granted to a contact center manager upon login. In a further form, the rules are defined using a software implemented wizard allowing a contact center manager or other supervisor to quickly define what portion and/or type of recordings should be scored and other associated attributes. It shall be appreciated that any method of selectively recording communications within a contact center, such as by Recording Server  26 , and any method of selecting previously recorded communications for scoring will meet the needs of the present system and method. 
         [0026]    In addition to selecting a subset of communication recordings for scoring (stage  202 ), a set of scoring templates are selected/created (stage  204 ). In the illustrated embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , scoring form  300  is an electronic form to be completed by a scoring user which is generated using a predefined scoring template. In one form, the scoring form  300  is generated by Recording Server  26  for scoring of an identified recording using characteristics of the recording, such as its communication type, subject matter, or length, and presented to the scoring user at a workstation, such as workstation  30 , using network  22  and monitor  34 . Preferably, the communication recording to be scored is presented to the scoring user simultaneously with the scoring form  300 . In one form, the communication recording is sent to the computer of the scoring user for playback, such as in the form of an audio file, while in others forms it may be played back to the scoring user through an associated telephone or other communication device. 
         [0027]    Scoring form  300  is divided into several components, such as Product Knowledge tab  302 , Customer Service tab  304 , and Sales Aptitude tab  306 . It shall be understood than any combination of tabs, such as those illustrated or otherwise, could be combined. Starting with tab  302 , the scoring user may interface with the scoring form  300  to assign scores to various criteria such as, by way of non-limiting example, the agent&#39;s understanding of the product, the agent&#39;s customer interaction skills, and/or the agent&#39;s overall performance using scoring methods such as true/false radio buttons  312 , slider bar  314 , or empty field  316 . The types of scoring information collected by other tabs, such as tab  304  and  306  may be determined by the contact center manager during stage  202 . In the illustrative embodiment, Customer Service tab  304  collects information regarding the agent&#39;s ability to provide the customer with what they need in a prompt and courteous manner, while Sales Aptitude tab  306  allows for a scoring user to evaluate the ability of an agent to make a sale and otherwise promote products or services offered. 
         [0028]    Once the scoring user completes scoring form  300 , including a number of tabs, the scoring user may see summary results of their scoring in overview window  320  as well as the currently updated scoring results from all scoring users or average scores of a particular communication or associated agent in overall results window  322 . Additionally, any comments may be entered into comments field  330  which the scoring user may desire. In an alternate form, instructions may also be inserted into the comments field  330  by Recording Server  26  for use by a scoring user. Once the scoring form  300  is completed, the scoring user selects the save option  340  and the scoring information is transmitted to Recording Server  26  using network  22 . Additionally, the scoring user is able to listen to the recorded communication using integrated playback controls  350 . 
         [0029]    It shall be appreciated that a number of scoring templates are created for use by system  20 , and may include a series of customized templates for varying forms of communications, differing subject matter, or communications of different length, as may be required by varying implementations. In a still further form, the scoring templates may be dynamically generated for each individual communication recording based upon attributes derived from the communication or the parties to the communication. In one form, in the case of multiple users scoring the same communication recording, each scoring user completes a similar scoring template. In an alternate form, different scoring users complete differing scoring templates for a single recording based upon their skills and/or areas of the recording identified as needing more input. For example, if a recording received comparable scores for product knowledge, the Recording Server  26  may be satisfied that the scores are accurate, but in the event the Recording Server  26  receives a diverse range of scores for sales aptitude, the recording may be assigned to additional users for scoring in an attempt to harmonize the score assigned to that aspect. In other forms, the scoring templates may additionally be made available in a web page allowing platform independence and/or remote completion. 
         [0030]    In order to complete the forms, at least one workgroup of scoring users is created (stage  206 ) The workgroup includes a number of selected users having sufficient skill and experience to provide accurate scores to communication recordings. In one form, the system may have a plurality of different workgroups, with each workgroup representing a set of scoring users having a similar area of expertise, experience level, or scheduled availability time. Users assigned to a scoring workgroup may be supervisors, experienced agents, or any other contact center personnel. It shall be appreciated that the system configuration steps defined above may occur concurrently or in any order. 
         [0031]    Once the workgroups of scoring users have been defined (stage  206 ), a listing of information and criteria for each individual member of the workgroups is populated (stage  208 ). In the illustrative embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a user profile  400  includes a listing of criteria having both positive and negative aspects for use in communication recording distribution. User profile  400  includes a user name field  402 , a user role field  404  indicating the user&#39;s access level, such as an agent, supervisor, or manager, and user availability flag  406  indicating whether or not the user is currently available to perform scoring. In an alternate form, flag  406  may be replaced by the user&#39;s current or forecast workload or the schedule of the user, either showing time scheduled for work or time scheduled specifically for scoring. 
         [0032]    User profile  400  includes a set of criteria  410  which is used by Recording Server  26  in distributing communication recordings for scoring. The criteria  410  include a customized listing of skills useful to a contact center operation. For instance, in a contact center primarily involved in technical support communications, whether or not a user has a skill, such as knowledge of a particular individual product types, is very valuable in routing a communication recording involving that product for scoring. Similarly, in a contact center of an online retailer, whether or not a user has a skill in handling disputes may be an important skill for identifying a proper scoring user or users. 
         [0033]    In one form, each skill is either indicated as possessed or not by the user&#39;s associated user profile  400 . In a further form, each skill may be indicated as possessed, not possessed, or particularly not suited for, thereby allowing skills to be indicated as particularly problematic for certain users. In a still further form, each skill may have a score indicating the level of the skill possessed, either positive or negative. By way of non-limiting example, the skills may include numerous areas of expertise, such as sales, tech support, dispute resolution, customer support, languages spoken, or the like. In addition, the criteria  410  may also include negative indications, such as a particular lack of skill in an area, or the profile  400  may include restrictions, such as restriction  420 , or other reasons that may impact the ability of a user to accurately score a communication recording, such as a bad working relationship with a contact center agent which may lead to inaccurate or biased scoring. 
         [0034]    In one form, the scoring criteria  410  of user profile  400  are populated initially by a supervisor and updated periodically. In another form, the scoring criteria  410  are updated automatically by the system  20  based upon the number of communications the user has handled or the user&#39;s own scored communication or reviewed scores. Preferably, a user interface allows for easy selection of skills, indications, and other aspects of the scoring criteria for each user. 
         [0035]    Once the scoring users are known to Recording Server  26 , a selected communication recording may be assigned to one or more scoring users (stage  210 ) using the criteria associated with each scoring user and a set of information obtained by system  20  relevant to the communication recording. Turning to  FIG. 5 , a detailed flow chart of the process for assigning a communication recording to a group of scoring users is illustrated. Turning to  FIG. 5 , a detailed flow chart of the process for assigning a communication recording to a group of scoring users is illustrated. The process begins at start point  500  with Recording Server  26  selecting a communication recording for scoring (stage  502 ). Once the recording is selected, using a set of rules defined in step  202 , from a collection of recordings stored by Recording Server  26 , the process proceeds to determine the attributes of the selected communication recording (stage  504 ). The attributes of a communication recording may include the agent(s) participating in the communication, the type of communication, i.e. telephone call, web chat, etc., the subject matter of the communication, the duration of the communication, the language in which the communication takes place, and many others. In the illustrative embodiment, the Recording Server  26  utilizes DNIS, Caller ID, IVR responses, key presses, voice recognition, and other methods to determine the attributes of a communication. It shall be appreciated that these attributes may be determined at the time of recording and archived or may be determined at a later time, such as the time of assignment for scoring. 
         [0036]    Once the Recording Server  26  has the attributes of a communication recording, the Recording Server  26  attempts to find a scoring user having the best available associated criteria for the particular recording (stage  506 ). In the illustrative embodiment, a simple matching algorithm is utilized, with certain aspects of the recording being required and other preferred for a scoring user. Other methods of matching, such as vector distance, or weighted average may be utilized. In addition, negative criteria, such as a bad working relationship indication or a lack of skill in a specific area of expertise may block a particular user from being assigned to score a particular communication. Additionally, the availability of a scoring user may impact which user is selected. For instance, if a recording requires immediate scoring then a user who is currently available for scoring or who has a light work load must be selected whereas a less urgent recording may be assigned to a user who will not be available to score it for several days or more. The process ends at end point  508 . 
         [0037]    Once the scoring users are selected for a recording (stage  210 ), the distribution of communication recordings and their proper scoring template may begin (stage  212 ). In the illustrative embodiment communication recordings are distributed to scoring users when available. In one form, communication recordings may be inserted into a work queue of a scoring user just like other work tasks, such as training sessions or other incoming/outgoing communications. In another form, a user may select an “Available for Scoring” state and automatically begin to receive queued communications from Recording Server  26  for scoring. In a further form, a scoring user may be automatically entered into the “Available for Scoring” state in response to a scheduled time which may be an entire work shift or merely a portion thereof. 
         [0038]    Once a recording has been assigned to a scoring user (stage  212 ), the Call Queue Servers  24  await and receive scoring information assigned to each communication recording for processing and storage (stage  214 ). In the illustrated embodiment, a communication recording is assigned to multiple scoring users and the scores are combined to create a final score for each recorded communication. Optionally, upon receipt of a number of scores for a communication recording, the recording may be archived or deleted as desired by Recording Server  26 . Preferably, the Recording Server  26  actively monitors the scoring of assigned communication recordings and provides status reports, reminders, and feedback to scoring users. The process ends at endpoint  216 . 
         [0039]    At any time throughout the ongoing process, a user or contact center supervisor may request the status of communication recording workload and progress. In response, Recording Server  26  determines the status of each recorded communication, which, in the illustrative embodiment may be unassigned, awaiting scores, or completed. The reports may be customized to provide any information stored by Recording Server  26  or determinable therefrom. In the illustrative embodiment, the reports generated may be especially useful in determining the number of scoring users required in order to efficiently score selected recordings as well as to monitor the progress of scoring users through their assigned recordings for scoring. 
         [0040]    While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all equivalents, changes, and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions as described herein and/or by the following claims are desired to be protected.