Abstract:
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for locating resources. A resource locator server is coupled to a call center server over a network. The system uses the resource locator server to allow users, such as call center agents, to access a list of resources available for answering a particular question and/or solving a particular problem. Users can access the resource locator server to search a ranked list of resources based on predefined levels of subject matter expertise and their desire to be contacted, and determine the availability of the resource through presence management. Resource profiles are created for each resource to specify desire to be contacted, expertise, and location. User profiles are created for each resource to specify permission levels for which resources can be contacted.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Knowledge workers in call centers and other organizations often have a hard time determining who holds expertise in given areas. They must ask co-workers to track the experts down, in some cases asking multiple people before the right person is identified as a subject matter expert for the question at hand. The manual process slows down problem solving and reduces worker productivity. Other organizations have developed ways to track lists of experts. In fact, it can be done from a simple, static web page. The problem is that the data can change (expertise level) and the updates are not presented dynamically. The page doesn&#39;t show whether the user is immediately available, nor does it provide real-time access to contact them. Typically one may send an email, which does not provide quick response to questions or quick resolution of problems. Finally, it does not allow for a callback request to be parked on a user&#39;s queue to track whether the user picks it up. When an email is sent, the user often feels he has gone out into the void, unlike a parked interaction which can be monitored. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for locating resources. A call queue server receives incoming communications. A resource locator server is coupled to the call center server over a network. The system uses the resource locator server to allow users, such as call center agents, to access a list of resources available for answering a particular question and/or solving a particular problem. Users can access the resource locator server to search a ranked list of resources based on predefined levels of subject matter expertise and their desire to be contacted, and determine the availability of the resource through presence management. Resource profiles are created for each resource to specify desire to be contacted, expertise, and location. User profiles are created for each resource to specify permission levels for which resources can be contacted. 
         [0003]    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 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic view of a computer system of one implementation. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a process flow diagram for the system of  FIG. 1  demonstrating the stages involved in identifying and selecting a resource for solving a particular issue. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a process flow diagram for the system of  FIG. 1  demonstrating the stages involved in selecting a resource from a frequently asked questions list. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a process flow diagram for the system of  FIG. 1  demonstrating the stages involved in setting up resource and user profiles. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0008]    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. 
         [0009]    One implementation includes a unique system for locating resources for solving a particular issue, such as in a call 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 Resource Locator 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. 
         [0010]    Call Queue Servers  24   a ,  24   b , and  24   c  and Resource Locator 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. 
         [0011]    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. 
         [0012]    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  48   a ,  48   b , and  48   c  (alternatively designated telephones  48 ). For the sake of clarity, each switch  46  is shown coupled to a corresponding telephone  48 . However, is should be understood that each of telephones  48  may be coupled to one or more switches and that switches  48  may be located at one or more physical locations. 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  48  may be in the form of a handset, headset, or other arrangement as would occur to those skilled in the art. Telephones  48   a ,  48   b , and  48   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. 
         [0013]    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. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, system  20  operates as a call 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 call center server hosts, Resource Locator Server  26  being configured as a server for identifying resources for handling a particular issue, and agent workstations  30   a ,  30   b , and  30   c  each arranged as a call center client host. Additional telephones  48  may be connected to switches  46  that each correspond to an additional client host to provide more agent workstations  30  (not shown). Typically call 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 call center server host at one or more physical locations. 
         [0015]    Alternatively or additionally, system  20  may be arranged to provide for distribution and routing of a number of different forms of communication, such as telephone calls, voice mails, faxes, e-mail, web chats, web call backs, and the like. 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 . 
         [0016]    Turning now to  FIGS. 2-4  with continued reference to  FIGS. 1-2 , 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 a process for identifying and selecting a resource for resolving a particular issue. In one form, the process of  FIG. 2  is at least partially implemented in the operating logic of system  20 . The process begins at start point  100  with receiving a communication that raises a question to be answered or a problem to be solved by another resource other than the user who is handling the communication (stage  102 ). In one implementation, the communication is an incoming communication in a call center environment. The user selects an option to view a list of possible resources, such as experts, to help answer the question and/or solve the problem (stage  104 ). The system presents a ranked list of resources suitable for answering the question and/or solving the problem (stage  106 ). As one non-limiting example, the list of resources can be based on a pre-defined level of subject matter expertise, the desire of the resource to be contacted, location of the resource, and availability of the resource (stage  106 ). 
         [0017]    The user reviews the list and selects the most appropriate resource (stage  108 ). If the selected resource is available (decision point  110 ), then a line of communication is opened with the selected resource (stage  112 ). As a few non-limiting examples, the selected resource can be contacted by telephone, instant message, web chat, video call, and/or SMS (stage  112 ). If the selected resource is not available (decision point  110 ), then the user can place a callback request to be contacted when the resource becomes available (stage  114 ). The process then ends at end point  110 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates the stages involved in selecting a suitable resource from a frequently asked questions list. In one form, the process of  FIG. 3  is at least partially implemented in the operating logic of system  20 . The process begins at start point  130  with the user viewing the frequently asked questions page to seek an answer to a particular question (stage  132 ). Each content entry (e.g. question and answer pair) in the FAQ page contains a link to the possible resource(s) to contact if more information is still needed (stage  134 ). When the user selects a particular link to see the possible resource(s), resource locator server  26  of system  20  calculates a score for each resource (stage  136 ). As one non-limiting example, the scores can be calculated based on the resource&#39;s desire to be contacted, expertise level, availability, and location (stage  136 ). A list of resources is then displayed in order based on the scores, along with an availability indicator for each resource (stage  138 ). The user can select an appropriate resource from the list and open a line of communication (stage  140 ). A few non-limiting examples of possible communication channels include telephone, instant message, web chat, video call, and/or SMS (stage  140 ). If the selected resource is not available, a callback request can be placed to notify the user when the resource is available (stage  142 ). The process then ends at end point  144 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates the stages involved in setting up resource profiles and user profiles to be used by resource locator server  26 . In one form, the process of  FIG. 4  is at least partially implemented in the operating logic of system  20 . The process begins at start point  150  with resource profiles being entered into resource locator server  26  (stage  152 ). Each resource profile includes information such as expertise, desire of the resource to be contacted, and location (stage  152 ). User profiles are entered into resource locator server  26  (stage  154 ). Each user profile includes information such as permissions settings that control which user has access to what resource (stage  154 ). As one non-limiting example, in a healthcare environment, nurses may have access to doctors and not researchers, and doctors may have access to researchers. Numerous other permissions levels are also possible. When a user accesses a resource list, he can only contact the resource(s) specified in the permission settings (stage  156 ). The process then ends at end point  158 . 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, a method is disclosed that comprises: receiving a communication that raises a question to be answered by another resource. A selection of an option to view a list of possible resources to help answer the question is received. A ranked list of resources suitable for answering the question is presented, with the ranked list being determined based upon an expertise level of each of a plurality of possible resources, a desire of each of the resources to be contacted, a location of each of the resources, and an availability of each of the resources. 
         [0021]    In another embodiment, a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions is disclosed that comprises logic for: receiving a request from a user to view a frequently asked questions page. The frequently asked question page is displayed with a plurality of question and answer pairs, with each question and answer pair having a resource link to allow the user to identify a resource to contact for more information if needed. A selection is received from the user to select a particular one resource link. A score is calculated for each possible resource. An ordered list of possible resources is generated based upon the score. 
         [0022]    In yet a further embodiment, a system is disclosed that comprises: at least one call center server, the call center server including means for queuing communications. A resource locator server is coupled to the call center server over a network. The resource locator server including means for receiving a selection of an option to view a list of possible resources to help answer a particular question raised during an incoming communication, and means for presenting a ranked list of resources suitable for answering the question. The resource locator server determines the ranked list of resources based upon an expertise level of each of a plurality of possible resources, a desire of each of the resources to be contacted, a location of each of the resources, and an availability of each of the resources. 
         [0023]    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.