Custom IVR Services Overview

CustomIVR allows inbound callers to navigate a menu tree and/or series of prompts/questions, and, upon completion of the call send the collected response back to a central server or other system via a "flat" e-mail file, other TCP/IP connection, or telephone (modem or DTMF) based methodology. With CustomIVR, there's no need to continuously upgrade or purchase new telephone equipment or feature packages to supplement an IVR or customer response system - callers may be "branched" over to a dedicated CustomIVR number seamlessly, with results of the call being reported back upon call completion.

Example A: An independent pharmacy wishes to provide its customers with an automated order/renewal system. Callers to the pharmacy's main number are given the option to order a presecription renewal by phone, and if the option is selected, the call is transferred to a CustomIVR on Interpage's CustomIVR server. The server prompts callers (with generic recordings or recordings made by the subscriber's voice talent) to enter their prescription number and other information. CustomIVR can interractively communicate with the pharmacy's server via TCP/IP or traditional landline, obtain confirmation, and notify the caller that their order has been processed and the given prescription is available for pick-up, with optional message confirmation to the customer by text message and email. Alternately, CustomIVR can send the refill request to the pharmacy (with no interactive query back to the pharmacy database), and the pharmacy can process the confirmation to the customer after the call has completed.

Example B: A contracting company wishes to obtain status information as specific jobs or work orders, and provides an Interpage CustomIVR for its employees and contractors to call when given waypoints or aspects of a given contract or job are completed. CustomIVR reports back to the contracting company's server, which then updates the status of the job/contract in question, allowing the contracting company to send out updates to customers, field personnel (in this example via pager) and update their web portal accordingly.

Example C: Coin-Op or vending services can program their equipment to dial out to Interpage's CustomIVR when stocks or supplies are low. Custom IVR will then automatically relay the information to suppliers and vendors by voice message (or email, text messaging, paging, or fax) so that vending machines and coin-op devices can be automatically re-stocked.

Example D: Professional organizations which require field representatives to verify work order completion, new orders, contracts, or other documents may utilize the CustomIVR service to verify completion and have confirmations or new customer instructions faxed (as well as e-mailed and messaged) to all signatories.

Interpage's CustomIVR service can be an effective tool to reduce overhead and equipment costs as well as expenditures to continuously update software and equipment by acting as a distpatch hub for alert messaging, capable of connecting to all end devices (cellphones, e-mail, SMS/MMS, POTS lines, fax, text-to-speech/voice, and alpha or numeric-only pagers).

This includes older, legacy devices, such as office-wide voicemail systems, which are able to notify only paging equipment via Touch Tone/DTMF: CustomIVR can accept DTMF from such systems and message nearly any end device, saving the cost of upgrading otherwise highly functional and useful equipment/systems which lack internet connectivity.

In general, CustomIVR can serve as a customized "add on" to existing systems to offer new features and/or enhance connectivity, without the need to upgrade or replace them, keeping customers/users happy while lowering costs and keeping existing systems and equipment.

Other CustomIVR features include:

• Integration with nearly any communications device which has telephone dialout capabilities, including via TAP, DTMF/Touch Tone, or Voicemail re-broadcast to multiple destinations.
  
• Enhances or replaces current notification systems which can only notify one device by allowing multiple devices (cellphones, pagers, email, fax, and voice-only) to receive notification when an event (such as a page or voicemail), alert, status change, or alarm condition occurs.
  
• Adds functionality to existing IVR systems without having to purchase new equipment or software packages - Customers/callers may be "branched" off to the CustomIVR service, processed, and optionally returned to the IVR tree (if applicable with the given IVR system).
  
• Legacy voicemail systems, Coin-Operated and Automated devices, such as equipment in self-serve car washes, laudromats, parking/ticketing machines, beverage and ticket vending machines, etc, can use their existing dial-out capabilities to connect to their customIVR acccout, which can then send messages and alerts to multiple mobile, email, fax, voice and other destinations.
  
• Provides alternate means of notification and connectivity should internet access go down or become congested, ensuring time-critical responses and information are still delivered in a reliable, timely manner.
  
• Voicemail Integration to provide voicemail systems without internet connectivity the ability to notify both internet and non-internet enabled devices, such as text messages to cell phones, alpha and numeric messages to pagers and paging systems, fax, e-mail, and voice notification. Voicemail systems which were only able to notify one end user/device may utilize CustomIVR to send messages to multiple devices/recipients simultaneously. Additionally, CustomIVR also allows voicemail administrators to control and modify at will where and to whom alarm messages and alerts are sent, by time, day of the week, etc.
  
• A single source of contact/connection for all facilities/locations/systems. Multiple IVRs may branch off to a single CustomIVR for processing, and callers can optionally be handed back off to the initiating IVR for seamless processing. Voicemail systems at a given entity may collectively use Custom IVR as their point of contact with the "outside world" by dialing the CustomIVR service, which will then in turn provide a single, unified messaging interface for notification/messaging to all destination devices (rather than have each office show different e-mail or messaging return address information and message headers).
  
• Multiple sites and/or pieces of equipment may use the same account and messages sent will carry a unique identifier for the sending device, even if the given device is not capable of sending out identifying information on its own.
  
• Saves money and monthly recurring internet access costs for remote equipment which does not need continuous access to the Internet and only needs to send out occasional messages or status messages as circumstances require. CustomIVR is well-suited for low-volume applications which do not merit the investment in new equipment or continuous high-bandwidth internet access, but which still require seamless, integrated IVR and/or messaging functionality.

*Access via mail, TCP/IP, customized applications, or without internet access via any modem and/or Numeric/DTMF device, or landline.

* Optional return notifications are sent via e-mail, direct TCP/IP connection, customized channels, or if no internet access is available via modem or DTMF dial-out.

* Send via text message to cell phones, e-mail recipients, fax machines or landline or mobile telephones (via voice) to be notified as needed.

* Schedule and prioritize, via Web-based and/or Telnet access, which cellphones, pagers, e-mails, and other devices receive notification when a page or message is received (or have all of them notified simultaneously), based on time, date, and content.

* Works and interoperates with nearly any IVR or Voicemail system, and can message nearly any cellular/mobile provider, GSM SMS International mobile, alpha or numeric-only pager system, fax or regular/landline or cellular voice telephone.

* Worldwide access numbers for local connectivity and no message/toll/unit charges.

* Optional multiple local access numbers may be combined and/or PINs to message/page the same account; thus a given user may have (for example) a US number, a UK number, and one in Japan, etc.

CustomIVR pricing is based on the degree of customization required for a given CustomIVR project (as a one-time up-front cost), as well as monthly recurring charges, which start at $99 per month for shared-server applications.

High-volume, dedicated server, and unlimited messaging options are available as well.

Please contact Interpage for additional information, details, and a specific rate quote based on your application(s) and service requirements.

CustomIVR enables portions of the Interpage Test Text, SMS, and Multimedia/MMS Messaging Service, and may be accessed by calling +1 (650) 456-4556.