AT&T Conversant VIS Adjunct Switch 585-350-812 User Manual

ASAI Application Planning and Design

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Prior to the use of data screen delivery applications, a host application typ-
ically waits for input from agents before performing an operation. Thus, the 
agent’s input generally controls the application. With data screen delivery 
applications, a new input to the application is provided. While this input 
enables agents to work more quickly, it means that the host application 
must be modified.  In particular, the call events provided by a monitoring 
script on the VIS must be used by the host to drive the screens on agent’s 
terminals.  The interface to the VIS serves as a “control” link while the inter-
face to the agent operates traditionally as an “inquiry/response” link.  The 
interactions between these two properties of the application must be con-
sidered carefully.

Suppose, for example, that a call arrives for an agent before that agent has 
finished entering data from the previous call. This scenario can be handled 
in one of two ways:

— Agents can be trained to use Aux Work or After Call Work feature 

buttons on their phones to make themselves unavailable for calls 
until they have finished entering data from the previous call.

— There is typically a point in the application’s sequence of operations 

(for example, base transaction screen) where the agent is waiting 
for a new call and begins interaction with the application. The appli-
cation could look for information from the VIS only at this point. The 
agent’s phone will alert the agent to the new call, and the agent can 
quickly finish work on the previous call.  You may wish to provide a 
quick way for the agent to move to this place in the interactions with 
the application. 

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In data screen delivery applications, phone extensions are used to identify 
agents receiving calls. The host application must therefore be able to asso-
ciate extensions with particular data terminals.Three possible ways of 
doing this are:

— The agent can be queried for the phone extension when the applica-

tion is started. This is the most flexible arrangement and handles the 
situation where data terminals and terminal ID’s are not permanently 
associated with the same phone. Agents do make mistakes in pro-
viding the phone extension to the system. You should plan for these 
occasional mistakes and make sure agents understand what must 
be done to properly use the system. Discuss this issue with the per-
son responsible for the company’s agent operations. 

— If an agent is always assigned to the same work position and hence 

extension, the extension information could be added to an agent 
profile.