What is IVR?

Question

IVR as far as I know is used in telephone lines for speaking dynamic data being read from a database. Can someone tell me how to use it and what is the source for this.

Answer 1

In telephony, interactive voice response, or IVR, is a computerized system that allows a person, typically a telephone caller, to select an option from a voice menu and otherwise interface with a computer system. Generally the system plays pre-recorded voice prompts to which the person presses a number on a telephone keypad to select the option chosen, or speaks simple answers such as "yes", "no", or numbers in answer to the voice prompts.

The latest systems use natural language speech recognition to interpret the questions that the person wants answered. The newest trend is Guided Speech IVR which integrates live human agents into the design and workflow of the application to help the speech recognition with human context.

Other innovations include the ability to speak complex and dynamic information such as an e-mail, news report or weather information using Text-To-Speech (TTS). TTS is computer generated synthesised speech and is no longer the robotic voice people associate with computers. Real voices are used to create the speech in tiny fragments that are glued together before being played to the caller.

IVR systems can be used to create and manage many services including telephone banking, order placement, caller identification and routing, balance inquiry, and airline ticket booking. Voicemail systems are different from IVR systems in that they are a one-way communication tool (the caller leaves a message), whereas IVR systems attempt two-way interaction with the caller. Automatic call distributor (ACD) systems are often the first point of contact when calling many larger businesses, and can be used in place of more expensive IVR systems. IVR systems are generally used at the front end of call centers to identify what service the caller wants and to extract numeric information such as account numbers as well as provide answers to simple questions such as account balances or allow pre-recorded information to be heard.

IVR systems are often criticised as being unhelpful and difficult to use due to poor design and lack of appreciation of the callers' needs. A properly designed IVR system should connect callers to their desired service promptly and with a minimum of fuss.

IVR call flows are created in a variety of ways: while older systems depended upon proprietary programming or scripting languages, modern systems are structured similar to WWW pages, using the VoiceXML or SALT languages. This allows any Web server to act as an application server, freeing the developer to focus on the call flow. Developers then also no longer require specialized programming skills, as any Web developer already has all the tools needed to create an IVR call flow.

IVR as a technology can be utilized in several different ways:
1. Equipment installed and setup on the customer premise
2. As an Outsourced Solution Provider (OSP)
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Good luck.

Answer 2

In telephony, interactive voice response, or IVR, is a computerized system that allows a person, typically a telephone caller, to select an option from a voice menu and otherwise interface with a computer system. Generally the system plays pre-recorded voice prompts to which the person presses a number on a telephone keypad to select the option chosen, or speaks simple answers such as "yes", "no", or numbers in answer to the voice prompts.

IVR systems can be used to create and manage many services including telephone banking, order placement, caller identification and routing, balance inquiry, and airline ticket booking.

IVR systems are generally used at the front end of call centers to identify what service the caller wants and to extract numeric information such as account numbers as well as provide answers to simple questions such as account balances or allow pre-recorded information to be heard.

IVR call flows are created in a variety of ways: while older systems depended upon proprietary programming or scripting languages, modern systems are structured similar to WWW pages, using the VoiceXML or SALT languages. This allows any Web server to act as an application server, freeing the developer to focus on the call flow. Developers then also no longer require specialized programming skills, as any Web developer already has all the tools needed to create an IVR call flow.

IVR as a technology can be utilized in several different ways:
1. Equipment installed and setup on the customer premise
2. As an Outsourced Solution Provider (OSP)

Answer 3

Interactive Voice Recorder (IVR) is a technology used in the field of telecommunications to improve customers' experience by presenting information and options to callers using pre-recorded voice prompts and menus mainly to handle high call volumes.

I suggest you read more about it here:

http://www.crystelcall.com/blog/view-story/196/what-is-ivr

Answer 4

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=What+is+IVR%3F