IVR Systems

This interactive voice response (IVR) diagram sample depicts the architecture of IVR systems. It was designed on the base of the Wikimedia Commons file: IVR-Systemarchitektur.png. [commons.wikimedia.org/ wiki/ File:IVR-Systemarchitektur.png]
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. [creativecommons.org/ licenses/ by-sa/ 3.0/ deed.en]
"DTMF decoding and speech recognition are used to interpret the caller's response to voice prompts. DTMF tones are entered via the telephone keypad. ...
Other technologies include using text-to-speech (TTS) to speak complex and dynamic information, such as e-mails, news reports or weather information. TTS is computer generated synthesized speech that is no longer the robotic voice traditionally associated with computers. Real voices create the speech in fragments that are spliced together (concatenated) and smoothed before being played to the caller.
An IVR can be deployed in several ways:
1. Equipment installed on the customer premises.
2. Equipment installed in the PSTN (public switched telephone network).
3. Application service provider (ASP) / hosted IVR.
IVR can be used to provide a more sophisticated voice mail experience to the caller. ...
An automatic call distributor (ACD) is often the first point of contact when calling many larger businesses. ...
IVR call flows are created in a variety of ways. A traditional IVR depended upon proprietary programming or scripting languages, whereas modern IVR applications are generated in a similar way to Web pages, using standards such as VoiceXML, CCXML, SRGS and SSML. ...
In telecommunications, an audio response unit (ARU) is a device that provides synthesized voice responses to DTMF keypresses by processing calls based on (a) the call-originator input, (b) information received from a database, and (c) information in the incoming call, such as the time of day.
ARUs increase the number of information calls handled and provide consistent quality in information retrieval." [Interactive voice response. Wikipedia]
The IVR diagram example "IVR systems architecture" was designed using ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Interactive Voice Response Diagrams solution from the Computer and Networks area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.

This interactive voice response (IVR) diagram sample illustrates the IVR services.
"IVR systems are typically intended to service high call volumes, reduce cost and improve the customer experience. Examples of typical IVR applications are telephone banking, televoting, and credit card services. ...
Voice-Activated Dialing
... (VAD) IVR systems are used to automate routine enquiries to switchboard or PABX (Private Automatic Branch eXchange) operators, and are used in many hospitals and large businesses to reduce the caller waiting time. ...
Entertainment and information.
Some of the largest installed IVR platforms are used for televoting on television game shows, ... which can generate enormous call spikes. Often, the network provider will have to deploy call gapping in the PSTN to prevent network overload. ...
Anonymous access.
IVR systems allow callers to obtain data relatively anonymously. Hospitals and clinics have used IVR systems to allow callers to receive anonymous access to test results. ...
Clinical trials.
IVR systems are used by pharmaceutical companies and contract research organizations to conduct clinical trials and manage the large volumes of data generated. ... Applications include patient randomization and drug supply management. ...
Outbound calling.
IVR systems can be used for outbound calls, as IVR systems are more intelligent than many predictive dialer systems, and can use Call Progress Detection to recognize different line conditions...
Other common IVR services include:
Mobile - Pay-As-You-Go account funding; registration; mobile purchases, such as ring tones and logos;
Banking - balance, payments, transfers, transaction history;
Retail & Entertainment - orders, bookings, credit & debit card payments;
Utilities - meter readings; account look-up, history and balance, payment, consumption history;
Travel — ticket booking, flight information, check-in;
Weather forecasts, water, road and ice conditions" [Interactive voice response. Wikipedia]
The IVR diagram example "IVR services" was created using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Interactive Voice Response Diagrams solution from the Computer and Networks area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.

"Interactive voice response (IVR) is a technology that allows a computer to interact with humans through the use of voice and DTMF tones input via keypad.
In telecommunications, IVR allows customers to interact with a company’s host system via a telephone keypad or by speech recognition, after which they can service their own inquiries by following the IVR dialogue. IVR systems can respond with prerecorded or dynamically generated audio to further direct users on how to proceed. IVR applications can be used to control almost any function where the interface can be broken down into a series of simple interactions. IVR systems deployed in the network are sized to handle large call volumes.
IVR technology is also being introduced into automobile systems for hands-free operation. Current deployment in automobiles revolves around satellite navigation, audio and mobile phone systems.
It is common in industries that have recently entered the telecommunications industry to refer to an automated attendant as an IVR. The terms, however, are distinct and mean different things to traditional telecommunications professionals, whereas emerging telephony and VoIP professionals often use the term IVR as a catch-all to signify any kind of telephony menu, even a basic automated attendant. The term voice response unit (VRU), is sometimes used as well." [Interactive voice response. Wikipedia]
The interactive voice response (IVR) diagram template for the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software is included in the Interactive Voice Response Diagrams solution from the Computer and Networks area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.