Interactive Voice Response
Interactive voice response (IVR) is a voice application designed to handle calls on
systems serving as voice-gateways.This system is available in two packages, either
as a router equipped with VoIP interfaces and feature sets, or as a server-based
Java solution running on Windows NT/2000 servers.The server-based solution is
the newest and most feature-rich offering for IVR within the industry.This
system offers a Web-enabled GUI management interface, with an open programming
customizable model. IVR is used to provide information in the form of
voice in response to a user-initiated string of information such as spoken word,
key-tones, or telephone line signaling. A very practical application of this solution
would be a prepaid calling card system. In such a system, a user would enter a
calling-card number and personal identification number (PIN). IVR could be
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used to allow/disallow the call, report to the user the number of minutes left on
the card, and so on. For more information on IVR and its uses/capabilities, refer
to the Cisco Web site.