OPEX Hosting have recently launched a brand new staff rostering and scheduling service which successfully complements their growing suite of virtual call centre applications. The service incorporates ‘follow me capability’ so that regardless of where the agent or recipient of the call is, be it their desk, mobile or anywhere else the call will effectively follow them. It can be used in different ways depending on the needs of the client. One application of the product is in the event of a major incident a single number can be published and an ACD engine is used to discern key routing rules, ensuring that calls can get through to the people with the expertise and skills to deal with them. Another application currently being used by an existing client is to ensure that internal service level agreements can be met. Using an internal phone index, a number is published that will route staff to specialists in key areas of the business such as insurance, mortgages and pensions. The client is free to self-administrate the service and can build a roster for agents so that at any point in time one of ten to fifteen people are diarised as available to answer the call. The individuals or agents can use their phone to dial in and change the status and drop in an out of the roster as circumstances permit, the system can then automatically replace that person. Managers can effectively manage the availability of staff gaining a single view in real time of who is booked in to cover calls and able to receive calls, which can then be routed based on skills or whichever caller has been waiting longest. This is yet another application which supports home or flexible working and to counteract the problem of calls being routed and either picked up by someone else in the household or perhaps just by the answer phone ‘whispering pin’ technology has been incorporated. This prompts whoever has picked up the call to state a pin number before that call will then be transferred through to them. Plans are underway to develop the capability of the service further by incorporating the ability to conference in management or third parties to the call, so watch this space…. Written by: Business Systems UK
Blog 28 August, 2025 What is Conversational AI? A Beginner’s Guide to Smarter CX In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, businesses are under increasing pressure to deliver seamless and efficient customer experiences (CX). Customers expect quick responses, personalised interactions, and 24/7 availability. This is where Conversational AI comes in. By leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP), Conversational AI enhances customer service, automates interactions, and significantly improves operational
Blog 23 July, 2025 Mike Wardell Appointed Executive Chairman We are pleased to announce that Mike Wardell, former CEO of Business Systems Ltd, has transitioned to the role of Executive Chairman of both Business Systems and Wordwatch. This strategic move marks a significant milestone for both brands as they continue to strengthen their market-leading positions in customer contact solutions and communications governance and archiving.
Blog 16 July, 2025 Unlocking the Power of Conversation: How Interaction Analytics Is Reshaping Contact Centre Workforce Planning Contact centres are no longer just cost centres – they’re goldmines of actionable insight. And in 2025, forward-thinking customer contact leaders are discovering that the most untapped resource in their operations isn’t in headcount or tech—it’s the conversations they’re already having. Welcome to the era of interaction analytics. With the power to transform how you
Blog 8 July, 2025 From Hype to Impact: AI Strategies for Maximum ROI AI is revolutionising customer contact – but for many contact centres, the results aren’t matching the promise. Despite a surge in experimentation, too many organisations find themselves in “pilot paralysis”: high on potential, low on return. Contact centres need to adopt AI, but many are hitting the same wall: inconsistent ROI. Why? Because not all
Blog 3 June, 2025 Why Workforce Engagement is Key to Retaining Contact Centre Agents Call of Duty: Why Engaged Agents Stay in Contact Centres One repeat challenge our consultants see when we partner with new organisations is Agent retention. With increasing customer expectations, hybrid working models, and AI-driven efficiencies reshaping the contact centre industry, there is always an ongoing pressure for organisations to keep agents engaged and motivated in
Blog 15 May, 2025 How OpenAI’s o3 and o4 Mini Models are a major step forward in Conversational AI for Contact Centres The release of OpenAI’s latest large language models – o3 and o4 mini – represents a major step forward in the evolution of enterprise-grade AI for customer service. These new models are purpose-built to handle complexity, improve reasoning, and scale automation without compromising control or compliance. For contact centres looking to enhance customer experiences and
Blog 1 April, 2025 AI Agents in Contact Centres: Are You Ready for the Future? The Future of Customer Service is Here The contact centre industry is undergoing a significant transformation. Rising customer expectations, increasing operational costs, and workforce shortages are putting immense pressure on businesses to deliver seamless customer experiences while maintaining profitability. The companies that embrace AI agents today are the industry leaders of tomorrow – those that
Blog 10 February, 2025 What is Agentic AI and Why Does It Matter to You? Agentic AI is transforming contact centres by enabling systems to act autonomously, adapt to new situations, and proactively achieve goals – much like a human agent. But how does it differ from traditional automation, and why should contact centre leaders take notice? What is Agentic AI? Unlike rule-based automation, Agentic AI makes independent decisions, learns