Skip to main content

“It’s the Best of All Possible Worlds”: Leveraging Multimodality to Improve Call Center Productivity

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Advances in Speech Recognition

Abstract

This chapter describes trials Convergys undertook to discover how to improve call center agent productivity through the functionality provided by a multimodal workstation. The trials follow a specific sequence where multimodal building blocks are identified, investigated, and then combined into support tasks that handle call center transactions. Convergys agents tested the Multimodal User Interface (MMUI) for ease of use, and efficiency in completing caller transactions. Results show that multimodal transactions are faster to complete than only using a Graphical User Interface (GUI). Multimodal productivity enhancements are also seen to increase agent satisfaction.

Matthew Yuschik, Ph d., is a Principal Investigator at MultiMedia Interfaces, LLC, and performed the research for this chapter at Convergys Corporation, Cincinnati, OH

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Ballentine, B. (1999) How to Build a Speech Recognition Application, Enterprise Integration Group, San Ramon, CA

    Google Scholar 

  2. Brems, D., Rabin, M., and Waggett, J. (1995) Using Natural Language Conventions in the User Interface Design of Automatic Speech Recognition Systems, Human Factors 37(2):265–282

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Card, S., Moran, T., and Newell, A. (1983) The Psychology of Human-Computer Interaction, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale, New Jersey

    Google Scholar 

  4. Convergys Home Page (2010) www.convergys.com/company

  5. Convergys Corporate Report (2008) www.convergys.com/investor/annual_report_2008, page 10

  6. Esgate, A. and Groome, D. (2005) An Introduction to Applied Cognitive Psychology, Psychology Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  7. Hauptman, A., and Rudnicky, A. (1990) A Comparison of Speech and Typed Input, CHI Minneapolis, MN

    Google Scholar 

  8. Heins, R., Franzke, M., Durian, M., Bayya, A. (1997) Turn-Taking as a Design Principle for Barge-In in Spoken Language Systems, International Journal of Speech Technology 2:155–164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Karl, P. and Schneiderman, B. (1993) Speech-Activated versus Mouse-Activated Commands for Word Processing Applications: An Empirical Evaluation, International Journal of ­Man-Machine Studies 39:667–687

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Margulies, E. (2005) Adventures in Turn-Taking, Notes on Success and Failure in Turn Cue Coupling, AVIOS2005 Proceedings, San Francisco, CA

    Google Scholar 

  11. Miller, G. (1958) The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two: Some Limits on Our Capacity for Information Processing, Psychological Review 63(2):81–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Nass, C., and Brave, S. (2005) Wired for Speech, How Voice Activates and Advances the Human Computer Relationship, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA

    Google Scholar 

  13. Sacks, H., Schegloff, E.A., Jefferson, G. (1974) A Simplest Systematics for the Organization of Turn-Taking for Conversation, Language 50:696–735

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Simon, H. (1978) Cognitive Psychology Class Notes, Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA

    Google Scholar 

  15. Smith, E. and Kosslyn, S., (2007) Cognitive Psychology: Mind and Brain, Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

    Google Scholar 

  16. Yuschik, M. (1999) Design and WOZ Testing of a Voice Activated Service, AVIOS99 Proceedings, San Jose, CA

    Google Scholar 

  17. Yuschik, M. (2002) Usability Testing of Voice Controlled Messaging, International Journal of Speech Technology 5(4):331–341

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  18. Yuschik, M. (2003) Language Oriented User Interfaces for Voice Activated Services, Patent Number 6,526,382 B1

    Google Scholar 

  19. Yuschik, M., et al. (2006a) Method and System for Supporting Graphical User Interfaces, Patent Office Serial Number 60/882,906

    Google Scholar 

  20. Yuschik, M. (2006b) Comparing User Performance in a Multimodal Environment, AVIOS San Francisco, CA

    Google Scholar 

  21. Yuschik, M. (2007a) Silence Durations and Locations in Dialog Management, Chapter 7, Human Factors and Voice Interactive Systems, Second Edition, Bonneau and Blanchard (Eds.), Springer, New York/Heidelberg

  22. Yuschik, M. (2007b) Method and System for Training Users to Utilize Multimodal User Interfaces, Patent Office Serial Number 60/991,242

    Google Scholar 

  23. Yuschik, M. (2008a) Case Study: A Multimodal Tool for Call Center Agents, SpeechTEK2008, D101- Design Methods and Tools

    Google Scholar 

  24. Yuschik, M. (2008b) Steps to Determine Multimodal Mobile Interactions, SpeechTEK2008, D102 – Speaking and Listening to Mobile Devices

    Google Scholar 

  25. Yuschik, M. (2008c) Multimodal Agent-Mediated Call Center Services, Voice Search 2008, San Diego, CA

    Google Scholar 

  26. Yuschik, M. (2009) Call Center Multimodal Voice Search, Voice Search 2009, San Diego, CA

    Google Scholar 

  27. Yuschik, M. (2010) in Meisel, W., Speech In the User Interface: Lessons from Experiences, TMA Publications, Tarzana, CA

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgement

This work was performed as part of ongoing research and development at the Convergys Corporation. Special thanks go to Jay Naik, Ph.D., Karthik Narayanaswami, Cordell Coy, Ajay Warrier, and the agents at the Convergys Call Centers.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Matthew Yuschik .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Yuschik, M. (2010). “It’s the Best of All Possible Worlds”: Leveraging Multimodality to Improve Call Center Productivity. In: Neustein, A. (eds) Advances in Speech Recognition. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-5951-5_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-5951-5_6

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-5950-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-5951-5

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics