Location-based routing
Encyclopedia
Location-Based Routing is a system of rules to varying degrees of complexity dictating where inbound telephone call
s from various locations are routed to. The location of call origin is normally determined by the outgoing Caller ID
of the caller but can also be determined by GPS position
or signal
triangulation
, the latter being particularly useful for calls coming from mobile phone
s.
system that knows the location of an incoming call allows for a wide range of applications –
. For instance, a different Caller Route can be defined for each country
that a call could originate from. This would be done using the international dialling codes of the incoming Caller ID.
On the other hand, specific landline
area codes
can be programmed in to have their own specific destination.
The furthest that can be gone is to program in separate destinations for individual telephone number
s that call in. Systems can also be programmed to send callers that withhold their Caller ID down a specific route, thereby acting as an Anonymous Call Reject device.
Telephone call
A telephone call is a connection over a telephone network between the calling party and the called party.-Information transmission:A telephone call may carry ordinary voice transmission using a telephone, data transmission when the calling party and called party are using modems, or facsimile...
s from various locations are routed to. The location of call origin is normally determined by the outgoing Caller ID
Caller ID
Caller ID , also called calling line identification or calling number identification or Calling Line Identification Presentation , is a telephone service, available in analog and digital phone systems and most Voice over Internet Protocol applications, that transmits a caller's number to...
of the caller but can also be determined by GPS position
Global Positioning System
The Global Positioning System is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites...
or signal
Signalling (telecommunications)
In telecommunication, signaling has the following meanings:*the use of signals for controlling communications...
triangulation
Triangulation
In trigonometry and geometry, triangulation is the process of determining the location of a point by measuring angles to it from known points at either end of a fixed baseline, rather than measuring distances to the point directly...
, the latter being particularly useful for calls coming from mobile phone
Mobile phone
A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
s.
Uses
Having a call managementCall management
In telecommunications, call management is the process of designing and implementing rules and parameters governing the routing of inbound telephone calls through a network. These rules can specify how calls are distributed according to the time and/or date of the call as well as the location of the...
system that knows the location of an incoming call allows for a wide range of applications –
- RetailRetailingRetail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...
chain-outletsChain storeChain stores are retail outlets that share a brand and central management, and usually have standardized business methods and practices. These characteristics also apply to chain restaurants and some service-oriented chain businesses. In retail, dining and many service categories, chain businesses...
can have a single telephone number nationwide and use location-based routing to route callers automatically to their local store.
- FranchisesFranchisingFranchising is the practice of using another firm's successful business model. The word 'franchise' is of anglo-French derivation - from franc- meaning free, and is used both as a noun and as a verb....
can be set up under a single brandBrandThe American Marketing Association defines a brand as a "Name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller's good or service as distinct from those of other sellers."...
with each franchisee servicing a particular locale and fielding its calls.
- Inbound SalesSalesA sale is the act of selling a product or service in return for money or other compensation. It is an act of completion of a commercial activity....
enquiries can be relayed automatically to the regional Sales ManagerSales managementSales management is a business discipline which is focused on the practical application of sales techniques and the management of a firm's sales operations. It is an important business function as net sales through the sale of products and servicess and resulting profit drive most commercial...
appropriate for the caller’s location.
Granularity
Routing rules can be specified to different sizes of catchment areaCatchment area (human geography)
In human geography, a catchment area is the area and population from which a city or individual service attracts visitors or customers. For example, a school catchment area is the geographic area from which students are eligible to attend a local school...
. For instance, a different Caller Route can be defined for each country
Country
A country is a region legally identified as a distinct entity in political geography. A country may be an independent sovereign state or one that is occupied by another state, as a non-sovereign or formerly sovereign political division, or a geographic region associated with a previously...
that a call could originate from. This would be done using the international dialling codes of the incoming Caller ID.
On the other hand, specific landline
Landline
A landline was originally an overland telegraph wire, as opposed to an undersea cable. Currently, landline refers to a telephone line which travels through a solid medium, either metal wire or optical fibre, as distinguished from a mobile cellular line, where transmission is via radio waves...
area codes
Telephone numbering plan
A telephone numbering plan is a type of numbering scheme used in telecommunications to allocate telephone numbers to subscribers and to route telephone calls in a telephone network. A closed numbering plan, such as found in North America, imposes a fixed total length to numbers...
can be programmed in to have their own specific destination.
The furthest that can be gone is to program in separate destinations for individual telephone number
Telephone number
A telephone number or phone number is a sequence of digits used to call from one telephone line to another in a public switched telephone network. When telephone numbers were invented, they were short — as few as one, two or three digits — and were given orally to a switchboard operator...
s that call in. Systems can also be programmed to send callers that withhold their Caller ID down a specific route, thereby acting as an Anonymous Call Reject device.
See also
- Time and Date-Based Routing
- Caller IDCaller IDCaller ID , also called calling line identification or calling number identification or Calling Line Identification Presentation , is a telephone service, available in analog and digital phone systems and most Voice over Internet Protocol applications, that transmits a caller's number to...
- Call WhisperCall WhisperCall Whisper, otherwise known as Call Screening, is a calling feature that often appears on Non-Geographic Telephony systems and hosted inbound call handling software. It involves the playing of a message to the called party when they have answered a call, during which time the calling party...
- Translation (telecommunications)