What Is IVR?

IVR, or interactive voice response, is what allows phone systems to process touch tones or voice waves during a telephone call. IVR technology is responsible for the menus people hear and respond to when they call up a company or business and hear the words: “press 1 for sales, press 2 for marketing, press 0 to speak to the operator,” for example. IVR systems can be fully customized to playback dynamic audio or pre-recorded menu options.

IVR is not necessarily related to VOIP, however, a VOIP IVR is. Most VOIP IVR systems or software support SIP based VOIP, but Skype IVR also support non-standard based Skype service.

Computer Telephony Component

IVR is an automated computer telephony integration CTI system which allows providers to create complex menus which the caller can navigate by using touch-tone key-presses or via spoken commands. IVR systems can be used as a PBX Voice Portal to access remote information such as bus scheduling where the caller can select the route for which they require information, or for billing or customer service systems which allow the caller to enter information such as their account number or credit card details without the need for operator assistance.

IVR and ACD Integration

IVR solutions are often integrated with an ACD, which routes incoming phone calls to agent workgroups. This integration can be both a front end and back operation.

• Most typically, an ACD system can route callers to an IVR program based upon DNIS or other parameters such as time of day or day of the week.
• A smart IVR can transfer callers back to an ACD system to route the call to the next available agent within an agent hunt group.

One important task of an integrated IVR and ACD is to display Screen Pop information from the caller on the agent’s workstation so that the agent has caller information readily available without the need to prompt the caller again.

IVR and Voice Broadcasting

IVR applications are typically associated with inbound calling programs. However, IVR technology can be applied to outbound calling campaigns and are most commonly used with Voice Broadcasting and touchtone responses. Examples of the application of this technology include the option to speak with an operator, opt out of a calling campaign, or taking an outbound survey.

Graphical Design Tool for IVR Applications

Recent IVR systems usually use high-level scripting languages such as VoiceXML, an open standard for interactive voice response systems. For most users who lack technical training, developing an IVR system using a scripting language, even high-level language, are not feasible. The good news is there are design tools that are based on a graphical user interface for the techies and none-techies alike. By using a GUI tool, a user can simply drag-and-drop components and create and deploy an IVR system in minutes. The whole design is a call flow diagram, much like a voicemail system user manual.

See Also (Vendor Information)

IVR Information

• IVR Testing platform from Phone Number Monitoring check menu trees from greeting to the operator and/or sales consultant answer with scheduled real phone calls.
• CCXML standard markup language for IVR / call control applications
• IVR System Simulation Model – estimates resources required for an inbound calling campaign.
• VoiceXML standard markup language for IVR / speech applications
• IVR-XML for small IVR applications
• Voximal : The VoiceXML interpreter for Asterisk by Ulex.fr, it allows to support the VoiceXML standard language in your Asterisk: create IVR services with TTS, ASR and natural language (MRCP support, TTS cachable contents, plugin object, fully integrated with Asterisk).

IVR Examples

• Outbound IVRs and dr Strangelove shows how to implement outbound IVR with WombatDialer

IVR Applications

IVR Application is one of the revolutions in the realm of VoIP. The solution helps many enterprises gain a competitive edge and increase brand loyalty. An IVR builder has been developed to create multiple IVR menus and intensify caller experience. By availing this solution, users get enhanced customer support with robust security. Administration and implementation of dynamic IVR are made easy with the help of GUI based designer tool and prompt management. This solution is also for the service providers to offer services to tenants to build various IVR menus.

• Ameyo Self Service IVR approach delights customers while driving better business outcomes, more sales, better customer experience, and minimizing operational costs. Omnichannel self-service seamlessly connects multiple channels of communication, enhancing the customer experience across service delivery, by presenting customer context in his/her choice of the channel from the assistance of other touch-points.
• DSC Phone Surveys – IVR phone survey applications and development tools
• ICTBroadcast IVR Designer designs IVR of your own choice for outbound calls and autodialer traffic as well as use these IVR for making Surveys effectively
• IVR Applications – Lists a variety of DSC IVR phone applications and clients
• IVR blog about IVR usage and applications
• IVRGURU Virtual Phone Number, B2B Lead Generation, Employee Tracking System, Customer Lead Management, Lead Identification, Lead Grading, Lead Distribution, Lead Nurturing, Toll-Free Number, Virtual Receptionist Services,
• IVR & Visual IVR software (Interactive Voice Response) by Vocalcom is an effective solution to reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction. Well-designed IVR software enables your callers to quickly get the results they need, whether it be through self-service or live-agent assistance. Vocalcom’s hosted IVR software is easy to use and offers a robust drag-and-drop utility to create specialized call flows on-demand. This allows you to make on-the-fly adjustments so you can better meet the needs of your customers and your call center.
• miniSipServer – IPPBX for Windows&Ubuntu system, support IVR_XML, easy and funny.
• OSDial is a dialer solution with powerful and flexible IVR capabilities for press one campaigns, elections, surveys, etc.
• VirtualPBX, powerful open source IVR application based on Asterisk. The virtual-PBX application is intended for processing incoming calls and rapid organization IVR menu. also provides an isolated environment (numbered plan, routing calls, institute phones and so forth. ) for multiple users.
• Plum Voice offers a number of free IVR applications that are accessible via its hosted IVR platforms. IVR Surveys can also be created with Plum Insight a VoC survey creation tool.
• PEC Insight IVR provides an easy to use drag and drop IVR Platform designed to be used all over the world for high volume calls. VoIP and TDM Support. Call PEC at 1732-290-1900 for more information.
• Voicent IVR Studio – delivers high-quality caller experiences by enabling you to easily build logical, fast, crystal-clear navigation of phone system menus and options, from simple call flow to incredibly powerful connections to web applications and other tools.
• ICTDialer IVR Designer designs IVR of your own choice for outbound calls and autodialer traffic as well as use these IVR for making a survey.
• Hosted IVR Cloud ICTInnovatons present hosted IVR solution and other open-source telecommunication applications all in one place.

IVR Development Software

• 3CX IVR / Digital Receptionist
• Advanced Custom IVR – complete IVR development software, services, and systems.
• Ameyo Self Service IVR approach delights customers while driving better business outcomes, more sales, better customer experience, and minimizing operational costs. Omnichannel self-service seamlessly connects multiple channels of communication, enhancing the customer experience across service delivery, by presenting customer context in his/her choice of the channel from the assistance of other touch-points.
• Anveo Visual Call Flow Designer from Anveo.com. Web-based designer to Drag and Drop your custom IVR. Anveo has many templates to start with. IVR can be assigned to phone numbers from over 48 countries.
• Arcutel IVR – We provide automatic telephony service to businesses of all sizes. You set up and have full control over your own IVR via our web-based application. There is no investment required, we don’t charge extra for premium features, and the first month is free.
• AstrIVR XML based IVR software for Asterisk by Tower Technologies
• Cally Square – HTML5 Drag and Drop IVR designer for Asterisk Open Source PBX
• DooxSwitch provides one of the most comprehensive IVR solutions.
• IVR For Skype Open Source IVR and DTMF recognition example for Skype many features very easy to quickly test and modify.
• IVRDesigner.com – Hosted IVR solution for implementing inbound call flow systems, offers intuitive drag & drop interface for building out calls flows.
• KooKoo . Cloud-based IVR development. Develop IVR applications in the programming language of your choice (Java, PHP etc). Free to try. Phone number provisioning in India.
• open source autodialer with visual drag and drop tools to build custom IVR developed by ICT Innovations
• PEC Insight IVR provides an easy to use drag and drop IVR Platform designed to be used all over the world for high volume calls.
• Plum Voice offers free VoiceXML developer accounts for VXML programmers as well as Plum Fuse a visual RAD lifecycle management platform.
• www.pronexus.com – VBVoice, a rapid application development (RAD) Interactive Voice Response (IVR) toolkit for telephony and speech inside Microsoft Visual Studio.NET.
• QueueMetrics offers comprehensive IVR tracking and statistics for the Asterisk PBX
• Telzio Small business phone system with IVR Menu support from $1/month.
• Visual Dialplan for Asterisk, a modern visual development platform for IVR and Asterisk dial plan development. Free download.
• Voicent IVR Studio for developers – offers VoiceXML-based graphical design environment that allows you to define your application’s whole interactive process by simply creating a GUI call-flow diagram; use the built-in support to interface with email servers, relational databases, CRM systems, and programs; test and deploy your applications with a single click.
• VXML development environment IEC – SIP/2.0+VXML 2.1 Inexpensive IVR Platform SRGS MRCP Server, Cloud/MRCP ASR/TTS , Linux/Windows Free One Channel.
• ICTBroadcast IVR software solution is available in Hosted and On premises-based Editions.
• Prologix Systems – Predictive Dialer + VoIP Minutes – Predictive Dialer + VoIP Minutes.Cloud-Based Dialer Solutions, CRM Solutions, SMS EMAIL Integration, IVR Systems, Domestic PRI Based Center, Domestic Call Center Solutions, IP-PBX Solutions, Asterisk Based Solutions, Bulk VoIP Termination. Various models for Dialer and VoIP as per your requirement. Contact: – Neelam Jain,Prologix Systems, [email protected] Message Me: – prologix.sales @ Gtalk, Skype. +91-7073214443.

Commercial IVR Vendors

• 3G CallNet Provider of Onsite/hosted IVR Service Provider IVR.
• 3C Provider of hosted IVR services and premises-based IVR solutions.
• 3CLogic Provider of cloud-based IVR system which is part of a comprehensive call center offering.
• Advants IVR Technology from Stauffer Technologies, Inc. – Speech-enabled Interactive voice response solutions and IVR hosting services. High-Quality solutions at reasonable rates!
• Virtual Phone Number Noida Virtual Phone Number Gurgaon CRM software provider India
• Acclaim Telecom IVR Services – Acclaim Telecom is a trusted, professional source of reliable, cost-effective speech-enabled solutions.
• Anveo.com Hosted IVR provider. Anveo comes with web-based Visual Call Flow Designer to easily create powerful custom IVR using drag and drop. Supports phone numbers from over 48 countries.
• AVOXI Provider of IVR /Auto Attendant. To learn more about other Avoxi services check the following links: Cloud-Based Contact Center, Freephone Numbers, Hosted PBX Providers, International Toll-Free Number and VoIP Call Center.
• Call Center Tech – IVR Systems, IVR Software and Voice broadcasting
• CallForwarding – Be present anywhere in the world with toll-free forwarding services from CallForwarding.com. Includes FREE Features: Auto Attendant, Virtual Extensions, Fax to Email, IVR (Interactive Voice Response), Time of Day Routing, Sequential Ringing, Call Recording, Voicemail/Web Voicemail, User Self-Care Portal.
• CallNRoll – Voice broadcasting, Bulk SMS, Email Mkt, Phone Surveys, all in one solution in the cloud. Special prices for Argentina.
• managed hosting
• Cebod Telecom All-inclusive premium PBX features with IVR, Auto Attendant, Virtual Extensions, SMS, Fax to Email, Interactive Voice Response, Time Based Routing, Sequential Ringing, Call Recording, Web Portal and more. Contact us for a free demo.
• Community Reassurance with Outbound VoiceXML and Children Calling Program
• COSMOS SDP from Cosmact Ltd IVR platform based on CCXML and VXML, with GUI tool for quick application building. Supports IP SIP, H323, ISDN and SS7 ISUP connectivities. Based in Hong Kong, and sells system world wide.
• Convoso is the industry-leading cloud-based IVR provider. Our IVR features advanced customizations and drag and drop editor for your ease of use. Our fully end-to-end cloud-based call center software is the only solution you will need.
• Database Systems Corp. IVR – IVR Solutions, IVR Systems and IVR Software API Manual
• DemandVoice, LLC is a standards-based hosting service providing VoiceXML, ASR, TTS, and SIV infrastructure “on-demand” for your DTMF or Speech-enabled IVR applications.
• Dialer360 is the leading Cloud-based IVR (Interactive Voice Response) Provider with High-Quality Features and 24/7 Customer support. Dialer360 is providing complete telecom solutions to inbound, outbound and blended type of call centers. The service includes all types of the dialers, Hosted IVR, SMS & Voice Broadcasting software, Hosted PBX, Cheapest VoIP Rates, DID and Toll-Free Numbers and Ringless Voicemail
• EasyIVR IVR Software: provides IVR development and IVR hosting services
• Five9 IVR Software delivers advanced functionality along with easy-to-use design tools to create successful self-service implementations, so your organization can realize the full potential of automated voice applications that actually drive up customer satisfaction.
• Foehn – We are the IP Communications experts with over 12 years of successful Asterisk and open source technology deployment. Our IVR voice recording technology can be built and maintained by Foehn or customized by clients individually.
• Evolution IVR hosting 100% VoiceXML, CCXML, CallXML and SIP standards-based with $100 per month in free usage
• iSpeech IVR Text To Speech Offers human quality Text To Speech (TTS) to generate IVR prompts. Cloud-based technology allows to easily create instant audio prompts for phone systems, voice mails, and more.
• Kesher provides Business Phone Services along with Hosted Call Queuing to companies around the UK.
• Indosoft Inc. is a global provider of multi-tenant call center software for cloud or on-premise sites.
• Intellistream Voice and Video IVR solutions
• IVRPowers – IVR VoiceXML Platforms or Cloud Hosting with easy installation and web panel.
• IVR Technology Group An ASP IVR Hosted Solution page
• IVM Answering Attendant IVR Server for Sip VoIP on Windows
• IVR Service includes hosted IVR services and custom development programs.
• Largest Commercial Asterisk-based IVR System Deployed Commercial Asterisk IVR Deployment Partner
• Message Technologies Hosted IVR Solutions provider of inbound and outbound IVR Hosting services using best-of-breed, standards-based platform. With over 18 years of experience, we’re a complete IVR service provider.
• Mongoose Metrics Call Tracking – Provides post-call IVR service for determining the sales results of a phone call.
• MTI -provides Hosted IVR services.
• PATLive Live and Automated Telephone Answering Services
• PEC Insight IVR, Easy to Use Drag and Drop Interface. Scalable to handle 1000’s of calls simultaneously. VoIP or TDM Support. Can easily integrate into customer’s environment. Contact PEC at 1-732-290-1900.
• Plum Voice Proven provider of Hosted IVR, IVR Surveys, VoiceXML Platform, VoiceXML IVR Developer’s Site, Plum Fuse RAD Lifecycle Management Platform, and IVR Application Consulting & Development Services.
• TekIVR is a SIP IVR with graphical UI to design IVR scenarios. TekIVR support TTS and speech recognition. https://www.kaplansoft.com/tekivr/
• Star Communication’s All in One Voice Broadcasting, Press 1, IVR and Ringless Voicemail Platform. If you need to urgently get out 1 million calls in an hour, we give you access to 45,000+ channels at your fingertips. Built on a physical telephone network provides a robust infrastructure our real-time reporting gives you information about all aspects of your campaign. Typically we are able to offer better rates and assist our customers in choosing the right solution. We have helped SMBs, Large Call Centers, VoIP carriers, CLECs and we look forward to assisting you!
• Prophecy IVR platform 100% VoiceXML, CCXML, CallXML and SIP standards-based, open/free download
• Prologix Systems – Predictive Dialer + VoIP Minutes – Predictive Dialer + VoIP Minutes.Cloud-Based Dialer Solutions, CRM Solutions, SMS EMAIL Integration, IVR Systems, Domestic PRI Based Center, Domestic Call Center Solutions,IP-PBX Solutions, Asterisk Based Solutions, Bulk VoIP Termination. Various models for Dialer and VoIP as per your requirement. Contact: – Neelam Jain,Prologix Systems, [email protected] Message Me: – prologix.sales @ Gtalk, Skype. +91-7073214443.
• Stauffer Technologies, Inc. – Speech-enabled Interactive voice response solutions and IVR hosting services. High Quality solutions at reasonable rates!
• VitalVox Visual IVR – VitalVox provides your business with an Asterisk-based hosted platform that offers a Visual IVR builder with powerful reporting tools and tools to hit 3rd party API in realtime.
• Voicent IVR Studio
• VoipTiger offers a fully-featured Free Cloud PBX with great quality/price call rates. SIP-trunking, Call center features, Numbers (DID’s) in 53 countries. Hardware is configured automatically. Hardware: Yealink, Jabra, AVM, Grandstream.
• Voisonics Limited, custom-designed IVR development and hosting, VOIP consultancy.
• Voxeo‘s What is IVR? page
• VXI* VoiceXML browser for Asterisk 100% VoiceXML, MRCP, TTS, ASR and SIP, H323, TDM standards-based, free download
• KasterisCustom IVRs and telephony applications. Let us design, build and support your telephony application. Great References!!
• Advanced IVR solutions. Free quotes and online registration.
• woopla • Voice services and IVR in Germany Custom built IVR solutions for your business. woopla is your voice application service provider in Germany. Telephony applications from real pros.
• http://www.knowlarity.com Leading provider of easy hosted IVR, including outbound IVR, IVR systems, and custom IVR, for small and medium-sized businesses in India. Provider of hosted fax services. Pay as you go model for 1500Rs per month.
• VoIP, Asterisk and IVR Solutions INDIA iNextrix is the place for Custom Static and dynamic IVR implementation and development for every business and small scale industry with full-time support and dedicated resource in India and all around the world.
• i-Possible develops custom IVR systems for Australian clients built on Asterisk and integrated with web sites, Windows-based systems and databases. Visit http://i-possible.com.au/phone/ivr-systems or call 1300 663 538
• VXML IVR server IEC – SIP/2.0+VXML 2.1 Inexpensive IVR Platform SRGS MRCP Server, Cloud/MRCP ASR/TTS, Linux/Windows Free One Channel.
• ICTBroadcast IVR Designer designs IVR of your own choice for outbound calls and autodialer traffic as well as use these IVR for making Surveys .
• Cloud ICTinnovations Offer cloud based ICTDialer IVR software solution.
• Voiso — Call Center Software for inbound, outbound, and blended call centers. 50+ metrics, predictive dialer, agent monitoring (Whisper, Barge-in, and other), advanced call reporting with event-based navigation, customizable dashboards, agile reports, CRM integration, DID numbers from 120+ countries, AI-based AMD engine, WebRTC softphone. Ideal for any environment, including customer support, outbound sales, and BPOs. 2 minutes to go live; 24/7 support.
• Voyced is a VoIP (telephone) solution provider with the ambition to grow to become one of the main pan-European players with our low-cost, commercial-grade IPPBX and VoIP services. We are already present in over 150+ countries with Standard, Call Center, TollFree and /or UIFN telephone number / DIDs for residential and business users and expanding further. You can make phone calls to anywhere in the world without any extra crossing country border costs as all our clients get the same tariff, no matter where they are located. Quality and flexibility are always the most important and now you can have that, wherever you are and for the lowest cost ever. Let us help you and get in touch now! In the end, it boils down to the fact that we supply any business with an award-winning, commercial-grade VoIP solution. A telephony solution that would normally only be available to the big corporations and for a far lower price then you would think possible.
• ZONETEL Custom IVR hosting and premise-based IVR system. Integration with ACD and customer screen pop-up. Support fax-on-demand, voicemail and also survey-type IVR.