System and method for managing calls

1. A computer-implemented method for managing calls in a collaboration environment, comprising:

receiving, by a processor, a call into a collaboration session of the collaboration environment, wherein the collaboration session is associated with a first interface that enables a plurality of users of the collaboration session to communicate with each other using text-based communication; and

causing, by the processor, display of a notification reflecting the call in the first interface associated with at least a first user of the plurality of users, the notification enabling the first user to handle the call.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:

identifying a second user to receive the call from the plurality of users associated with the collaboration session based on at least one of contextual information regarding the call and information regarding the plurality of users,

wherein identifying the second user is based on an input on the notification received from the first user.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the call is a telephone call or a voice message received from outside of the collaboration session through a telephone system.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 ,

wherein the contextual information includes a description of the call, and

wherein the method further comprises obtaining the contextual information based on at least one of information received from a caller who made the call and prior communication records related to the caller.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the call is received from another collaboration session.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the call comprises receiving the call while the first interface is in use.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 ,

wherein the information regarding the plurality of users includes availability data of the plurality of users, and

wherein identifying the second user comprises identifying the second user based on the availability of the plurality of users.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 ,

wherein the input on the notification comprises a drag and drop input received within the first interface, which drags the notification reflecting the call and drops the notification onto an icon displayed in the first interface that represents a target user, and

wherein identifying the second user comprises selecting the target user of the drag and drop input as the second user to receive the call.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising placing the call in a queue of calls, and identifying the second user to receive the call based on availability of the plurality of users.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 ,

wherein the collaboration environment includes more than one collaboration session, and

wherein the method further comprises determining a target collaboration session to direct the call based on the contextual information regarding the call and characteristics associated with the collaboration sessions.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 10 ,

wherein each collaboration session is associated with a telephone number, and

wherein determining the target collaboration session includes comparing the telephone numbers associated with the collaboration sessions with a telephone number dialed in the call.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 10 ,

wherein each collaboration session is associated with a description of the collaboration session, and

wherein determining the target collaboration session includes comparing the contextual information regarding the call with the descriptions of the collaboration sessions.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 12 ,

wherein the descriptions of the collaboration sessions include at least one of a collaboration subject and a description of a functionality of a group of participants.

14. A communication server for managing calls in a collaboration environment, comprising:

at least one memory configured for storing instructions; and

at least one processor in communication with the at least one memory and configured to execute the instructions to:

receive a call into a collaboration session of the collaboration environment, wherein the collaboration session is associated with a first interface that enables a plurality of users of the collaboration session to communicate with each other using text-based communication; and

cause display of a notification reflecting the call in the first interface associated with at least a first user of the plurality of users, the notification enabling the first user to handle the call.

15. The communication server of claim 14 , wherein the call is a telephone call or voice message received from outside the collaboration session through a telephone system.

16. The communication server of claim 14 ,

wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to identify a second user to receive the call from the plurality of users associated with the collaboration session based on at least one of contextual information regarding the call and information regarding the plurality of users,

wherein the contextual information includes a description of the call, and

wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to obtain the contextual information based on at least one of information received from a caller who made the call and prior communication records related to the caller.

17. The communication server of claim 16 ,

wherein the information regarding the plurality of users includes at least one of a function within an organization, a job title, technical expertise, education, language, and prior communication with the caller, and

wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to identify the second user from the plurality of users by comparing the contextual information regarding the call with the information regarding the plurality of users.

18. The communication server of claim 16 , wherein the information provided by the caller includes at least one of a menu option selected by the caller and a voice input received from the caller during an interactive voice response process.

19. The communication server of claim 16 ,

wherein the prior communication records related to the caller include at least one of a prior electronic message or a prior telephone call received from the caller, and

wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to obtain the contextual information based on an analysis of at least one of the prior electronic message or the prior telephone call.

20. An electronic device, comprising:

a display configured to display a collaboration interface for a collaboration session, wherein the collaboration interface enables a plurality of users of the collaboration session to communicate with each other using text-based communication; and

at least one processor configured to:

receive a call into the collaboration session; and

cause the display to show a notification reflecting the call in the collaboration interface, the notification including one or more selectable elements for the user to handle the call.

21. A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with instructions, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method for managing calls in a collaboration environment, the method comprising:

receiving a call into a collaboration session of the collaboration environment, wherein the collaboration session is associated with a first interface that enables a plurality of users of the collaboration session to communicate with each other using text-based communication; and

causing display of a notification reflecting the call in the first interface associated with at least a first user of the plurality of users, the notification enabling the first user to handle the call.