System and method for establishing voice and data connection

1. A method for voice and data communication, the method comprising:

connecting an agent to a session server;

receiving a voice call from an end-user;

receiving an end-user phone number for the end-user;

transmitting a data session request for the agent to the session server, wherein the data session request is based on the end-user phone number;

establishing a data session through the session server, wherein establishing the data session comprises:

receiving, at the session server, a notification for the end-user wherein the notification includes the end-user phone number, and wherein the notification indicates the end-user is available for the data session;

receiving, at the session server, the data session request for the agent; and

matching the end-user phone number from the notification for the end-user with the end-user phone number from the data session request for the agent, and

connecting the agent and the end-user over the data session, wherein the data session and voice call are distinct and separate connections with the end-user.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the end-user phone number comprises:

automatically receiving the end-user phone number.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein automatically receiving the end-user phone number comprises:

automatically receiving ANI from a PSTN or other voice network.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the end-user phone number comprises:

requesting the phone number from the end-user over the voice call; and

receiving the phone number from the end-user over the voice call.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a payload from the session server, wherein the payload includes information related to the end-user.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the payload comprises end-user context information.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein receiving the payload from the session server occurs before receiving the voice call from the end-user.

8. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

controlling processing of the voice call based on the payload.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein controlling processing of the voice call based on the payload comprises:

routing the voice call based on the payload.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein controlling processing of the voice call based on the payload comprises:

selecting a call flow based on the payload.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein controlling processing of the voice call based on the payload comprises:

selecting a call script for a live agent based on the payload.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein communicating with the end-user over the data session comprises:

transmitting visual menus to the end-user; and

receiving menu selections from the end-user.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein communicating with the end-user over the data session comprises:

transmitting pages with data entry fields to the end-user, and

receiving the data items provided by the end-user.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein communicating with the end-user over the data session comprises:

transmitting data files to the end-user.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein communicating with the end-user over the data session comprises communicating with the end-user using an IVR, the method further comprising:

transmitting a transfer request from the IVR to the session server, wherein the transfer request identifies an agent workstation; and

connecting the agent workstation to the data session.

16. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

assessing performance of the data session; and

adjusting communications with the end-user based on the performance of the session.

17. The method of claim 16 :

wherein assessing performance of the data session comprises determining a delivery time for data messages to the end-user; and

wherein adjusting communications with the end-user comprises adjusting a relative timing of voice messages and data messages to the end-user.

18. The method of claim 16 :

wherein assessing performance of the data session comprises obtaining a connection type for the end-user device and determining turnaround time for data messages to the end-user; and

wherein adjusting communications with the end-user comprises adjusting communication capabilities.

19. A system for voice and data communication, the system comprising:

an agent device and a session server;

wherein the agent device is configured for:

receiving a voice call from an end-user;

transmitting a data session request to a session server, wherein the data session request comprises an end-user phone number; and

communicating with the end-user over a data session established through the session server, wherein the data session and voice call are distinct and separate connections with the end-user; and

wherein the session server is configured for establishing a data session between the agent device and end-user, wherein establishing the data session comprises:

receiving, at the session server, a notification for the end-user wherein the notification includes the end-user phone number, and wherein the notification indicates the end-user is available for the data session;

receiving, at the session server, the data session request for the agent; and

matching the end-user phone number from the notification for the end-user with the end-user phone number from the data session request for the agent.

20. The system of claim 19 , further comprising:

means for automatically receiving the end-user phone number from the PSTN or other voice network.

21. The system of claim 20 , wherein the means for automatically receiving the end-user phone number is a PBX.

22. The system of claim 20 , wherein the agent device is the means for automatically receiving the end-user phone number.

23. The system of claim 19 , wherein the agent device is an IVR.

24. The system of claim 19 , further comprising:

a session gateway connected to the IVR, wherein the session gateway provides an interface between the IVR and the session server.

25. The system of claim 19 , wherein the agent device is an agent workstation.