Month: October 2018

If one thinks about it, one is liable to get a headache. The ability of computers to talk to and understand responses from callers seems a little too futuristic to be believable, but it is a reality today that has made the efficiency of call centres and the services they provide higher than could have been imagined 20 years ago. The fact is that automated telephone systems have advanced far beyond a simple recorded message, so much so that, in some cases, natural conversations can effectively take place.

The technology used is very sophisticated and very intricate, with the precision of voice xml used to provide an efficient interactive experience for callers. Of course, a core component in such services is the speech recognition software that is utilised by centres, with its ability to turn the spoken word into text a factor that allows the computer programming to work so effectively.

Obviously, it is a computer system that manages the response units in a centre and directs the conversations between callers and the computer voice. There can be a bank of thousands of possible dialogues based on the possible responses that a caller might have to a prompt. Therefore, these computers need to have clear and concise programmes with which to run the systems.

VXML the chosen format for these interactive voice dialogues. The voice browser that is part of automated systems is designed to read VXML, initiating the exchange with the caller, understanding responses, providing options and distributing calls towards the correct destination.

This format is the standard used by all automated systems, with a vast range of services covered by it. Information can be attained, from flight tracking and order inquiries to driving directions and audio news magazines, while the precise nature of the programme instructions means that functions can switch from speech synthesis to dialog management to audio playback and a host of others.

It is a highly technical area, but in essence the VXML format allows for clear programming for a call centre computer to follow, enhancing the services provided and ensuring the minimum possible confusion between technology and human when interaction actually begins. The quality of the computerised voice is remarkable too, with the stereotypical monotone robot voice now a dated feature. Modern systems create a more natural tone in order to achieve a more personable service for callers.

Technology that can recognise the spoken word first came to public attention in the mid 1960s, but it has only been in the last couple of decades, with the advancement of interactive technologies, that has seen it applied in any truly practical way. The fact that call centres must deal with the spoken word all day means that this technology is perfectly suited to the sector. But while earlier versions could log the voice pattern of one voice, as used in security systems, the technology used in call centres is capable of recognising arbitrary voices.

What this means is that random voices can be understood, not just the voice of a specified person, and with the wide range of voice tones, accents and pronunciations even within the English language, that is a major development. So, regardless of whether a caller is from Edinburgh, London, Dublin, Sydney or New York, the system can understand the responses that the caller may give when prompted by the interactive system. The technology is used in voice dialing, call routing, domotic appliance control and in processing speech to text, amongst several other functions.

However, when used in unison with an automated telephone service, the result is a near seamless, conservation between computer and caller. The words spoken by the caller are translated into text, which is then matched with the specific voicexml formatted response. That response is then played by the computer through a humanised voice, and the subsequent caller response is similarly translated.

Of course, this system is only applicable where a self service ability exists, such as when a simple option needs to be selected or a list of transactions to be detailed. While speech recognition software can be used to initially determine whether a caller needs to speak to a call centre agent or not, it is not necessary when an agent is speaking directly to the caller.

CNC machining centres (Computer Numerical Control) have been around for a very long time now and they have become the workhorse in many manufacturing environments. Capable of exchanging a wide variety of tools through the use of automatic tool changers, and controlled by precision ball screws driving all of the axes of the machine, these machine tools are capable of performing highly complex work very quickly as compared to manual machine operation.

Machining centres, not to be confused with other types of CNC equipment such as grinders or lathes, are available in horizontal and vertical spindle styles. Typically horizontal style machining centres will be provided with a rotary 4’TH axis table (either positional or in more complex cases with a full rotary axis) whereas vertical machining centres will often have the 4’TH axis feature as an option.

Generally designed to perform milling, drilling, boring, and tapping functions to form raw materials such as steel or aluminum into finished parts, machining centres can be found in a variety of sizes from as small as a drill press up to very large boring machine styles. These machine tools have complex computer consoles that are programmable and once programmed these machines will run from start to finish without any operator intervention.

With the high levels of computing power available on these machining centres today, these machine tools are capable of producing a very wide variety of parts from components pieces to very large dies for stamping or molding. Very complex physical features such as a spiral spline, very complex mold contours and cavities, thread milling, back boring, and a whole host of other operations can be performed with some programming creativity.

Capable of machining with continuous motion along the cutter path, intricate and complex surfaces can be machined that would be close to impossible to make using manual equipment with a manual rotary table, indexer, or sine block. Positional accuracy inherent within the machine tool itself allows highly accurate positioning and blending of complex surfaces that would not be available without huge difficulty and special tools in a manual machining environment. Therefore, these types of machine tools lend themselves to performing proto-typing work as well as production work.

Programmable spindle speeds and the ability to easily vary the spindle speed for the cutting tool is also another important factor that is built into CNC machining centres. Spindle speed adjustment is quickly made through the program so the best speeds and feeds for a given cutting tool are easily maintained within a constant surface speed recommended for the cutting tool in the spindle.

Most CNC machining centres are also equipped with flood, mist, or through the spindle coolant features that allow the cutting tool to receive much needed coolant for maintaining the proper temperature for the cutting tool while in the cut. Tool wear as a result of too much heat can be disastrous to the overall life of the cutting tool and on the resulting surface finish produced on the machined part.

Because of the inherent reliability, consistency, and repeatability, CNC machining centres are often run on the plant floor as a group of machines operated by a single machine operator that loads and unloads parts while checking on the finished quality of the part coming off the machine. Advanced machine tools are available that have automatic part loaders, unloaders, and inspection probes that can further reduce the need for a machine operator to intervene in the machining process thereby creating an unattended machining environment.

Technology has become the world to us these days. It’s what we turn to for everything. And it can be extremely frustrating when the things we’re heavily dependent on, stop working all of a sudden. Whether you’re a student trying to finish an assignment on time or the head of the household trying to order groceries online because you’re busy, when technology fails us we get irritable. So what do you do? Unplug your PC, carry it all the way to the nearest computer repair centre in the midst of your busy schedule? And how do you know that the nearest computer repair centre is reliable and efficient? The answer to these questions is onsite computer repair.

It basically means that instead of you having to travel great lengths to find the best computer repair centre, you can call a technician to come and fix your broken computer and get it fixed within a span of 1-2 hours, where as a computer centre might have kept your computer for longer.

How do you decide whether to take your computer down to the repair centre or call for an onsite repair service?

To decide this you should be aware of the intensity of the problem. For instance, if it’s a mechanical problem like printer problems or wireless setup or any other network issues, then you definitely have to call for a technician to come to your office/home because the set up needs to be done for the particular site. If it’s an issue where a device or a part of the computer has failed and needs replacement, then your techie might have to carry the equipment to his workshop.

Another factor you need to consider is whether or not you can afford those techies who charge by the hour. Paying by the hour can get expensive depending upon the problem and it may probably cost you much lesser to drop it off at a computer centre. Computer centers have better resources to complete your repairs and have a better storefront presence.

But then again, there is a bit of an edge that mobile computer repair services gain over computer centers. When you leave your PC, unattended, at a local computer repair store, there is always a risk of your personal data being leaked or misused. By having a technician come over to your workplace or home, you can ensure that none of your personal files face any risk of being leaked from your computer.

Ultimately it boils down to two things: The kind of problem you’re facing with your computer and the kind of time you have. Even for choosing the right computer repair centre, it boils down to one thing: trust.