Ameritech, eFusion Ally to Offer Internet Phone Services To Call Centers

eFusion Inc., a provider of Internet
telephony applications, and telecommunications company Ameritech inked a co-marketing agreement
whereby eFusion will provide Internet telephony application gateways for Ameritech’s
enterprise customers.

Oregon-based eFusion’s interactive applications, coupled with Chicago-based
Ameritech’s business offerings, allow the companies to offer a complete
Internet telephony solution, letting businesses close online transactions,
reduce talk time, increase customer satisfaction and decrease customer churn,
the companies said.

Financial arrangements were not disclosed.

The eFusion eBridge Interactive Web Response (IWR) system allows Internet-
enabled consumers to browse the Web, and at the same time, talk directly with
a customer service or sales representative and conduct business, on a single
phone line. Using the eBridge system’s integrated two-line option, business
users behind firewalls and consumers with multiple phone lines can enjoy synchronized
browsing while talking to an agent.

With the eBridge IWR system, customers can use eFusion’s unique Push to Talk
button to talk to an agent while they browse the Web, exchanging information,
filling out forms and completing transactions, without the need for a call-
back.

“Ameritech has a strong, successful team servicing the call center market,”
said Bob Sweedler, vice president of call center sales for eFusion. “eFusion
has built the best IP telephony application gateways possible. Together, we’ll
deliver complete, reliable, high-performance IP telephony solutions to our
customers.”