NCO uses interactive voice response (IVR) technology to facilitate customer care for clients. Whether to obtain account balance information, transfer funds, place an order, check status of an order, pay a bill, or answer a survey, NCO's IVR solution is a cost effective and efficient way to serve your customers. Incoming calls are routed to representatives through systematic call transfer protocols or as a result of a toll-free number being included on customer correspondence. A recorded message gives instructions for touch-tone telephone interaction and menu selections. The process is completely automated, and if the caller wants to speak to a representative, they can do so by pressing "0" on their telephone keypad, connecting them to a live NCO customer service professional. This combination of live and recorded telephone interaction benefits the customer through efficient, 24-hour service, and decreased operating costs.