Service call-ahead system and method

A computer implemented method comprising:

• storing an estimated travel time and estimated time of arrival (ETA), the estimated travel time being defined as an estimated period of time for a servicer to travel from a current location to a service destination associated with a customer who is to receive a service from the servicer, and the ETA being defined as an estimated time of day when the servicer is expected to arrive at the service destination;
• calculating a call-ahead time defined by a time of day when the customer is to be notified of the servicer's ETA at the service destination, the calculation of the call-ahead time being based in part on a predetermined advanced-warning time period and the ETA, and the predetermined advanced-warning time period being defined as a predetermined amount of time before the ETA for providing an advanced warning of the ETA;
• and
• automatically notifying the customer of the servicer's ETA at the service destination no earlier than the call-ahead time.

A computer implemented method comprising:

• receiving a service order from a business, the service order including information related to a service job to be performed for a customer, the information including at least a telephone number associated with the customer;
• automatically calling the telephone number to obtain confirmation of the service job;
• and
• enabling a recipient of the telephone call to connect with a live operator if desired.

A computer-readable medium encoded with computer-executable instructions, the computer-readable medium comprising:

• logic adapted to receive a service order from a business, the service order including information related to a service job to be performed for a customer, the information including at least a telephone number associated with the customer;
• logic adapted to automatically call a telephone number to obtain confirmation of the service job;
• and
• logic adapted to enable a recipient of the telephone call to connect with a live operator if desired.