Web-based method and system for providing expert information on selected matters

A system for providing expert information from a pool of experts, said system comprising:

• a client system comprising a browser;
• a database for storing expert information including a pool of experts and information describing each expert included within the pool of experts;
• and
• a server system configured to be coupled to said client system and said database, said server system configured to:
• display information on the client system identifying alternative paths for assistance to a user;
• receive a request from the user using the client system including an alternative path selected by the user;
• access expert information stored within the database based on the alternative path selected by the user;
• cross-reference information describing the user with the expert information stored within the database, wherein cross-referencing comprises comparing the information describing the user including at least one of a location of the user, a sub-business of the user, a business of the user, and a communication language of the user to the expert information stored within the database including identification of expert, type of expert, location of expert, sub-business of expert, business of expert, schedule of expert, shift timings of expert, communication language of expert, and availability of expert;
• display expert information including expert availability information on the client system through an applet downloaded from the server system when the user calls upon an expert to seek assistance, wherein expert availability information includes whether the called upon expert is currently in communication with the client system and available to provide assistance to the user;
• and
• contact the expert based on user selected expert information inputted into the client system.