Integrating contact centers with Interaction Controls Component (ICC) for callbacks

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated July 31, 2025
  • 2 minutes to read
  • Summarize
    Summarized using AI
    This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete.

    Summary of Integrating contact centers with Interaction Controls Component (ICC) for callbacks

    The Interaction Controls Component (ICC) for callbacks enables ServiceNow customers to integrate contact center callback voice interactions directly within the ServiceNow configurable workspace. This integration allows agents to handle callback requests efficiently in a unified interface, improving agent productivity and enhancing the overall customer experience by reducing hold times and offering flexible callback options.

    Show full answer Show less

    Key Features

    • Callback Functionality: Allows customers to request a return call instead of waiting in queue, with options for immediate or scheduled callbacks based on customer preference.
    • Callback Routing Modes: Two modes support different operational goals:
      • Customer-first mode: The contact center dials the customer first and connects them to an available agent only after the customer answers, reducing unnecessary agent idle time.
      • Agent-first mode: The contact center routes the callback to an available agent first, who then dials the customer manually or automatically, allowing the agent to preview callback context before contacting the customer.
    • Unified Agent Experience: Callback interactions appear as normal voice interactions within the ServiceNow configurable workspace, enabling agents to manage callbacks seamlessly alongside other communications.

    Practical Application for ServiceNow Customers

    By leveraging ICC for callbacks, ServiceNow customers can:

    • Reduce customer wait times and improve satisfaction by offering flexible callback options.
    • Streamline agent workflows by managing callbacks directly in the configurable workspace, which supports both customer-first and agent-first callback handling.
    • Optimize contact center efficiency by choosing the callback routing mode that best aligns with their operational model.

    Next Steps

    To activate and manage ICC integration for callbacks, customers should follow configuration guidance on implementing the Interaction Controls Component, meet plugin requirements, and utilize features such as Global Voice Control for enhanced callback management within the workspace.

    The callback interaction feature built on the Interaction Controls Component (ICC) supports callback voice interactions directly within the ServiceNow configurable workspace. The workspace provides agents with callback voice interaction and callback control features in a unified view, resulting in improved productivity and enhanced customer experience.

    Callback feature overview

    Contact Center platforms provide a callback feature that lets callers keep their place in line and receive a callback when an agent is available. The callback requests are assigned to agents based on the order they are received. Alternatively, callers may select a specific date and time for a scheduled callback. The Callback functionality enables contact centers to reduce hold times and enhance customer experience by enabling customers to request a return call instead of waiting in the queue. This asynchronous communication model helps balance contact center load and improves both customer satisfaction and agent efficiency. The callback routing can be implemented in two different modes, depending on operational goals and infrastructure: Customer-first and Agent-first. These modes dictate how and when a call is established between the customer and the agent during a callback request.

    Customer-first mode
    In this mode, CCaaS first dials the customer and connects them to an available agent after the customer answers the call.

    Callback flow: The callback request is queued. When the callback request reaches the top of the queue and an agent becomes available, the CCaaS dials the customer first. If the customer answers, the CCaaS dials and connects to an agent by routing the call to the agent's inbox in the configurable workspace. If the agent accepts, the call is bridged. This mode reduces unnecessary agent idle time and ensures that an agent is only engaged when a customer answers.

    The following image shows the customer-first mode with an immediate (ASAP) callback request on IVR where a customer is dialed before agent is connected. Agent views the callback interaction as any other normal voice interaction in the CSM Configurable Workspace.

    Figure 1. Customer-first mode - Immediate callback request
    Customer-first mode: Immediate callback request on IVR – Customer dialed before agent is connected
    Agent-first mode
    In this mode, CCaaS routes the interaction first to an available agent. The Agent previews the callback context and dials the customer.

    Callback flow: The callback request is queued. When the callback request reaches the top of the queue and an agent becomes available, CCaaS routes the interaction to an available agent. The agent accepts the interaction and opens it in ServiceNow configurable workspace. The agent previews the callback context card and then dial the customer. Dialing the customer can be manual or automatic based on a configuration in CCaaS. If the customer doesn’t answer, the agent can redial or close the callback interaction.

    The following image shows the agent-first mode with immediate (ASAP) callback request on IVR where an agent is dialed before the customer is connected.

    Figure 2. Agent-first mode - Immediate callback request
    Agent-first mode: Immediate callback request on IVR – Agent preview before dialing the customer
    The Interaction Controls Component (ICC) for callbacks feature enables CCaaS providers to display callback interactions so agents can manage customer calls directly from their configurable workspace. For more information on how to handle CCaaS callback requests, see Manage a CCaaS callback request in the Configurable Workspace and Manage a CCaaS callback request using Global Voice Control.