A system and method are described in which a server acts as a virtual PBX (private branch exchange) to facilitate telephonic communication. The system and method display all incoming calls to end users’ personal devices. The system and method permit any end user to receive an incoming call, to place it on hold, to transfer it, or to interact with it in any other manner. The system and method permit the easy transfer of incoming calls to the correct recipient or into a voice mail box or a waiting area.

A method for a communication platform includes receiving configuration data associated with an account, the configuration data identifying a plurality of communication channels to provide messages to a plurality of communication endpoints. The method also includes receiving a request associated with the account to transmit messages to a set of communication endpoints of the plurality of communication endpoints, and determining, based at least in part on the configuration data, a message payload, the set of communication endpoints, and a set of communication channel identifiers corresponding to the set of communication endpoints. The method further includes transmitting the messages to communication endpoints in the set of communication endpoints, each message including the message payload and being transmitted to a respective communication endpoint using a communication channel identified by a communication channel identifier corresponding to the respective communication endpoint.

A system and method for multichannel notifications that includes configuring an account for notifications within a multitenant platform for multi-channel notifications, which further includes receiving configuration for a set of participant binding resources, wherein the set of participant binding resources comprises endpoint addressing resources, where an endpoint addressing resource specifies a communication address and a communication channel identifier; receiving a notification request on behalf of an account, the notification request comprising at least one targeting property; and executing notifications in accordance to the notification request and the configuration of the participant binding resources of the account by selecting endpoint addressing resources that are accessed from the participant binding resources using the targeting properties of the notification request and transmitting notifications to communication addresses over a set of different communication channels as indicated by the selected endpoint addressing resources.

Structures and protocols are presented for using or otherwise relating to a first mobile device (a smartphone or tablet computer or wearable device, e.g.) configured to be shared by two or more parties such that a subset of the parties may be addressed selectively (in content directed to such parties, e.g.) in a cost-effective manner.

A system and method for multichannel notifications that includes configuring an account for notifications within a multitenant platform for multi-channel notifications, which further includes receiving configuration for a set of participant binding resources, wherein the set of participant binding resources comprises endpoint addressing resources, where an endpoint addressing resource specifies a communication address and a communication channel identifier; receiving a notification request on behalf of an account, the notification request comprising at least one targeting property; and executing notifications in accordance to the notification request and the configuration of the participant binding resources of the account by selecting endpoint addressing resources that are accessed from the participant binding resources using the targeting properties of the notification request and transmitting notifications to communication addresses over a set of different communication channels as indicated by the selected endpoint addressing resources.

Structures and protocols are presented for using or otherwise relating to a first mobile device (a smartphone or tablet computer or wearable device, e.g.) configured to be shared by two or more parties such that a subset of the parties may be addressed selectively (in content directed to such parties, e.g.) in a cost-effective manner.

Structures and protocols are presented for using or otherwise relating to a first mobile device (a smartphone or tablet computer or wearable device, e.g.) configured to be shared by two or more parties such that a subset of the parties may be addressed selectively (in content directed to such parties, e.g.) in a cost-effective manner.

A method for a communication platform includes receiving configuration data associated with an account, the configuration data identifying a plurality of communication channels to provide messages to a plurality of communication endpoints. The method also includes receiving a request associated with the account to transmit messages to a set of communication endpoints of the plurality of communication endpoints, and determining, based at least in part on the configuration data, a message payload, the set of communication endpoints, and a set of communication channel identifiers corresponding to the set of communication endpoints. The method further includes transmitting the messages to communication endpoints in the set of communication endpoints, each message including the message payload and being transmitted to a respective communication endpoint using a communication channel identified by a communication channel identifier corresponding to the respective communication endpoint.

A system, method and computer program product for managing cross-platform communications between families and friends with incarcerated loved ones securely, conveniently and affordably, and with full audit trail for accountability. The system includes a plurality of computers or portable devices used by each party including family and friends, their incarcerated inmate, a correctional facility, facility staff and/or inmates, and a facilitating Application Service provider (ASP) providing Software as a Service (SaaS). The ASP provides a dashboard to each party including a family/friends dashboard, an administrative dashboard that facilitates initial ASP processing, a scanning dashboard that facilitates remote screening, a correctional staff dashboard that facilitates pre-screening and delivery, and an inmate dashboard that facilitates receipt and reply. The various participant dashboards update a transaction record and provide a collaboration platform by which the ASP can automate key facets of the process, the correctional facility staff and/or inmates can fulfill their duties, and families, friends and incarcerated loved ones can communicate more quickly, efficiently and inexpensively.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for indicating callers for incoming voice calls to a shared device among multiple users. The methods, systems, and apparatus include actions receiving an incoming voice call, determining a calling number and a called number from the incoming voice call, identifying a user account that corresponds to the called number, determining a contact name for the calling number based on contact entries for the user account, and providing the audible contact name for output to the device speaker.