Phone channel

From start to finish, set up an application for phone interfaces with NLX

Checklist

You'll complete the following to successfully launch your phone application:

Step 1: Integrations

Est. time to complete: ~10 minutes

A one-time integration of a Natural Language Processing (NLP) engine must be completed in your workspace. Note that some channel providers require specific engines for compatibility (e.g., Amazon Connect requires the Amazon Lex engine):

A one-time integration of a phone-enabled communication channel must be completed in your workspace:

Step 2: Create flow

Est. time to complete: ~10 minutes

Begin by identifying the tasks your conversational AI application will automate and organize them into individual topics handled by flows. Determine the sequence of steps and messaging that the conversational application follows to assist a user with the task. The conversation workflow is assembled in a flow's Canvas with a pattern of nodes similar to a flow diagram.

Each flow is invoked when your chosen AI model identifies user intent from a user's utterance ("I want to order room service") and matches it to a flow you've created OrderRoomService. This match is done based on the training data you provide for your AI model.

  • Select Resources from workspace menu > Choose Flows > Click New flow

  • Enter a descriptive name (no spaces or special characters) > Select Save

  • Complete Flow setup by attaching training data and attaching slots

  • Add nodes by right-clicking on the Canvas & choosing New node (see available node types)

  • Connect first node to Start node > Connect sequential nodes via node edges or stacking

  • Add conversational AI messages to nodes by selecting + Add message on a node's side panel

  • Click Save

Repeat for any additional flows your application will help automate.

🧠 Looking for more? See Intro to flows

Step 3: Deploy

Est. time to complete: ~1 minute

Now you'll create the conversational AI application users will interface with. This step involves attaching all flows you want your application to access, defining flows to handle certain behaviors, and setting up the phone channel your application will be made available through.

  • Select Applications from workspace menu > Choose New application

  • Enter a descriptive name > Click Save

  • Click Flows tab of application > Select Attach flows > Choose one or more flows created to make available to your application > Click Attach selected then Save

  • Select Default behaviors tab of application > Assign any attached flows to the application's behaviors > Click Save

  • Select Channels tab of application > Expand the voice channel your application will support (e.g., Amazon Connect, Amazon Chime SDK, etc.) > Click + Create channel

  • Enter required details for voice > Click Create channel

A build constructs the array of workflows that make up your application and updates any changes made to your flows, while deploying makes a successful build live:

  • Click Deployment tab of application > Select Create or Review & build

  • Wait for validation to complete > Select Create build*

  • When satisfied with a successful build, click Deploy

*After a build status appears as Built, you may use the Test feature to test the conversation with your application using the latest build.

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