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, setting up the phone channel where your application will be installed, and deploying.

  • Select Applications from workspace menu > Choose New application

  • Click Blank application from the available options > Choose Custom

  • Provide a name for your application > Click Create application

  • On Configuration tab of application

    • Under Functionality section, attach one or more flows created in previous step to make available to your application > Click Save

    • Click Default behavior > Assign any attached flow to the application's behaviors > Click Save

    • Under Delivery section > Add the phone channel your application will support (e.g., Amazon Connect, Amazon Chime SDK, etc.) > Click Create channel

A build now constructs a package of your application with a snapshot of current state of flows, languages, and application setup. A deployment then pushes a successful build to the communication channels where your app is installed:

  • Click deployment status in upper right > Select Build and deploy

    • Review Validation check for critical errors or detected UX issues in custom flows. Before each new build initiates, a validation check is run to provide a preview of potential errors that may cause failed builds. Detected issues are listed with descriptions and potential solutions

    • You may provide a Description of notable build edits as a changelog > Click Create build

    • Click deployment status in upper right > Select All builds > Choose Deploy on successful build > Click Create deployment

After successful integration, deploying your app publishes the build to the telephony channel that manages your phone number.

Last updated