Multi-server queueing system with a generalized phase-type service time distribution as a model of call center with a call-back option

Abstract

A multi-server queueing system with a Markovian arrival process and finite and infinite buffers to model a call center with a call-back option is investigated. If all servers are busy during the customer arrival epoch, the customer may leave the system forever or move to the buffer (such a customer is referred to as a real customer), or, alternatively, request for call-back (such a customer is referred to as a virtual customer). During a waiting period, a real customer can be impatient and may leave the system without service or request for call-back (becomes a virtual customer). The service time of a customer and the dial time to a virtual customer for a server have a phase-type distribution. To simplify the investigation of the system we introduce the notion of a generalized phase-type service time distribution. We determine the stationary distribution of the system states and derive the Laplace–Stieltjes transforms of the sojourn and waiting time distributions for real and virtual customers. Some key performance measures are calculated and numerical results are presented.