NUACOM Features

Enables users to place phone calls over the internet.

Enables users to place video calls over the internet.

Enables users to send instant messages over the internet.

Enables users to share screens over the internet.

Enables multiple users to make phone or video calls over the internet at once.

Enables users to contact one anothers through mobile phones and landlines.

Send messages via SMS

Communicate using direct chat or messages within the system

Record and playback video calls

Presenter can see and hear participants and vice versa

Enables the connectivity to send and receive calls over the internet

Offers users the option to play music for contacts who are on hold.

Offers users the option to set up an automated attendant to field calls and information when employees are unavailable.

Offers users a unique number that can be dialed from anywhere.

Allows users to download the tool as an add-on to subscriptions to specific services such as Outlook 365.

Allows users to download the tool along as an extension to their browser of choice.

Requires users download the software on its own.

Records calls for future reference.

Generates an area code local to where the user is calling to increase likelihood of pick-up.

Allows users to perform calls from their preferred device, whether laptop, desktop, mobile or otherwise.

Gathers contacts from integrated tools, allowing users to call with one click.

Has auto-dialing or predictive dialing functionality.

Retains a log of extraneous contact information such as timezone and contact engagement.

Finds and opens saved contact information for reference at the time of a new call.

Allows users to denote which contacts they believe are prospective customers.

Manage, organize, and store contact information

Allows users to take notes during or after the call for future reference.

Delivers users a daily summary of activity.

Sends automated voicemails to prospective clients who fail to answer.

Sends automated emails to increase engagement with prospective clients.

Organizes contacts based on probability of success.

Automatically transcribes and summarizes meeting discussions.

Software program that continuously adjusts its behavior based on observed data

Records sales calls and facilitates playback

Utilizes machine learning technology to analyze recorded sales calls

Analyzes or facilitates the analysis of recorded and stored sales calls for insight

Leverages analytics to qualify and score calls in real time

Review data from past periods to reveal recurring tendencies and predict future performance

Receive data and information in real time

Software program that continuously adjusts its behavior based on observed data

Leverages technology to rate or "read" recordings to determine the impact of sales calls

Transcribes sales calls from speech to text

Utilizes artifical intelligence to analyze emotional tone and interactions in a conversation

Provides voice call functionality.

Provides an interface for one or more social media channels.

Ability to chat online in real time

Accepts contacts initiated through SMS or other mobile text functions.

Allows CSRs to receive and answer customer emails.

Sends voice calls to a specific queue based on predetermined criteria

Callers can be routed to a queue or placed on hold until an agent becomes available.

Place a large or unlimited volume of calls simultaneously without diminishing the call quality.

Provides some level of analytics based on keywords and vocal tones.

Has auto dialing or predictive dialing functions for outbound use.

Includes an interactive phone menu.

Populates CSR's screen with available customer data.

Maintains and shares information across channels and agents as the case progresses.

System calls multiple numbers at once and connects the agent to the first number that answers

Tickets are automatically assigned to specific agents based on predefined rules

Analyze and gain insights into data in real-time

View and track pertinent metrics to find patterns and gain insights from data

Transcribes voice messages to email.

Transcribes voice messages and delivers them via text message.

Includes a way to easily share files between users.

Allows multi-participant phone conferences.

Can host video conferences.

Records and transcribes voice and video conferences.

Create, edit, preview, and send faxes electronically

Read and accept a combination of touch tone keypad selections and voice inputs and provide the appropriate prerecorded voice response

Record and playback video calls

Alter the layout and content of reports

Active reporting of data and metrics

Manage the process of planning and scheduling meetings, including agenda creation

Digitally share screen view with others

Presenter can see and hear participants and vice versa

Voice messages are stored online and accessible via a visual interface

Can be deployed as a single-tenant or multi-tenant product.

Contains its own IP telephony system.

Is also able to serve as contact center software.

Provide agents with notes or context information about a call. These notes can include information such as caller disposition or contact history.

Manage call records and agent tasks through administrative features. Provide agents with guidance during live calls, and interrupt calls with call barging to ensure customer satisfaction, if necessary.

Report on historical or real-time call center performance metrics, and access data through highly visual dashboards.

Keeps records of agent-customer sessions for purposes of coaching, quality assurance, or regulatory purposes.

Provides workforce management functions such as scheduling and vacations, team assignments, and areas of expertise.

Schedules callback times

Dashboard to view the status of ongoing processes, identify current incidents and track past activities

Track and report on all incoming and outgoing calls

Allows supervisors/managers to record and review telephone conversations of agents.

Report on historical or real-time call center performance metrics, and access data through highly visual dashboards.

Track and report on all incoming and outgoing calls

Active reporting of data and metrics

Allows inflow of requests through various digital channels such as email, social media, etc.

Allows users to access the software using mobile devices.

Provides queue management in case of increase in case/call inflow.

Allows distribution of incoming calls to agents.

Allows users to request a call back.

Offers IVR (interactive voice response) for interaction between customers and a computer operated phone system.

Allows automatic distribution of incoming calls to the agents.

Transfers live calls to other agents

Manage, organize, and store contact information

Manage all call center activities including call monitoring, call recording, call answering, call transfer, etc.

Manage inventory, communication, marketing, orders & more across warehouses, stores and online channels

Create and administer polls and surveys

Create a collection of marketing actions to complete specific goals and plan and analyze campaign results

Manage and track all past and future calls.

Allow managers/supervisors to monitor calls for quality assurance purposes.

Allows managers/supervisors to evaluate the performance of agents.

Active monitoring of systems, applications, or networks

Observe and track the demand, usage, progress or quality of a system, product, or user

Condenses long documents or text into a brief summary.

Use AI to generate content in the form of text, images, videos, etc.

Simulates human-like speech from text inputs.

Use AI to generate content in the form of text, images, videos, etc.

Simulates human-like speech from text inputs.

Use AI to generate content in the form of text, images, videos, etc.

Condenses long documents or text into a brief summary.

Use AI to generate content in the form of text, images, videos, etc.

Supports incoming calls, call forwarding, transferring and conferencing.

Can handle voicemail, instant messaging, screen sharing, video calls, text messages or other forms of communication for the business.

Scales to add additional phone capacity in order to accommodate growth in an organization.

Integrates with business tools such as CRMs, APIs, browsers, business music and more.

Able to connect with employee's mobile devices for further ease of access.

Accessible from any location with wifi connection via cloud infrastructure.

Manage, organize, and store contact information

Monitor wait time and abandonment for incoming requests that have not been routed

Computer-telephony integration is the use of computers to manage telephone calls

Manage and track all past and future calls.

Ensures security of voice communications with encryption for calls.

Provides call analytics based on data such as call volumes, durations, and other metrics.

Provides virtual technical support for business communication services for improving phone performance.

Offers an automated attendant to field calls when employees are unavailable.

Analyze and gain insights into data in real-time

Contains PBX & VoIP softphone that can be used within the VoIP business system.

Manages incoming calls with features such as call forwarding, transferring, and routing.

Supports real-time network monitoring via dashboards and alerts to identify and resolve issues.

Enables integrations with communication and CRM platforms.

Provides compatibility with both hosted and virtual PBX solutions.

Supports SIP trunking services for local and long-distance calls.

Manage, organize, and store contact information

Manage and track all internal and external communication conducted via calls, email, text, or chat

Manage and track all past and future calls.

Manage all call center activities including call monitoring, call recording, call answering, call transfer, etc.

Monitor wait time and abandonment for incoming requests that have not been routed

Set up connections to third-party platforms to improve business processes

Computer-telephony integration is the use of computers to manage telephone calls

Active monitoring of systems, applications, or networks

Listen to live phone conversations for the purpose of training and assessing agent performance

Create, design and manage workflows for repetitive tasks

Integration with third-party call center software

Helps in understanding different accents, dialects, and speech patterns.

Helps to generate human-like speech responses.

Provides customizable speech speed and intonation.

Provides multiple voice options like gender, tone and style.

Allows communications to be secure and authenticated.

Aids in syncing with multiple devices.

Capability to perform complex tasks without constant human input

Works across multiple software systems or databases

Engages in human-like conversation for task delegation

Anticipates needs and offers suggestions without prompting

Set up connections to third-party platforms to improve business processes

Computer-telephony integration is the use of computers to manage telephone calls

Manage and support multiple languages

Capability to perform complex tasks without constant human input

Works across multiple software systems or databases

Engages in human-like conversation for task delegation

Anticipates needs and offers suggestions without prompting

Set up connections to third-party platforms to improve business processes

Integrate with social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.

Computer-telephony integration is the use of computers to manage telephone calls

Capability to perform complex tasks without constant human input

Engages in human-like conversation for task delegation

Capability to perform complex tasks without constant human input

Ability to break down and plan multi-step processes

Works across multiple software systems or databases

Improves performance based on feedback and experience

Engages in human-like conversation for task delegation

Anticipates needs and offers suggestions without prompting

Makes informed choices based on available data and objectives

Set up connections to third-party platforms to improve business processes

Form predictions based on past and present data/trends

Capability to perform complex tasks without constant human input

Works across multiple software systems or databases

Improves performance based on feedback and experience

Anticipates needs and offers suggestions without prompting

Capability to perform complex tasks without constant human input

Works across multiple software systems or databases

Improves performance based on feedback and experience

Engages in human-like conversation for task delegation

Set up connections to third-party platforms to improve business processes

Ability to chat online in real time

Allows communication with customers or users via multiple channels such as phone, email, live chat, etc.

Alter the layout and content of reports

Process to identify source of incoming calls, date, time, duration or caller type using a unique phone number

Distribute/route/connect calls

Receive data and information in real time

Workflows that help acquire inventory, issue purchase orders and receive and store items in required quantity

Access names, contact information, and roles of employees in a centralized repository

A virtual assistant that uses AI to pursue goals and complete tasks on behalf of users

Track and document all activities across devices, networks, and other systems

Provides a channel for team members to share media files, communicate, and work together

Provide agents with a typical response for common call subject matter

Active reporting of data and metrics

Record the audio of phone conversations for quality assurance purposes

Analyze and gain insights into data in real-time

Dashboard to view the status of ongoing processes, identify current incidents and track past activities

Collection, analysis, and representation of numerical data and generation of reports to understand various patterns

Built-in customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities or integration with a third-party CRM system

System that automatically dials calls

Use AI to generate content in the form of text, images, videos, etc.

Centralized database of stakeholders and their contact information such as names, address, phone number etc.

Transfers live calls to other agents

Track and report on all incoming and outgoing calls

Collects essential call data such as call origin, call destination, call length, and other transaction details

Computer-based system that allows users to send and receive voice messages

Identify the number and contact information of a caller before answering the phone

Access software remotely via mobile devices

Schedules callback times

Read and accept a combination of touch tone keypad selections and voice inputs and provide the appropriate prerecorded voice response

Application programming interface that allows for integration with other systems/databases

Track interaction history by documenting conversations for contacts

Sends voice calls to a specific queue based on predetermined criteria

Alerts or notifications of various types such as pop-up messages, sounds, banners, or badges

Connect with meeting participants remotely over video

Facilitate virtual conferences that connect multiple people remotely

Track and report on call outcomes

System calls multiple numbers at once and connects the agent to the first number that answers

Filters used to determine different types of malware threats

Record the audio of phone conversations for quality assurance purposes

Store caller information within an accessible database

Allow multiple users with individual logins and varying permissions to use the same account, software, portal, or service

Place/receive calls through voice over IP connection

Turns text into natural sounding speech

View and track pertinent metrics to find patterns and gain insights from data

Place callers on hold sorted in line based on the order of the incoming calls until the next available agent can pick up the call

View caller ID details such as name and number and determine how to respond by prioritizing or blocking it

Define levels of authorization for access to specific files or systems

Transmit voice and other information digitally

Consolidate and integrate communication tools as one platform or entity to enhance business communication and collaboration

Transcribe voicemail audio messages to written text that is sent over email

A set of indicators that tracks the performance of networks, applications, systems, teams, etc.

Monitor and collect information from social media based on specific keywords

Process and analyze human language in text or audio form

Designed for contact centers.

Collection, analysis, and representation of numerical data and generation of reports to understand various patterns

Process to identify source of incoming calls, date, time, duration or caller type using a unique phone number

Alerts or notifications of various types such as pop-up messages, sounds, banners, or badges

A virtual assistant that uses AI to pursue goals and complete tasks on behalf of users

Use AI to convert voice into text automatically

Tactical guides providing information and instructions for teams to navigate through tasks and processes

Conduct & deliver coaching sessions to improve employee performance or facilitate development

Transforming unstructured text into a structured format to identify meaningful patterns and new insights

Visually identify direction of development and areas that require attention

Allow users to create, edit, and sort multiple notes

Measures the retention rate and satisfaction of customers.

Collecting, analyzing, and utilizing feedback from users or customers to improve a product or service

Algorithmically generated suggestions based on user behaviors, preferences, or data patterns to enhance UX, productivity, or engagement

Assembly of graphs and charts for visualizing and tracking statistics/metrics

Allows communication with customers or users via multiple channels such as phone, email, live chat, etc.

Define levels of authorization for access to specific files or systems

Track and report regulatory data to either internal management or external stakeholders

Application programming interface that allows for integration with other systems/databases

Automates and streamlines business processes by creating a sequence of predefined rules and actions that govern the flow of work

Helps understand a user's intentions/actions

Attach digital tags to documents and assets for identification, search, or monitoring purposes

Provides a channel for team members to share media files, communicate, and work together

Arrange tasks based on the level of priority or urgency

Ability to chat online in real time

Transfers live calls to other agents

Moving and separately storing data that is not actively used or continuous storage of data for compliance purposes

Manage all call center activities including call monitoring, call recording, call answering, call transfer, etc.

Highlight specific time marks for annotation and review purposes

Manage and track all past and future calls.

Analyze and gain insights into data in real-time

Monitor wait time and abandonment for incoming requests that have not been routed

Receive data and information in real time

Application programming interface that allows for integration with other systems/databases

Active monitoring of systems, applications, or networks

Built-in customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities or integration with a third-party CRM system

A set of indicators that tracks the performance of networks, applications, systems, teams, etc.

Distribute/route/connect calls

Track and document all activities across devices, networks, and other systems

Read and accept a combination of touch tone keypad selections and voice inputs and provide the appropriate prerecorded voice response

Predefined actions automatically performed on the occurance of specific events

Set up connections to third-party platforms to improve business processes

Automatically record calls at predetermined times

Alerts or notifications of various types such as pop-up messages, sounds, banners, or badges

Listen to live phone conversations for the purpose of training and assessing agent performance

Move files across different systems or networks

Dashboard to view the status of ongoing processes, identify current incidents and track past activities

Track and report on all incoming and outgoing calls

Voice conversion to text

Create a collection of marketing actions to complete specific goals and plan and analyze campaign results

Track and report on call outcomes

Computer-telephony integration is the use of computers to manage telephone calls

Manage, organize, and store contact information

System calls multiple numbers at once and connects the agent to the first number that answers

Computer-based system that allows users to send and receive voice messages

Identify the number and contact information of a caller before answering the phone

Collection, analysis, and representation of numerical data and generation of reports to understand various patterns

Sends voice calls to a specific queue based on predetermined criteria

Process to identify source of incoming calls, date, time, duration or caller type using a unique phone number

Record live video calls to play later

System that automatically dials calls

Communicate using direct chat or messages within the system

Record the audio of phone conversations for quality assurance purposes

Alter the layout and content of reports

Allows communication with customers or users via multiple channels such as phone, email, live chat, etc.

A virtual assistant that uses AI to pursue goals and complete tasks on behalf of users

Track interaction history by documenting conversations for contacts

Predict future data based on historical data sets

Interact with data visualization elements, such as charts and graphs, to drill down into data

Analyze the current state of sales data to accurately understand trends and forecast future sales numbers.

Record audio or import/upload audio files

Receive and/or send email notifications for urgent updates, requests, or other information

Attach digital tags to documents and assets for identification, search, or monitoring purposes

Enables users to search, access, and retrieve information from the system's database without needing technical assistance or support

Process and analyze human language in text or audio form

Gauge satisfaction and receive information for improvement and success

Use AI to convert voice into text automatically

Manage inventory, communication, marketing, orders & more across warehouses, stores and online channels

Analyze, correct, and monitor speech for transcriptions or recordings

Online portal through which end users can access the system, manage tasks, or obtain information

Organize and manage the accomplishments and development of employees or performance of applications or systems

Record the audio of phone conversations for quality assurance purposes

Search and filter data across systems to locate required information by entering keywords or certain criteria

Categorize emotions expressed in written text or images and identify if they are positive, negative or neutral

Track and manage adherence to policies for any service, product, process, or supplier

Manage and support multiple languages

Compliant with HIPAA, which sets standards for sensitive patient data protection

Protect sensitive data for digital privacy

Provide agents with a typical response for common call subject matter

Systematic evaluation of various aspects of a project or service to prevent defects or issues

Track and understand a customer's overall satisfaction with a product or service to identify areas of improvement.

Manage and track all internal and external communication conducted via calls, email, text, or chat

Organize and group data or items based on various criteria

Identify different languages

Review data from past periods to reveal recurring tendencies and predict future performance

Use AI to generate content in the form of text, images, videos, etc.

Computer-based system that allows users to send and receive voice messages

Security protocol that ensures secure, encrypted communication over the internet, safeguarding sensitive data from unauthorized access

Identify the number and contact information of a caller before answering the phone

Allows communication with customers or users via multiple channels such as phone, email, live chat, etc.

Track and document all activities across devices, networks, and other systems

Track interaction history by documenting conversations for contacts

Alerts or notifications of various types such as pop-up messages, sounds, banners, or badges

Upload or use pre-set virtual backgrounds during video meetings

Access software remotely via mobile devices

Manage, organize, and store contact information

Manage all call center activities including call monitoring, call recording, call answering, call transfer, etc.

Define levels of authorization for access to specific files or systems

Process to identify source of incoming calls, date, time, duration or caller type using a unique phone number

Transfers live calls to other agents

Group messaging lets multiple people carry on a group conversation

Record the audio of phone conversations for quality assurance purposes

A virtual assistant that uses AI to pursue goals and complete tasks on behalf of users

Listen to live phone conversations for the purpose of training and assessing agent performance

Create, manage and track all task activities and progression

Send messages via SMS

Collection, analysis, and representation of numerical data and generation of reports to understand various patterns

Dashboard to view the status of ongoing processes, identify current incidents and track past activities

Sends voice calls to a specific queue based on predetermined criteria

Two-way actions and communication between multiple users in real time

Allow users to access multiple services after entering their login credentials once

Communicate using direct chat or messages within the system

Track and report on call outcomes

Alerts or notifications of various types such as pop-up messages, sounds, banners, or badges

Use AI to generate content in the form of text, images, videos, etc.

Process to identify source of incoming calls, date, time, duration or caller type using a unique phone number

Send messages via SMS

Sends voice calls to a specific queue based on predetermined criteria

Record the audio of phone conversations for quality assurance purposes

Transfers live calls to other agents

Schedules callback times

Set & manage permission levels based on user roles and restrict access to only authorized individuals

Distribute/route/connect calls

Track interaction history by documenting conversations for contacts

Provides a channel for team members to share media files, communicate, and work together

Receive system updates as soon as any changes are made

Record the audio of phone conversations for quality assurance purposes

Access software remotely via mobile devices

A virtual assistant that uses AI to pursue goals and complete tasks on behalf of users

Read and accept a combination of touch tone keypad selections and voice inputs and provide the appropriate prerecorded voice response

Alter the layout and content of reports

Dashboard to view the status of ongoing processes, identify current incidents and track past activities

Listen to live phone conversations for the purpose of training and assessing agent performance

Computer-based system that allows users to send and receive voice messages

Connect with meeting participants remotely over video

Identify the number and contact information of a caller before answering the phone

Enables the connectivity to send and receive calls over the internet

For Cloud-based phone system that sends and receives calls via the internet.

Application programming interface that allows for integration with other systems/databases

Alerts or notifications of various types such as pop-up messages, sounds, banners, or badges

Transfers live calls to other agents

Import and export data to and from software applications

Provide agents with a typical response for common call subject matter

Track interaction history by documenting conversations for contacts

Provides a channel for team members to share media files, communicate, and work together

Listen to live phone conversations for the purpose of training and assessing agent performance

Alter the layout and content of reports

Manage, organize, and store contact information

Track and document all activities across devices, networks, and other systems

Distribute/route/connect calls

Centralized database of stakeholders and their contact information such as names, address, phone number etc.

AI-based platform which conducts a conversation via auditory or textual methods

Manage all call center activities including call monitoring, call recording, call answering, call transfer, etc.

Organize and manage the accomplishments and development of employees or performance of applications or systems

Process to identify source of incoming calls, date, time, duration or caller type using a unique phone number

Built-in customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities or integration with a third-party CRM system

Collection, analysis, and representation of numerical data and generation of reports to understand various patterns

Focuses on improving processes by collecting data and spotting bottlenecks or other challenges.

Agents can view and manage all customer requests and interactions.

Monitor wait time and abandonment for incoming requests that have not been routed

Access previous interactions or concerns to maintain customer relationships

Computer-based system that allows users to send and receive voice messages

Observe and track the demand, usage, progress or quality of a system, product, or user

Manage and track all past and future calls.

Communicate using direct chat or messages within the system

A set of processes to optimize the productivity of its employees

Create a collection of marketing actions to complete specific goals and plan and analyze campaign results

A virtual assistant that uses AI to pursue goals and complete tasks on behalf of users

Manage, store and organize emails within the system or via third-party apps

Identify the number and contact information of a caller before answering the phone

Allows communication with customers or users via multiple channels such as phone, email, live chat, etc.

Active monitoring of systems, applications, or networks

Communicate using direct chat or messages within the system

Allows communication with customers or users via multiple channels such as phone, email, live chat, etc.

Access previous interactions or concerns to maintain customer relationships

Alerts or notifications of various types such as pop-up messages, sounds, banners, or badges

Analyze and gain insights into data in real-time

Collects essential call data such as call origin, call destination, call length, and other transaction details

Alter the layout and content of reports

Receive data and information in real time

A virtual assistant that uses AI to pursue goals and complete tasks on behalf of users

Built-in customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities or integration with a third-party CRM system

Collection, analysis, and representation of numerical data and generation of reports to understand various patterns

Track and document all activities across devices, networks, and other systems

Ability to chat online in real time

Provide agents with a typical response for common call subject matter

Centralized database of stakeholders and their contact information such as names, address, phone number etc.

Computer-based system that allows users to send and receive voice messages

Application programming interface that allows for integration with other systems/databases

Process to identify source of incoming calls, date, time, duration or caller type using a unique phone number

Send messages via SMS

Schedules callback times

Identify the number and contact information of a caller before answering the phone

System calls multiple numbers at once and connects the agent to the first number that answers

Gauge satisfaction and receive information for improvement and success

System that automatically dials calls

Set of pre-recorded messages for candidates that can be shared before, during and after the video interview

Notifications that are delivered to users as soon as an event occurs

Track interaction history by documenting conversations for contacts

Track and report on call outcomes

Manage the process of planning and scheduling meetings, including agenda creation

A virtual assistant that uses AI to pursue goals and complete tasks on behalf of users

Timed notification for any upcoming task, deadline, appointment, or activity

Algorithmically generated suggestions based on user behaviors, preferences, or data patterns to enhance UX, productivity, or engagement

Route and distribute your leads to third party buyers

Create, design and manage workflows for repetitive tasks

Organize and manage the accomplishments and development of employees or performance of applications or systems

Assembly of graphs and charts for visualizing and tracking statistics/metrics

Manage, store and organize emails within the system or via third-party apps

Store information about leads or contacts and track, manage and nurture them throughout the sales process

Track and document all activities across devices, networks, and other systems

Pre-made examples and templates for emails

Set up connections to third-party platforms to improve business processes

Customize data fields to support various needs and use cases

Pipeline view and tracking lead status

Use AI to generate content in the form of text, images, videos, etc.

Distribute/route/connect calls

Listen to live phone conversations for the purpose of training and assessing agent performance

Automatically identify and save contact information of potential customers

Defines specific deal parameters to negotiate and secure deals

Manage and track all past and future calls.

Allows communication with customers or users via multiple channels such as phone, email, live chat, etc.

Record the audio of phone conversations for quality assurance purposes

Designed for contact centers.

Built-in customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities or integration with a third-party CRM system

Ability to handle large datasets

Track and manage schedules and meetings via an integrated calendar

Communicate using direct chat or messages within the system

Score a lead on their quality or likelihood to buy based on certain behaviors

Application programming interface that allows for integration with other systems/databases

Create, manage and track all task activities and progression

Track interaction history by documenting conversations for contacts

Collection, analysis, and representation of numerical data and generation of reports to understand various patterns