Final answer:
The Automatic Call Distributor (ACD) is the technology used in call centers to manage incoming and outgoing calls by connecting callers with available representatives. It is part of systems like computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI), which, despite its efficiency, can have errors affecting data reliability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The technology that automatically places outgoing calls and delivers incoming calls to the next available service representative in a call center is known as an Automatic Call Distributor (ACD). This system is part of a call center's Computer Telephony Integration (CTI), which often involves computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI). In CATI, the system calls random phone numbers, and once a live person is reached, it connects them with a trained interviewer. As the interview progresses, the interviewer inputs responses directly into the computer system. While this process enhances efficiency, there are instances where errors can occur, such as incorrect data entry or variations from the script, potentially affecting the reliability of the poll results.