Knowledge Generation Bureau
Encyclopedia
kgb is a privately held, New York
-based company that provides directory assistance
and enhanced information services across Europe and North America. It describes itself as "the world’s largest independent provider of directory assistance and enhanced information services." Founded in 1992 by Robert Pines under the name INFONXX, the company rebranded in 2008.. The term knowledge generation bureau is from an advertising copy line, and is not the name of the company, which is kgb.
In December 2008, kgb acquired Texperts, a United Kingdom
-based firm, in order to benefit from their "innovative software platform and industry experience." Shortly afterwards, in January 2009, kgb launched a new suite of products in the United States, providing answers to customers’ questions through multiple platforms. The first is through a mobile search
service known as 542542 (kgbkgb). It launched January 5, 2009, following the launch of the similar 118118
"Ask Us Anything" service in the United Kingdom.
More recently it has entered the internet group buying space with a business called kgbdeals. kgbdeals seeks to offer lifestyle deals to consumers in the US, UK, France and Italy. It is believed to be the third largest such player in the UK, where it has advertised on British television, creating the female characters k,g and b.
customers can submit questions via SMS
(text) message for a cost of $1.49 per question. They will then receive another text message containing the answer. Questions are not limited to traditional information assistance, but may cover any facet of knowledge or even speculation. The customer is also responsible for their mobile carrier's SMS service fees, if any.
In order to answer questions, the service makes use of both human internet researchers (whom the company refers to as "kgb_ Special Agents") and automated keyword matching. For simpler queries, such as directory assistance, show times, or weather, answers are generated automatically via software
that matches keywords in customers' questions to a database
. Answers generated this way are then verified by a human before being delivered to the customer. More complex queries are answered entirely by people.
Special Agents are independent contractor
s working from home, via the internet. They earn 0.10 USD per complete answer, and 0.05 USD per automated answer verification. The company also has quality control
personnel, whom the company refers to as Quality Agents, who perform quality reviews and provide feedback. These contractors earn 0.08 USD per standard review, and 0.03 USD per simulator review (a review of a prospective researcher's performance when answering simulated queries).
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
-based company that provides directory assistance
Directory assistance
In telecommunications, directory assistance or directory enquiries is a phone service used to find out a specific telephone number and/or address of a residence, business, or government entity.-Technology:...
and enhanced information services across Europe and North America. It describes itself as "the world’s largest independent provider of directory assistance and enhanced information services." Founded in 1992 by Robert Pines under the name INFONXX, the company rebranded in 2008.. The term knowledge generation bureau is from an advertising copy line, and is not the name of the company, which is kgb.
In December 2008, kgb acquired Texperts, a United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
-based firm, in order to benefit from their "innovative software platform and industry experience." Shortly afterwards, in January 2009, kgb launched a new suite of products in the United States, providing answers to customers’ questions through multiple platforms. The first is through a mobile search
Mobile Search
Mobile search is an evolving branch of information retrieval services that is centered around the convergence of mobile platforms and mobile phones and other mobile devices. Web search engine ability in a mobile form allows users to find mobile content on websites which are available to mobile...
service known as 542542 (kgbkgb). It launched January 5, 2009, following the launch of the similar 118118
118 118 (UK)
118 118 is a UK directory enquiries provider based in Cardiff that assists customers with telephone number enquiries and general queries.The service is provided by The Number UK Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of US directory enquiries provider Knowledge Generation Bureau , whose company motto is...
"Ask Us Anything" service in the United Kingdom.
More recently it has entered the internet group buying space with a business called kgbdeals. kgbdeals seeks to offer lifestyle deals to consumers in the US, UK, France and Italy. It is believed to be the third largest such player in the UK, where it has advertised on British television, creating the female characters k,g and b.
542542 (kgbkgb)
542542 is an "Ask Anything 2-way text service", whereby United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
customers can submit questions via SMS
SMS
SMS is a form of text messaging communication on phones and mobile phones. The terms SMS or sms may also refer to:- Computer hardware :...
(text) message for a cost of $1.49 per question. They will then receive another text message containing the answer. Questions are not limited to traditional information assistance, but may cover any facet of knowledge or even speculation. The customer is also responsible for their mobile carrier's SMS service fees, if any.
In order to answer questions, the service makes use of both human internet researchers (whom the company refers to as "kgb_ Special Agents") and automated keyword matching. For simpler queries, such as directory assistance, show times, or weather, answers are generated automatically via software
Computer software
Computer software, or just software, is a collection of computer programs and related data that provide the instructions for telling a computer what to do and how to do it....
that matches keywords in customers' questions to a database
Database
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
. Answers generated this way are then verified by a human before being delivered to the customer. More complex queries are answered entirely by people.
Special Agents are independent contractor
Independent contractor
An independent contractor is a natural person, business, or corporation that provides goods or services to another entity under terms specified in a contract or within a verbal agreement. Unlike an employee, an independent contractor does not work regularly for an employer but works as and when...
s working from home, via the internet. They earn 0.10 USD per complete answer, and 0.05 USD per automated answer verification. The company also has quality control
Quality control
Quality control, or QC for short, is a process by which entities review the quality of all factors involved in production. This approach places an emphasis on three aspects:...
personnel, whom the company refers to as Quality Agents, who perform quality reviews and provide feedback. These contractors earn 0.08 USD per standard review, and 0.03 USD per simulator review (a review of a prospective researcher's performance when answering simulated queries).