A telephone call processing apparatus for a telephone system includes an exchange for receiving incoming telephone calls and switching said calls to selected respective agent workstations. The apparatus includes a routing function for connecting an incoming call from a caller to an agent workstation, and initiating a call from said apparatus to an external application platform, said call including data to enable a transaction call to be set up between said caller and said external application platform. A holding function maintains a call leg connection with said agent workstation whilst said call from said apparatus to said external application platform is initiated. A connection function connects a call from said external application platform to said agent workstation and establishing or maintaining a connection between said caller and said agent workstation for use whilst said transaction call is connected.