1. A method for operating an interface processor to provide access to applications running on a plurality of host processors, each said host processor communicating with said interface processor by providing screens to said interface processor, comprising the steps of:
(a) establishing at least one virtual terminal session with each said host processor and initializing said applications running on said host processor to ready them for further commands;
(b) responding to a user request that requires a process to be performed by an application, by accessing a virtual terminal session with a host processor on which said application is running, entering user data in a stored screen from said application and transmitting said data to said host processor, whereby said host processor immediately processes said data; and
(c) receiving a screen from said host processor containing data for said user, and transmitting said data to said user, whereby said interface processor enables a plurality of host processors to rapidly respond to user-supplied data without requiring modification of host processor-controlling software.

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1 wherein step (b) includes the further steps of: creating a table of host application/virtual terminal sessions; updating said table to indicate available host application/virtual terminal sessions; and choosing from said table, an available host application/virtual terminal session in response to said user data, whereby said user data may be directed to an available host application virtual terminal session that is not already busy.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, responsive to the provision by said user in step (b) of a plurality of input data that require a plurality of applications, including the further steps of: accessing a plurality of virtual terminal sessions, one for each said user-supplied input data, and wherein step (c) extracts data from screens returned by said each application and provides said data to the user in response to said user data inputs.

4. A method as claimed in Claim 3 wherein said input data is received by telephone in the form of multiple data inputs in a single call, said multiple data inputs requiring multiple applications for response.

5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim including the further step of: providing a refresh input to each said virtual terminal session and connected host processor, whereby a said application on said processor is maintained in an initialized state.

6. An interface processor for processing user telephone inquiries by accessing applications running on a plurality of connected host processors, each host processor communicating with said interface processor through provided screens, said interface processor comprising: channel process means for interacting with said user, receiving a said user input, and providing a voice response to said user; virtual terminal means for establishing a plurality of virtual terminal sessions, at least one session with each said host processor, initializing an application on each said host processor, and storing an initial screen from each said application; and executor means responsive to a user input from a said channel process means, to operate over an available virtual terminal session and communicate with an initialized application and to provide screen data that includes user data, to a said application, and for receiving a screen with user data from said application in response and to provide said user data to said channel process means, whereby said channel process means responds to said user with said user data.

7. A processor as claimed in Claim 6 further comprising: table means including a listing of host application/virtual terminal sessions; and control means for examining said table means and assigning an available virtual terminal session in response to a user inquiry.

8. A processor as claimed in Claim 7 wherein said control means provides periodic inputs to said virtual terminal sessions to maintain said applications on said host processors in their initialized state in the event any said application is not accessed by a user inquiry within a predetermined time period.

9. A processor as claimed in Claim 8 wherein said channel process means includes voice response capability that orally responds to user initiated telephone inquiries.

10. A processor as claimed in Claim 9 wherein said executor means responds to a user input requiring a plurality of applications, by assigning to said user input a plurality of virtual terminal sessions with applications required to respond to said multiple inquiries.

11. A processor as claimed in Claim 8 wherein said executor means executes a stored script and transfers data received in a screen from a host processor over one virtual terminal session, into a screen for transmission to a host processor over another virtual terminal session.