This sounds as though it refers to the gathering of the first information about a potential customer (ascertaining a little info about him/her, requirements, budget, for example). Here, an incoming call is taken, potential customer details entered into a file, primary information gathered and then the lead is passed to the sales person.

This MAY equate to "qualification", which is the assessment of the suitability of a potential customer - identification of particular information to determine whether or not the lead is worth passing on to the sales person. You'd need to check with the client on this one I think, but gathering primary information is a fairly general solution.

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Note added at 20 mins (2012-09-06 12:03:13 GMT)
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http://youferral.com/jobpost/show/4786924-lead-developers-sa...
This position requires:
The ability to use the telephone as a primary information gathering tool

Lead Developers:
Through primary (telephonic) interviews, you will develop sales lead information and gather other sales support information.

http://www.invictaindustrial.co.uk/operate.htm
Telephone interviewing is also available as a primary information gathering tool.

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Note added at 1 hr (2012-09-06 13:05:01 GMT)
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Or preliminary information gathering.

http://www.ic.gc.ca/app/ccc/srch/nvgt.do?lang=eng&prtl=1&sbP...
company and partner identification;
- initial screening and preliminary information gathering;