Prompt and efficient customer support on demand is crucial for a business to retain its competitive edge. Automated help desk software is the best solution. When the software is well-designed and optimally implemented, it will streamline the support progress, bolster your company image and enhance customer satisfaction.
Customer support software consists of a centralised platform designed to manage and resolve the requests, enquiries and complaints received from clients. The latter may be customers in the traditional sense or employees of the host business, typically needing support with IT issues.
The design of an automated help desk system
The support desk software serves as a hub, generating and logging support tickets and tracking and managing them until they are resolved. A typical system consists of the following components:
- Ticketing system: An electronic record or "ticket" containing details of the issue is created each time a customer requests support and is used to track progress until it is resolved.
- Knowledge base: The system can resolve most of the more common requests without human intervention by referring to FAQs, articles and guides stored in appropriate databases.
- Automation: An efficient system will be designed to automate key tasks like assigning tickets, escalating requests and generating follow-up reminders.
- Reports and analytics: These functions can provide valuable insight into the support team's performance and customer service while highlighting common issues that might require investigation and remediation.
- Integration: An automated support desk cannot realise its full potential as a standalone system. Instead, it should be designed to integrate seamlessly with other systems like e-mail, social media platforms and CRM software to extend and enhance the customer experience.
The benefits of a computerised help desk
When well-designed and used effectively, an automated customer support system offers businesses the following benefits:
- Optimised efficiency: Automating routine tasks and streamlining workflows will enable the support team to deal with more issues in less time.
- Improve allocation of resources: The system helps identify times of peak demand and areas that may require additional resources, thus optimising staff deployment.
- Data-driven insights: The help desk analytics tools provide data that guide improvements to a company's support process and business strategy.
- Greater accountability: The software's ability to assign ownership to each ticket ensures each issue is monitored until resolved, enhancing support team members' accountability.
Optimising the help desk software
The following strategies will help ensure the most effective use of an automated support system:
- Customisation: Tailoring fields, workflows and operating rules to align with the company's support processes will ensure its specified needs are fully met.
- Training: Regular training sessions with the software will ensure the support team fully understands its features and best practices and familiarises them with updates and added functionality.
- Knowledge base updates: Continuously updating and expanding the knowledge base will encourage customers to favour the software solution, relieving pressure on support staff.
- Metrics: The insights from reports help identify bottlenecks, monitor agent performance and refine support strategies.
- Customer feedback: There is no better measure of the system's strengths and weaknesses than the customer.
The Fusion Software solution
As a leading solutions developer with over 20 years of experience, Fusion Software can tailor an effective help desk software solution fully aligned to your needs. Please don't hesitate to contact us for more information.
E-mail: schuttev@fusionsoftware.co.za
Call: 0861 FUSION
Share