What is Call center software, and types?

Call center software is a type of computer software that is designed to help manage and optimize the performance of call centers. It is typically used by businesses and organizations that handle a large volume of phone calls, such as customer service centers, sales departments, and technical support teams.

The main features of this software include call routing, call queuing, automatic call distribution, interactive voice response, and call reporting and analytics. Call routing allows calls to be directed to the appropriate agent or department based on the caller’s needs. Call queuing allows calls to be placed in a virtual “holding pattern” until an agent is available to take the call. Automatic call distribution (ACD) is used to evenly distribute calls among a group of agents. Interactive voice response (IVR) is used to provide automated responses to common inquiries, such as account balances or hours of operation.

It can also include advanced features such as screen-popping, which displays the caller’s information on the agent’s computer screen as soon as the call is answered, and call recording, which allows calls to be recorded for quality assurance and training purposes.

Many call center software solutions are cloud-based, which means that they are hosted on servers that can be accessed over the internet. This allows call center agents to work remotely, and it also reduces the need for expensive on-premises hardware and IT staff. Additionally, cloud-based call center software is often more cost-effective than on-premises solutions, as it eliminates the need for upfront capital investments.

Types of call center software

There are several types of call center software available, each with its own set of features and capabilities. Some of the most common types include:

1. Automatic Call Distributor (ACD): This type of software routes incoming calls to the next available agent, based on skills or availability.
2. Interactive Voice Response (IVR): This type of software allows customers to interact with a computerized system using voice commands, reducing the need for human operators.
3. Computer Telephony Integration (CTI): This type of software integrates computer systems with telephone systems, allowing agents to manage calls from their computers.
4. Predictive Dialer: This type of software automatically dials a list of phone numbers, and connects the call to an available agent when someone answers.
5. Workforce management: This type of software helps to optimize the scheduling and management of agents, ensuring adequate coverage during peak call times and managing performance through real-time and historical reporting.
6. Call Recording: This type of software records all or specific calls for compliance, quality assurance, or training purposes.
7. Chat and Email management software: This type of software allows agents to manage customer interactions through chat and email in addition to phone calls.
8. Cloud-based call center software: This type of software is hosted on cloud servers and can be accessed remotely, making it more scalable and cost-effective.
9. Omnichannel software: This type of software allows agents to manage customer interactions across multiple channels such as voice, chat, email, and social media.

These are some of the main types of call center software, but many software providers offer a combination of these functionalities in their software.

Another important consideration when choosing call center software is the level of integration with other business systems. Many call center software solutions can be integrated with customer relationship management (CRM) systems, which allows for seamless data sharing between the two systems. This can be helpful for agents when answering customer inquiries, as it allows them to quickly access relevant customer information.

How to use call center software

There are many different types of call center software available, so the specific steps for using it will depend on the software you are using. However, in general, using call center software involves the following steps:

1. Set up the software: This typically involves installing the software on your computer, configuring your phone system to work with the software, and setting up any necessary user accounts and permissions.
2. Log in: Once the software is set up, you’ll need to log in to the software using your user account.
3. Make or receive calls: Once logged in, you can use the software to make or receive calls. Depending on the software, this may involve clicking on a contact’s name in the software, dialing a phone number, or using a softphone on your computer.
4. Use the features: Depending on the software, you may have access to features like call recording, call routing, and call monitoring. These features can be used to help manage calls and improve the customer experience.
5. Monitor and analyze data: Many call center software has the ability to track call data, like call volume, duration, and call outcomes. This data can be used to analyze and improve the performance of the call center.

It’s worth noting that there are many different call center software available, each with its own set of features, so the steps for using it may vary.

In summary, it is a type of computer software that is designed to help manage and optimize the performance of call centers. It typically includes features such as call routing, call queuing, automatic call distribution, interactive voice response, and call reporting and analytics. Many software solutions are cloud-based, which allows for remote working and reduces the need for expensive on-premises hardware and IT staff. Additionally, it is important to consider the level of integration with other business systems when choosing call center software.