In a world where the quality of customer support can make or break businesses, the right help desk software plays a critical role. It is, therefore, not surprising that organizations are making the leap to service desk software – a more comprehensive solution that takes customer service to a whole new level.
Service desk software is an IT service management solution that not only facilitates communication between users and IT personnel but also integrates all your business processes and functions into one centralized system. The goal of service desk software is simple – to optimize the process of providing support to users, enhancing the customer experience, and ultimately boosting customer retention.
Help Desk vs Service Desk: What’s the Difference?
Before delving deeper into the realm of service desk software, it’s essential to differentiate between a help desk and a service desk. The terms are often used interchangeably, but they do represent distinct concepts in the world of IT service management.
A help desk primarily focuses on break/fix scenarios, acting as a single point of contact for users experiencing IT issues. However, a service desk takes it a step further, adopting a proactive approach to IT service management. In addition to addressing service requests and issues, a service desk also focuses on providing guidance on various IT-related matters.
What Does Service Desk Software Do?
Service desk software brings a holistic approach to IT service management by aligning with the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) standards. It provides a single point of contact for users to gain assistance in troubleshooting, get answers to questions, and solve any other customer-related issues.
A service desk does more than merely responding to customer queries and managing tickets. It is responsible for managing all aspects of the customer service process, right from the initial interaction to the final resolution of the issue.
With a service desk tool, your customer service team can effectively manage requests, track them in a ticketing system, and ensure timely resolution. The software allows for easy categorization and prioritization of issues, enabling service agents to resolve critical issues first.
One of the most significant advantages of service desk software is its capability for asset management. Businesses can track and manage all their IT assets from a single dashboard, leading to improved efficiency and reduced overhead costs.
Choosing the Right Service Desk Software: What to Look For?
With a myriad of service desk software available in the market, selecting the one that fits your business needs can be quite challenging. However, understanding the key features and functionalities you should be looking for in a service desk solution can make this task less daunting.
Key Features of Service Desk Software
1. Ticketing System:
A robust ticketing system is the backbone of any service desk software. It helps manage service requests effectively, ensuring no request falls through the cracks. It should provide functionalities like automated ticket routing, prioritization, status updates, and escalations, thereby making ticket management a breeze.
2. Knowledge Base:
A good service desk solution should include a comprehensive knowledge base to help users find quick solutions to common issues. This self-service portal empowers users to solve their problems without reaching out to the support team, leading to reduced ticket volumes and improved customer satisfaction.
3. Asset Management:
Asset management is an integral feature of service desk software, which helps track and manage all IT assets across their lifecycle. This includes hardware, software, network assets, and more. It helps in maintaining up-to-date inventory, reducing costs and ensuring compliance.
4. Multi-Channel Support:
Today’s customers prefer to communicate through various channels – email, phone, live chat, social media, etc. The right help desk software should provide multi-channel support, allowing customers to reach out on the platform they’re most comfortable with.
5. Integration:
Tight integration with other business tools and applications is a must-have feature. This ensures seamless data flow across platforms, leading to efficient business processes.
6. Reporting and Analytics:
To continually improve your service delivery, you need to measure its performance. That’s where reporting and analytics come into play. Service desk software should provide detailed insights into key metrics like ticket volume, resolution time, customer satisfaction scores, and more.
Best Help Desk Software: Free and Paid Options
When it comes to service desk software, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The choice largely depends on your business size, budget, and specific needs. However, some solutions have proven to be leaders in this space, namely Jira Service Management, SolarWinds Service Desk, and ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus. They offer a full-fledged ITSM suite with advanced features tailored to meet diverse business needs.
For small businesses or companies just starting, a free help desk might be the best way to go. SolarWinds offers a free version of their Web Help Desk, and Jira Service Desk provides a free plan for up to three agents. These solutions are user-friendly and provide the core functionalities needed to manage service requests effectively.
Dive Into Service Desk Solutions
Jira Service Management
Designed for agile teams, Jira Service Management is a popular choice among businesses of all sizes. This service desk software brings IT operations and development teams together for fast, proactive issue resolution. It offers a collaborative platform for service requests, incident management, change management, and more.
The advanced features of Jira Service Management include automation rules to minimize repetitive tasks, SLA tracking, and a customer portal for self-service. Moreover, its tight integration with other Atlassian products like Jira Software and Confluence makes it a comprehensive solution for project management and knowledge base, respectively.
SolarWinds Service Desk
Recognized as a Champion in the Info-Tech Software Reviews for IT Service Management, SolarWinds Service Desk is a cloud-based IT service management solution that helps businesses manage and streamline IT services. This tool allows organizations to consolidate IT assets, automate service management tasks, and implement best practices for service delivery.
With features such as automated ticket routing, asset management, a knowledge base, and self-service portal, SolarWinds Service Desk makes it easy for service agents to deliver excellent customer support. Furthermore, its smart, AI-driven suggestions help to expedite ticket resolution.
ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus
A robust ITSM product, ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus comes loaded with powerful tools for ticketing, asset management, purchase order management, contract management, self-service portal, and more. Its intuitive UI makes it easy for both service agents and end-users to navigate through the system.
One standout feature is the software’s ability to facilitate end-to-end ITIL management, including incident management, problem management, and change management. ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus also offers a mobile app, allowing service agents to access tickets and resolve issues on-the-go.
Choosing the Right Help Desk Software
Selecting the right help desk software depends on your unique needs. It’s essential to identify the features that align with your service objectives and enhance the capabilities of your customer service team. Always consider factors such as the size and technical expertise of your team, budget, required integrations, and the complexity of your IT infrastructure.
Service Desk and IT Service Management (ITSM)
IT Service Management (ITSM) encompasses all the activities involved in designing, creating, delivering, supporting, and managing the lifecycle of IT services. A robust service desk software is an integral part of ITSM, acting as a single point of contact between the service provider and users for all service-related issues.
While ITSM and the service desk have distinct roles, they are closely related. Both focus on providing value to the business by ensuring that IT services align with business goals. Your service desk is essentially the face of your IT organization, dealing with service requests, incidents, and issues that your users encounter.
When it comes to ITSM, one of the best practices involves adhering to the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL). This framework provides a set of detailed practices for ITSM that focuses on aligning IT services with the needs of the business. The adoption of ITIL practices can help organizations manage risk, strengthen customer relations, establish cost-effective practices, and build a stable IT environment that allows for growth, scale, and change.
Facilities Management and Service Desk
Apart from IT services, service desk software often finds application in facilities management. Facilities management deals with the maintenance and upkeep of an organization’s buildings and equipment. The use of a service desk in facilities management can help manage requests for maintenance or repair and track the status of assets across different locations.
In this context, the service desk becomes a vital tool for ensuring that all resources are adequately maintained and available for use. Through efficient ticketing systems and asset management capabilities, service desk software can help facilities management teams stay on top of maintenance schedules and avoid costly downtime.
On-Premise Vs. Cloud Help Desk Software
When choosing a service desk solution, one of the crucial decisions involves selecting between an on-premise and cloud help desk software. This choice depends on your specific needs and circumstances.
On-premise help desk solutions are installed and run on your own servers. This gives you complete control over your data and allows for customization. However, these systems often require substantial upfront investment in hardware, software, and technical expertise to manage and maintain them.
In contrast, cloud help desk software is hosted on the provider’s servers and accessed through the internet. These solutions are typically subscription-based, converting large upfront costs into smaller, regular payments. Cloud solutions are also scalable and can be accessed from anywhere, making them an excellent choice for remote teams or businesses with multiple locations. Cloud help desk solutions like Jira Service Desk, SolarWinds Service Desk, and ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus are popular due to their flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.
The Power of Free Help Desk Software
In an era where customer satisfaction can make or break a business, having an efficient help desk system is no longer an option; it’s a necessity. However, for small businesses and start-ups, investing in an expensive desk software may not be feasible. That’s where free help desk software comes into play.
Improved Customer Service Teams
Free help desk software provides basic service desk features like ticket management, customer support, and knowledge base creation. Some free solutions also offer self-service portals where customers can resolve common issues independently, thus reducing the workload of your customer service team.
Cost Savings
The most significant advantage of free help desk software is, of course, cost savings. Small businesses can make use of these tools to provide excellent customer support without breaking the bank. Moreover, they offer an opportunity to test the benefits of a help desk solution without a financial commitment, enabling businesses to evaluate the effectiveness and fit for their operation before investing in a more advanced or premium solution.
However, free help desk solutions also come with limitations. They may restrict the number of service agents, tickets, or users. Additionally, advanced features such as asset management, change management, or integrations with other business tools might only be available in paid versions.
Let’s look at the case of Jira Service Desk. While it’s a robust, full-fledged ITSM suite in its paid version, the free version allows up to three agents and provides basic ITSM features. The key is to understand your needs and choose a free help desk software that aligns with your requirements and can scale as your business grows.
While cost is an important consideration, it’s also essential to evaluate the user-friendliness of the software, the support provided by the software vendor, and the software’s ability to integrate with other systems you are using. Be it an on-premise solution like Web Help Desk or cloud solutions like ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus, each has its unique strengths that can be leveraged depending on your business needs.
In the end, whether you opt for a free or paid service desk software, the key is to choose a solution that best fits your needs and facilitates your quest for superior customer satisfaction and streamlined operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does service desk software do?
Service desk software, or help desk software, is a solution that helps businesses manage and streamline their IT service management (ITSM). It handles service requests, incidents, changes, and other IT management processes. It typically includes a ticketing system for tracking and resolving issues, a knowledge base for sharing information, and tools for communication and collaboration. Service desk software aids in increasing efficiency, improving customer service, and providing valuable data for business decisions.
2. What is a service desk system?
A service desk system is a point of contact between users and an IT organization. It’s designed to provide a structured and controlled process for managing requests, handling incidents, facilitating communication, and ensuring that no request is lost or ignored. It generally includes capabilities like incident management, request fulfillment, change management, and others, all aimed at improving IT service delivery and support.
3. Is service desk the same as ServiceNow?
No, ServiceNow is a company that provides a suite of cloud-based IT service management solutions, one of which is ServiceNow Service Desk. A service desk, on the other hand, is a general term that refers to the function or the team that manages a company’s IT services. It can be executed through various software solutions, including but not limited to, ServiceNow.
4. Is Salesforce a service desk?
Salesforce is primarily a customer relationship management (CRM) tool. However, it does offer a solution called “Service Cloud” which functions as a service desk. Service Cloud enables businesses to provide customer service and support, including case management, communication channels for customer interactions, and a knowledge base. But it’s important to note that Salesforce’s primary focus is CRM, not IT service management.
