Esteban Kolsky, CEO of thinkJar, described the customer experience this way: “Customer experience is defined as the sum total of conscious events, as a coordinated series of interactions between a customer and a brand to accomplish anything.” Technology is indispensable in delivering exceptional customer experiences in today’s competitive landscape. The Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) platform is the linchpin of these interactions, serving as a vital resource for call center executives seeking to surpass customer expectations.
According to Kolsky, 55% of consumers are willing to pay more for a guaranteed good experience. Furthermore, a striking 75% of organizations believe that using the right technology is vital to their success (Forrester Research). As a Contact Center Leader, ensuring that you select the most suitable CCaaS platform can enhance customer experience (CX) and drive business growth.
In this article, we will explore the top 10 things to consider when selecting a CCaaS platform, providing you with a roadmap to navigate through the choices and arrive at the perfect solution for your call center. From defining your business objectives to post-implementation support, we’ll guide you every step, ensuring you make an informed decision that optimizes your call center performance and elevates your customer experience to new heights.
Evaluate Your Current State
1. Identify your objective with a new CCaaS platform.
Before diving into the selection process, you must clearly understand your call center’s objectives and how a CCaaS platform can help you achieve them. Whether your primary goal is improving customer satisfaction, increasing agent productivity, or reducing operational costs, identifying these objectives will guide your decision-making and ensure that your chosen platform aligns with your business needs.
2. Determine critical features needed to support your call center operations.
With your objectives in mind, create a list of features and functionalities crucial to your call center’s success. Consider call routing, workforce management, analytics, and reporting capabilities. Additionally, think about the channels you need to support, such as voice, email, chat, and social media, to provide a seamless omnichannel customer experience.
Remember to involve key stakeholders, such as agents, supervisors, and IT teams, to ensure you cover all call center operations. By gathering their input, you can build a comprehensive list of requirements to help you find the CCaaS platform that best meets your organization’s needs.
3. Evaluate areas for improvement within your existing contact center technology.
Look closely at your current contact center infrastructure and determine its strengths and weaknesses. Identifying gaps or areas that need improvement will help you select a CCaaS platform that addresses these issues and enhances your overall operations. Consider system performance, reliability, and ease of use for agents and supervisors.
4. Consider compatibility and integration with your current solutions.
Your new CCaaS platform should seamlessly integrate with your existing systems, such as your CRM, ticketing system, and other business tools, to ensure a smooth transition and minimal disruption to your operations. Make sure to check for compatibility and integration capabilities with potential vendors. The more efficiently the CCaaS platform can integrate with your current infrastructure, the faster you can start reaping the benefits of your investment.
Prioritize Scalability and Flexibility
5. Choosing a CCaaS platform that can grow with your business.
Scalability and flexibility are critical factors to consider when selecting a CCaaS platform. As your business evolves, your contact center needs may change – whether it’s adding new channels, expanding to new markets, or handling fluctuating call volumes. Choosing a CCaaS platform that can scale with your growth ensures you’re future-proofing your investment and optimizing resources as your call center expands.
6. Select a cloud-based solution that allows for easy scaling and adaptability.
A cloud-based CCaaS platform offers numerous advantages, including rapid deployment, lower upfront costs, and easy scalability. Cloud solutions allow you to adapt quickly to changing needs, such as adding or removing agents, expanding to new locations, or integrating new communication channels. By opting for a cloud-based CCaaS platform, you’re equipping your call center with the agility it needs to respond to market changes and deliver an exceptional customer experience.
Validate Vendor Expertise and Reputation
7. Identify vendors to gauge their experience and expertise in your industry.
Investing time researching and evaluating potential vendors will pay dividends in the long run. Evaluate vendors’ experience working with organizations similar to yours in size, industry, and complexity.
8. Check for customer testimonials and reviews to assess their reliability and performance.
Customer testimonials and third-party reviews can provide valuable insights into a vendor’s reliability, performance, and overall customer satisfaction. Pay attention to how vendors address concerns and resolve issues, as this can indicate the level of support and commitment you can expect from them.
Ensure Security and Compliance
9. Ensuring data security and compliance with industry regulations.
Data security and compliance with industry regulations, such as GDPR and HIPAA, are critical when selecting a CCaaS platform. Your chosen platform should adhere to the highest security standards and maintain strict compliance with relevant regulations to protect sensitive customer information and maintain your organization’s reputation.
10. Evaluate the security features the CCaaS platform offers and the vendor’s adherence to compliance standards.
Inquire about the security features the CCaaS platform offers, such as encryption, data storage, and access controls. Also, ask about the vendor’s approach to maintaining compliance with regulatory standards and their track record of managing security risks. A vendor with robust security features and a solid commitment to compliance will give you peace of mind and protect your organization’s interests.
Sample Reputable Solutions
- Genesys Cloud (formerly PureCloud): A comprehensive cloud contact center platform offering omnichannel capabilities, workforce management, and seamless integrations.
- Five9: A leading CCaaS provider with many features, including omnichannel support, workforce optimization, AI-powered capabilities, and robust integrations.
- Talkdesk: A cloud-based contact center platform known for its ease of use, scalability, and advanced features, such as AI-driven automation and analytics.
- NICE CXone: A comprehensive platform with omnichannel routing, workforce optimization, analytics, and AI-powered features for improved customer experiences.
- 8×8: A cloud-based solution offering omnichannel support, workforce management, and seamless integration with popular CRM and business tools.
- Vonage (formerly NewVoiceMedia): A cloud contact center platform focusing on Salesforce integration, providing omnichannel support and advanced analytics.
- RingCentral: A powerful platform that provides omnichannel support, workforce management, and integration with popular CRM and business tools, including their own unified communications solution, RingCentral Office.
- Cisco Webex Contact Center: A comprehensive solution from a well-established provider, offering omnichannel capabilities, AI-driven features, and seamless integrations with Cisco’s suite of collaboration tools.
Keep Your Decision Unbiased
Keep in mind that the best CCaaS platform for your business will depend on your unique needs, objectives, and existing infrastructure. Be sure to evaluate each platform based on the criteria discussed in this article to find the solution that best aligns with your organization’s goals and requirements.
Just knowing reputable companies to research is not enough. It’s essential to recognize that most customers bring inherent biases to the evaluation process when selecting a CCaaS platform. These biases may stem from personal preferences, past experiences, or being swayed by the reputation of a well-known brand. To mitigate the impact of these biases and ensure a more objective evaluation, it can be beneficial to engage the services of an expert, such as a broker or agent. These professionals possess in-depth knowledge of the CCaaS market and can provide valuable guidance in identifying the right solution tailored to your business needs. They can help you look beyond the allure of top-ranked vendors in reports like the Gartner Magic Quadrant and focus on finding a platform that aligns with your organization’s unique goals and requirements. By leveraging their expertise, you can make a more informed decision and ultimately select a CCaaS platform that drives success for your business.
Conclusion:
Selecting the right CCaaS platform for your business requires careful consideration of various factors, from defining your objectives to assessing vendor expertise and ensuring security and compliance. By following these ten key steps, you can make an informed decision that meets your call center’s unique needs and elevates the customer experience to new heights. Remember, investing in the right CCaaS platform can help you deliver seamless, exceptional customer experiences – experiences that will foster loyalty, drive growth, and set your organization apart from the competition.
Have Questions? Reach out to ej.bowen@omnilegion.com