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Tools for IT managers that make life easier

By rotide
Created 12/11/2020 - 08:08
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If you're an IT manager [1], you probably have a lot on your plate right now. After all, streamlining your team's workflow [2] comes with its own challenges, first and foremost of which is the responsibility of finding new software and tech solutions to actually make your workday simpler. If you need a jumping-off point, the following list of tools and solutions should make it easier to sort out what you need and what you might already have.

Find IT service management solutions that empower your live agents.

You probably already use some form of IT service management software or configuration. However, it's important to determine whether or not your ITSM software [3] is truly meeting you and your team's needs. For example, if you aren't using an omnichannel platform, you could increase your Return on Investment (ROI) and workflow tremendously, by switching to a system with these sorts of software tools. This is because when your live support agents are able to field interactions via SMS message, web chat, video, and phone, they're likely to be more productive and better serve the individual making the IT request in the first place.

It's also worth noting that some call center and IT software management solutions offer additional features, that can help reduce call volume and increase productivity and best practices. For example, by automating your password reset, you can easily mitigate how many support requests you get for team members who are locked out of their accounts. You can even automate certain messages to employees so that they're aware of a system problem or other incident before even feeling the need to reach out to you.

Use analytics tools to dial in on productivity and performance.

Now that you've spent almost two if not three quarters of the year working remotely, you may want to reflect on how your team's performance has been affected while working from home. Often times, tracking productivity, sales goals, and other numerical measurements of your business can get complicated, which is why it's important to have a way to help other staff members be able to visualize these trends. This is where utilizing advanced analytics tools [4] can really help you better understand and leverage data in your day-to-day operations.

Advanced analytics tools offer a variety of ways to deal with big data, such as predictive analytics and even machine learning or artificial intelligence. All of these sorts of big data analytics combine to offer you a powerful suite of tools that can help you better understand how you're performing, and forecast future performance, too. Especially with so many uncertainties in the world right now, you'll be grateful to have the ability to better understand your business using the right analytical tools for big data.

Make sure you're leveraging project management software.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but for mid-sized or smaller companies, project management may not be at the front of your mind as you adjust to working remotely. The right project management software can play a vital role in keeping your agents productive and on-task, no matter where they're working from. Whether you prefer a tile-based system like Trello, something that's more communications-based, such as Slack, or a more full-featured option like Basecamp, there are plenty of SaaS options to take a look at when you want to get your team on the same page of best practice.


Source URL:
https://www.newbusiness.co.uk/articles/it-advice/tools-it-managers-make-life-easier