Ventana Research Releases Agent Desktop Benchmark Research

    SAN RAMON, CA, November 06, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Ventana Research has released its latest Benchmark Research, The Unified Agent Desktop and the Customer Experience. Ventana Research commenced this research to gain insight into current agent desktop practices, as well as efforts to manage customer interactions and improve customer service.

The new research shows that the primary channel for customer service remains interaction with agents in contact centers. Acquiring and maintaining customer loyalty requires consistency at every touch point and continuous improvement in customer interactions.. Currently, fewer than half (47%) of participating organizations said that their customers are satisfied with their customer service or how their contact centers handle interactions. This has led nearly three-quarters (74%) of participants to say that improving customer service is very important while just over one-half (53%) feel that improving contact center performance is equally as important.

Ultimately, the research highlights the importance of the customer experience in an increasingly competitive business environment. The real challenge lies in providing every agent with a unified view of customer data. If an agent has to scour multiple sources of data to resolve conflicts or provide service, they risk the loss of the customer's confidence, or worse the loss of the customer altogether. As technologies continue to advance, the need to implement a unified desktop becomes increasingly more important. Participants hoping to improve response time while enabling customers to communicate through more channels will need to better align their planned technology investments with these goals. Based on the research a unified desktop is currently used in just 28% of participant's contact centers. While 23% plan to implement within the next 12 months, another 23% have no intention of investing in a unified agent desktop

"Improving customer satisfaction should remain priority number one. Companies need the right technology to support the customer experience", said Richard Snow, VP and Research Director at Ventana Research, "Our research shows that companies who provide a unified customer view to their agents, can achieve dramatic improvements to customer service. Our research has created a foundation of best practices and education to help organizations manage and retain their customer while encouraging loyalty."

Key highlights from the research will be presented at the Ventana Research Technology Innovation Summit on November 8, 2012. To find out more or register for the summit, go to: www.ventanaresearch.com/InnovationsSummit. Ventana Research will also expand on Key findings from the research during a live webinar with Richard Snow, VP and Research Director Customer Contact Center practice, on December 5, 2012 at 10 am PT. To participate in the webinar, or view it after it has taken place, visit: www.ventanaresearch.com/AgentDesktopWebinar.

Ventana Research thanks our research sponsors Cicero, ICMI and NICE Systems, as well as those that participated in the benchmark, helping to make this industry benchmark research a reality. Those interested in learning more about this benchmark research can find additional information on Agent Desktop here: http://www.ventanaresearch.com/agentdesktop/. As a part of your registration you will receive insights and education from Ventana Research on using technology effectively in business. Ventana Research provides guidance to organizations in business and IT in information technology through its Ventana On-Demand and with its assessment and educational services offerings.

About Ventana Research
Ventana Research is the most authoritative and respected benchmark business technology research and advisory services firm. We provide insight and expert guidance on mainstream and disruptive technologies through a unique set of research-based offerings including benchmark research and technology evaluation assessments, education workshops and our research and advisory services, Ventana On-Demand. Our unparalleled understanding of the role of technology in optimizing business processes and performance and our best practices guidance are rooted in our rigorous research-based benchmarking of people, processes, information and technology across business and IT functions in every industry. This benchmark research plus our market coverage and in-depth knowledge of hundreds of technology providers means we can deliver education and expertise to our clients to increase the value they derive from technology investments while reducing time, cost and risk.

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To learn how Ventana Research advances the maturity of organizations' use of information and technology through benchmark research, education and advisory services, visit www.ventanaresearch.com.

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