The best call centre software pulls together main customer communication channels, such as phone, email, web chat and SMS, into one consolidated interface that’s equipped with professional call centre capabilities.

Call centre software greatly improves efficiency and productivity of customer support and sales teams that deal with large numbers of customers.

Virtual call centre software not only allows teams to work online and remotely without hardware, but also offers many advantages for office-based operations.

Virtual call centre software functions through VoIP technology. With VoIP infrastructure, calls are transmitted over an internet connection to suitable electronic devices like smartphones, laptops, tablets and VoIP hard phones.

VoIP technology stores data securely in the cloud and allows call centre software to integrate with many external SaaS applications from a wide range of specialist companies, resulting in an ever-evolving and powerful synchronised business tool. The list of services and solutions that Aircall’s call centre software integrates with is ever growing, but includes 100+ major CRMs, helpdesks, marketing software, chat bots, eCommerce platforms, and more.

Basic call centre software stores customer data from every inbound call, including new numbers and existing customer history from previous contacts. More advanced software displays CTI pop-ups. These pop-ups synchronise customer call logs with integrated CRM programs, such as HubSpot, so that a customer repeatedly phoning in doesn't need to reiterate their issue to every new agent.

Modern software can also be set up to route calls to the correct agent in the appropriate department through a customisable IVR menu. Aircall’s call centre software has many additional features built in, such as smart routing based on agent language capabilities or skill sets, sorting calls into call queues, offering callback options, live call monitoring, call whispering, warm transfers and much more.

Aircall’s intuitive call centre software also enables live note taking, tagging and detailed analytics; features that help with follow up strategies and an agent’s after call work, as well as defining broader business goals and finding areas where team training optimisation is needed.

Besides the benefits of the many software integrations and useful features that are accessible with virtual call centre software, there are several core advantages for a business that implements call centre software.

One of the major benefits is the lower installation and operating costs of a professional business phone system. Virtual call centre software requires no hardware or IT technicians, it’s simply downloaded from a browser or as a mobile app (or both) and installed on employees’ existing electronic devices, such as smartphones and laptops. On-site maintenance is obsolete, since the software is easily upgraded and typically maintained by SaaS partners like Aircall.

Since virtual call centre software allows for distributed teams working off-site, as well as the services of a third party call centre, business operating costs can be lowered even further. This also enables 24/7 customer service and multilingual support—a necessity for companies that serve large international markets.

All in all, the right call centre software dramatically enhances customer experiences and eases the overall workload of call centre agents. Processes are streamlined and set up for collaboration across departments, which helps everyone. Sales cycles are shortened and optimised, as the software enables certain agents to focus on fine-tuning their scripts and prospecting quality leads while others can concentrate on closing deals. Call volume can be maximised with click to call or implementing a sales dialer, such as Aircall’s Power dialer, allowing sales agents to concentrate fully on engaging in better, more personalised calls.

If you want to offer your customers superior phone support, call centre software is indispensable. Without analytical insights, an effective call queue or routing system and crucial CRM database synchronising, customers will inevitably end up frustrated; left waiting on hold or repeating their issue to different agents.

Good call centre software provides agents with customer call history and additional context, helps manage an omni-channel approach or offers an array of useful organisational or timesaving features. Great call centre software offers all of these services and more in an all-in-one solution.

There are many types of specialist call centre software out there besides cloud-based phone systems. Some examples include workforce management software, helpdesk software, CRM solutions, task management software, software offering personalised voicemail or software that specialises in managing multiple communication channels through chat bots, etc. When these solutions are integrated with one another, your call centre technical stack will be supercharged.

Some call centre software providers offer on-premise solutions, which are useful for companies hosting their own data storage or operating over traditional phone networks. Cloud-based call centre software, like Aircall, is usually offered by external VoIP providers via a SaaS subscription model.

To create a call centre, first choose which kind of business phone setup you want to go for, which will dictate the type of call centre software you need to install. You can read our guide through the available options here.

With fully virtual call centre software from Aircall, it’s easy to set up your own professional call centre using existing devices and no new hardware. Your second big decision must be whether you want to employ your own staff as call centre agents or an external third-party call centre. To fully optimise your call centre, make sure your company implements the core call centre best practices.

Thoroughly train your agents to use call centre software effectively, as well as the necessary phone etiquette, customer support skills and scripts. This is essential when building a call centre with your own team, but equally important when using third-party services. Consistent communication and regular briefings about product changes are vital. Remember to explain security procedures with care, especially when outsourcing your call centre work. Agents you’ve never met will be handling confidential and sensitive information, so outsourced call centres should always be vetted for their security policies and practices.

To get started with setting up your very own fully virtual call centre, book a demo with Aircall. Our cloud-based call centre software offers unparalleled productivity features and detailed analytics of all your phone operations from a single intuitive interface. Enjoy dozens of valuable, time-saving and innovative built-in integrations with your existing business tools and apps. Start your free trial today to take a peek at what’s possible.