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enquiry_management_systems [2019/09/12 06:35] 131.231.152.199 [General enquiry management solutions] |
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- | ====== Enquiry Management Systems ====== | + | ====== Enquiry Management systems ====== |
- | Libraries use bespoke or commercial systems to manage library enquiries and acquire in-depth statistics about the enquiry service. A few library management systems (LMS or ILS) include a basic enquiry management module which usually require the enquiry staff to enter the enquiry details. Dedicated enquiry management systems are more sophisticated and include functionality to integrate with web forms and social media and intercept emails sent to a group or dedicated email address for enquiries. Dedicated systems increase the chance of capturing all enquiries no matter how they are submitted. | + | In a library context enquiry/inquiry management is different from most CRM systems which are designed to manage outbound sales and marketing interactions. Enquiry management for libraries is atypically about helping keep track of enquiries, facilitating follow up and maintaining statistics. |
- | The benefits of using an enquiry system include: | + | ==== Library centric enquiry management solutions ==== |
- | * Improved user experience | + | * Some library systems may include an Enquiry management module. Eg the [[https://www.247lib.com/247OPAC/DynamicPages/LibrarySoftware/247LIBINTRODUCTION|247lib.com Library system]] |
- | * Automated replies | + | * Bailey solutions provides an enquiry management solution - separate from its library system offering [[https://enquirymanagement.software/|Enquire]] |
- | * Achieving consistency using reply templates | + | * [[http://www.altarama.com/Products/RefTracker.aspx|Reftracker]] for altarama is an enquiry management system designed for libraries and information services |
- | * Improved performance - never missing deadlines using alerts | + | |
- | * Monitoring and managing workloads | + | |
- | * Increasing team productivity | + | |
- | * Qualitative statistics for management insights | + | |
- | * Costs recorded ready for export to finance systems | + | |
- | * Accurate time recording | + | |
- | Available solutions | + | ==== General enquiry management solutions ==== |
- | [[https://enquirymanagement.software|Enquire]] from [[https://baileysolutions.co.uk/|Bailey Solutions]] | + | //The are some general purpose system that might work in a library environment . eg from Evolutive\\ |
+ | [[https://www.evolutive.co.uk/Enquiry-Management-software|https://www.evolutive.co.uk/Enquiry-Management-software]]// | ||
- | Enquire is a sophisticated and dedicated enquiry management system that is highly configurable. It is scalable and can be used to manage a single enquiry service or a multi- team / multi-department service. It uses roles and permissions models to present enquiry queues to different teams or individuals. Likewise the system has multi-lingual and multi-time zone capabilities to manage enquiries across a global enquiry service. | + | //The Request Tracker (RT) system from Best Practical is an open source option that you can either install and run yourself (for free if you have technical staff) or pay Best Practical to host and/or support for you: // [[https://bestpractical.com/request-tracker|https://bestpractical.com/request-tracker]] |
- | Enquire captures enquiries from web forms, multiple email address and social media, while there are also dedicated forms to assist with phone and in-person enquiries. The system requires no change of user behaviour by service users, while enquiry staff use one software tool to view, process and answer enquiries by email. The enquiry management system gathers statistics about enquiries as they are processed in the system, providing managers valuable insights about the enquiry service: | ||
- | * When enquiries are submitted | + | ==== Reference enquiry management solutions ==== |
- | * How enquiries are submitted | + | |
- | * Average processing times | + | |
- | * How the team meets deadlines | + | |
- | * Time spent on enquiries | + | |
- | * Types of enquiries | + | |
- | * Breakdown by location or department of the enquirer | + | |
- | This enables librarians to | + | //Management of general enquiries in a library can be distinguished from online 'Reference Librarian 'services such as QuestionPoint. \\ NOTE: "OCLC has entered into an agreement to sell the QuestionPoint 24/7 Reference Cooperative and active \\ QuestionPoint subscriptions to Springshare, provider of the LibAnswers Platform. 31 May 2019 [[https://www.oclc.org/en/questionpoint.html|https://www.oclc.org/en/questionpoint.html]] // |
- | + | ||
- | * Justify staffing levels | + | |
- | * Demonstrate value | + | |
- | * Learn where train or improvements are needed | + | |
- | * Enrich the user experience | + | |