For years, economists and business professionals have pondered why cutting-edge technology hasn’t led to a corresponding, broad-scale uptick in productivity. Why isn’t productivity growing along with innovation for so many years?

Now, however, those in the call center industry who have long faced their productivity struggles may find there is an answer: The AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology that has finally gone mainstream, revolutionizing the way work functions within the call center, and Accenture estimates that AI alone will boost world’s contact center productivity by 35% over the next two decades.

In an ever-changing world, virtual agents are paving the way for successful call centers. In our guide, we will help you to understand why these AI solutions and their implementation within call centers are so promising. Unlocking the Potential of Virtual Call Center Agents for a Brighter Future!

 

1. What are Virtual Agents? 

“Virtual agents” are intelligent and powerful AI-driven computer programs that can communicate with humans through text or voice interaction. Artificial Intelligence (AI) uses natural language processing (NLP) and advanced machine learning algorithms to understand user queries and respond to them in a way that’s indistinguishable from human conversations. This makes them capable of completing tasks like handling customer service inquiries, providing product recommendations and scheduling appointments. But virtual call center agents powered by IVA (Intelligent Virtual Agent) technology can do more than that – they can assist human agents, providing support and augmenting their sales processes.

Virtual agents are incredibly helpful in customer service and call centers, as their AI-driven capabilities make them more efficient than their human counterparts. They can handle a wide range of tasks quickly and accurately, providing customers with satisfactory answers and solutions to their problems. Additionally, virtual call center agents can provide valuable analytics insights, allowing businesses to better understand their customer needs and optimize their strategies for maximum efficiency. With their ability to automate processes and augment human labor, virtual agents are quickly becoming essential components of successful customer service teams.

 

2. How do Intelligent Virtual Agents (IVAs) differ from Chatbots?

Both IVA and chatbots are interactive AI technologies tailored to converse with users through natural language dialogue. Yet, there are some distinct distinctions between them:

• Chatbots are programmed to handle specific tasks, such as answering frequently asked questions or helping users book a hotel room. In contrast, Intelligent Virtual Assistants (IVAs) have the potential to have more open-ended conversations and can handle a broader array of topics. IVAs like CYBELLS are being trained to manage intricate conversations and prod potential customers with qualifying inquiries.
• AI-powered Virtual Assistants (IVAs) are significantly more advanced than chatbots in terms of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Machine Learning (ML) skills. IVAs have the capability to understand and interpret complex user queries and they can also use data from previous interactions to produce more personalized responses.
• IVAs offer a unique and customized experience to users, taking into account their history, interests and the context of their interactions for more tailored and appropriate replies. Intelligent virtual assistants (IVAs) are designed to provide a more personalized and intuitive experience for the user. This makes interactions more conversational and effective, as the user will receive answers that are relevant to their individual needs.
• IVAs can be connected to several user experiences, such as talking with your own personal assistant, utilizing a mobile application for quick access, or simply communicating through an online chat. While on the other hand, chatbots are usually restricted to text-based conversations.

 

3. Virtual Agents Vs Virtual Assistants 

Intelligent virtual agents are often wrongly mistaken for virtual assistants, which further complicates the confusion — some IVA solutions are even called “intelligent virtual assistants.” Some aspects separate intelligent virtual agents from virtual assistants that include integration, functionality, intelligence, and context. VAs (Virtual assistants) are integrated with specific applications like Alexa or Siri while IVAs (Intelligent Virtual Agents) can be integrated with multiple interfaces such as call center software. Functionally, VAs are designed to do specific tasks like setting reminders, while IVAs handle a wider range of topics and can have open-ended conversations. IVAs also boast superior natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) capabilities allowing them to better understand and interpret complex user queries and responses.

Additionally, IVAs are able to learn from previous interactions with users to provide more personalized responses. They can remember previous conversations with a user and keep track of the context across multiple interactions, something that VAs may not always be able to do.

4. Could virtual agents ever replace human agents? 

It’s unlikely that virtual agents will ever completely replace call center agents; rather, these AI solutions are intended to enhance the work of agents by making their job more efficient and effective. With these AI tools and intelligent virtual agents, call centers can become more efficient and can streamline their processes more effectively.

Call centers are complex systems, and AI solutions have the potential to further aid human agents in making their jobs easier and more productive. AI-powered tools can help automate mundane tasks, provide real-time support, and even allow for better personalization of customer service. Ultimately, AI and call center agents can work together and create a complement of skills to improve the customer service experience and skyrocket your business productivity.

 

5. How technology can improve the efficiency of call centers with virtual agent technology?

Virtual agents can make scaling call center operations easier by taking on tedious and time-consuming tasks, allowing agents to focus on what’s most important for the business. They provide greater lead penetration, increased productivity, and an omnichannel approach to ensure higher contact rates. With AI solutions, your team can experience faster, more sustainable growth.

Virtual agents can also help to reduce the cost of operations, by taking on complex customer interactions, freeing up human agents to do more. AI-assisted solutions can provide an even greater boost in efficiency and productivity, allowing for more contacts and conversions, and ultimately leading to better business growth. With these solutions, call centers can enjoy improved customer service and a more profitable operation.

• Virtual agent technology can greatly improve the efficiency of call centers in the following ways:
• Automation of tedious, repetitive, and time-consuming tasks to free up agents for more production.
• Automated qualification of the aged leads to increase lead penetration.
• The ability to work across voice and text channels to ensure higher contact rates.
• Maximize the use of agents by focusing them on what’s most important. 
• A boost in customer service with enhanced AI-assisted solutions.
• Improved efficiency, productivity, and reduced cost of operations with automated solutions.

CYBELLS AI-powered predictive dialer can help your business by automating your outbound calling and improving your customer engagement. It uses advanced machine learning algorithms to identify high-value contacts and prioritize them according to their profiles. Additionally, it can analyze customer conversations and provide valuable insights in real time, enabling businesses to make more informed decisions quickly and accurately.

Contact us today, so you can find the perfect AI solution for your business!