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Back to Service Requests Main Page

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Understand the usage of Service Requests within CRM.COM

What does this section cover?

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Table of Contents

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What are Service Requests?

A Service Request is a request from a Customer varying from:

  • Information
  • Advice
  • Standard Change: A common and straightforward change, that can be made under a strict, well-defined procedural control, without the need of RFC, therefore a risk-free change
  • Access to an IT Service
  • Request for Change (RFC)
  • Report an incident

    Service Requests are requests from customers (physical persons or companies with a CRM.COM financial account) for information or change. Service Requests can contain information on Physical Goods and Services, the resources required to deliver the Request and their Resolution before and after delivery.

    Service Requests Glossary

    Term

    Description

    Resolution

    A resolution determines that the issue described by the service request was resolved and can either be a temporary or a final resolution.

    Resources

    A resource is a user that works in order to deliver the service request for a specific period of time.

    Service Requests  Key Processes and Concepts

     

    The caller contact of the service request is the caller/customer who initiated the service request. Available caller contacts retrieved are:

  • The account owner
  • The contacts related to the account owner. Check Contact Information Business and Personal Relations for more information.
    Processes / ConceptDescription
    Caller ContactCaller Contact

    The Caller Contact is the customer who calls the Call Center to make a Request. The Caller Contact can be either the Account Owner who initiated the Service Request or any other Contact who is associated with the Account Owner.

    Impact Level

    Level set based on the effects the Service Request has either on the customer or the company so that it can be handled accordingly by the company's technical staff.

    Urgency Level

    Defines how critical the Service Request is so that it is given the appropriate priority for resolution.

    Priority Level

    Level automatically assigned to the Service Request based on the selected Impact and Urgency Levels. It defines the priority that will be given to the Service Request for its resolution. In Service Request Definitions, a Priority Level is assigned to each combination of Impact and Urgency Level.

    Note

    View Configuring Service Request Definitions for more information on configuring the Priority Level calculation.

    Response

    The answer provided by the User in reply to the issue/question logged on the Service Request.

    Temporary Resolution

    An interim solution to a Service Request until the final solution is provided.

    Final Resolution

    The final solution provided to a Service Request.

    Resources

    A User that works to complete the Service Request.

    Service Requests Key Processes and Concepts

    Plan A Job a Job can be planned as part of the service request resolution. Once the "Plan A Job" action is performed:
  • The accounts receivable specified on the service request is carried over on the job
  • The list of job types is additionally filtered based on the job types which are allowed to be used, as specified on the type of the related service request
  • The related service request cannot be completed unless the
    Processes / ConceptDescription
    Service Request Resolution Flow

    A Service Request State Flow consists of the following steps:

    1. Create:

      raise the service request with the related entities affecting the request (job or subscription)

      when a customer contacts the Call Centre to report an issue, a Service Request is created and can be related to either a Job or Subscription

    2. Accept: an authorised agent accepts the requestService Request so that it can be processed further
    3. Respond: an agent responds by acknowledging receipt of the requestRequest
    4. Resolve:
      1. Temporary Resolution: a temporary resolution Temporary Resolution is provided to the service requestIn case a temporary resolution has been Service Request
        1. If a Temporary Resolution is provided, the customer needs to accept it in order to be able to proceed to the next step.
      2. Final Resolution: a final resolution Final Resolution is provided to the service requestService Request.
    5. Completed: the final resolution has been Final Resolution is accepted by the customer
    1. .
    Accepting Service RequestsWhen a Service Request is created, it can be assigned either to a Unit or a specific User. If the specific tasks should not be assigned to a specific person, it can be assigned to a Department (i.e. Unit). Any of the employees of that Department can then access the Service Request, accept it, and assign it to themselves. It is imperative that a Service Request is accepted by a User as no further processing is allowed, if not accepted.
    Communicating Service Requests

    The nature of a Service Request often requires a continuous interaction between the agent and the customer. To ensure that the customer is contacted at the appropriate time Communications can be automatically triggered and sent, whenever the Life Cycle State of a Service Request is modified. Pre-configured Communication Templates are used that include the information to be communicated to the customer.
    The use of Dynamic Links in email Communications allows the customer to review the agent's replies (Response, Temporary Resolution, Final Resolution) and accept or deny them by clicking on the respective links available in the emails.

    Note

    View Understanding Communications & Configuring Communication Definitions for more information on Dynamic Links.

    Planning a Job to complete a Request from a Customer

    Service Requests can be independent tasks or be a part of bigger tasks. There are cases where an inquiry results in a new order, such as a New Subscription or the replacement of a Physical Good. Such tasks must be handled by Jobs as they cannot be completed by Service Requests. To this end, the 'Plan A Job' Action is available through Service Requests. The Service Request cannot be completed unless the associated Job is cancelled, deleted or completed, thus ensuring that the Request is successfully handled.

    Schedule An Activity

    When a Service Request is created, an Activity can be scheduled for a specific service request. Once the "Schedule An Activity" action is performed:

    • The contact information and the performed for service requests values, are automatically set on creating an activity for a new Service Request.
    • The activity types which can be used for activities performed for the service request are filtered based on the allowed activity types specified on the service request type. 
    Accepting Service RequestsWhen a Service Request is created, it can be assigned either to a Unit or to a specific User. If you don't want to assign specific tasks to specific people, then you have the option to assign the Service Request to a whole department (i.e., Unit) and employees of the department can access the Service Request and accept it; in this way assigning the Service Request to themselves. A Service Request cannot be processed any further unless it is assigned to a specific user.
    Service Requests Network Characteristics
    Scheduling an Activity to complete a Request

    Service Requests may be handled by agents and closed instantly or may require follow-up Actions. If the required follow-up Actions are simple, they can be handled through Activities which are easily planned with the 'Schedule An Activity' Action, available through the Service Request.

    Creating and relating Service Requests to existing ones

    Status
    colourYellow
    titleAvailable from CRM.COM R11.1.0

    An open Service Request may require the creation of a new one, to satisfy the customer's request.
    Additional Requests can be easily created and related to an existing Service Request from within the same page, by utilising the NEW action available in the Outward Relations tab of the Related Service Requests sections

    Service Requests Access & Viewing Controls

    Network Characteristics define the level of access for each recordentry. i.e., whether it will be available for selection, viewing , or editing etc.

    EntityNetwork CharacteristicsDescription
    Service Requests
    • Service Requests cannot be created unless an Accounts Receivable is selected
    • Service Requestsmust be assigned to a User that will be responsible for processing and completing the Service Request
    • Service Request entries can be accessed, viewed and modified by Users defined as members of the Service Request's Owned By Group, by users that belong to a Group that collaborates with the Owned By Group, or by Super Users.
    Service Requests Types
    • A Type can be added on a Service Request, by Users who belongs to one of the Allowed Organisational Units defined in the Type, or a collaboration exists between their Unit and the AOU of the Type, or by Super Users.

     

    Service Requests  Related Related Modules 

    Jobs
    EntityInteraction of Service Requests with the EntityHow
    ActivitiesActivities

    Various activities can be

    performed for

    scheduled through Service Requests.

    Accounts ReceivableAccounts Receivable owning Service Requests

    A Service Request is owned by Accounts Receivables.

    Contact Information

    Contact Information

    owning

    own the Service Requests through

    ACRs

    their Accounts Receivable.
    The contact is usually the person that called to raise the Service Request.

    Jobs

    Service Requests and Jobs are related in two separate ways:

    1. Service Requests can be created referring to
    Jobs and Jobs performed for SRs
    1. a Job, in which case the Request was created for a specific task to be conducted as part of the Job's Resolution.
    2. Jobs can be performed for a Service Request. If a Job is planned for a Service Request, it is usually due to follow-up Actions that need to occur for the Service Request to be completed.
    SubscriptionsService Requests can be created as a result of an issue that was raised by the Caller Contact referring to a Subscription.
    Physical Goods

    Non-Traceable Physical Goods

    delivered by

    can be added to Service Requests so that they can be checked.

    ServicesServices applied on Service RequestsServicescan be added to Service Requests so that they can be checked.
    Installed ItemsInstalled Items can be added to Service Requests so that they can be checked.
    Units and Users

    A Service Request is assigned either to a Unit or a User. Users have the option to assign the Service Request to a Unit so that a further assignment is done by the employees within the Unit. Service Requests cannot be processed unless assigned to

    Units & Users

    a specific User.

    CommunicationsCommunications performed for specific Service Requests and for specific life cycle state changes as per service request definitions

    Communicationscan be automatically sent when a Service Request reaches a specific Life Cycle State depending on the Service Request Type.

     

    Service Requests  - Business Examples

    The following section provides business examples to help you understand of how the CRM.COM Service Requests  module module is used.

    Raise Service Requests

    Panel
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    titleRaise Service Requests

    Business Requirement

    • Company ZX allows enables its customers to call the Call Centre and raise a request Request for technical support, including problems with their subscriptions, the installed items etcSubscriptions and Installed Items.
    • Customers have the option to relate associate this technical problem with a Job or Subscription.
    • Agents will then proceed process the service request Service Request based on the issue.

    CRM.COM Solution

    Configuration
    Note that the The configuration is only specific to the requirements of the above business requirement.  Additional required configuration which is not related to the solution specific example is skipped . (ie.eg. , Job Statuses or the full complete configuration of a Job Type) .

    Service Request

    Service Request Statuses (Life Cycle State)
    • Service Request Categories
    Service Request TypeService Request Definitions
    • To be approved (Pending)
    • Assigned (Responded)
    • Workaround (Temporary Resolved)
    • Final Solution (Final Resolved)
    • Completed (Completed)
    • Cancelled (Cancelled)
    • Technical Support
      • TSS
      • UTSS
    • Response Categories:
      • Approved for Resolution
    • Temporary Resolution Categories:
      • Workaround Resolution
    • Final Resolution
      • Reinstallation Re-installation (default)
      • Change of Decoders
      • Change of Smartcards
    • Technical Issue:
      • Estimated completion time: 2 hour
      • Allowed statuses: all statuses with to be approved 'To Be Approved' as the default
      • Allowed categories (SR Categories, Response, Temporary Resolution, Final Resolution)
      • Job Types:
        • Installation
      • Allowed organisational units:
        • Support team 1
        • Installation team 1
    • Create and activate a Service Request Definition adding:
      • Provide the created Service Request Types.
      • Enable all communication settingsCommunication Settings.

     

    The following should also be configured:

    • Job Types: Installation
    • Price Plans: that allow creating billable Jobs
    • Communications: Templates for each Service Request state
     
    • State

    User Process

    • New Service Request
    1. Create a

      new

      New Service Request

      Type
      :
      Related EntitiesAffected Products
      Technical Issue
      Related Entities:
      Job / Subscription
      Affected Products
      Services
      Physical Goods
    • Accept and Respond to Service Request
    1. Support Team 1 should go in to Service Request page.
    2. Search using:

      Assigned to Unit
      : Support Team
      Life Cycle State
      :
      Type
      Support TeamPending
      Type:
      Technical Issue
    3. Accept the Service Request.
    4. Change the status Status to 'Assigned
       '.

    • Progress Service Request
    1. Support Team 1 should go in to Service Request page.
    2. Retrieve assigned Service Request (Responded).
    3. The agent decides how to proceed with the Service Request depending on the raised issue raised. Options are:
      1. Schedule an Activity.
      2. Plan a Job.
      3. Provide a Temporary Resolution.
      4. Provide a Final Resolution.

     

    • Complete Service Request
    1. Support Team 1 should go in to Service Request page.
    2. Retrieve Final Resolved Service Request (Final Resolved).
    3. Contact Caller and confirm that the resolution has been accepted.
    4. Change the status Status to 'Completed'.

    Note

    More Information on modules referred to in these this example can be found here:

  • Schedule Activities
  • Plan Job

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