There have been a number of buzz words floating around the telecommunications space as of late. Words like cloud computing, virtualized servers, SIP trunking and the Smart Grid are all turning heads, but not everyone really understands what the technology means or why it is important. In the contact center space, there has been an increased move toward the virtual contact center. For those operating in this space, considering this move could be beneficial for the company.

There are a number of different benefits that the virtual contact center can deliver to the overall organization. If a company has operated its own in-house contact center for years, but has expended its operations and marketing efforts to target markets around the world, a contact center that can cater to different cultures and different time zones will be an important strategy for that company.

In such a scenario, a virtual contact center can solve this dilemma. The organization can keep its in-house contact center technology to continue its normal processes. The company can then set up a virtual contact center somewhere else in the world that can cater to international customers and international needs. The company can save money in this launch as the virtual contact center relies on a software environment to manage the business and the only hardware necessary are some headsets and computers.

The virtual contact center ensures that people are no longer restrained by their geographic location. Walls or barriers that existed in the past are no longer an issue. The safety and security of the data exchanged between the physical and virtual contact center is assured through encryption methods and software platforms that help to deliver seamless reporting and a seamless experience.

Technology is also in place today that allows for the launch of the virtual contact center. High availability IP networks offer end-to-end quality of service, which is key to providing the necessary platform for the technology and ubiquitous transport necessary to support the virtual contact center. Virtualization has allowed the creation of the virtual contact center so that it can operate in the same capacity of the traditional center, without the confines.

Virtual contact centers are also possible thanks to the centralization of voice processing and other applications that allow the distribution of inbound and outbound calls that are routed to and from the PSTN. Economies of scale and the efficiency in call handling are improved with the virtual contact center model, improving the bottom line overall.

The virtual contact center can also be established anywhere in the world that proves conducive to the organization. In some situations, it may make the most sense to establish the virtual contact enter overseas. However, local options are available, or perhaps the organization simply wants to take advantage of tax breaks in another state. The technology is available today to make this possible.

The most important thing to do before launching a virtual contact center is to ensure that your business model can support this platform. Without the proper virtual call center tools and supports in place, the virtual contact center could fail and the organization could lose out on the opportunities it could have enjoyed. Do the research and then make the launch with a right fit solution and you’re likely to enjoy all benefits of the virtual contact center.