Did you know that you can significantly improve your Zendesk workflow with both Zendesk external applications and Zendesk internal applications? If you’ve been using Zendesk for customer support and engagement, you’re already on the right track. But what if we told you that there’s even more to discover within the Zendesk ecosystem? The key lies in leveraging both internal and external Zendesk applications that can transform the way you operate and interact with your customers.
These applications offer numerous possibilities for improving your support operations. In this blog, we’ll differentiate between Zendesk internal applications, designed to enhance productivity within your team, and Zendesk external applications, which extend functionality by integrating with third-party services. We’ll uncover the various ways these applications can help you optimize your business operations. But first, let’s begin by understanding what Zendesk applications are about.
What are Zendesk’s Applications?
In Zendesk, an application is a small software tool that enhances the platform’s capabilities. These applications are designed to improve the efficiency of customer support and the overall user experience. They can be created by Zendesk itself, third-party developers, or even your own team.
Zendesk applications serve as add-ons that can be integrated into the Zendesk environment. They offer specific functions or features, making it possible to customize and tailor your Zendesk experience to your unique needs.
These applications play a crucial role in extending Zendesk’s core functionality, allowing users to streamline their workflows, automate tasks, and access additional tools and data without leaving the Zendesk interface. This means more efficient support operations and a more personalized experience for both agents and customers.
Zendesk’s Application Ecosystem
Zendesk offers a robust ecosystem of applications that empower users to tailor their experience. These applications enhance productivity and address specific business needs. It’s important to know that there are two primary categories of applications: Zendesk internal apps and external apps.
Zendesk Internal Applications
Zendesk’s internal apps are like the toolkit a support agent carries. They are essential applications integrated into the Zendesk environment, providing direct support for agents and administrators. These apps are conveniently accessible from the Zendesk agent dashboard.
Internal apps offer features such as ticket management, reporting tools, automation workflows, and more. They streamline support processes, making it easier for agents to resolve customer inquiries swiftly and effectively. In a nutshell, Zendesk’s internal apps are the backbone of day-to-day support operations.
Examples of Internal Apps
- Macros are predefined sets of actions that agents can apply to tickets with a single click. They help automate routine tasks and responses, improving efficiency and consistency in customer support. Read our blog about how to integrate Zendesk macros into your workflow.
- Triggers are automated actions triggered by predefined conditions, allowing agents to respond swiftly to specific customer interactions. For instance, a trigger can automatically prioritize urgent tickets for immediate attention.
Zendesk External Applications
In contrast to internal apps, Zendesk external apps operate in the background, away from the agent’s dashboard. These applications are like silent, efficient assistants working tirelessly to enhance the Zendesk experience.
External apps extend Zendesk’s functionality by integrating with other software and services, making it a versatile solution for diverse business needs. They can connect with various CRM systems, analytics tools, and communication platforms to streamline workflows and provide valuable insights. While they may not be in the agent’s immediate line of sight, they play a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency and capabilities of the Zendesk platform.
Examples of External Apps
An excellent example of an external app is ChatGPT, which specializes in the classification of customer support tickets. By using natural language processing, ChatGPT can analyze the content of incoming tickets and classify them into predefined categories. This not only streamlines ticket distribution but also ensures that agents can focus on resolving issues rather than sorting and categorizing tickets manually.
Another example is Knots Zendesk Apps and middleware. Knots offers a unique middleware solution that is delivered through independent or combined apps, setting it apart from other options in the market. Additionally, it allows the creation of customized processes to seamlessly integrate with any application.
Take for instance Knots Shopify Event Sync app. With this application, you can revolutionize your support operations. Respond to customer inquiries in real time, access rich contextual information for every interaction, and eliminate repetitive tasks. With these capabilities, you can optimize your workflows, boost agent productivity, and provide outstanding service. Say goodbye to outdated methods and move your support operations into the future. Find more information about Shopify Event Sync and how to integrate Shopify and Zendesk in this article.
Differences Between Zendesk’s Internal and External Apps
Zendesk’s internal and external apps serve distinct roles within the platform. They offer unique functionalities and goals that cater to various aspects of customer support:
- Functionality: Internal apps are prominently displayed on the agent’s dashboard, allowing agents to access and utilize them seamlessly during their interactions with customers. In contrast, external apps run discreetly in the background, performing tasks such as automation, data analysis, and integration without disrupting the agent’s workflow.
- Goals: Internal apps are primarily designed to empower agents by providing them with tools, analytics, and functionalities to resolve customer issues efficiently. They aim to streamline customer support processes, improve response times, and enhance the overall quality of service. External apps, on the other hand, focus on automating tasks, optimizing data management, and enhancing the platform’s capabilities. Their primary goal is to reduce manual work, increase operational efficiency, and ensure a seamless, behind-the-scenes support ecosystem.
- Accessibility: Internal apps are readily visible and easily accessible on the agent’s dashboard, promoting quick adoption and usage. In contrast, external apps are designed to operate unobtrusively, minimizing interference with the agent’s front-end interface while contributing to the overall system efficiency.
- Integration: Internal apps are tightly integrated with Zendesk’s core features, providing a seamless and cohesive user experience. External apps, while still integrated, operate independently in the background, allowing businesses to adapt their Zendesk environment to their specific needs.
Ways That Zendesk Applications Can Enhance Your Business
Zendesk applications offer many ways to elevate your business operations and customer service. Some of these include:
1. Unified Customer Data for Better CX
Zendesk applications enable you to centralize your customer data, allowing you to gain a comprehensive understanding of your customer’s needs and preferences. This, in turn, enables you to provide a more personalized and effective customer experience.
2. Collaboration Anywhere, Anytime
With Zendesk applications, such as Slack integration, your team can collaborate seamlessly, regardless of their location. These apps facilitate real-time communication and collaboration, ensuring that your team can work together efficiently, whether they’re in the office or working remotely.
3. Enhanced Team Support
Zendesk applications empower you to provide better support for your team. They offer tools and resources that streamline internal processes, making it easier for your team to assist customers and manage support operations effectively.
4. Integration of AI for Better CX
Leveraging artificial intelligence through Zendesk applications can enhance customer experiences. AI-driven apps, like ChatGPT integration, can automate tasks, categorize tickets, and even provide chatbot assistance, resulting in quicker and more efficient support.
5. Increased Support Team Productivity
Zendesk applications are designed to make your support teams more productive. By automating routine tasks, categorizing tickets, and optimizing workflows, these apps free up valuable time for agents. For example, using Knots applications can help your agents focus on resolving complex issues and delivering high-quality support.
6. Measurable Customer Satisfaction
Zendesk applications include tools for measuring customer satisfaction and obtaining feedback. These insights help you quickly respond to customer needs, identify areas for improvement, and continually enhance your service quality.
Embrace Zendesk’s Applications for a Better Workflow
Zendesk internal applications and Zendesk external applications, are versatile tools that can empower businesses to optimize customer support and operational efficiency. With internal apps offering unique functionalities for streamlining and automating your support processes, and external apps providing goals through third-party service integration, you have the power to customize your support operations extensively.
Zendesk’s ecosystem of applications lets you centralize customer data, collaborate seamlessly, provide efficient team support, integrate AI for better customer experiences, boost team productivity, and measure customer satisfaction.
It’s a holistic approach to enhancing your customer support operations with Zendesk internal and external applications, ensuring you stay ahead in a competitive market and deliver exceptional service. If you’re interested in trying Knots applications for Zendesk, book a free consultation with the Knots team.
