Higher Education • Article

Convincing your boss it’s time for a better queuing system at your student service center

Cassidy • July 17, 2024 • Read time: 11 min

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Picture this: it’s the start of a new semester and students flock to the student services office, seeking assistance with a wide range of needs, some unsure of exactly what they require. Yet, instead of a smooth experience, long queues form at various service points.

  • Students are unprepared due to a lack of clear communication.
  • Staff are overwhelmed, and a lack of data and insufficient expertise for certain service types result in backups, frustration, and delays.
  • Staff can’t adapt the current queuing system to meet their needs, and ‘support’ is taking forever to actually provide support.

This scenario highlights a critical gap: the current Queue Management System (QMS) isn’t equipped to handle today’s demands, impacting both efficiency and student satisfaction—a case for upgrading to a solution that truly meets institutional needs. Inefficient queue handling results in:

  • Extended wait times
  • Disjointed service delivery
  • Ultimately, a subpar student experience

Clearly, improvements are needed to optimize operational efficiency and ensure seamless service delivery across campus. Talking to your boss? Here are the essential features to highlight when discussing a new Queue Management and Booking system:

Unlimited, comprehensive, real-time reporting

Imagine if your university’s student services center had a Queue Management System (QMS) that offered unlimited, comprehensive, up-to-the-minute reporting capabilities. With instant access to detailed analytics showing queue wait times at different service points throughout the day, administrators could effectively manage student flow and service demand. For instance, during peak registration periods, real-time reports could pinpoint which services are experiencing the longest wait times, enabling administrators to allocate additional staff resources where needed promptly. This proactive approach ensures that students receive timely assistance, enhancing their overall experience.

Moreover, the QMS’s ability to generate over 30 historical reports and export data on the same day provides invaluable insights. Administrators can analyze trends over semesters or academic years, such as recurring peak times for financial aid inquiries or fluctuations in student traffic at the beginning of each semester. Armed with this data, the student services center can optimize staffing levels and streamline service delivery processes. By adjusting staffing schedules based on historical trends, the center can minimize wait times and improve service efficiency, further enhancing the student experience.

Real-time reporting capabilities empower administrators to make informed decisions swiftly and foster operational efficiency across the campus. By leveraging insights, universities can align resources more effectively with student needs. Whether students seek academic advising, financial aid assistance, or enrollment support, the QMS ensures that every interaction is efficient and responsive. This proactive management of student services enhances overall satisfaction and supports student success.

Dedicated live support and service

Does this sound familiar? You encounter a technical issue with your current QMS, or you simply need to adjust a setting, so you reach out to support as instructed, only to be directed to submit a ticket. Then, you wait days, or even weeks, without receiving a response.

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We understand how frustrating that can be, especially in a student services setting where timely support is crucial for maintaining operational efficiency and prioritizing student needs above all else. Transitioning to a QMS that provides dedicated, end-to-end live support and service to staff and administrators can be the difference between efficiently resolving issues in real time  and experiencing prolonged downtime that hampers service delivery and frustrates both staff and students alike.

Having a dedicated account manager assigned to the university adds a personalized touch to support services. This individual develops a deep understanding of the institution’s specific needs and operational challenges. They work closely with administrators and staff at the student services center to optimize QMS usage effectively. For instance, the account manager may recommend customized service workflows tailored to the university’s unique processes. They could also facilitate additional training sessions for staff to maximize their proficiency with the QMS and ensure its full utilization. By providing proactive guidance and ongoing support, the account manager helps the university leverage the QMS to its fullest potential, ultimately enhancing service efficiency and improving overall staff satisfaction.

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Limitless customization and control

Every educational institution operates uniquely, with specific workflows and service requirements tailored to its student body and administrative structure. This means that a one-size-fits-all queuing solution won’t cut it anymore. An advanced QMS should provide extensive customization options to effectively meet these diverse needs, complemented by dedicated support, and white glove setup at the beginning. Imagine having the flexibility to configure service parameters, workflows, and communication templates according to your institution’s or location’s specific requirements.

 higher education professional helping student.

For instance, a large university with multiple campuses may require different queue management configurations for each location to optimize service delivery. The QMS could be customized to prioritize certain services based on campus-specific demands or student demographics. Additionally, total administrative control over queue management processes ensures that university administrators can adapt quickly to changing circumstances, such as unexpected spikes in student inquiries or shifts in service priorities.

Effortless transition and efficient onboarding

Transitioning to a new QMS shouldn’t disrupt daily operations; instead, it should enhance efficiency and rapidly improve service delivery. The process begins with a white-glove setup provided by the WaitWell team, ensuring that every aspect of implementation is handled with meticulous care and expertise. This approach minimizes disruption and maximizes productivity during the transition phase.

An efficient onboarding process follows, where staff members receive comprehensive training on the new system. This reduces learning curves and ensures proficiency in utilizing advanced QMS features right from the start. For example, staff at the student services center can quickly adapt to streamlined workflows and enhanced service capabilities, improving their ability to assist students effectively.

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Seamless integration with existing university systems is another critical aspect facilitated by WaitWell. Integration capabilities ensure that the new QMS synchronizes seamlessly with your tech stack. This automated synchronization enhances data accuracy and eliminates the need for manual data entry tasks.

Effortless transition and efficient onboarding processes are foundational for maintaining service excellence and continuity at the student services center. By investing in a QMS that prioritizes seamless integration and user-friendly onboarding, universities empower their staff with the necessary tools and knowledge to deliver exceptional service experiences consistently.

Transitioning to WaitWell as your Queue Management System (QMS) offers substantial improvements over a basic QMS. It provides advanced real-time reporting, dedicated live support, extensive customization options, and seamless integration capabilities. This upgrade helps streamline operations, enhance service delivery, and ultimately improve the student experience. WaitWell ensures your institution can effectively meet its unique needs with responsive support and tailored solutions, fostering efficiency and student satisfaction across the board.

Looking for an alternative to QLess, Qminder, Qtrac, or WaitWhile? WaitWell offers a headache-free solution designed with student service departments in mind, delivering smoother operations, reduced wait times, and a better experience for students and staff alike. Go ahead, talk to your boss.