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Is Call Center and BPO the Same?

Difference Between BPO and Call Center: How are they different?

Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) And Call Centers

You may feel like you are always trying to improve your customer service processes. Managers might find it difficult to find solutions that will deliver exceptional customer service.

They may have come across the term “business processing outsourcing,” also known as BPO, while conducting their research. Many people mistakenly assume that call centers and BPO are the same thing. Although they may look similar, there are distinct differences between them and the same strategy won’t work for each.

Is Call Center and BPO the same? It is crucial to understand the differences between them and identify which center is working in your company. We’ll discuss BPO, explain the differences between call centers and BPO, and also detail the attributes of each.

In this Article:

  • Is Call Center and BPO same?
  • What Is the Difference Between BPO and Call Centers
  • What is BPO?
  • What is a Call Center?
  • What are the 3 Main Types of BPO
  • What are the 3 Types of Call Centers
  • How can you relate call centers to BPO?
  • FAQ’s

Is Call Center and BPO the Same?

BPO and call center are two different things. BPO allows you to outsource the call center functions. BPO can perform many functions such as loan underwriting and back-end admin. Call centers are primarily focused on customer support.

What is the Difference Between BPO and Call Centers?

The difference between a BPO and a call center is in their operation area. While a call center specializes in telecommunications-related operations hired by another company or agency, BPO companies undertake a wide range of services not limited to communications.

A type of BPO is a call center. BPOs, on the contrary, are not considered call centers because they do more than make and receive calls or process communications for clients.

The location of the primary activities is another important distinction between call centers or BPO companies. While a business processing outsourcing company works behind-the scenes, whereas a call center focuses on customer service and interactions with customers or callers, a contact center focuses more on the interaction between agents and customers.

Below is a table that summarizes the main differences between Call centers and BPOs:

 

 Call CenterBPO (Business Process Outsourcing)
  • Functionality
A call center’s primary function is to keep existing clients satisfied while convincing future consumers through phone calls.A BPO service’s major function is finance and accounting, sourcing and procurement, human resource outsourcing, etc. 
  • Work Divisions
Only the front office processesBack-end processes and front-office processes.
  • Service Level
Lower services than BPOHigher Service than a call center 
  • Requirement 
Basic computer knowledge and fluency in the required language Advanced computer skills and high-skilled in the required language
  • Supports
Customer calls or makes sales calls Different factors include finance, web development, software development, product development, email support, chat support, and many more.

Offshoring services can be provided by a BPO company for these industries:

  • Finance and Accounting – Bookkeepers, Accountants, Collections, Debt Recovery.
  • Marketing Support – Social Media, Digital Marketing, Copywriters and Video Editors, Website Developers / Graphic Artist
  • Call Center – Customer Support, Telemarketers and Email support/Chat. Lead generators and collections.
  • Back office support for Human Resources staff, Encoders and Virtual Assistants, Data Entry, Account Management. .
  • IT professionals – Software Engineers & Development and Network Engineer.
  • A call center is a subset within a BPO that focuses mainly on phone-based processes. In most cases, it uses autodialing. A call center, by definition, is a central office that receives/sends large numbers of calls via a telephone handset. BPO is available to almost any business that has processes and back-office tasks. Call Centers, on the other hand, are focused on outbound calls, resolution of queries, and processing customer requests via phone or email.

These services can be provided by a call center:

  • Billing and Collections – collections, billing specialist etc.
  • Lead generation – appointment setting, survey generation, order taking.
  • Customer Service – Email support, customer service
  • Technical Support – system engineers, network engineers,

What is BPO?

A BPO call center is an outsourcing service that handles outgoing and incoming calls for companies. Outsourced agents are not employees of the company they serve but they provide outstanding customer service. BPO agents receive extensive training in order to fully understand the client’s catalog and be able to answer customers’ questions with the level of detail they expect.

A BPO call center is a good option if you don’t have the resources to hire an entire support team.

BPO services may include the manufacturing of products, back office staff, or customer service support. A BPO company can outsource any type of work, regardless of its size, to meet the needs of their clients.

What is a Call Center?

Many businesses have a call center as their heart of customer service. This is where customers can call for assistance and sales reps can call for information. Because traditional customer service models rely on phone support as the primary method of communication between customers and companies, it’s called a “call center”. Modern call centers are often called a “contact center”.

What are the 3 Main Types of BPO

Many businesses have a call center as their heart of customer service. This is where customers can call for assistance and sales reps can call for information. Because traditional customer service models rely on phone support as the primary method of communication between customers and companies, it’s called a “call center”. Modern call centers are often called a “contact center”.

What are the 3 Types of Call Centers

  1. Inbound call center – This is the inbound call center. It receives incoming calls, usually from potential or existing customers. Customers who need assistance, help, or directions can be reached by inbound call center agents.
  2. Outbound call center – Outbound agents take phone calls for your company. Outbound call centers can be a cost-effective way to increase your business’s reach. Outbound call center representatives sell to new customers and upsell to existing customers.
  3. Virtual call center – Employees in virtual call centers are not restricted to one workstation. Virtual call center reps work remotely and can make or take calls from anywhere.

How can you relate call centers to BPO?

Call Center is focused on customer queries and is usually limited to phone work. BPO, on the other side, includes Call Center as part of its services and other outsourced back office tasks.

Conclusion

A BPO company can have a call center that handles customer issues. It typically involves telephone work. BPO, on the other hand, covers call centers and other back-office functions that are outsourced.

A BPO provider is recommended for business owners who need to outsource technical or professional skills. Call centers can be a more cost-effective option if you are looking for customer service solutions that will work.

There is one major difference between calling a BPO or a call centre. A BPO company requires you to have specific skills in order to meet the client’s needs, while a call-center only requires excellent communication skills and negotiation skills in order to address customers’ needs.

FAQs

Yes, there is a distinction between a call center and a business process outsourcing company. BPO services are created and implemented to increase productivity and save money for businesses. In contrast, a call center service is designed to manage the business processes of another company which primarily handles telephone calls.

A BPO company’s call center is an area that addresses customer concerns. It typically involves only phone labor. BPO covers Call Center and other back-office functions.

BPO stands for Business Process Outsourcing. The third-party service provider takes on any tasks or operations that a company can’t or won’t do in-house. BPOs are often used to provide call center services. Agents represent many companies in different industries.

Call centers are a type of BPO. For example, a manufacturer might outsource customer support to a call center. Business process outsourcing doesn’t only apply to customer service and call centers. The same manufacturer BPO would use it to outsource accounting, payroll, and other administrative tasks.

BPO is often referred to as information technology-enabled services (ITES) because it relies on technology/infrastructure that enables external companies to efficiently perform their roles.

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