|
Provide Support is somewhat unique in that it offers both web-based, and locally installed (download/install console), access to the operator console. With it being web-based it allows access to most any computer operating system and web browser (as most other providers only have live help software for Windows-based computers). The first thing that stood out about their Provide Support Live Help product was the hundreds of chat icons, header background images, operator pictures and chat invitation graphics available freely for download from their website. For someone like myself whose graphics abilities are bad at best, this was a really nice feature. If you want to use your own graphics instead of theirs, that's OK too. Another way Provide Support differentiates itself from the competition is that most of the live chat configuration is one via their website (when you log into your account). With the other live help software I've tested so far, these changes are usually made through the operator console. Making the changes via the web control panel makes it nice, and there are more than enough settings to muck around to customize the service any way you like -- adjustments of start chat from fields, system messages, fonts, chat transcript settings, chat invitations etc. For customers using the following operating systems: Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac or Linux platforms -- there are free versions of the operator console software to download and install. I was amazed by the versions available even for the different Linux distributions. This operator console includes many additional useful features such as spell checker, geolocation map, etc. Downloadable console software minimum requirements are Windows 98 through Vista with 600mhz processor 64MB RAM (though I'd suggest at least XP/Vista and 500MB RAM). I think the only fault I could find (web-based and downloaded console) was the inability to kick or ban bothersome chat visitors. It did allow me to close the chat (and told the website visitor the chat room was closed) but nothing prevented that visitor from restarting another chat. Ban capability is nice as there will always be those visitors that just want to bother your support staff (due to its anonymity). I found the downloadable and web-based versions of the console worked equally well -- both were easy to use and implement. There's no website traffic reporting like some other providers - this is pure live chat service. If you're already using some of type of website visitor reporting then it's a non-issue. Pricing (USD) is $15 (1 operator), $30 (3), $60 (10) but they have some pretty significant discounts if you pre-pay for longer periods. All the features are available no matter what pricing plan you go with: URL push, SSL (128-bit) chat, canned responses, party-is-typing status, post chat surveys to name a few. With a 10-day free trial and 30-day money back guarantee it's definitely worth trying! -Dave Swanson > visit www.providesupport.com
|
|
I can't say I could figure out where this company was physically
located. The domain WHOIS says Brooklyn, NY (even though the domain
is registered with a European Registrar) and the mailing address
on the site appears to be a virtual office at 545 Eighth Avenue
(New York City). It wouldn't surprise me if this company is foreign
based like many other live help providers. They put on a good corporate
"face" as this was probably the best-designed site I've
come across in a long time (jump to common 