Fourth Insight - The power of Multi-Layouts

Fourth Insight - The power of Multi-Layouts

The Wheels of Ticketing - Desk Stories

The power of Multi-Layouts




QuoteIn the previous insights, we have established that layouts are the foundation for a ticketing system, and fields are the building blocks for the same system.


Fundamentals of layouts

Fields play a crucial role in helping customers and agents collect valuable end-user information to understand their concerns better. Organizations must prioritise collecting accurate data in the right format to ensure efficiency. It's essential to avoid overwhelming end users with unnecessary or confusing fields; clarity is key. Additionally, the layout of these fields should be thoughtfully classified based on the data collected from end users to provide a more intuitive and user-friendly experience.

Understanding multi-layouts

Using multiple layouts in a help desk environment can significantly enhance the customer experience and streamline support processes. 

For instance, let’s take a telecommunication service provider that offers both postpaid and prepaid options. These two services cater to distinct user needs and provide varied features. Imagine an end-user needing to raise a support ticket specifically for a postpaid service. Instead of relying on a single generic form encompassing both service types, the organization can enhance user experience by developing two tailored layouts: one dedicated to postpaid and another to prepaid services. 

This approach involves choosing the right fields to align with each service and streamlining the ticket submission process. Doing so significantly reduces data clutter, allowing the end-user to navigate the forms easily and provide the necessary information to receive adequate and timely support for their queries.

Multi-layout best practices


For a ticketing help desk system to support multiple layouts effectively, consider the following:

  • Modular design: Streamline your ticket submission process into multiple services according to your business. Each service can be created as a layout. If there are common details between services, build this interface with reusable fields.
  • Role-based preset: To simplify onboarding, pre-configure layouts connected to agent roles according to the solutions they provide to customers.
  • Customisation engine: To ensure accurate information and help agents with all required information, include widgets using extensions and proper recommendations using tooltips.
  • Responsive data integration: To avoid ticket creation latency, ensure only the required fields are added to the layout. Using layout rules, you can also make the design responsive based on the input.
  • Performance optimisation: Validate the data given in the layout fields using validation rules to minimise the agent's load time on incorrect data.
  • Accessibility: Design layouts with keyboard navigation, screen reader support, and high-contrast options to accommodate all users.
These best practices can help your organization apply multiple layouts in your ticketing help desk system to accommodate diverse agent workflows, improve efficiency, and raise customer satisfaction levels.

A story for better understanding

Streamlining Support with Multiple Layouts

This narrative illustrates how multi-layouts improve efficiency, adaptability, and the overall experience for agents managing customer support tickets.


At Help Point Innovations, a rapidly growing SaaS company, the customer support team faced challenges managing an overwhelming influx of tickets. While their help desk system was operational, it lacked flexibility and only provided a uniform ticket view, frustrating agents. Simple inquiries were often lost amid more complex technical problems, causing agents to spend unnecessary time navigating multiple tabs to locate information. This led to declining morale and increasing response times.


Enter Chandler, the new support operations manager, tasked with turning things around. He collaborated with the operations team to implement a new ticketing help desk system that supported multiple layouts tailored to different agent needs. 

The Standard Layout – The All-Purpose Form 

On his first day, Chandler shadowed Mike, a level 1 support agent handling general inquiries. Mike used the standard layout, a clean, streamlined form designed for quick ticket triage:

 

  • Ticket list pane: A sortable list of open tickets with columns for ticket ID, customer name, priority, and subject. Filters let Mike focus on "New" or "High Priority" tickets.
  • Ticket details pane: Clicking a ticket displayed the customer's message, purchase history, and a chat-like thread for internal notes and replies.
  • Quick actions bar: Buttons for everyday actions like "Assign to Self," "Reply with Template," or "Escalate" were front and center.

 

Mike valued how the Standard Layout let him process simple tickets, like password resets or billing questions, in under a minute. For example, when a customer asked about a subscription refund, Mike pulled up the ticket, checked the purchase history in the details pane, and sent a pre-approved refund response using a template without leaving the screen.

 

The standard layout empowered level 1 agents to efficiently handle high-volume, straightforward tickets, reducing average response time by 30%.

The Tech Layout – In-depth Troubleshooting 

Next, Chandler observed Lila, a Level 2 technical support specialist who tackled complex issues like API errors and software bugs. Lila switched to the technical layout, and when queries came in, she automated the tickets to move them to this layout so that they could help with in-depth analysis:

 

  • Expanded ticket details: The layout prioritized technical data, showing error logs, system diagnostics, and API call history alongside the ticket thread.
  • Integrated tools pane: A sidebar linked to debugging tools, a knowledge base, and a code snippet library for quick reference.
  • Collaboration panel: A dedicated space for real-time collaboration with developers via internal chat, with options to attach screenshots or screen recordings.


When a customer reported an API timeout issue, Lila used the technical layout to view the error log, cross-reference it with the knowledge base, and ping the dev team in the collaboration panel. She identified a rate-limiting issue, shared a workaround with the customer, and flagged the ticket for a permanent fix within 15 minutes.

 

The technical layout reduced resolution time for complex tickets by 40%, as agents had critical tools and data at their fingertips.

The Custom Layout – Personalized Productivity

Finally, Chandler met Riya, a senior agent who handled level 1 and 2 tickets. Riya had created a Custom layout to suit her unique workflow:

 

  • Hybrid ticket view: Riya combined elements of the standard and technical layouts, with a compact ticket list and a detailed technical pane for quick switches between complex and straightforward tickets.
  • Pinned widgets: She added widgets for her most-used tools, like a live chat monitor and a shortcut to her favorite response templates.
  • Colour-coded priority: Riya customized the ticket list to highlight VIP customers in red and urgent tickets in yellow.

 

When a VIP client reported a critical issue, Riya's custom layout let her spot the ticket instantly, access diagnostic data, and respond with a personalized message in record time. Thanks to her tailored setup, she could easily pivot to handling a batch of routine tickets without missing a beat.



Custom layouts boosted agent satisfaction and productivity, as veterans like Riya could work in a way that matched their expertise and preferences.

The Transformation

In just weeks, introducing the new help desk system with multiple layouts transformed Help Point's support operations. Agents became more efficient and effective, customers enjoyed prompt solutions, and the team's morale soared. One of Chandler's highlights was when he caught Mike and Lila discussing which layout was most suitable for specific scenarios, indicating that the operations team had developed multiple tailored views. These custom views enabled agents to focus on the particular requirements of each ticket, boosting productivity by reducing unnecessary clutter.

Wrapping up

The key to success? Flexibility. By offering multiple layouts, standard for speed, technical for depth, and custom for personalization, he help desk system met the diverse needs of the support team and turned disorder into a well-oiled machine.



Please stay tuned for more Desk Module stories.

 

Cheers,

 

Kavya Rao

The Zoho Desk Team


    • Recent Topics

    • Admin and Dispatcher Users show as Field Technicians in Dispatch Module?

      Hi Zoho, Our Admin and Dispatch user both show up as Fied Technicians / Field Agents in the Dispatch module, but they most certainly should not be assigned to any of the work orders and service appointments. These users are NOT service resources. How

    • Copy Sales Order Reference# to Purchase Order#

      Hello, We use our customer's purchase order number as the order number on our purchase order to the supplier.  We direct ship everything from our suppliers and the customers then see their PO number on the packing notes (instead of a sequentially-generated one). Therefore, is it possible to use automation to copy the Sales Order Reference# (customer PO) to the respective Purchase Order# (our PO) when converting the Sales Order to a Purchase Order?

    • Free webinar: Zoho Sign in Q2 2025: A quick walkthrough

      Hi there! We’re halfway through the year—and Zoho Sign has some exciting enhancements to show for it! Join us in our upcoming webinar to discover what's new and what you can look forward to. What will this session cover? Explore the newest features introduced

    • Using a Webhook as an Action

      I have been able to setup where I can use a webhook as a Trigger, but I am wondering how I can use a webhook as an Action. In the Zoho Flow Builder when using Zoho CRM as a trigger, I do not see a way to invoke a URL to POST json data that can be used

    • Adding commas to a numeric value

      Hi, I want to add commas to numeric values so that they look like money E.g 1234.56 to 1,234.56 12345.67 to 12,345.67 12345678.90 to 12,345,678.90 How do you do that in Deluge? Thanks for the help

    • Pushing Zoho People leave into Microsoft calendar: how to chose how "event" is shown (busy, free etc)

      Hi, how can I select how a "leave" event is pushed into Microsoft calendar? I want for leave "working elsewhere" to show as working elsewhere and NOT as busy.

    • Tiktok and Instagram Carousel with Music

      Is it possible to add music or sound (can be downloaded or uploaded or attached) when we upload carousels in IG and Tiktok?

    • [Product Update] Locations module migration in Zoho Books integration with Zoho Analytics

      Dear Customers, As Zoho Books are starting to support an advance version of the Branches/Warehouses module called the Locations module, users who choose to migrate to the Locations module in Zoho Books will also be migrated in Zoho Analytics-Zoho Books

    • Once again, non-admins can no longer revise the site map

      Not sure when this change happened, but it's a problem now. This appears to be a regression on this issue: https://help.zoho.com/portal/en/community/topic/bug-non-admins-can-no-longer-revise-the-site-map ... which was solved. That issue was also a regression.

    • Detail View in Mobile without Labels

      Zoho creator 6. I have been trying to acheieve this but not able to. I have a quick view of my articles using custom layout for mobile. When i tap on an article it opens in detail view on my mobile which has two cols. Left displays label and right the

    • Updating task using excel file

      Hi, Is there a way to update existing tasks using excel file import?  Thanks

    • Cross module filtering is now supported in CRM

      Editions: All DCs: All Release plan: This enhancement is being released in phases. It is now available in AU, JP, and CN DCs. Help resource: Advanced filters The Cross-module filtering enhancement is now available to all CRM accounts in the following

    • Before Going To The Qc stage , site ready ness file upload mandtoty how to achive this in the blue print transition

      Before Going To The Qc stage , site ready ness file upload mandtoty how to achive this in the blue print transition On click of the Predelivery transition can we show site ready ness file upload mandtoty or on click of the QC show the alert message site

    • Note cards are duplicating

      Hi, I've been using this app for some time and love it. Recently I've noticed that upon closing a note card, it creates a duplicate. If I exit the notebook it's in and go back, everything is back to normal. Not a major issue but still a little annoying.

    • Where is the (Bulk) Notes Export function from Notebook ???????

      I have seen various threads over the last two years on this and basically no action from ZOHO at all ! BTW having to go to an individual note and export to PDF (which now doesn't even work ) or some sort of zoho format is by no means the answer ! I still can't see any sort of bulk (or even individual) export function across notes. This is really poor for a notes product that is nearly 4 years old from a "major vendor".  I now have a large number of notes (some with images) that I want to export and

    • Again about the backlighting of the search query when searching in a client for Linux

      Some time passed, I installed a client for Linux version 3.4.0, but I still did not receive the promised search with the backlighting of the search query how it was implemented in the client for android. In the previous topic, you told me that this function

    • Important! ZipRecruiter Sponsored Posting Plan Changes in Zoho Recruit

      Greetings, We’re reaching out to inform you about an important upcoming change to the ZipRecruiter Sponsored job board integration within Zoho Recruit. What’s Changing? Starting June 1, 2025, Zoho Recruit will be updated with ZipRecruiter's latest pricing

    • In the Blue Print Transition requirement received it will show 8 check field in pop up if they any one of this field then only move to next stage Ist quote

      In the Blue Print Transition requirement received it will show 8 check field in pop up if they any one of this field then only move to next stage Ist quote Pls help how i fix this

    • Linking Multi-UOM Barcodes to Products in Zoho Books

      Greetings, I'm using Zoho Books for retail shop and I'm running into a bit of a challenge with products that have multiple Units of Measurement (UOMs) and corresponding barcodes. For example, I sell cigarettes both as individual packets and in cartons

    • Convert Item to composite item

      When using Zoho CRM integrated with Zoho Inventory/Books, the item creation process is a little messy. After a few years of trial and error, we have settled on creating items in CRM, which are sync'ed to Zoho Inventory using Zoho's own internal integration.

    • Mapping “Account Name” from CRM to Campaigns

      I’m syncing our Contacts list to Campaigns and want to select “Account Name” as an available field. Account Name does not appear in the drop down menu for CRM field even though Account Name is a field in our standard layout. How can I make it availa

    • Zoho Campaigns to Zoho Analytics Sync Fails – Field Mapping Shows But Not Applied

      I’m facing a persistent issue with the Zoho Campaigns integration to Zoho Analytics in my workspace. Here’s a detailed description of the problem: Under Edit Setup, I see a field mapping summary that shows: DataField Mapping: Most Recent Login However,

    • Host in US Data Centre

      I humble apply to be registered on US Data centre

    • Multiple images, one record

      I have a form that is used to capture the following info: -Facility Name -Origin -Shipment # -Picture of Damaged Pallet (Image field) I want to be able to capture multiple pictures without having to create a new record, as there might be multiple damaged pallets on the shipment. Obviously, one never knows how many damaged pallets might be on a shipment so I'd prefer not to create 20 image fields and have most of them unused.  I'd prefer that they have an option to add another image only if they need

    • how to dynamically upload multiple images for single record?

      Is the use of dynamic multiple images in a single record supported? I've searched but have not found the answer. If it is supported, how is it done? I saw 1 suggestion to add a sub-form but that doesn't seem to be the answer. I don't want to add a set number of image fields. Each record would have a different number of images. I want the addition of images to be dynamic. thanks

    • Multi-upload field

      Hi I need to include a file upload field that allows the user to select multiple files and upload all at once. I hope I can do this with HTML, I'm new to merging HTML and deluge... Can I trigger a hidden file upload window to appear On User Input of a field in an embedded form? Thanks! Levi

    • is it possible to add multiple attachments to a record?

      Hello, I'm trying to add functionality so that a record can have several associated attachments. I obviously added a File Upload field to my form, but that appears to only allow one total. Is there a way around this? Thanks, - Kevin

    • multiple upload files in zoho form

      Hi,  I need upload multiple files  in a single upload field thkns

    • Keeping Track of Email Threads

      Hi, Z CRM is great for tracking all the activities one would want to track whilst qualifying leads, converting to customers, closing deals etc etc, however.... ....although I can use Z CRM to send an email to a lead/contact and have that recorded as an activity for other team members to see, there is no way of capturing an inbound email from that lead. Assume my lead replies to my email sent from ZCRM, in my case, the response arrives in my ZMail account. However I can't get it back into ZCRM to

    • Zoho Creator invokeUrl to retreive PDF

      I'm trying to retreive a record PDF to send to Print Node. Tried with and without the zoho_creator_connection. pdf_content = invokeurl [ url :"https://creatorapp.zoho.com.au/<org_namespace>/<app_link_name>/record-pdf/<report_link_name>/" + input.ID type

    • Bulk upload image option in Zoho Commerce

      I dont know if I am not looking into it properly but is there no option to bulk upload images along with the products? Like after you upload the products, I will have to upload images one by one again? Can someone help me out here? And what should I enter

    • Zoho App Builder

      I’m looking for a Zoho Creator developer to build a simple app for tracking site expenses for a construction company. Key features: mobile form, dropdowns for projects and expense types, photo attachment for invoices, auto-calculated totals, and Excel

    • Captcha can't be enabled conditionally

      Hi Problem: captcha on a form can't be enabled conditionally. Why is this a problem: Because I use the same form on our website (public) in the portal and mobile app. In the portal it works but in the mobile app it doesn't. So there should be a way to

    • ACH Returns Don’t Trigger Dunning or Reverse Payment in Zoho Subscriptions

      Zoho Billing marked an ACH payment as successful and kept the subscription active — even though the payment was later returned by the bank (NSF). There was no update to the invoice or subscription status, and I had to manually clean it all up. For credit

    • Zoho Sheet - Split cell diagonally fill half color

      is it possible to split a cell diagonally, fill different text in each half and ideally color them differently as well?

    • Calling Token API in Postman returning "error: invalid_client"

      Hello, I've been working on setting up an API to get data from zoho crm into a third-party application. I'm currently testing the setup in Postman, but I'm getting an error from the API to retrieve the access token. It keeps returning "error: invalid_client".

    • How to handle this process need using a Blueprint?

      See one minute screen recording: https://workdrive.zohoexternal.com/external/eb743d2f4cde414c715224fc557aaefeb84f12268f7f3859a7de821bcc4fbe15

    • bulk scheduling youtube shorts and facebook reels

      how do i flag the video as facebook reel rather than normal video, it's vertical, 20 seconds, yet still being posted as video on facebook for youtube, it's being rejected out right both videos are to standard, can be posted normally with normal scheduler

    • Invitation-Based User Access in Zoho Analytics

      Hello everyone, We’re rolling out an important update on how users are added to your Zoho Analytics Organization and Workspaces. Previously, when admins added users, they were automatically added to the organization. Moving forward, to improve security

    • Filtert products by multi select custom field

      Hello, this is seems like a must addition, why it can not be done now?

    • Next Page