Every business has challenges; some of them are just a bigger pain in the neck to solve than others. The good news is that the AppExchange has more than 2,800 apps that help you solve all kinds of problems and keep you speeding toward your goals. Read on to discover five common challenges and their hardworking app solutions that will keep you moving full-steam ahead on the the road to success.

1. Customers wait too long for field service agents to show up.

Nothing makes a customer happier than waiting and wondering when during their 10 a.m to 4 p.m. time slot their agent will show up, right? Wrong. Apps like FieldExpert by ClickSoftware give you visibility into the actual capacity of your field service workforce, which means you can promise narrower, more achievable time windows. That also translates into increased efficiency, more upsell opportunities, and lower field service costs. Boom.

2. There’s no pricing consistency in customer quotes and proposals.

Sales reps around the world quoting different prices for the same products and solutions can create huge problems beyond just inconsistencies. CPQ apps like SteelBrick streamline configuration and ensure pricing and quoting accuracy, creating more consistent forecasting and revenue and alleviating customer frustration when they find out their colleagues got a better deal.

3. Call center agents spend more time finding and inputting data than servicing customers.

Apps like inContact ensure that service reps can complete simple tasks, like having access to accurate and up-to-date CRM records so they don’t spend time asking a customer to provide information they’ve already provided. Efficient agents can spend more time getting to the root of a customer’s problem or question, which translates to more happy customers--and more revenue.

4. Sales reps returning from summer vacations need a little help getting re-inspired.

The intoxicating memory of sandy beaches and crystal-blue water can make it hard for anyone to focus, but sales reps need to be laser-focused on productivity as soon as they return from vacation. Gaming apps like Hoopla help them re-engage and get their numbers up to par again using contests and real-time leaderboards that broadcast their performance to any TV, Web, or mobile screen.  

5 - There aren’t enough employees scheduled during peak demand times.

Who knew that your company’s inbound customer calls actually increased during July and August, despite the fact that so many people are on vacation? With scheduling apps like ShiftExpert by ClickSoftware, you’ll know--and you’ll never be caught off guard and understaffed again. ShiftExpert gives you complete visibility of every department’s work schedule and how it affects service, position, coverage, and budget so you’ll always be prepared.

Want more? Visit the AppExchange.