As technology evolves at break-neck speeds, our world continues to grow alongside it; although keeping up with the latest technological innovations is challenging, one thing is clear: technology breeds efficiency. By integrating contemporary digital solutions into their infrastructure, various institutions and organizations have been able to increase productivity, reduce expenses, and streamline their operations like never before.
Like many other sectors, colleges have benefitted immensely from the tech boom; in particular, virtual queue systems have redefined the waiting game and ushered in a new era of convenience for college students and staff. However, by raising expectations, these digital services have also inadvertently threatened the existence of campuses that might be hesitant to adopt new technologies.
Students Expect Mobile-Compatible Solutions
Nearly every student on today's college campuses has a mobile device resting in their pocket, many of which are high-performing iOS or Android devices. These devices are powerful, internet-connected communication tools and college campuses are discovering new ways to harness their potential by allowing students to access college services directly through their mobile devices; in particular, virtual queue systems like QLess are revolutionizing the way college students wait in line by allowing students to join various queues around campus in seconds via their iOS and Android devices.
Due to the digital management of virtual queues, students have the freedom to wait wherever they'd like, enabling them to get something to eat, exit the premises for a bathroom break, or leave the campus area entirely without losing their place in line, when their queue position approaches, the queue software will automatically notify students via SMS text or phone message, affording them enough time to return to the premises and confirm their arrival with staff. Upon implementing virtual queue systems like QLess, many colleges have noted an increase in student satisfaction, with rates increasing up to 75%. Statistics like these demonstrate that the value of harnessing mobile technology will undoubtedly play a crucial role in determining the future of today's colleges.
The Future is Here, and Nobody Wants to Wait
With today's digital queue systems, waiting in line seems like a thing of the past, but digital queues don't just benefit students -- they also streamline queues for staff, too.
In fact, introducing virtual queue systems yields significant benefits for college staff, including the provision of self-check-in capabilities, thereby alleviating the requirement for staff to personally welcome and check in each student entering a queue. As a result, staff can devote their full attention to the next student in line without simultaneously micro-managing an influx of subsequent guests.
In addition, virtual queues also provide college staff with the tools they need to effectively monitor their queues at-a-glance, the intuitive QLess dashboard displays live performance metrics that help staff guide their workflows and manage their time more effectively, resulting in reduced wait times and improved service.
With virtual queue system dashboards, staff can view:
- Average wait times
- The number of students currently in-queue
- Students served
- Service durations
Many virtual queues are also cloud-based, which can reduce the amount of time dedicated to system maintenance. Because hardware installations or routine on-site maintenance isn't required, college staff can spend less time troubleshooting and spend more time servicing students.
In-Depth Reporting Features Keep College Queue Performance In-Check
In a performance-driven world, meaningful data is a powerful ally, by studying performance metrics and identifying areas of improvement, colleges can evolve their infrastructure and develop forward-thinking strategies that continually reinforce their relevancy in an ever-changing space. Fortunately, virtual queue systems are designed to encourage productive refinement and promote longevity by providing colleges with meaningful, actionable data insights.
With QLess's built-in data reporting features, colleges can track their queue performance and expose underlying efficiencies that might be adversely affecting the quality and speed of their services. Because queue systems automatically collect and store queue-related data, staff members can tend to the needs of their students without concerning themselves with manual data collection. Once staff members are ready to review their queue analytics, QLess's reporting features grant access to comprehensive data reports in just a few clicks. With virtual queue systems like QLess, college staff can examine their queue performance through various metrics, including:
- Average wait times
- Virtual queue length
- Student arrival times
- No-show rates
QLess's reporting features also grant users flexible access to their data, staff can view data in multiple time frames and filter data to their liking, allowing them to compare and contrast queue performance across days, weeks, or years.
Reduce Operating Costs and Boost Student Service Quality
Although colleges are large institutions with plenty of cash flow, every dollar counts. By improving the efficiency of campus services, colleges can maximize their resources and improve the sustainability of their operations.
Thankfully, virtual queue systems like QLess provide colleges with various features that can reduce operating costs by boosting queue performance. By implementing QLess Flex Appointments, colleges can seamlessly integrate their existing appointments with walk-in visits without disrupting the quality or stability of their services; as a result, college staff can accommodate more students in a shorter time frame, thereby increasing productivity and nullifying the ramifications of no-shows.
Here's how it works:
- Students book their campus appointments online by selecting a specific time and date
- When their appointment time draws near, students will be reminded via text and/or email
- Students with upcoming appointments are automatically added to your virtual queue system
- If a student is late or misses their appointment, college staff can reassign the timeslot to walk-in queuers
After implementing digital queue systems like QLess, many colleges have reduced their student services operational costs by as much as 45% -- significant savings that can lengthen campus longevity and promote stable long-term growth.
Future-Proof Your Campus with QLess
With dozens of built-in features that foster campus sustainability, QLess is the ideal virtual queue system for colleges of all sizes.
Request your QLess demo today and discover why QLess is trusted by the Unversity of Texas at Dallas, Santa Monica College, and many other campuses around the world.