Service desk software provides a ticketing platform for internal IT service management. Service desks serve as a single point of contact (SPOC) within a company so that employees using IT equipment (both hardware and software) can receive help from the IT department, or an outsourced equivalent, by submitting inquiries through a portal when issues arise. Service desks provide functionality for both incident and service requests. These programs often provide tools for asset management, knowledge management software, and change management. Service desk products are an easy and convenient way for IT departments to remain organized and quickly assist employees with inquiries. Help desk software provides similar functionality; however, those platforms organize ticket requests from customers outside the company and provide them with information and support regarding a company’s products or services.
To qualify for inclusion in the Service Desk category, a product must:
Provide an internal ticketing system for IT department inquiries
Utilize a portal for employees to submit questions, issues, or requests
Offer a knowledge base for employee self-service
Record the IT assets in use by a company and any change in asset that occurs