How to Create and Configure SLA Policies in BoldDesk?
Creating a New SLA
In BoldDesk, you can create multiple SLAs (Custom SLA) and map them to different tickets to define the expectations for each SLA metric target.
Follow the given steps to create an SLA:
-
In the Admin center, choose the SLA module in the Automation section.
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Click the Add SLA and follow the below sections to set up the SLA.
Set conditions
- Enter the Name and Description
- Select Operational hours
- Choose the fields from the list to frame a condition for determining the tickets to which the SLA will be applied in AND and OR conditions.
- Click Add new condition to include a new condition. The following are some of the sample fields to add the conditions:
- Brand
- Contact Group
- Contact
- Category
- Type
- Assigned Group
- Etc.
Operational hours can be set either for calendar or business hours.
Set metric targets
In BoldDesk, the following three predefined SLA metric targets can be measured,
- First response (Time to first response) – Target time for first agent response to a customer.
- Response (Time to next response) – Target time for subsequent agent update to the customer after the first response.
- Resolution (Time to resolution) – Target time for the ticket to be resolved or closed.
You can set different SLA targets based on the priority. These are the available priorities
- Critical
- High
- Normal
- Low
You can choose a minimum of 15 minutes. Resolution time should be greater than response time.
You can enable and disable the reminder and escalation, and you can choose whether SLA is run based on the calendar hours or business hours.
Add reminder
Reminders notify assigned agents or groups about upcoming SLA deadlines, helping ensure timely responses and resolutions. You can configure reminders for the following SLA metric targets:
- First response
- Next response
- Resolution
Each reminder can be scheduled in hours or minutes before the SLA target is due. You can select specific agents or groups to receive these notifications.
If an agent should no longer receive SLA reminder emails, they can be removed from the recipient list in the Add Reminder tab of the SLA rule. This helps ensure that only relevant team members are notified, minimizing unnecessary email traffic.
This flexibility allows teams to tailor SLA reminders to their operational needs and individual roles.
Add escalation
The escalation sends the notification to the corresponding agents or group when the due date for the ticket is over.
You have an option to set escalation for the following three metrics.
- First Response Escalation
- Next Response Escalation
- Resolution Escalation
– Level 1 Escalation
– Level 2 Escalation
– Level 3 Escalation
You can choose the group and agent to whom you want to send the escalation. For resolution, there are three levels. At each level, you can choose different groups and agents.
After completing the above steps, click Add SLA. The new SLA will be created and listed.
- You can change the order of the SLA. If you have multiple SLAs, the first matching SLA will apply to the ticket when the condition is matched.
- The default SLA will be applied to a ticket when none of the SLA’s conditions are matched. The default SLA can be deactivated.
Refer to the below video to know more about setting up SLA,
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I create multiple SLA rules in BoldDesk?
Yes, you can create multiple SLA rules and map them to different ticket conditions. The first matching SLA will be applied when a ticket meets its conditions.
2. What happens if no SLA conditions are matched?
If none of the SLA conditions are matched, the default SLA will be applied to the ticket. You can also deactivate the default SLA if needed.
3. Can I set SLA targets based on ticket priority?
Yes, SLA targets such as first response, next response, and resolution times can be customized based on ticket priority levels: Critical, High, Normal, and Low.
4. What are operational hours in SLA settings?
Operational hours define the time window during which SLA timers are active. You can choose between calendar hours (24/7) or business hours (based on your working schedule).
5. Can I send reminders before SLA deadlines?
Yes, you can configure reminders for first response, next response, and resolution targets. These reminders notify agents or groups before the SLA deadline is reached.
6. How do I stop receiving SLA reminder emails?
If an agent no longer wishes to receive SLA reminder emails, they can be removed from the recipient list in the Add Reminder tab of the SLA rule. This ensures only relevant team members are notified.
7. What is SLA escalation and how does it work?
SLA escalation sends notifications to designated agents or groups when an SLA target is breached (first response, next response, resolution). You can configure up to three escalation levels for each metric.
8. Can I reorder SLA rules?
Yes, you can change the order of SLA rules. The system applies the first matching SLA based on the order in which they are listed.
9. Is it possible to apply Set rules by specific ticket fields?
Absolutely. You can define SLA conditions using fields like Brand, Contact Group, Category, Type, Assigned Group, and more.
10. Where can I learn more about SLA setup?
You can refer to the instructional video linked at the end of the article for a visual walkthrough of SLA configuration steps.