Your computers already have enough tangled cords coming out of it. You can get rid of the majority of them by going wireless. The best ergonomic keyboard for your contact center will help ease carpal tunnel. However, it may not look like your traditional keyboard.  Some may be wireless or have the keys rearranged differently from what you’re used to. A good ergonomic keyboard, for example, will pull apart in the middle and tent vertically, which allows contact center agents to find the perfect fit for them. A good keyboard and mouse can go a long way towards improving customer satisfaction.

Here are a couple things to consider when picking the best mouse and keyboard for your contact center needs.

Check the Range

If you are considering switching to a wireless keyboard and mouse (that is if you haven’t already), be aware that the power and range of different keyboards and mice varies. Some wireless keyboards, for example, can operate through walls; while other keyboards need to be in the same room as your workstation in order to operate. The farther from your workstation, the more interference your wireless keyboard or mouse will experience.

Think Ergonomically

Some wireless mouse designs are ergonomically designed for whether you are a right-handed or left-handed user. If you need a wireless mouse that is usable by both types of users, check for extra thumb buttons or a wireless mouse shape that might make the mouse exclusively right- or left-handed.

Standard keyboards in the U.S. are based on the familiar QWERTY design, so named for the order in which the letter keys appear from left to right on the top row. This setup was prevalent on typewriters. All keys are arranged in a straight line across the device. A standard mouse may take any number of shapes, but all are used by positioning the hand above the mouse to manipulate it. In either case, the wrist is typically turned at an awkward angle, which is a prime cause of carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Type of Keys Used

The type of keys used will also have an influence on both typing comfort and the durability of the keyboard. Many keyboards opt for silicone dome switches, which use bubbles or domes in a rubbery layer of silicone membrane as the switches beneath each key. Silicone dome switches are used frequently because they are inexpensive, but they also lose their springiness and responsiveness over time. Other keyboards will use a variation on this style which adds a mechanical stabilizer to each key called a scissor switch. These hold up a little better, and offer a more comfortable typing experience, but underneath it is still a silicone membrane.

Mechanical key switches, on the other hand, have a separate spring-backed push-button switch beneath each key. There are many varieties of mechanical key switches, designed to provide different typing feel and sound, but all tend to be far more durable and comfortable than keyboards using silicone dome switches.

Make your contact center agents more productive throughout the day with the perfect keyboard and mouse. There are also headsets available that can also help agents provide more efficient customer service.

Do you have any other tips on choosing the best keyboard and mouse? Share your thoughts below.