Set customer expectations using Service Level Agreements. Let them know when they can expect a response or the resolution of an issue.
Configure different SLAs for different agent groups, product, companies, etc. All tickets under them will be governed by these SLA policies.
Design smart workflows with multiple SLAs
Turn off the timers when necessary
Freeze the SLA timers when a ticket has certain statuses, so that your agents aren’t penalized for violating SLAs while they wait on customers or partners.