Hosted Solutions Reviews (CRM, ERP, LMS-eLearning, GroupWare, Project Management and tracking, WebOffice and Organizers)

Automation With Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0

webmaster — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 17:09:27 +0000

This is particularly true of small and medium sized businesses with limited personnel resources and the need to focus on customer contact in order to maintain and expand the customer base.
Automation with CRM (Customer Relationship Management) can be invaluable in such cases and provide very rapid return on investment. Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 in particular is eminently suited to a high degree of automation and allows employees to more easily and more effectively use existing customer and account data to integrate marketing and sales efforts.
The automation tools provided by Microsoft CRM automate routine tasks such as direct e-mails, communication management and the management of a variety of sales processes. Such processes include account and contact management, qualification of leads and opportunity management and the maintenance of a database of customer and account information. This is available to sales personnel online or offline either in the office, at the customer premises or in transit through portable communications devices such as PDAs, palms, computers, mobile phones and laptops.
Automation with CRM achieves this and brings the benefits of instant communication and information retrieval, which promote customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Automation with CRM can analyze factors such as the proportion of time spent by a sales force between administrative task and direct sales-related work and hence the effectiveness of the sales force and any remedial actions required to improve this. The performance of individual employees against targets is also analyzed and reports prepared. In this way not only is efficiency measured, but resources can be deployed to their greatest effectiveness with an overall reduction in costs and improvement in customer service.
The marketing automation in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 enables analysis of the efficiency of the marketing department and provides integration of all aspects of marketing, sales and service so that a single company image is presented to the customer. This allows a more professional image to be projected, increasing customer confidence and loyalty.
Automation with CRM allows the generation of lists of contacts, accounts and leads which can be used by sales personnel for the generation of campaigns for execution at a later date, with automatic analysis of responses and outstanding actions required.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 uses the sales and customer data you already have and makes it easier for employees to use that information to improve service to customers, integrate more effectively between departments, and improve efficiency with resultant overall cost reductions. Automation with CRM promotes productivity improvements and better use of personnel resources, the overall result being a more profitable company with more satisfied and loyal customers and a marketing and sales force that is being used at maximum effectiveness.
Automation with CRM is the way forward for any progressive company that is seeking maximum employee involvement in directly promoting sales and marketing with automation of the daily repetitive tasks that can be so labor intensive. The adoption of Microsoft Dynamics CRM allows sales and marketing personnel to be fully effective in the main objective of the company, which is to make money.

Planning for Growth with Scalable CRM

webmaster — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 17:09:23 +0000

Quick growth within a company is usually a blend of good news and bad news. The benefit is that the enterprise is successful, and increased hiring and beefed-up operations are an indications of momentum. But there can be growing pains, as well. If an enterprise hasnt anticipated more employees or planned more robust strategies, it can be tough for systems to be flexible enough to accommodate the change.
Host with the Most
For a company that's likely to balloon in the next few years, a viable option has become on-demand CRM systems, which allow a company to increase the number of users without buying additional licenses. In the past, many enterprises tried to anticipate growth by buying licenses in bulk, but ended up not using all of them, says Al Falcione, director of product marketing at CRM vendor Salesforce.com. "Because on-demand is browser-based, it's really fast to get it up and running, and to add new users," he says. "You can add 100 users right in the system if you want. Companies might start small and scale quickly." Indeed, Salesforce.com has built a very successful business providing Web-based CRM applications that implement this "no software " strategy. However, some enterprises still prefer to have their applications in-house, for greater customization and integration with their other systems. But those preferences don't mean an enterprise will be doomed to no scalability, says Jason McNally, director of sales at software firm TechExcel. "You just have to make sure that the application captures the process in the proper way," he advises, "so that it can adapt as you grow or change tactics."
Plan A
Often, just as important as the technology is the planning that goes into how to scale. Purchase of software tends to be reactive, particularly in the smaller enterprise space, says Craig Sullivan, senior director of international products at NetSuite. That type of short-range planning tends to be counter to scalability. "IT budgets are a lot more modest than they were previously, so companies will go out and find the cheapest solution they can," says Sullivan. Regardless of whether on-demand or in-house is chosen, Sullivan recommends that companies take a step back to look at the bigger picture, particularly in terms of how the entire company will be affected. It is also important to keep in mind that planning for growth in a CRM system doesn't always have to do with employees. Although many situations in which scalability is important involve hiring, sometimes the growth comes as a natural part of operations. For example, an airport using a CRM system may be routing calls through the system, and could see customer service needs increase from a few hundred calls per hour to thousands of calls during bad weather, flight delays, or an emergency. Companies planning for scalable CRM should think not just about how quickly the staff will grow, but also about the different ways that usage of the system might spike.
Challenge Round
Staff training is also key to a successful CRM growth plan, particularly when there is a sudden surge in employee numbers. Ensuring that employees can accommodate the change to a new system, or new features and functionality in an existing system, can go a long way toward achieving scalability. After all, there's little point in making a huge investment in a system that people hate to use. "We've seen companies get into a situation where they buy into a vision, instead of looking at what was really appropriate for their organization," says McNally. "That's resulted in workarounds, like email trees, and sales reps sharing information by stopping by someone's cubicle. None of that information is getting captured, because people don't like the system." That danger can occur when there's an acquisition, and new employees are being brought into an existing system. But it isn't just sales reps and support personnel that need to be trained properly -- upper management can use some lessons, too.
Metrics and Performance Indicators
Harris Interactive is one company that learned through experience about the importance of having a scalable CRM system. The company first signed up with Salesforce.com in 2003, when Harris was still a fairly small company. After significant growth through acquisition, Harris found that it was using many more of Salesforce.com's customizable features. The growth caused a shift not just in how reps used the system, but in how management adapted to such a swell of success. "When you become larger, you can't do the one-on-one management of a smaller company," says Daniel Chiazza, director of global sales operations at Harris Interactive. "Now, it's more important for us to rely on metrics and key performance indicators. We make sure we have the structure that will help us plan our strategies." When putting scalable CRM in place, in other words, a company should be aware of how it will change operations all the way down the line, from the CEO's office to the warehouse delivery driver. That type of end-to-end business intelligence is part of what will allow for a flexible CRM system to be used properly. "We knew that to be successful, everybody had to be using the system," says Chiazza. "For the typical sales person, it's easy to pick up new contact management features, because they deal with it all the time. But the user adoption curve for [departments] like research and development is usually different, because they're not used to tracking business opportunities." Planning for growth with a scalable CRM system, then, doesn't require a rip-and-replace of a current system, but rather a multi-level strategy of understanding how growth could affect the organization, both in terms of operations and training. Putting in the right system for the enterprise and teaching employees the importance of its functions will go a long way toward creating a CRM system that can bloom as the company does.

Sales Management w/ Microsoft Dynamics CRM

webmaster — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 17:09:18 +0000

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 is a comprehensive customer relationship management software package that helps businesses to improve all aspects of customer service and improve marketing and sales performance.Integrating with Microsoft Office and Business Solutions as well as third party applications, Microsoft CRM is available through the web and from Outlook. Sales management with Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 is effective and easily achieved with the modules provided, and duplication of data entry is avoided through the use of a single centralized database which can be accessed and edited by all relevant departments. The database can be maintained in real time so that all information is current and up to date. An important feature of sales management with Microsoft Dynamics CRM is the provision of a comprehensive view of customer data, ensuring efficient sales service and immediate access to updated information. Your service personnel can track enquiries from the initial request to fulfillment, and the customizable rules of all major processes allow the creation and automation of most sales activities, which significantly improves the acquisition of new customers. Due to rapid response to customer enquiries, they are never allowed to fall through the cracks, and every stage is followed through and supported to ensure satisfactory conclusion and completion of the request. The whole sales cycle is shortened, closure rates are increased and customer retention is improved. An important aspect of sales management with Microsoft Dynamics CRM is its comprehensive communications system including e-mail, fax and telephone with auto response and synchronization with Outlook. Access to all reports and customer information is instantly available offline and online and sales personnel are provided with the ability to answer any customer enquiry instantly through the use of a laptop or PDA system. This remote access to all relevant customer data is a prime feature of sales management with Microsoft Dynamics CRM which not only promotes a high degree of customer service and satisfaction, but also job satisfaction to sales personnel. This is of extreme importance in situations where customers tend to be loyal to their regular sales contact rather then to the product or company. Such situations are common and customer retention is generally improved in companies with a low sales personnel turnover. Another important feature of sales management with Microsoft Dynamics CRM is the automated identification of trends and opportunities according to customized rules. Reports can be designed to forecast sales and other trends, which allow accurate budgeting and planning of future sales campaigns and expenditure. Sales management with Microsoft Dynamics CRM is easily installed with expert help on set-up and initial training. Training costs are minimal since the user interface and work tools are similar to those used in Microsoft Office and Outlook applications. Online tutorials and web-based support are available for all modules of Microsoft Dynamic CRM. Your business will be able to increase capacity without increasing staffing levels due to the degree of automation available, taking over many of the repetitive tasks of sales and marketing staff. For small to medium businesses, sales management with Microsoft Dynamics CRM is an essential option, with a rapid return on investment, which can give you a positive advantage over companies without it.

Turning leads into customers with CRM

webmaster — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 18:00:00 +0000

In order to turn leads into customers, you need to understand exactly what the customers want and rapidly set the wheels turning to provide what is wanted in the minimum of time. This, of course, is a simplistic view, so let's have a look at more detail and how CRM can help achieve the desired end. A good CRM system will rapidly analyze every lead and quickly and automatically route it to the right person to handle it. The fully customizable rules in Microsoft Analytics CRM 3.0 allows you to so on the basis of area, product, cash volume or any other rule that you want to apply. You can also apply different rules to different products or customers so that every variable is optimized. The familiar Microsoft architecture enables this to be achieved easily and integrated with other Microsoft applications. By automatically passing new leads rapidly to the correct individual, CRM ensures that the customers' needs are met rapidly, which is one of the main requirements necessary to turn leads into customers. However, there are many other aspects of CRM systems which are important in making it simpler for you to turn leads into customers. Microsoft CRM provides a complete range of communications applications which can be customized and automated, and their acquisition of Colloquis, the CRM communications company. should reinforce this. Entire email topic threads can be captured automatically: remember when you had to 'cut and paste' to keep tabs on specific threads? No more! And your sales reps can take their customers with them, all customer data being available in portable computers or PDAs. Integration between sales teams is automatic, and your company's complete sales force can be combined to provide the potential customer with every one of your products that meets his needs. Gone are the days when one customer would have to communicate with several salespersons or offices within your organization for his carious requirements. This provision alone can turn leads in customers in a very short time. Due to the atomization of all of these functions 'short' is the word. The whole sales cycle is speeded up, and Microsoft CRM can meet the growing need for the rapid conversion of a lead to a customer which is a necessity in today's cut-throat competitive business environment. If you don't work fast you lose out. CRM provides this speed of reaction which is why its ROI is so quick. This is just one feature of the many in which Microsoft Dynamics CRM outperforms alternatives such as GoldMine and ACT. The portability and accessibility of data is another area in which Microsoft Dynamics CRM excels. It does not matter where in the world the lead originated, or in what remote office the sales force is based, the full power of Microsoft CRM is available. All product data is available at the press of a button. All health and safety data, where applicable, and all information available on the lead or prospect can be accessed from anywhere in the world. This can be done either through a company network or to remote hand held devices such as PDAs, wireless laptops, palm computers or even mobile phones. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing and whenever equipment you have to hand, product information, quotations, terms and accurate product stock and delivery dates can supplied directly to the potential customer immediately upon request. No "I'll get back to you on that", or "Head office will send you details". All requested information can be supplied on the spot, immediately, from an integrated system available to any authorized employee, anywhere in the world. So is it easier to turn leads into customers with CRM? You bet your life it is.

Aplus.Net - Everything For Your On-line Business

webmaster — Wed, 31 May 2006 17:14:34 +0000

Aplus.Net offers a complete eCommerce solution to setup and run an online business. We offer real-time credit card processing, shopping cart, catalog management, professional Web hosting and web design.

Creating your own professional, customized web site has never been easier or faster! Aplus.Net WebsiteCreator is an incredibly simple-to-use tool that offers many template choices and a short, step-by-step designing process that even a novice can follow. Best of all, no HTML skills are required to build yourself a professional looking site and maintain it!

Visit Aplus.Net now!

EDGE - Solutions For The Demanding Enterprise

webmaster — Wed, 31 May 2006 16:52:16 +0000

Jagged Peak Technologies’ flagship application is EDGE (Enterprise Dynamic Global Engine), aptly named because it literally sits at the edge of your enterprise in the Internet cloud. EDGE is a Web-based application that allows you to immediately expand the efficiency and range of your business-to-business, business-to-internal and business-to-customer transactions in a self-service, on-demand environment. It does this by transcending organizational boundaries, uniting software, hardware and broadband connectivity through a distributed architecture with an open and flexible interface to multiple and varied data sources and destinations.
An integration interface is the heart of EDGE and is the key that enables it to communicate with disparate systems across organizational boundaries. EDGE seamlessly integrates with essential legacy, ERP, SCM, IMS, WMS and CRM systems and, at the same time, aggregates orders from all of your sales channels. EDGE then consolidates this data and, responding to the business rules and user profiles you set up, funnels it back out to your specific user groups through Web portals where it can be presented in a customized manner—e.g., external order capture portals can serve as branded customer or call center interfaces where catalogs can be viewed and orders placed; and the internal EDGE Direct portal is where authorized users can view data and activity, and can conduct administration and management activities.

Visit EDGE now!

Skire - Speed.Control.Insight

webmaster — Wed, 31 May 2006 16:42:22 +0000

Every company needs an owner-centric system to provide real-time collaboration and integrated project controls (cost, schedule, and scope) for their mission critical facility projects across all phases – planning, design, procurement, construction, turnover, operations - any slice of information, any time, anywhere. Skire’s Unifier can handle your company’s industry-specific needs.

Unifier’s collaboration system is a robust module that enables project participants to manage a variety of activities involving sharing, tracking and transferring information. The collaboration system ensures greater accuracy and speed in decision-making through standardized workflow processes and managed access to critical information.

Unifier’s Document Management System provides a robust web-based platform for maintaining a wide variety of files and documents. This system ensures that project participants are always working on the most current versions, and dramatically increases efficiencies by providing ready access to all documents from anywhere, at any time.

Visit Skire now!

ResultsOnDemand by Sum Total - Easy entry, rapid implementation, results when you need them

webmaster — Wed, 31 May 2006 16:17:42 +0000

If you need to solve an immediate learning management problem, but do not have the lead-time or budget for a full custom elearning management system implementation, ResultsOnDemand by Sum Total can help you:

Pilot an industry leading distant learning management system
Get results quickly with minimal expense and rapid “go live”
Quickly deploy mission-critical, targeted training programs
Increase custom content sales with an easy-to-use, hosted LMS solution
Provide a valuable product training services for your customers
Provide your group with the ability to deliver and manage learning

ResultsOnDemand Features

This ASP solution is the most complete, robust in the industry. With ResultsOnDemand, you get to all SumTotal LMS features, including:

Your own branded interface
Management of online, instructor led, and blended learning
Detailed training records and reporting
Content tracking capabilities
Automated notifications
Learning Evaluations
Configurable Role-specific security models

Visit ResultsOnDemand now!

Infopia - Fastest Growing On-Demand Multi-Channel Ecommerce Company

webmaster — Tue, 30 May 2006 15:11:10 +0000

Infopia’s Marketplace Manager is an all inclusive multi-channel e-commerce platform. Developed specifically for online retailers and brick-and-mortar stores taking advantage of the increased market size created by the internet, Infopia’s suite of tools helps to increase your exposure, efficiency, and ultimately your success. From inventory sourcing to repeat marketing, and every step in between, Marketplace Manager has the tools and process support your business needs.

In the world of e-commerce, Marketplace Manager simply outpaces other solutions. The constant innovation and improvement of this hosted, award-winning software drives improvements to e-commerce business capabilities. Auction firsts from Infopia, like item Trade-in and Configurator, have expanded and improved revenue possibilities.

One of the reasons Marketplace Manager can be continually innovative is because of its ASP platform. By being a hosted solution, improvements are made seamlessly and become available for use immediately–without IT resources having to be involved.

Visit Infopia now!

Convio eCommerce - The Ecommerce Solution for Nonprofits

webmaster — Tue, 30 May 2006 12:49:15 +0000

Convio’s online software is designed to help nonprofit professionals like you use the Internet to reach, motivate and retain the constituents that help support your organization.
Convio software is offered through a hosted, or ASP (application service provider), model. That means we manage the technology, so you can concentrate on fulfilling your mission rather than maintaining applications and servers. You simply access and use the software through any Web browser from anywhere, via one easy-to-use interface.
Convio eCommerce combines a familiar online store with Internet tools that help you drive support for your mission. With Convio eCommerce, you’ll have the tools you need to sell merchandise in an online store.

You’ll also have much more. You’ll have the tools to encourage shoppers to get involved with your organization in other ways, collect information about them, use that information to communicate relevant information to them, and encourage ongoing support.
Create an online store

Convio eCommerce gives you the capabilities of a traditional online store to sell anything from physical products such as T-shirts, to virtual fundraising products such as sponsorships:

Catalog of products
Browsing, sorting and searching
Shopping cart and checkout
Shipping calculation
Member pricing and/or other special pricing

Visit Convio now!