FREE CRM Seminar

Peteborough based Sage and Microsoft Business Partner, DMC Software, are hosting a free CRM Workshop identifying how CRM Strategy can improve performance.

CRM Workshop - 21/06/2012 - Peterborough Marriott Hotel.
At the Workshop DMC Software will help you to identify:

• Best practice techniques for lasting customer relationships
• New tools to increase customer satisfaction and improve customer loyalty
• Latest technology to support your CRM strategy - including social media
• Cost-effective strategies to engage with your target audiences

Find out more about the CRM Workshop.

Top Reasons to for MS CRM v4.0 users to upgrade to 2011

Microsoft CRM 2011 has been released to the UK market for over a year - and with support for Microsoft CRM v4.0 coming to an end in 2013, now might be a good time to consider upgrading!

The 2011 release of Microsoft CRM brought with it a host of new and exciting features, see our top picks below:

• Dashboards - the dashboard feature in Microsoft CRM 2011 enables users to compile all the information relevant to their role in one place enabling informed decisions. The Dashboards can be tailored to each individuals needs and can even incorporate external content.
• Customisable - in Microsoft CRM 2011 you can now personalise views and also set default views, to enable more efficient use of Microsoft CRM.
• User friendly - The introduction of the contextual ribbon in Microsoft CRM 2011 means everything you need is just 2 clicks away. 
• Marketplace - The Microsoft Dynamics CRM Marketplace is like an app store - which enables you to buy add-ons to enhance your Microsoft CRM implementation. 

Find out more about Microsoft CRM.

Bridge the gap between finance and CRM with Sage

Sage are key players in the world of finance and they are continuing to grow within the CRM Market too, with 3 strong CRM offerings, Sage ACT!, Sage CRM and Sage SalesLogix.

In addition to the accounting software and CRM software on offer, Sage also offer ERP solutions which integrate key business functions with a single software suite for enhanced efficiency - effectively bridging the gap between separate functional areas.

The Sage 200 Suite combines Sage 200 Financials, Sage 200 BI and Sage 200 CRM - with the option to add additional components, such as Sage 200 Commercials, Manufacturing and Project Accounting, for a holistic approach to business management.

Find out more about the Sage 200 Suite can help your business to be more effective in 2012, alternatively click to get a Sage 200 Price.

Integration tastes Suite

We are in an era where technology plays an import role in our everyday lives - with many of us wondering how we ever survived before the introduction of the smartphone. The same is in business, IT and software play a significant role within the day-to-day running of a business.

CRM Software is an important tool in the business artillery and many organisations recognise the huge benefits it can offer. Integrated software suites have become the next big thing, encouraging collaboration between disparate departments for greater effectiveness- however many businesses fail to take this next step in achieving optimum efficiency.

Why? Maybe its because in years gone by integrated software suites have involved large outlay? Integrated software suites are now readily available and there are multiple solutions for different business needs and, ultimately, different budgets. Take Sage for instance, they extend the functionality of CRM solutions to include finance and management tools through complete business suites of software - Sage 50 Suite for smaller organisations and Sage 200 for the more complex needs of larger organisations.

See how you can benefit from a more joined up approach to business - find out more about the Sage 50 Suite and the Sage 200 Suite.

IT Support beyond CRM

With most on-premise CRM solutions there is a need for additional hardware to support the implementation. To this end, organisations have the added responsibility of managing an IT infrastructure.

Without necessary experience, maintaining an IT infrastructure is a potential mine field -if standards slip the repercussions can impact on all business areas. So, how can this be avoided?

Outsourcing IT Support, by outsourcing the management of your IT Infrastructure to a Managed IT Services organisation you can benefit from:

• Remove the stress from managing IT
• Save money and internal resource
• Enhanced performance
• Regular updates

Find out more about Managed IT Services.

The value of CRM - a customer perspective.

The purpose of developing a customer relationship management (CRM) strategy is to engage better with customers and prospects, with a view to create long lasting relationships by making them feel valued and meeting expectations.

In years gone by it is the small businesses that have provided the best customer service because of the personal touch they can provide, from getting to know their customers likes and dislikes. However, with a properly implemented CRM solution larger organisations can record and utilise customer information to deliver a personalised service that gives value to the customer.

What's more, by recording every detail, transaction and communication within a CRM system, should a member of staff that is responsible for a particular customer become ill or leave the business the organisation retains the information and is able to continue to deliver the level of service the customer expects.

Find out more about CRM Software...

Is bespoke really better when it comes to CRM?

It is commonplace for organisations to be persuaded that bespoke is better when it comes to customer relationship management software (CRM software). However, for the small and mid-sized organisations the contrary is actually true - tried and tested CRM solutions, such as Sage ACT!, can offer many benefits over completely bespoke systems.

Sage ACT! Benefits over bespoke CRM:

• Support Options- Sage ACT! is supported by Sage direct and the wider Sage Business Partner channel offering you choice should a relationship not work out.
• Longevity - large CRM vendors offer commitment to research and development moving forward so you can be assured the technology you use to run your business is cutting edge.
• Customisable - should Sage ACT! not meet your exact business needs it can be adapted to suit your business processes.
• Upgrade paths - as your business grows so do your business needs and from Sage ACT! there are upgrade paths to larger CRM solutions such as Sage CRM and SalesLogix.

Find out more about Sage ACT!.