CRM Solutions

Find the right CRM Solution at TFM&A 2012

2012-01-18T16:19:00.003Z

It's that time of year again - the TFM&A 2012 Exhibition is just around the corner brining together a host of organisations that can help you to advance your multi-channel marketing strategy, from SEO through to CRM.

This year, Sage CRM Solutions will be showcasing the latest Sage CRM offerings from Sage ACT, the entry level CRM solution, through to Sage CRM and SalesLogix, designed for more sophisticated CRM requirements.

DMC Software Solutions, leading Sage Business Partner, will be supporting Sage at the show find them on stand F24. DMC have over 10 years experience of implementing CRM solutions that achieve real ROI. Try the DMC solution finder to help you identify which CRM solution best suits your needs.

Find out more about CRM Software.

The value of integrating E-Marketing and CRM

2012-01-13T10:42:00.005Z

It is increasingly common for e-marketing systems to offer integration with CRM. In fact, Sage CRM now comes with Sage e-marketing integration in built. So, how valuable is e-marketing and CRM integration to you, the end user?

No need to export and import data - real time integration means you no longer need to export CRM data to an Excel file and import into your e-marketing system.
Enhanced segmentation - deepen data segmentation by utilising information collated by your e-marketing system, including click-through data.
Increased customer intelligence - see which emails your customers and prospects interact with most frequently and tailor your offering to their actual wants, interests and needs.
Improve data maintenance - with e-marketing data visible within your CRM system you can identify email bounces and create a call list to cleanse contact information.

Find out more about how Sage CRM and Sage e-marketing integration can enhance your organisational efficiency.

CRM Trends for 2012

2012-01-04T10:57:00.003Z

Customer relationship management (CRM) software provides businesses with the tools to deliver high-class customer service. So, as we move in to 2012 we bring you the top trends for the forthcoming year based on Forrester's predictions.

Eradication of data silos - there will be a shift as organisations move away from departmental data silos and invest in solutions that aid the understanding of the customer experience from start to finish.
Process Management- With budgets still under scrutiny more organisations will look to better management of business processes to enhance efficiency.
Social CRM - many reports emerging highlight the business value that Social CRM can provide. Therefore, organisations will begin to invest in CRM technologies with Social CRM tracking capabilities, such as Sage CRM v7.1.
Mobile CRM - as customer demands increase as they search for the all important "added value", it is important for organisations to empower their mobile workforce with access to customer data from any location. Solutions such as SalesLogix CRM already have comprehensive Mobile Clients.
Cloud - The move to cloud business applications will continue to grow in 2012 and CRM is no different. There are lots of Cloud CRM applications in the market that make CRM both accessible and affordable to businesses of all sizes. Sage ACT! SaaS is an ideal solution for the small business as it offers full ACT! functionality for a manageable monthly fee.
Business Intelligence - Business Intelligence is a phrase that we are all familiar with however the majority of businesses rarely use such tools. As there is a rise in levels of competition it is predicted there will also be a rise in BI investment as businesses try to maximise the value of their data.

The trends highlighted by Forrester have been criticised for being outdated. However, as a CRM vendor, we believe these are sound predictions as many organisations need to go back to basics and get the fundamental CRM components right before progressing their CRM strategy.

Find out more about CRM software.

Start the New Year as you mean to go on... CRM Best Practice Advice

2011-12-21T12:08:00.002Z

With the constant media focus on the economic gloom many organisations are looking to make the most of the resources they have. Lots of business have made a CRM investment but consistantly fail to use it in a way that generates results.
CRM software is a powerful tool, to make sure you make the most of your CRM software in the new year, follow these top tips.

Top 3 Tips To Best Utilise Your CRM System

1. Identify who your customers and prospects are- e.g. what size they are, what industry they are in etc.
By analysing your data in this way you can get to know who your customers are. With this knowledge you can establish what new businesses to target. For example, if you customers are mainly manufacturers you should look at acquiring new business from this sector.

2. Identify customer segments- e.g. geographic location, product type etc.
Divide your clients into smaller groups and target your communications accordingly. By matching your approach to the needs of that group your response rates will be increased.

3. Understand the needs of your customer
By recording customer enquiries and requests within your CRM solutionyou can assess potential products and services. By tailoring your businesses offering to the needs of your customers you will encourage repeat purchases and customer loyalty.

If you haven’t got a CRM solution in place it may be a good time to consider one as customer retention is key to the success of any business. A selection that you may want to consider are Sage ACT!, Sage CRM, Microsoft Dynamics CRM and SalesLogix.

CRM - the host or hosted debate...

2011-12-13T10:31:00.001Z

You are looking for a customer relationship management (CRM) system. You research the market and you find some solutions that you think may be a good fit to your business. Some CRM systems on your list are hosted, some aren't - which do you chose?

The answer - Both!

WIth Sage CRM you can select both options. Sage CRM is an award winning mid-market CRM system that offers comprehensive functionality and flexibility. Sage CRM is accessible by a web browser and gives the option for on-premise hosting (hosted on your own server) or as a hosted solution (hosted by the vendor). What's more, should you want to change the way Sage CRM is deployed, it is easy to manage the transition.

Find out more about Sage CRM.

DMC top Sage Partner for CRM

2011-12-08T12:37:00.002Z

DMC Software take the title of leading Sage Partner for Customer Relationship Management solutions, after scooping 2 out of a possible 3 CRM Partner of the year awards including Sage ACT! Business Partner of the Year and Sage SalesLogix Business Partner of the Year.

In addition, to the Partner Awards DMC Software also took home the prestigious Sage Circle of Excellence Award, an award that is given to 15 elite Sage Business Partners for outstanding customer service.

Mike Ramsay, Managing Director of DMC Software, on collection of his award announced, “Each year that we have received the Sage Circle of Excellence award it has been extremely humbling, and this year is no different. I am honoured that our customers continue to believe in the high levels of customer service we strive to provide.

“The economic climate has made this year a difficult one for all businesses and the Sage awards that we have won are a testament to the dedication, hard work and passion of the entire DMC team. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my loyal customers and staff alike for their continued support, without them tonight’s achievements would not be possible.”

Read more...

Reduce the cost of acquisition with CRM

2011-12-01T16:08:00.002Z

Recent research has highlighted, on average it costs four times more to attract a new customer, as it does to retain an existing one. So providing great customer service is no longer an option it's a necessity to maintain a competitive edge in the current economic climate.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software is an essential business tool when looking to retain valuable customers through exceptional customer experience. Sage SalesLogix is a leading mid-market CRM solution that can help organisations to achieve customer service goals as well as improving other functional areas of a business, including Sales and Marketing.

Why choose SalesLogix:

SalesLogix is customisable - SalesLogix can be customised to meet your exact needs and business processes.
SalesLogix is accessible any time and anywhere - SalesLogix is available for Web and mobile devices.
SalesLogix integrates with Sage e-Marketing - SalesLogix integrates with Sage e-Marketing for more effective targeted and measured marketing campaigns.

Find out more about Sage SalesLogix.

Sage ACT! | The only CRM for small business

2011-11-24T14:40:00.002Z

Sage ACT! should be top of the shopping list when looking at small business CRM, says BCW IT Leadership. So what is it that makes ACT! crm the popular choice for the small business?

The Price - at £180 per user Sage ACT! is affordable for smaller organisations
3 million users - Sage ACT! is tried and tested and its 3 million users worldwide cannot be wrong
Outlook Integration - Sage ACT! integrates with Microsoft Outlook allowing you to access ACT! address books from within Outlook
e-Marketing Integration - Sage ACT! now integrates with Swiftpage e-Marketing so highly targeted e-Marketing campaigns can be managed and measured from within ACT!
Big functionality - Sage ACT! now features functionality usually found in larger CRM solutions, Smart Tasks offers workflows to Sage ACT! users

Find out more about Sage ACT! and Sage ACT! 2012.

Spot the difference | Sage CRM and Sage 200 CRM

2011-11-17T10:56:00.004Z

Sage offer a full range of CRM Solutions to meet the needs of businesses of all shapes and sizes, Sage ACT! serves the small business, Sage CRM and Sage 200 medium enterprises and SalesLogix serving the higher end of the mid-market with more complex needs.

So, what is the difference between Sage CRM and Sage 200 CRM?

The fundamental difference between Sage CRM and Sage 200 CRM is that Sage CRM is standalone CRM. Sage 200 CRM is Sage CRM which is integrated with Sage 200 Accounts as part of the Sage 200 Suite. When Sage CRM is integrated with Sage 200 there are changes to the interface and functionality.

Find out more about Sage 200 CRM functionality.

ACT! Training - Cost or Investment?

2011-11-02T11:59:00.004Z

Sage ACT! offers big functionality with a little price tag. However, when you start to add services such as Sage ACT! Training the price increases. Which raises the question, is ACT! Training a business cost or investment?

When implementing a CRM solution training is a vital ingredient for success. Without sufficient training end users find it difficult to see the benefits of change and essential functionality can be overlooked.

Benefits of ACT! Training

User adoption - if Sage ACT! users don't appreciate the benefits CRM can offer both the business and them as individuals they will not use Sage ACT! effectively.
Enhanced productivity - Sage ACT!, when used properly, can streamline and automate time consuming administrative tasks and therefore can increase workforce productivity.
Stronger customer relationships - with all customer information stored in a central location you can be more responsive to customer and prospect needs and strengthen relationships.
Quicker return on investment - if ACT! users understand how to get the most from Sage ACT! from the word go the returns will be visible much more quickly.

Find out more about ACT! Training.

Microsoft becomes Social with November Update

2011-10-27T09:42:00.002+01:00

HOT OFF THE PRESS: Microsoft announce the availability of the Microsoft CRM 2011 November Update.

Microsoft CRM 2011 was all about a better connected organisation and enhancing workforce collaboration and productivity. The Microsoft CRM 2011 November Update extends this idea of connection further with the introduction of "social collaboration capabilities".

Social technologies are continuing to grow and are much at home in our working lives as they are within our home lives. Businesses are increasingly using Social Media to build and strengthen customer relationships and the Microsoft CRM 2011 November Update allows us to gain deeper insight and understanding.

Find out more about Microsoft CRM 2011.

Sage ACT! - Scratchpad

2011-10-13T12:11:00.003+01:00

So, Sage ACT! 2012 was released in the UK early in September with a host of new features to solve everyday issues for existing ACT! users and to attract new audiences. In this blog we have already delved in to what the New Universal Search function can offer, and now to the Virtual Scratchpad.

The Virtual Scratchpad is just that, a virtual (standalone) notepad on which you can record notes, to dos and reminders. The items recorded on the Sage ACT! Scratchpad can be checked off, printed and even pushed into ACT! to create new activities or notes.

In our opinion, the Sage ACT! Scratchpad is a great addition. Not only does it make the trusty 'post-it' notes surplus to requirements (which has obvious green benefits), it also removes the need for re-keying information saving time - write the note and push it across into ACT! CRM, opposed to writing down a note and manually typing into ACT!.

Find out more about the lastest Sage ACT! release.

Sage CRM for Marketing

2011-10-07T12:16:00.003+01:00

With the global economy reported to be on the brink of another recession the likelihood of departmental budgets being slashed next year is high. So how can we do less with more?

One department that is sure to be under increased pressure to demonstrate value is marketing. But with Sage CRM it is possible for marketing managers and directors to optimise resources and demonstrate a return on investment.

Sage CRM Benefits for Marketing:

Analyse, segment and target customer data effectively
Track marketing communications (and responses) efficiently and easily
Track and manage marketing budgets
Full integration with Sage ERP and Sage e-marketing systems

Find out more about Sage CRM for Marketing.

CRM = Good Customer Service

2011-09-28T12:51:00.000+01:00

The main cause for customer attrition in recent years is poor customer service. The modern customer (particularly during economic uncertainty) expects more for their money, demanding a fair price for a good product and customer service.

By implementing a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Solution and encouraging a CRM culture within your organisation could be what it takes to increase the level of customer service you offer your customers. And, with better customer service the rates of customer retention is likely to increase!

So, why do so many organisations still not have a CRM system in place?

Many believe it is expensive, not true. Others say it is time consuming, also not true. And some, just don’t like change. The fact of the matter is, if you don’t change to meet the needs of your customers you will lose out to your competitors.

Find out more about effective CRM software.

Get more from ACT! | ACT! Training

2011-09-21T16:43:00.002+01:00

So you are an organisation that utilises Sage ACT! Software for your contact management, but are you getting the most from this small but mighty CRM solution?

Implementing Sage ACT! is the easy part. How is it used and how to make the most of it, is a different matter entirely.

Sage ACT! Training is often over looked by many businesses, regarded as an unnecessary expenditure but the reality is quite the contrary. Sage ACT! CRM can be complex to use, especially for those who are not familiar with the basic concept of CRM and the importance of CRM administration, or for those who have used other CRM solutions in the past. ACT! Training can eliminate many problems and ensure that your system will be used efficiently and effectively.

Find out more about how Sage ACT! Training can benefit your organisation.

Microsoft CRM On-premises or on-demand CRM?

2011-09-14T13:34:00.000+01:00

Microsoft Dynamics CRM is an endlessly flexible solution, offering users choice of deployment and endless customisation opportunities. However, with so many choices which Microsoft CRM option do you chose?

Advantages of Microsoft CRM On-Premise–

Microsoft CRM On-Premise means there is a one-off capital spend on installation equipment and setup, with a small annual fee for Microsoft CRM Support services
Greater ability to customise your Microsoft CRM system for your specific needs – on-demand CRM systems may restrict some customisation requirements
Retain full ownership, management and control of your Microsoft CRM system

Advantages of Microsoft CRM SaaS (On-Demand) –

Microsoft CRM On-Demand means low start-up costs with no need for capital spend on expensive equipment
Get up and running quickly with Microsoft CRM with short implementation times
Microsoft CRM On-Demand provides a predictable cost structure with no hidden costs
With Microsoft CRM On-Demand you are able to focus on core business activities rather than spend valuable resources on IT infrastructure

Find out more about Microsoft CRM On-Premise and Microsoft CRM On-Demand.

Sage ACT! 2012 | Universal Search

2011-09-07T12:57:00.001+01:00

Despite its multiple strengths, a much-noted flaw of previous Sage ACT! releases has been their inability to perform expansive searches for information. This shortfall has meant users had to spend considerable time searching through individual attachments and contact files to find the information they needed. In reaction to this user feedback, Sage ACT! now includes an expansive, new Universal Search feature.

Benefits of the Sage ACT! 2012 Universal Search feature include;

Save time performing searches -30% quicker search times, when compared with previous versions
Ability to search through Sage ACT! attachments including PDF, Excel and Word documents
Use filters to narrow searches, including date range, database area and file types

To find out more about the new features in Sage ACT! 2012.

ACT! 2012

2011-08-31T14:26:00.002+01:00

The latest realease of Sage ACT, ACT! 2012, due out 1st September 2011 is set to boast several new features and even better functionality than any previous ACT! packages. As one of the most popular CRM packages, it is expected that ACT! 2012 will exceed all expectations with a range of innovative new features to add to the already impressive portfolio.

New and improved features of ACT! 2012 include –

The ACT! Scratchpad, ‘virtual notepad’
The expansive new universal search tool
Seamless integration with Google applications including Google Mail, Google Contacts and Google Calendars
ACT! Connect, the refreshed Sage ACT! Mobile service

Find out more about the Sage ACT! 2012 release.

Microsoft CRM helps user adoption

2011-08-25T09:34:00.003+01:00

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software has been around for some time and most organisations appreciate the benefits that CRM can provide. However, following implementation the benefits promised are often not a reality. This is because CRM is only as good as the data entered and the real problem is not implementation, but in fact user adoption.

Getting your sales team to use a CRM system productively can be a chore, and sales databases can become out-dated and unproductive tools when they’re not updated regularly. Microsoft Dynamics CRM has been designed to encourage your sales force to actively engage with the system, and to revamp their view of how CRM can work for them.

How CRM can work for your sales team -

• A fully customisable interface creates a user friendly platform that your sales team can access quickly and easily without wading through unnecessary information
• Microsoft Dynamics CRM is fully functional with a range of mobile devices, so your real time updates to customer information cuts out the need for downtime at the end of a busy day
• A more efficient and stream-lined application with quick accessibility, allowing your sales force to deliver top quality service quicker than before

Find out more about how Microsoft CRM can help your sales team acheive real results.

Need flexible CRM? Need Sage CRM!

2011-08-18T09:29:00.001+01:00

As time goes on there is a notable trend for business solutions moving to the web environment. And by choosing Sage CRM as your customer relationship management solution you can benefit from a web based solution that can be hosted on-premise or by a Sage Partner. What’s’ more, as your business requirements change you can change you deployment model to suit. It’s a win win situation.

Sage CRM features and benefits:

Sage CRM is fast and flexible to deploy so you can be up and running in no time and start seeing the return on your CRM investment
Sage CRM is device and location independent, meaning your Sage CRM database can be accessed from any location via a web browser
Sage CRM is part of the Sage 200 Suite which provides a fully integrated business management solution from sale and marketing through to finance and customer service
Sage CRM can be customised to meet the individual needs and processes of your organisation

Find out more about Sage CRM.

CRM Software – A necessity not a nice to have

2011-08-10T14:48:00.001+01:00

It is surprising the amount of large organisations we come across that do not have a CRM solution in place; instead utilising inefficient Excel spreadsheets, Outlook and paper based systems to manage sales and customer service operations.

By implementing, even the most basic, CRM system organisations can:

Increase efficiency- utilise resources more effectively for enhanced productivity and performance

Gain Traceability- CRM software provides the ability to identify who is where and at what time

Improved collaboration- everyone shares information and therefore response times to customer enquiries is increased

Remove data silos- a CRM system is a tool that can be utilised by all business functions, not just Sales and Marketing, removing the need for disparate

Once a CRM system is in place the benefits are seemingly endless with the ability to integrate ERP Solutions, e-marketing systems and telephony infrastructures.

Find out how CRM can enhance your business potential and competitive advantage - http://www.dmcsoftware.co.uk/CRMSolutions/

Why Microsoft CRM continues to grow...

2011-08-04T10:57:00.003+01:00

Microsoft CRM is one of the newest CRM product on the market, however it is growing at a rate of knots rivalling some of the most established CRM vendors.

So what is it that makes Microsoft CRM so attractive?

Choice of deployment options, with Microsoft CRM you can choose from cloud or on-premise deployment and even partner hosted. Whatever your business needs there is a Microsoft solution for you.
Familiar look and feel, Microsoft CRM has a look and feel that is familiar and now incorporates the contextual ribbon making the user experience natural
Seamless integration with Outlook enables optimum efficiency when communicating with customers and prospects by email
Comprehensive CRM functionality that enables your workforce to increase productivity and maximise business success

Find out more about Microsoft CRM.

CRM and the Financial Sector - Improving your outlook

2011-08-01T11:32:00.002+01:00

Effective implementation of customer relationship management solutions in a financial services organisation can greatly improve the performance and in turn profitability.

Whether your niche is banking, financial advising or financial administration, the right CRM solution can delivers a range of benefits to help you maximise revenue whilst minimising internal cost.

Streamline internal processes
Enhance customer service
Maximise up-sell and cross-sell opportunities

SalesLogix CRM is a world-class CRM system that enables users to access multiple channels of information on customers, from multiple functional departments, to form a 360 degree view. This information makes them better equipped to deliver a more individual service, driving up customer service levels and retaining your customers’ loyalty year on year, therefore increasing your yearly revenue.

Find out more about how Sage SalesLogix can deliver the perfect CRM for financial sector needs.

Sage CRM E-marketing – Add an Extra Dimension

2011-07-18T11:53:00.002+01:00

E-marketing means business of all sizes and sectors can now produce effective, efficient marketing campaigns without the cost burden of traditional direct mail.

Sage CRM, award winning web based CRM solution, now incorporates Sage CRM E-Marketing a user-friendly, time efficient and highly rewarding E-marketing solution. Powered by Swiftpage, Sage CRM E-marketing allows you to not only produce professional marketing campaigns, but to track and analyse each campaign, ensuring maximum ROI for your business.

Ready-to-use email templates, Sage E-marketing allows you to modify and personalise your emails campaigns
‘drip’ marketing features ensure your marketing campaigns are sent out at specific times to specific audiences ensuring opportunities are not missed
Track exactly what’s happening to your emails, who opened what and who clicked on what and when
Observe campaign responses and identify how to improve e-marketing campaigns

What’s more, Sage CRM and the new Sage CRM e-marketing component enables CRM users to see e-marketing responses within Sage CRM proving an extra dimension to customer data held. By knowing more about your customer you can shape your offering more effectively to meet their needs and in turn increase customer retention and sales revenue.

Find out more about Sage CRM E-Marketing.

Sage ACT! – Customer Relations in Small Business Needn’t Be Taxing

2011-07-14T13:07:00.003+01:00

In a small business, time is of the essence, perhaps even more so than in larger companies. With a small work force and a demanding client base you need a customer realtionship management solution that can enhance productivity and performance.

Sage ACT! is the #1 customer management package, supported by 2.8 million satisfied users across the globe. With its easy to use interface and requirement of minimal technical knowledge, Sage ACT! really is the choice of the business savvy professional. Sage ACT! enables you to work faster and more productively so you can focus on other critical business issues.

And, whilst you cannot be at your desk 24/7, you can manage your business using Sage ACT! mobile solutions. Sage ACT! Mobile allows you to access financial reports, customer reports and database information whilst you’re on the move, giving you the peace of mind that your finger is on the pulse even when you’re not there.

Find out more about Sage ACT!.

CRM Software - What's it all about?

2011-07-11T11:15:00.002+01:00

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is a phrase we are all familiar with, but what does it actually mean. Fundamentally, CRM is the management of customer relationships and CRM Software is business applications that facilitate the effective management of customer relationships, improving customer retention and loyalty, and enabling improved sales conversion rates.

Choosing the right CRM solution can be the difference between success and failure... So what do we need to look out for when buying a new CRM system or replacing an old one?

All CRM solutions are different, so when looking for new CRM software you need to list functionality that your business needs and ensure the CRM systems that make it to your shortlist can deliver each item.
Mobile technology is becoming a large part of our lives, both personally and in business, so when you are looking for a CRM system ensure that it has mobile CRM capabilities - with Mobile CRM your field staff can access up to the minute customer data, anytime and anywhere.
Increasingly businesses are moving away from disparate departmental data silos. Consider CRM and Accounts Software integration capabilities and the business benefits they provide.

Find out more about choosing the right CRM solution.

SalesLogix v7.5.4 - Out Now

2011-07-07T13:46:00.002+01:00

SalesLogix v7.5.4 is the latest version of the hugely successful Sage SalesLogix customer relationship management (CRM) solution.

The latest release of SalesLogix, SalesLogix v7.5.4 is the ideal CRM solution for mid-market organisations and delivers greater functionality with the updated Web Client and Mobile Client providing up-to-date information any time anywhere and on any device, including Android, Blackberry, iPhone and iPad.

SalesLogix v7.5.4 includes the ultimate in user-friendly interfaces, ensuring optimum user productivity. And, the new Duplicate Checker ensures your organisations most valuable asset, your data, is clean and can be utilised to maximum effect.

Find out more about what SalesLogix and SalesLogix v7.5.4 can offer your organisation.

Sage 200 CRM

2011-06-29T10:47:00.003+01:00

Integrating business solutions is becoming a high priority for businesses looking to improve organisational efficiency. In line with this trend many business software vendors are shaping their offerings to reflect this, for example The Sage 200 Suite.

The Sage 200 Suite is centred around 3 core functions Sage 200 Financials, Sage 200 CRM and Sage 200 Business Intelligence. Each of the Sage 200 core modules integrates seamlessly to provide users with up-to-the-minute information from across the entire organisation.

Sage 200 CRM, uses the award winning Sage CRM software to provide users with fully functioning CRM solution that works with financial data to provide a 360 degree view of organisational data allowing users to collaborate more effectively to deliver high levels of customer service efficiently.

Find out more about Sage 200 and Sage 200 CRM.

Mobile CRM

2011-06-15T11:35:00.003+01:00

Since Customer Relationship Management software (CRM) was introduced it has evolved beyond recognition. And, according to Gartner CRM remains the hottest software market around and they have predicted CRM spending is to increase more than any other area of application software this year, according to a recent survey.

The modern business is ever more concerned with promoting customer retention and delivering a good customer experience, and therefore there is increasing interested in technologies that encourage development of customer relationships. And the CRM is transforming to meet increasing demands for accessibility and usability.

One of the latest trends is Mobile CRM - which allow users to remain connected regardless of their location, which is ideal for fields sales staff and management when out and about. So, what are the latest Mobile apps on the market at the moment?

ACT! Mobile Live - ACT! is a solution designed for the small business and ACT! Mobile live lends enterprise functionality to smaller organisations. Find out more about ACT! Mobile Live.

SalesLogix Mobile - SalesLogix is more of a mid-market solution and the latest release of SalesLogix Mobile brings iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Android compatibility. Find out more about SalesLogix Mobile.

Microsoft CRM Mobile - Microsoft CRM is one of the newest CRM solutions to hit the market but the broad functionality, deployment options and Mobile application make it one of the more popular. Find out more about Microsoft CRM Mobile.

Enhance your competitive edge with Sage ACT! e-Marketing

2011-06-09T10:19:00.005+01:00

Sage ACT! is an ideal CRM solution for the small business offering big functionality for a small price. Sage ACT! is no longer a basic contact management system and now boasts functionality worthy of a higher price tag.

Internet marketing and email marketing are big business and to remain competitive in the modern world you need to ensure your business embraces technology. Sage ACT! makes it easier for small businesses with small budgets to utilise e-Marketing to enhance organisational performance.

Manage email marketing campaigns successfully
Enhance sales and marketing performance
Enrich customer data

Find out more aboutSage e-Marketing for ACT!

SalesLogix now in the Cloud

2011-06-02T13:05:00.004+01:00

Sage SalesLogix CRM is now available in the cloud! In addition, to the SalesLogix Web, LAN and Mobile Clients Sage SalesLogix is now available to users as a hosted solution removing the cost associated with an on-premise solution.

As always cloud is not always better than on-premise, or vice versa - whether SalesLogix cloud is a better deployment option for your organisation depends on the CRM requirements and the budget available.

Sage SalesLogix Cloud benefits over an on-premise deployment:

Flexible billing options (monthly, quarterly or annually)
Low monthly per user fee
Support and maintenance included in cost
No associated hardware costs

Find out more about SalesLogix CRM and SalesLogix Cloud.

Microsoft CRM 2011 outshines Salesforce.com

2011-05-25T14:21:00.002+01:00

Choosing the right CRM solution is a tough decision for any organisation. However, if your organisation has Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics CRM on the short list the choice has just become that bit easier.

The introduction of Microsoft CRM 2011 has made decisions between Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics CRM much simpler. If your business utilises Microsoft Office applications in the day to day running of the organisation (including Word, Outlook and Excel) then Microsoft CRM 2011 is clearly a more sensible investment.

Why choose Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011?

1. Office Experience – Microsoft Dynamics CRM is a true Outlook application, whereas Salesforce is repealing Outlook features.

2.Inline Analytics – Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 offers Inline Analytics, Salesforce doesn’t have a parallel offering.

3. One-Click Drill Down - CRM 2011 offers One-Click drill down, Salesforce users have to select the chart image, to open the full report and drill down from the report. a new drag and drop capability for end users that is so easy.

4. Value Matters - CRM 2011 Online – $44pupm vs. Salesforce Professional – $65pupm

5. Hidden Costs – Microsoft CRM 2011 online = monthly cost, Salesforce has a monthly cost per user plus additional charges for Data Storage (5GB), Mobile, Knowledge Base and Partner

Finally, the icing on the cake - Need to decrease the number of users? Salesforce does not allow the number of user subscriptions purchased to be decreased during the subscription term.

Find out more about Microsoft CRM 2011 and Microsoft CRM 2011 Online

Source: CRM Software Blog

Sage SalesLogix Workshops

2011-05-18T17:04:00.004+01:00

Sage SalesLogix is a leading CRM Solution that can help sales, marketing and customer service departments achieve more!

Want to see what Sage SalesLogix can offer your business? Find out at Sage SalesLogix Workshops, hosted by leading Sage Business Partner and Sage Circle of Excellence Winners DMC Software.

On 28th and 29th June 2011 DMC Software and Sage will demonstrate what Sage SalesLogix can offer you - including insight from DMC Customers on the customisations utilised for maximum return.

See a live demonstration of the latest SalesLogix release
See the SalesLogix Road Map for the next 12 months
See real examples of how SalesLogix has enabled improved organisational effectiveness

To find out more about the SalesLogix Workshops visit www.dmcsoftware.co.uk/events.

What is SharePoint?

2011-05-11T11:13:00.001+01:00

As technology races ahead it is difficult for organisations to know what to do next. As a blog CRM solutions are our speciality but business need to look beyond the boundaries of CRM software to remain competitive.

Many people have heard of Microsoft SharePoint technology however common misconceptions mean that it is sometimes overlooked by businesses when actually it could be the catalyst for enhanced collaboration, productivity and performance.

Which leads us to the question, what is SharePoint?

SharePoint 2010 goes beyond traditional document management systems and facilitates sharing, collaboration, and searching for information. On top of that SharePoint stretches into the realms of Content Management, Business Intelligence, Communities and Search.

SharePoint is evolving and continues to provide unthinkable solutions to business problems. If you can dream it Microsoft SharePoint can achieve it.

Interested? Find out more about Microsoft SharePoint 2010.

ACT! - Number 1 for the Small Business

2011-05-05T16:19:00.005+01:00

Sage ACT! has maintained the title of number 1 contact and customer manager since 1987, so what is it that makes ACT! so popular?

Well the main attraction is Sage ACT! offers big functionality for a small price tag. In fact, in each new release Sage ACT! seems to get better and better - and now boasts functionality comparable to high end CRM solutions.

What's new in Sage ACT! 2011?

Smart Tasks - create automated workflows and improve user productivity
Business Information Services* - powered by Hoovers, you can import new contact lists directly into ACT
ACT! Mobile Live* - utilise Sage ACT! from your mobile device
Increased Security - benefit from improved security

Find out more about Sage ACT! 2011.

* subscription based service

CRM Considerations

2011-04-15T15:02:00.005+01:00

For organisations looking for a CRM solution there is a broad selection of solutions to meet different needs. So how do you know which one really fits your needs and wants?

5 CRM Software Pitfalls and How to avoid them:

Don't try to run before you can walk - Take a gradual approach to implementing your CRM system and it will evolve naturally to fit the needs of your business. If you roll out a new system with new processes at once you may suffer from low user adoption rates and a system that doesn't work with existing processes.

Pick a solution that fits your needs - With many innovations happening in the world of CRM it is easy to pick a solution that has all the latest features without considering if the functionality available meets your needs. Make sure you write a checklist before starting your search and only shortlist CRM products that tick all the boxes.

Account for mobility - Today it is essential for our salesforce to be informed when away from the office. Without the most up to date information sales people can miss opportunities. Therefore when choosing a CRM solution it is important to consider how it can be accessed by field staff when away from the office. The majority of the population owns a mobile and therefore a CRM solution that is accessible via a mobile handset seems to be a popular choice for the modern organisation.

Broaden your horizons - When looking for a CRM solution remove your blinkers and think big! CRM data on its own is powerful but when combined with financial information can provide a 360 degree view of every contact within your database - now wouldn't that be useful. Consider a solution that allows you to connect to data held elsewhere within the organisation to increase organisational efficiency and improve customer service.

Communicate the benefits - When implementing a new system resistance to change is integral to success. Make sure your workforce understand the individual benefits as well as the organisation benefits that can be achieved. Without appreciation for what a CRM solution can do, employees will not be motivated to make use of it. Remember - a CRM solution is as only as good as the information entered and therefore it is important to ensure that everyone updates the system regularly.

Find out more about CRM.

Sage CRM v7.1 - Out next week

2011-04-06T11:23:00.006+01:00

The new Sage CRM release, Sage CRM v7.1, is due out next week and it is something to get excited about!

Sage CRM is already a powerful web-based CRM solution that is highly customisable and user friendly and with the new release it gets better. Sage CRM is now available for the iPhone and provides Social Media integration.

Sage CRM for iPhone - The iPhone has really taken off and many businesses select it as the handset of choice for their organisation - with this in mind Sage have developed Sage CRM v7.1 to be accessible anytime and anywhere using an iPhone device. Users can access real-time customer information to better manage opportunities, leads and customer service cases while on the move.

Twitter and LinkedIn Integration - Sage CRM incorporates functionality that enables you listen and respond to customer and prospect social media activity, facilitating relationship development.

For more information about Sage CRM v7.1.

Sage 200 Suite Workshops

2011-03-30T11:37:00.005+01:00

A leading Sage Business Partner has announced Sage 200 Workshop dates for May 2011. Find out more here.

I hear you all ask, "what has that got to do with CRM?". The Answer, quite a lot actually!

The Sage 200 Suite centres round a core financial module but also incorporates CRM. The new workshops feature Sage 200 and the forthcoming Sage 200 2011 solution, including the Sage 200 CRM application, offering best practice advise and identifying how Sage 200 CRM can enhance organisational effectiveness when implemented correctly.

Are the Sage 200 Workshops for you?

If you use Sage 200 and want to see how you could use it more effectively, if you are looking for a CRM solution that integrates with an accounts package out of the box or if you are a Sage ACT! and Sage 50 user and are looking for the next, step this event could be for you.

Find out more about the Sage 200 and Sage 200 CRM Workshops.

New SalesLogix Mobile Application

2011-03-17T15:11:00.002Z

This week Sage have released a new version of the SalesLogix Mobile Client which is brilliant in two ways - one, it enables users to access SalesLogix Mobile using iPad, iPhone, Blackberry and Android devices. Two, it is free of charge...

This new Mobile application however is only available to SalesLogix users using SalesLogix v7.5.3 or higher - perfect excuse to upgrade though as the Mobile client offers full-featured Mobile CRM.

New SalesLogix Mobile Features and Benefits:

Rich CRM Functionality

Create, view and edit information
Schedule activities
Log mobile and email interactions

Flexible experience

Customise SalesLogix to meet your needs

Simple to use

Interactive with native device functions e.g. mapping and dialling
Deploy manage and customise centrally

Find out more about the New SalesLogix Mobile.

Sage CRM for iPhone

2011-03-09T13:59:00.002Z

Sage CRM for iPhone v1.1 is to be released as part of Sage CRM v7.1 allowing Sage CRM users to access customer data while on the move. Quite a surprising feature as the other Sage CRM Solutions Mobile Clients are not yet available for iPhone.

As Sage CRM for iPhone forms part of Sage CRM v7.1 it will not be available to end users until April 2011. So, when it arrives what level of functionality can we expect from Sage CRM for iPhone v1.1?

The answer, quite a lot! With Sage CRM for iPhone v1.1 you can:

View real-time customer information
Update contact, opportunities and cases
Add new contacts
View individual dashboards, calendars and communications
View and run Sage CRM reports
‘Click –to-Dial’ functionality directly from Sage CRM records

For more information about Sage CRM v7.1.

Sage CRM v7.1 Launched at TFM&A

2011-03-03T10:44:00.002Z

At TFM&A 2011 Sage launched Sage CRM v7.1, unveiling it for demo to the 1000’s of visitors. Sage CRM offers ease-of-use, ease-of-deployment, ease of integration and now ease of access anytime anywhere- now Sage CRM can be accessed using iPhones.

Sage CRM v7.1 is due for release in the UK on 1st April 2011. So, what can be expected in terms of functionality from th enew edition of Sage CRM?

- Sage CRM iPhone v1.1 – stay up to date and access Sage CRM data from your iPhone anytime and anywhere
- Sage CRM E-Marketing – create and execute professional email marketing campaigns from within Sage CRM
- Interactive Dashboard - manage your business, priorities and key accounts from a single screen and new Sage CRM Report Charts for at-a-glance insight on business performance
- Sage CRM for Twitter – utilise Sage CRM to harness the information shared on Twitter and identify opportunities
- And more...

Find out more about Sage CRM v7.1

SalesLogix LAN Client - Rumours Dispelled

2011-02-23T10:17:00.003Z

There has been much debate amongst the Sage SalesLogix user community in recent times, with users expressing concern that Sage would be withdrawing the LAN Client from the Sage SalesLogix offering due to lack of development in this are in the most recent release.

We can confirm that this is not the case – Sage have released a statement and the SalesLogix LAN Client is very much on the roadmap for development in the forthcoming year!

Sages Windows Statement:

"Sage SalesLogix continues to support a variety of client deployment options including a Web client, Windows client (aka LAN or Network), and a SalesLogix Mobile client. The Windows client, as well as other clients, will continue to be enhanced and updated. There are no current plans to remove the Windows client from the product offering, nor has retirement been announced. Each client option offers a unique and valuable benefit to our customers and continues to receive benefit from improvements to the product through feature enhancements to the client framework and to the underlying platform."

For more information about Sage SalesLogix CRM.

SaaS or not to SaaS, that is the question!

2011-02-17T14:09:00.003Z

The Question: You are looking at implementing a new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and after conducting relevant research you discover there are two options for your CRM deployment - Hosted or On-Premise (SaaS or not to SaaS)... Which one is best?

The Answer: There is no right or wrong answer- each solution is set up to meet different organisational needs.

SaaS:

Low initial outlay, leaving you more cash to play with
No set up time, SaaS is web based so you set up username and password and go
No specialised hardware, again saving the costs of a network infrastructure
No installation, therefore you can save costs of someone setting up your system

On-Premise:

Speed, internet connection can impact on the speed of the application- slow connection means reduced performance
Customisation, not one size fits all and if you want to customise your CRM solution then SaaS deployment will just not do
Integration, on-premise solutions facilitate integration with other back office solutions and more streamlined business processes
Accessibility, with SaaS you can only access your data when you have access to the web unlike an on-premise solution

Find out more about Microsoft CRM and Sage ACT! Deployments.

CRM – What do the Experts predict for 2011?

2011-02-02T13:48:00.002Z

CRM Software has come a long way since it was first established and the solutions that are available are extremely sophisticated, even “standard” solutions boast functionality we would not have dreamed of 10 years ago.

So, with technology rapidly advancing what can we expect to see in 2011?

What does 2011 hold for CRM?

My Customer.com Experts suggest 2 of the key trends to look out for are:

- Mobile CRM – it appears that mobile functionality is key on the customer agenda and therefore other CRM providers will follow the lead of Microsoft CRM Mobile and Sage SalesLogix Mobile
- Social Media / Social CRM – Social CRM continues to grow momentum and we are likely to see more CRM solutions harness the information available from social networks for customer insight

Read full article at http://www.mycustomer.com/topic/customer-intelligence/crm-2011-what-do-experts-say/118243

Sage CRM and Social Media

2011-01-27T15:40:00.002Z

Social Media was a massive buzzword for 2010 and it continues to build momentum as we move further into 2011, with user figures ever increasing. Which begs the question, how effectively is your organisation using Social Media to capture your target audiences?

Many organisations are dipping their toes into the Social Media pool without really understanding their objectives or the desired outcome. Social Media has the potential to increase your market reach and capture audiences that would normally not normally be exposed to your brand.

Social CRM further develops the capabilities of Social Media, harnessing it to enhance customer data held, and as we are all aware “data is king”. Sage CRM v7 has the capacity to manage different Social Media outlets, recording information against relevant Contacts. Current Social CRM capabilities include:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• RSS

As well as Social CRM capabilities Sage CRM has a huge number of business benefits - find out more about Sage CRM.

Microsoft CRM 2011 | Coming Soon

2011-01-19T11:52:00.002Z

Microsoft Dynamics CRM has made an impact on the world of CRM and is the fastest growing CRM solution on the market. So what makes Microsoft CRM so successful... it could be the familiarity of the Microsoft brand which is trusted across the globe, the recognizeable user interface or the level of CRM functionality?

With Microsoft due to release the next version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Microsoft CRM 2011 (5.0), shortly we explore the functionality of the new Microsoft CRM?

What’s New in Microsoft CRM 2011?

New Business Intelligence Feature
Outlook is now “CRM-Aware”
Personaliseable individual workspaces
New Dashboards that display key business acumen

... to name but a few.

Find out more about Microsoft CRM 2011.

CRM | It's not about the selling, it's about collecting the cash

2011-01-12T09:32:00.002Z

Guest Blog: Rob Pope, DMC Software Solutions Ltd

Many organisations deploy CRM to focus on sales methodology, forecasting and opportunity management. CRM applications are often introduced to an organisation as part of a wider project to improve sales productivity, visibility and efficiency. CRM applications are generally marketed around providing three key areas of functionality;

Sales – the management of the sales / order processing traditionally by sales / account managers

Marketing – lead generation and customer retention functionality often viewed as a point solution for the marketing department

Support – complaint / customer service issue management.

Customer support is part of all three components but more sophisticated use of the mechanisms can provide significant added value to a business greatly improving productivity.

This post aims to prompt thought and provide ideas of other avenues available to organisations by widening the scope of the current deployment and making use of functionality, user acceptance and components already in place.

Sage CRM solutions such as Sage CRM and Sage SalesLogix provide ready functionality and components perfectly aligned to credit control and more effective client debt management particularly when combined with integration to Sage accounts applications.

To provide a complete picture of a client the debt and transaction history is a major piece of the jigsaw and is nothing new but the ability then to provide leverage, dynamic grouping and profiling is often overlooked by organisations. In the current climate the ability to be more effective at debt management has risen up the business priority list to improve cash position and reduce business risk due to overdue debt.

The key pieces of CRM functionality to be used are;

Dynamic grouping – the ability to create and refresh groups enable a sausage machine process to run – e.g. show me all the people who bought product a week ago is a different group this week to next and therefore the timing has a significant impact on the message – “please buy more” or “please pay up”. This area of functionality will be investigated further in the next post Integration benefits part 2 Dynamic Groups timing is everything.

Campaigns – the ability to attach a group to a series of messages / activities and monitor the result. Campaign functionality is used in many organisations to generate leads via list purchase or on going customer retention . newsletter campaigns with the create leads being passed to the sales aspect of the organisation to progress via activity management (this is explored in more detail in integration benefits part 3 Activity management – who you gona call? )

Using DMCs integration component to expose finance information to the CRM application enables dynamic groups to be built using finance operands such as paid / overdue / product purchased and then bring to bear the marketing process to provide a workflow activated multi wave campaign to chase debt in the same way the marketing department would generate leads. This could look something this;

Group – Clients account overdue by sales person by region sort biggest debt

Campaign – Debt recovery

Wave 1 – send e-mail mail merged to client

Dear {client}

Your account is overdue {£x} and by {nos of days}. Your account manger {name} will be contacting you shortly to progress.etc

Using standard CRM functionality a follow up call can be scheduled in the activity schedule of the relevant user (account manager) to follow up.

Wave 2 - Wave 2 and further groups would progress in debt recovery but make use of activity management – workflow automatically creating reminders, activates, escalation and improved account interaction (history / current projects) provided by CRM to handle debt recovery more sensitively and efficiently.

A further area of consideration is the deployment or use of existing closed loop e-mail marketing technology provided by DMC to provide insight into the opening and reading of debt control e-mail and to dynamically generate follow up activity / calls based on opening.

Imagine the power of the conversation – “I’ve not received your invoice………….oh but you have because you opened the e-mail it at 9.15 this morning” coupled with the call made to those opening the mails so you know they are in and working – spooky but a short cut to success in the same way as lead generation.

The Real Apprentice

2011-01-06T10:29:00.001Z

DMC Software Solutions, leading Sage and Microsoft CRM specialists, have expanded their team by making a long term investment in apprentice, Jamie Lamb to invigorate their ever growing CRM Software development team.

In the current economic state, increasing university fees and ever increasing unemployment figures it is really important that employers support the apprenticeship scheme as it provides good opportunities for the apprentice, the employer and the economy.

Trainee CRM Software developer, Jamie has already got a lot from his experience as an apprentice within the DMC team and has set up a blog to share with others what he is getting out of this scheme – to find out more about how DMC Software’s latest recruit is visit http://realapprentice.wordpress.com/

Change to SalesLogix 2011 Release

2010-12-21T09:43:00.002Z

Contrary to our last SalesLogix post, SalesLogix 2011 will no longer be released this month. Instead the hot fixes and Office 2010 compatibility, previously set to be included in SalesLogix 2011, will be released as a service pack update for SalesLogix v7.5 This is great news for SalesLogix 7.5 users as they will no longer need to upgrade to access this new functionality.

This functionality is currently available for SalesLogix Web users and the LAN version is due for release this week!

The next version of SalesLogix will be released in the summer of 2011 - watch this space for more information.

Sage SalesLogix 2011

2010-12-16T11:54:00.002Z

Sage have announced the imminent release of Sage SalesLogix 2011 (yes, 2011 - the naming convention has changed with this release to conform with the other Sage Business Solutions).

So, other than a new name what can SalesLogix users expect from the latest release?

In reality, there is not a radical amount of new features - more of what you could expect from a service pack. However, a key feature of this SalesLogix release that will get a number of SalesLogix users excited is the compatibilty with Microsoft Office 2010.

Find out more about Sage SalesLogix and the business benefits it can provide.

Sage ACT! 2011 SP1 Available Now

2010-12-08T11:34:00.001Z

For existing ACT! 2011 users, Sage have just announced the release of Service Pack one for Sage ACT! 2011. The new service pack addresses key issues found within ACT! Pro 2011 and ACT! Premium and also offers enhancements to existing functionality.

How to download and apply ACT! 2011 Service Pack 1

About Sage ACT! 2011

Sage ACT! 2011 makes it easy for you to have meaningful conversations with customers by giving you an organised view of the people you do business with...

- Organise contact information
- Prioritise workloads
- Track sales from lead to sale
- Report on activities
- Integrate with Sage 50 Accounts
- Create and execute E-Marketing Campaigns
- Create workflows for enhanced productivity
- And more...

Find out more about Sage ACT! 2011.

Start the New Year as you mean to go on with Office 365

2010-12-02T10:57:00.003Z

In this week’s blog post, we’re side stepping our usual CRM dialogue to introduce something new, yet equally useful to the modern business – might even help save you a few pounds as well.

Office 365 is due for launch early next year – so, what can we expect from this new offering?

Well, quite a lot really... Microsoft Office 365 places Microsoft business solutions in the cloud, making them accessible to businesses large and small (two versions available one for the small business and one for larger enterprises), providing productivity enhancements and more importantly at a price that is really affordable we can expect to make some cost savings too.

Office 365 provides a suite of Microsoft solutions that provide a cost-effective way to run your business, including:

- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Exchange
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Lync

If you’re interested in finding out more about the Office 365 offering attend DMC’ Cloud Computing Workshop in association with Microsoft, introducing cloud computing and the latest Microsoft offerings.

CRM and ERP, poles apart or peas in a pod?

2010-11-25T10:26:00.000Z

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, derived from Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP), has traditionally taken care of financials, manufacturing, inventory management, project management and purchasing.

However, as ERP solutions evolve Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and sales functionality is being featured more frequently - offering organisations a single system that takes care of every aspect of the business without the need for bolt on applications and complex customisation.

Sage ERP X3 is new to the UK and offers a fully integrated solution including CRM, providing users with a 360 degree view of customers and suppliers from within a single application.

Sage ERP X3 CRM enables:

- Contact management
- Sales force automation
- Marketing campaigns
- Call centres
- And More...

Find out more about Sage ERP X3.

Social CRM – Could your business be more Social

2010-11-19T09:11:00.001Z

There is much debate on whether Social Media is an effective medium for communicating with customers. With some touting it to be the future for business “a fundamental shift in how corporates communicate”. And, others regarding it as the latest fad.

The customer has changed and therefore businesses have to change too. With the customer placing increasing trust in their peers and less trust in suppliers you need to move with the times, or get left behind.

It turns out that Social Media and Social CRM could have a massive impact on the future of your business and could have the power to shape your customer strategy – want to know more?

Find out more about Social CRM with this Social CRM Webcast

Can your business afford not to use Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software?

2010-11-10T09:23:00.001Z

In the modern market place each customer is looking for added value and therefore you cannot afford to lose a lead due to lack of timely follow up! CRM software is essential for the modern business, to ensure that nobody slips through the cracks.

Following up leads is time consuming and therefore it is difficult to decide how to use your time most effectively... do you focus on the high probability prospects and risk losing out on sales from low probability prospects? Do you follow up everyone and lose time that could be spent generating new leads?

By implementing a CRM you can manage your time, and more to the point your prospects, more effectively. Almost all of the latest CRM solutions include workflow automation which ensures that you can communicate with all of your prospects efficiently – keeping you at the forefront of your prospects minds, so that when the sale does arise you are there to capture it and not the competition.

CRM software has many uses, from sales force automation through to customer service functions and marketing.

Find out how a CRM solution can help your organisation prosper.

Sage CRM v7.0

2010-10-28T13:23:00.003+01:00

Sage CRM v7.0 has been available to purchase for a few months. So, now the latest Sage CRM release has been tried and tested what are the true benefits of Sage CRM v7.0?

Sage CRM v7 Benefits:

- Interactive Dashboard allows all activities, tasks and RSS feeds to be managed from a single location, driving productivity throughout an organisation.
- Personalise workspaces save time by presenting information relevant to you and your role in a single screen.
- View feeds from externall websites and integrated ERP solutions.
- Out-of- the-box LinkedIn integration provides instant customer information and networking opportunities.
- New look interface and preference options increase user adoption.

Find out more about Sage CRM.

ACT! 2011 and Sage 50 Integration

2010-10-22T13:47:00.000+01:00

Integration between ACT! and Sage 50 has been available for some time. However, with the new Sdata Integration ACT! 2011 and Sage 50 (2010 upwards) can provide integration without the need for additional licenses.

ACT! 2011 and Sage 50 Integration Benefits:

- See credit terms from ACT! 2011
- See annual and month to date sales for each customer in ACT! 2011
- Identify customers who are “on credit hold” or in excess of credit limit from ACT!
- Import product list from Sage 50 into ACT!
- Make changes in one system only and this will automatically be applied in the other system
- Convert opportunities from ACT! 2011 into Sage 50 Invoices
- No extra licenses required for integration

Find out more about ACT! 2011 and Sage 50

Can Sage CRM Improve you Marketing Strategy?

2010-10-14T09:31:00.000+01:00

The Chartered Institute of Marketing has defined Marketing as "the management process responsible for identifying, anticipating and satisfying customer requirements profitably."

The key message in this definition is satisfying customers. So, can Sage CRM help you improve your marketing strategy, and satisfy more customers?

Sage CRM Marketing Benefits:

- Segment data effectively using dynamic groups
- Launch E-Marketing Campaigns
- Analyse marketing results and create reports
- Create mail merges
- Integrate with Sage 200 for a 360 degree view of the customer
- Manage events

Find out more about how Sage CRM can enhance your Marketing Strategy.

ACT! 2011 Workshops

2010-10-07T10:39:00.001+01:00

Sage ACT! 2011 is the latest version of Sage ACT!. The new release contains some great new features, previously only accessible to large enterprises, including:

- Workflows
- E-Marketing*
- Mobile Application *
- Business Information Services *
- Outlook Integration
- Enhanced Security

Identify ways in which your business can harness these new features to achieve efficiency and growth at the new Sage ACT! 2011 Workshops.

Find out more about Sage ACT! 2011 Workshops

*subscription based

Secrets to CRM Success

2010-09-30T13:40:00.002+01:00

CRM Solutions are implemented in order to improve customer service- happy customers are loyal customers.

They key to CRM Success is developing a CRM Culture within your organisation. CRM is a behaviour as well as technology. Therefore, when you implement a CRM solution within your organisation you need to begin changing behaviours - employees need to understand the importance of CRM and the customer value it can provide.

Find out more considerations for CRM Implementation with the CRM Buyers Guide.

Sage ACT! Mobile Live

2010-09-24T13:59:00.003+01:00

As part of the Sage ACT! release the new Sage ACT! Mobile Live was launched. ACT! Mobile Live is a subscripti0n based services from which ACT! users can access and update contact information via their handheld mobile device.

- Designed specifically for mobile device
- Backed up by an online portal
- Easy setup
- Access to up to date information while away from the office

Find out more about Sage ACT! 2011.

Sage ACT! 2011 – Smart Tasks

2010-09-09T09:35:00.000+01:00

Sage ACT! 2011 was launched on 6th September 2010 – this week I want to take a closer look at one of the latest features ACT! Smart Tasks, which has been touted to “radically transform operations for the small business”.

With ACT! 2011 Smart Tasks you can...

- Automate tasks to enhance workforce productivity
- Streamline processes and increase efficiency
- Maximise all opportunities
- Nurture leads more effectively
- Develop E-Marketing

With Sage ACT! 2011 Smart Tasks you can introduce automated workflows into your business to improve workforce productivity. Find out more about Sage ACT! 2011 can help you to optimise your business’ efficiency.

Sage ACT! 2011 Release

2010-09-03T11:37:00.000+01:00

Today the eagerly anticipated Sage ACT! 2011 was released. So apart from the name change, what can we expect from the latest edition of the world’s best selling contact management system?

Sage ACT! 2011

- NEW ACT! Mobile Live – Access ACT! data from your Mobile
- NEW Smart Tasks - New workflows for ACT! 2011
- Office 2010 – Supports Microsoft Office 2010
- Improved Security - Sage ACT! 2011 gives you more control over customer data and attachments
- Business Information Services – online service to identify and import prospect data directly into ACT!
- Improve Outlook Integration – Sage ACT! Calendar and Contacts now truly synchronise with Outlook

Find out more about Sage ACT! 2011.

Social CRM- How Social are you?

2010-08-24T09:36:00.000+01:00

Social CRM is growing in popularity- with 74% of people a member of an online community or social network. As Social Media takes precedence in our business lives as well as our personal lives we need to identify the value of Social CRM.

What is Social CRM?

“Social CRM is a business strategy designed to engage the customer in a collaborative conversation and provide mutually beneficial value in a trusted & transparent business environment.”

Sage ACT! embraces Social CRM providing users with the tools to utilise information from client social media updates to inform marketing activity and develop more meaningful relationships. Find out more about Sage ACT!

Interested in finding out more about Social CRM? Book now to attend the DMC Social CRM Workshops in September.

Social CRM Workshop- How Social are you?

2010-08-04T16:02:00.000+01:00

Social networking is taking over, with 74% of people a member of an online community or social network. However, social networking is no longer just part of our personal lives; social networking is becoming a key component in business as well.

As a business do you embrace Social Media?

Did you know that information held in social networks can be used inform and improve your businesses marketing activity? Find out how at the DMC Software Social CRM Workshops throughout September.

- Identify what Social Media is, and what it means to your business
- Discover how to develop meaningful customer relationships with Social Media
- Learn tips for Social CRM engagement

Find out more about the DMC Social CRM Workshops.

CRM Trends 2010

2010-07-29T11:54:00.001+01:00

Recent research from Gartner, Forrester and Saugatuck highlights 1% growth in the CRM market in 2009. However, in last year’s 1% growth, the demand for software decreased by 10% with Maintenance and Support balancing the number.

Gartner forecast 5.5% growth in the CRM market for 2010 and CRM trends cited by analysts show that CRM spend for 2010 is fuelled by innovations. Many businesses are looking to stay competitive and are investing in developments to ensure they stay ahead of the competition. Therefore, analysts are seeing CRM purchases in the following areas.

- Business Intelligence
- Web applications
- Social and Digital Marketing
- Mobile Applications

Sage SalesLogix, leading mid-market CRM solution, includes innovations in these areas with the comprehensive SalesLogix Web Client and the new SalesLogix Mobile v5.6.

Find out more about Sage SalesLogix.

‘Smart Tasks’ for improved efficiency

2010-07-22T11:09:00.000+01:00

A few weeks ago we mentioned the forthcoming release of Sage ACT!, due at the end of August. The new Sage ACT! Smart Tasks functionality has been the topic of conversation since Sage announced the new features of the 2011 version, so this week we take a look at what Smart Tasks can mean for your business.

Smart Tasks is a new feature in Sage ACT! 2011 that enables you to set up work flows to automate everyday tasks.

E.G. Log an enquiry from a new prospect, Sage ACT! automatically schedules a follow up email and when that task completed a follow up call is set.

- Improve efficiency
- Increase productivity
- Build Stronger Customer Relationships

Watch this space for more information on Sage ACT!.

Sage CRM – Transforms Workforce Productivity

2010-07-15T16:29:00.000+01:00

“Following the economic crisis of 2009 many businesses have become more vigilant, focusing on reducing costs, streamlining business processes and driving productivity. Sage CRM v7, released March 29th 2010, addresses these topical concerns by providing tools that improve usability and increase workforce productivity.”

Read more from this Sage CRM v7 article.

ACT! 2011- Coming Soon

2010-07-08T10:18:00.002+01:00

We’re approaching that time of year and Sage are preparing for the release of ACT! 2011. Due at the end of August ACT! 2011 offers a host of new features that make ACT! by Sage simpler to use and more intuitive.

New features include:

Workflows – Automate key tasks with ACT! Smart Tasks
Lead Source - Import data and prospect lists from Hoover’s directly into ACT!, fill in gaps in data and generate new lists
Improved Outlook integration – eliminate double entry with two way synchronisation between ACT! 2011 and Outlook Calendar
Improved navigation – including a more robust back button with up to 10 items

For more information about ACT! by Sage watch this space.

Sage CRM - Social CRM

2010-07-01T14:28:00.000+01:00

Social Media seems to be growing and growing – not only used in our personal lives but also in business.

With “34% of bloggers posting opinions about products and brands” it is key for businesses to use this information to better engage with their target audience.

Sage CRM v7 integrates out-of-the-box with LinkedIn®, providing users with instant knowledge about customers and providing users with endless networking opportunities. RSS and website feeds can be also be added via the Interactive Dashboard in Sage CRM v7 enabling users to opt-in to feeds from blogs or websites that are relevant to their role.

Read more at the Sage CRM Community.

Which CRM?

2010-06-24T10:10:00.000+01:00

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software has been a hot topic for business for many years now. But, as time moves forwards the capabilities of CRM are extending which leaves many business owners with the question, which CRM solutions should I choose?

There are many factors to consider when deciding on a CRM solution, including:

- Budget available
- Business needs and objectives
- Existing systems in place
- Resources available, e.g. Hardware

And, these items are just the tip of the iceberg.

If you are considering implementing a CRM solution then it is important that you take time to research. CRM is not just a piece of software but a way of thinking.

To help you in your search download the CRM Buyers Guide.

Going Beyond CRM Solutions

2010-06-17T14:35:00.000+01:00

Here at CRM BlogSpot we focus on all that is new in CRM. However, this week we go beyond CRM as leading Sage Business Partner, DMC Software, introduce a “Making Technology Work for Business” seminar in July.

Recent surveys have highlighted that the 2 main areas of interest for businesses moving forward are Business Intelligence and Mobile Applications. With this in mind, DMC have teamed up with market leaders in these fields to provide an informative seminar.

Areas covered on the day include:

- In-Memory Business Intelligence Technology
- Microsoft SharePoint Technology
- New time saving Mobile Applications and Gadgets

Find out more about the Making Technology Work for Business Seminar.

Secrets for a Successful CRM Implementation

2010-06-10T09:15:00.001+01:00

The key to a successful CRM implementation is user adoption. A CRM solution is only as good as the information entered, and if users do not utilise the application correctly the result could be disastrous.

Sage CRM v7 , the latest version of Sage CRM to be released, incorporates functionality to improve user adoption by making information easy to access.

- Arrange all information relevant to your role in single dashboard
- Manage all activities and tasks from a single location
- Customise the look and feel of the Sage CRM to suit your preferences

With data readily available processes can be streamlined and in turn user productivity is enhanced.

Find out how Sage CRM v7 can enhance your business.

Why your business needs CRM

2010-06-03T14:07:00.000+01:00

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is an essential tool for ALL businesses, including the small business. CRM is becoming increasingly popular as it can improve business efficiency and, more importantly, promote customer loyalty.

With more and more businesses adopting CRM it is important for the small business to make a CRM investment to remain competitive.

Ways in which CRM can benefit you:

- Increase revenue
- Decreased sales cycles
- Improved lead conversion
- Enhanced customer retention

With 1000’s of CRM solutions on the market it is difficult to choose, but a good place to start is ACT! by Sage – with 4 million users worldwide it must be doing something right!

Find out more about ACT! by Sage.

SalesLogix Mobile | Enhancing mobile workforce performance

2010-05-25T14:00:00.000+01:00

When you’re out of the office mobile access to your CRM solution could drastically enhance your performance.

With SalesLogix Mobile, SalesLogix CRM capabilities are extended to your mobile device providing you with rich functionality anytime and anywhere:

- Access customer data including notes and history before going into a meeting
- Complete tasks from the mobile device reducing time spent on administration
- Check prices and place orders while on the road
- Update information directly to the SalesLogix database

Find out more about SalesLogix Mobile.

Get more from ACT!

2010-05-19T12:00:00.000+01:00

ACT! by Sage is the world’s best selling customer relationship management software with over 2.8 million users worldwide. However, many people utilise less than half of ACT!’s functionality, buying ACT! out of the box without investing in specialist ACT! Training.

ACT! Training can be the difference between CRM success and failure. ACT! includes many time saving features that enable business processes to be streamlined and many users miss out on these using ACT! as a contact management system.

ACT! Training will ensure you:

- Understand the functionality available to you
- Streamline business processes with time saving features
- Utilise ACT! to suit your existing processes

Find out more about ACT! Training.

SalesLogix – More than just a sales tool

2010-05-11T10:06:00.000+01:00

Following on from our recent Sage SalesLogix feature, where we have already looked at SalesLogix for marketing and customer services, this week we look at how Sage SalesLogix supports the IT function.

“I’m an IT Manager/Director and I want to...”

• Customise the CRM Solution to Suit the businesses Needs: Sage SalesLogix enables you to tailor it in order to address unique industry and business needs quickly and easily.

• Easily Administer the CRM Solution: Configure and manage Sage SalesLogix Clients, including remote users, with ease using in built administrator tools.

• Secure my Vital Data: Ensure data security on multiple levels so information is only accessible by those who have access to it, giving you peace of mind that your data is well protected.

• Install and Deploy CRM easily: Sage SalesLogix provides you with a comprehensive CRM solution out-of-the-box that’s easy to install- or leverage an experienced partner channel to work with you every step of the way from implementation, support, and training, to advanced customisations.

Find out more about Sage SalesLogix.

Sage CRM v7 – Feature Focus

2010-05-05T10:00:00.000+01:00

The latest version of Sage CRM was released on 29th March 2010. Sage CRM v7 , designed to drive user adoption, promotes enhanced workforce productivity.

Most celebrated feature of Sage CRM is the powerful interactive dashboard, and here’s why:

- Control and action all activities from a single workspace
- Enhanced user experience maximises staff productivity
- Preinstalled role-based dashboards for Sales, Marketing and Service professionals
- Integrates with LinkedIn for powerful networking opportunities
- Single view of relevant information for better informed business decisions

Find out more about Sage CRM v7.

Sage SalesLogix League

2010-04-28T09:33:00.003+01:00

Sage SalesLogix is the leading mid market CRM solution and DMC Software are the leading Sage SalesLogix Business Partner- according to the quarterly Sage (UK) League Tables published at the end of March.

DMC Software, CRM specialists, not only topped the tables for Sage SalesLogix, but also overall demonstrating their durability and strength in what have been “difficult trading conditions.”

Sage SalesLogix is a comprehensive CRM solution that enables organisations to manage and develop more profitable customer relationships by enhancing collaboration and productivity throughout a business. What’s more, Sage SalesLogix has been bought right up to date with Sage SalesLogix Mobile, released in February 2010, which allows users to utilise Sage SalesLogix data anytime and anywhere.

Find out more about Sage SalesLogix CRM.

ACT! SaaS – accessible no matter where you are!

2010-04-21T15:33:00.002+01:00

Chaos broke out across the globe due to the disruption to air travel caused by the Icelandic Volcano. With a huge number of business people stranded abroad the need for contingency plans was highlighted.

However, products “in the cloud” such as ACT! by Sage SaaS allow day to day activities to be carried out regardless of your location.

Benefits of ACT! SaaS:

- Low monthly fee
- Accessed via an internet browser
- Software, hardware, implementation and support included in the monthly fee

Find out more about ACT! SaaS.

Sage SalesLogix more than just a sales tool

2010-04-14T16:28:00.001+01:00

In recent weeks we’ve looked at how Sage SalesLogix is more than just a sales tool. This week we look at how Sage SalesLogix supports the marketing function.

In a marketing role, you’re tasked with executing marketing campaigns that bring in results. Sage SalesLogix provides you with the tools you need to create full-scale, multi-channel marketing campaigns that target your most profitable prospects and customers.

How Sage SalesLogix supports the marketing function:

- Create and execute targeted marketing campaigns - Create and manage targeted, multi-channel campaigns that bring in new leads and generate more sales.
- Manage lease for increased marketing efficiencies - Manage the entire lead process, from import to opportunity conversion, to gauge your marketing effectiveness.
- Organise tasks effectively - time management tools ensure you stay on top of important tasks so efforts can be focused on what matters most- executing your marketing strategies and tactics.

Find out more about Sage SalesLogix.

Social Media and Customer Management

2010-04-08T11:49:00.000+01:00

Social CRM continues to be a hot topic as we move into the second quarter of the year. Social Media integration is fast becoming a common feature in CRM solutions – the latest CRM solution to adopt Social Media functionality is the brand new Sage CRM v7.

Sage CRM v7 was released at the end of March and promises to offer new functionality to boost workforce performance, increase productivity and promote user adoption.

The new Social Media integration within Sage CRM v7 enables a complete view of the customer by allowing users to tap in to social networks for instant knowledge and networking opportunities.

Find out why Social CRM is a fast growing trend and how it can affect customer management by viewing footage from TFM&A Seminar, Social Media – what does it mean for your customer management, presented by David Beard from Sage.

Sage CRM v7 Released

2010-03-29T11:17:00.000+01:00

Sage CRM is an award winning web based CRM solution and the latest version, Sage CRM v7, was released in the UK today.

The new Sage CRM has been designed to enhance organisational productivity, improve user experience and encourage CRM adoption. Sage CRM v7 new features include:

• Interactive Dashboards
• New User Interface, that can be personalised
• Active Directory Import
• Social networking Integration
• Personalised Workspaces

For more information about Sage CRM v7.

Sage SalesLogix – More than just a sales tool

2010-03-25T11:00:00.000Z

It is a common misconception that customer relationship management (CRM) software is just a sales tool. Sage SalesLogix is an award winning CRM solution that supports sales, marketing and customer service functions- and via SalesLogix link 200 can even support the finance department.

SalesLogix Customer Service:

Track the progress of customer service issues-Customer service tickets in SalesLogix are associated to the Account and Contact record enabling users to track issues, past and pending, from initial contact through to the resolution.

Quickly find resolutions to customer issues- In organisations where similar issues occur regularly it is possible to utilise the Sage SalesLogix knowledge base to quickly locate resolutions to specific issues - users can search prior tickets, activities, notes and reference materials to find a solution.

Assess performance- Advanced reporting capabilities within Sage SalesLogix enable managers to capture and analyse customer service metrics and assess both individual and team performance- including call turnaround time, first call resolution percentage, unresolved tickets and issue totals.

Find out more about Sage SalesLogix

Social CRM

2010-03-10T09:30:00.000Z

Social Media is a fast growing phenomenon that is no longer used by individuals, but as a tool by businesses to manage their reputation, engage clients and prospects and establish a brand.

In line with the growth of Social Media ACT! by Sage 2010 was designed to integrate with Social Media, enabling users to track social activity of their contacts and use the information to develop more meaningful customer relationships.

ACT! 2010 Social CRM Benefits include:

• View contact social media streams from within ACT! 2010
• Collate information about your customers and prospects quickly
• Create more accurate customer profiles
• See the complete picture when dealing with a customer or prospect

Find out more about Social CRM.

CRM Software- Only as good as the data entered!

2010-03-04T10:55:00.001Z

It is a well known fact that CRM solutions are only as good as the data entered- the better the data held, the better the return on the CRM investment.

The benefits of CRM, for example productivity, can be cancelled out due to inaccurate or in complete data. Therefore, it is key for organisations utilising CRM to ensure that each end user has had sufficient CRM training to ensure that the CRM solution can be utilised to maximum effect.

For more information about CRM Training.

‘CRM on the Move’

2010-02-24T11:08:00.002Z

This year’s TFM&A Exhibition took place on 23rd and 24th February 2010. “TFM&A is the UK’s only integrated marketing event that delivers the latest industry insights, trends and developments."

This year Mobile CRM has been highlighted as a big trend with many businesses looking to optimise the performance of the mobile workforce. At the TFM&A this year Sage (UK) championed Mobile CRM with a seminar that focused on the key considerations when choosing a Mobile CRM solution.

Currently, Sage offer SalesLogix CRM as a mobile application with the Sage 200 Suite Mobile application due to be launched later this year. SalesLogix Mobile was relaunched earlier this month offering a host of benefits including:

- Enhanced efficiency
- Improved customer service
- Improved customer satisfaction

Find out more about SalesLogix Mobile CRM.

Integrated systems boost organisational efficiency

2010-02-18T09:24:00.001Z

A key theme predicted in business software for 2010 is integration. Integration is crucial to businesses looking to improve organisational efficiency and in turn customer service.

DMC Software, leading Sage Business Partner, have used their knowledge of Microsoft SharePoint and Sage solutions expertise to help organisations better leverage their business data. This unique offering is being showcased in London on 3rd March 2010- click for more information on the DMC SharePoint Event.

Microsoft SharePoint is a business solution that enables organisations to share information and consolidate data. Efficiency and productivity can be enhanced with SharePoint as it brings all corporate information, documents and data into one area allowing users to make better informed decisions in the context of the entire business and not just a single department.

Swiftpage | Cost Effective E-Marketing

2010-02-11T09:52:00.002Z

Despite the UK moving into recovery it is still important that businesses remain vigilant. Marketing is usually the first department to take a hit- however with on demand e-marketing packages such as Swiftpage professional marketing campaigns can be executed without the associated costs.

Swiftpage offers integration with a number of CRM solutions e.g. Swiftpage for ACT! by Sage, SalesLogix, Sage CRM and Microsoft solutions including Outlook and Excel.

- Connect with clients, prospects and suppliers regularly
- Generate quality leads
- Qualify leads generated
- Plan and execute marketing communication sequences automatically

For more information about Swiftpage.

TFM&A 2010

2010-02-04T10:24:00.001Z

The CRM industry is ever changing and the TFM&A exhibition provides an opportunity to view the latest trends and developments.

The TFM&A Exhibition takes place on 23rd and 24th February 2010 and this year keynote sessions and seminars are available to those who attend highlighting key trends. This year Sage is occupying two slots in CRM Theatre, discussing Social CRM and CRM on the Move.

Mobile CRM is due to grow in popularity throughout 2010 as businesses look to improve workforce efficiancy. In line with this trend Sage are due to launch SalesLogix Mobile v5.6 on 15th February 2010.

For the latest version of SalesLogix Mobile, Sage recruited expertise from Blackberry to aid the design of the design and functionality. SalesLogix Mobile now delivers a full working version of SalesLogix onto any Blackberry or Windows Mobile device.

For more information about the TFM&A Exhibition.

Tools to enable the SME to cust costs

2010-01-28T11:32:00.000Z

For the small business it is key to monitor operational costs in order to maintain healthy profits. The best way for the SME to do this is by investing in low cost, cutting edge technologies.

Throughout 2010 one key product to hit the market was ensuring a reduced operating cost was Software-as-a-Service.

ACT! SaaS is a product that offers the full functionality of ACT! by Sage CRM at a fraction of the costs:

- No intial outlay for licenses and hardware
- Low cost monthly fees enable efficient budgeting
- Technical support included in the cost

Find out more about ACT! SaaS.

Microsoft CRM- To host or not to host?

2010-01-21T09:10:00.003Z

Software-as-a-Service was a key trend for 2009 which reflected the effects of the economic crisis. However, as the UK moves into recovery which is the better investment Microsoft CRM SaaS or On Premise Microsoft CRM?

Microsoft CRM SaaS Benefits:

• Quick and cheap to deploy
• Predictable cost structure
• Reduced costs for equipment and hardware

On Premise Microsoft CRM benefits:

• Total ownership of the Microsoft CRM Solution
• Increased development and customisation potential for specialist applications
• Seamless integration with Microsoft Server infrastructure

When choosing between Microsoft CRM SaaS and On Premise solutions the deciding factors will be within the aims, objectives and requirements for the CRM project or indeed the size and structure of an organisation.

For more information about Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

Sage ACT! 2010-Social Media

2010-01-14T10:46:00.000Z

Sage ACT! 2010 was released last year incorporating new features such as E-marketing and social media that bought ACT! up to date.

The Sage ACT! 2010 social media feature means that a contacts social media activity stream is visible from ACT!. Sage ACT! 2010 users can view updates from Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and have the opportunity to subscribe to Blogs.

The social media data within Sage ACT! 2010 can complete the picture when dealing with clients and prospects and, when utilised effectively, may even work towards improving customer relationships.

Find out more about Sage ACT! 2010.

Trends for 2010

2010-01-07T10:37:00.002Z

The economic crisis clearly affected buying behaviours in 2009. And, moving forward into 2010 many businesses are looking to get more for their money.

Many businesses are starting to look at integrating their Accounts and CRM solutions to gain greater efficiency, while others look at Business Intelligence products to provide them with additional foresight.

The Sage 200 Suite:

The Sage 200 Suite combines Sage 200 Accounts with Sage CRM and Business Intelligence to enable users to operate to maximum efficiency. By combining front and back office solutions businesses can save time and improve productivity across departments. Sage 200 Suite benefits include:

Remove the need to re-key data
Improve internal communications
Enhance customer service
Quicker response times to customer requests
Increase efficiency

For more information about the Sage 200 Suite.

SalesLogix Mobile Launch Events

2009-12-24T10:02:00.001Z

SalesLogix Mobile enables mobile workforces to utilise SalesLogix functionality while out on the road. SalesLogix Mobile offers many proven benefits, including:

- Enhanced efficiency
- Improved customer service
- Improved customer satisfaction

Sage are scheduled to relaunch SalesLogix Mobile in February 2010, however ahead of the official launch, DMC Software, award winning Sage Business Partner are hosting events offering delegates a sneak preview.

Find out more about SalesLogix Mobile Events.

SMS for SalesLogix

2009-12-17T10:08:00.003Z

Text Message your customers via SalesLogix CRM.

A unique application has come onto the marketplace that enables SalesLogix users to send text messages via the SalesLogix application.

SMS for SalesLogix allows messages to be sent to individuals or groups in SalesLogix, and records the text within the Notes/History tab.

Exclusive features to SMS for SalesLogix:

· Unlimited number of characters within each message
· Quick and Easy to deploy
· SMS messages recorded within Notes/Histor tab

Find out more about SMS for SalesLogix.

Sage CRM- not just a sales tool

2009-12-10T09:37:00.000Z

Sage CRM is a flexible solution to CRM, accessible anytime and anywhere from a web browser. As a business grows and changes Sage CRM can adjust to suit as it is scalable and has a range of deployment options.

The main misconception in a number of businesses is that CRM is a sales tool, however Sage CRM caters for multiple departments enabling businesses to improve efficiency across a business, including:

· Sales
· Marketing
· Customer Service
· IT
· Finance (through integration with Sage 200 Suite)

For more information about Sage CRM.

SalesLogix Awards

2009-12-03T10:06:00.000Z

Sage SalesLogix is a comprehensive CRM solution and to get the most from it users need to ensure they have selected the best SalesLogix Business Partner to guide them through consultative stages, implementation as well as training and development.

Choosing a SalesLogix Business Partner

Each year Sage hosts an awards ceremony where they award there most skilled Business Partners with awards. And, when choosing a business partner for SalesLogix CRM it is important to keep these accolades in mind- most importantly Sage SalesLogix Business Partner of the Year. Other qualities might include:

· Customer service driven
· Offer full SalesLogix services, from implementation to support
· Good SalesLogix development credentials

For more information about SalesLogix CRM.

SalesLogix provides the tools for recovery

2009-11-26T16:30:00.000Z

The turbulent economic climate has challenged many businesses and for many, CRM has been the difference between sinking and swimming. As the green shoots of recovery begin to appear we look at how SalesLogix CRM can support recovery.

Sage SalesLogix CRM is the worlds leading CRM solution that provides the tools to acquire and retain clients. SalesLogix CRM supports an entire business in making more profitable business relationships, with three modules for sales, marketing and customer service functions.

· Facilitates strong customer relationships
· Streamlines business processes
· Enhances productivity
· Provides a clear ROI

For more information about SalesLogix CRM.

Software-as-a-Service

2009-11-19T09:18:00.001Z

In the media we are hearing that the green shoots of recovery are starting to emerge. However, many businesses are still cautious where spending is concerned and many are turning to Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) to get more for their money.

ACT! SaaS is a pay as you go CRM solution with no initial outlay for licenses and software which ensures its users see a faster return on their CRM investment. ACT! by Sage is hugely popular in the SME arena and with ACT! SaaS it is even more cost effective.

· Full CRM functionality
· Technical support included in cost
· Reduced IT resources, in terms of staff and equipment
· Rapidly deployed
· Scalable
· High level of security
· Manageable payments

For more information on ACT! SaaS.