We Blog CRM

Sage CRM Solutions, vendor extraordinaire of Sage SalesLogix, has partnered up with Net@Work to produce a CRM lovechild for mobile users. The OnTheGo mobile CRM app is available on both iPhone and Android devices.

Sage’s CRM platform has a protocol that enables easy data sharing, thereby facilitating the creation of OnTheGo. “Sage SalesLogix Cloud doesn’t force us into a specific deployment method, nor does it restrict us only to specific aspects of its technology,” said CRM practice director, Danny Estrada.

OnTheGo mobile users for SalesLogix will be able to access real time CRM information from customer and prospective customer databases from their mobile devices. The OnTheGo app can be downloaded directly from the Apple or Android App Market, with a free trial available for skeptics. The OnTheGo CRM app will soon be available for the Blackberry and Windows Mobile phones as well.
“We built Sage SalesLogix to be extensibe and it’s great to see this new mobile application from Net@Work leverage the flexibility of our SData architecture,” said senior VP for Sage CRM Solutions, Larry Ritter.

Demand for OnTheGo is steadily increasing in other segments and industries as well, including: healthcare, financial services and media. The mobile CRM application is popular because it is easy-to-use and extremely efficient, due to its anywhere, anytime accessibility.

Net@Work and Sage plan on building their partnership by extending the OnTheGo platform. We expect to see great things foster from the Sage and Net@Work partnership.

“The Sage method of data sharing provides nearly unlimited opportunities to extend the value of Sage SalesLogix, and the OnTheGo application is a great mobile example,” said Sage CRM partner, Sam BIardo.

SAP recently released a customer relationship management (CRM) sales data iPhone application so iPhone users can access their CRM data on the go. SAP, a business management software provider, recently acquired Sybase, a business intelligence analytics software provider. Sybase and SAP worked together to develop the latest iPhone app entitled the Sybase Mobile Sales & Workflow application.

Sybase wanted to take iPhone user needs into account while keeping security as a priority. Bryan Whitmarsh, the Senior Product Manager in the Mobile Enterprise Solutions Division of Sybase, said, “We all love our iPhones because of the apps and how easy they are to use, so we didn’t want the user experience to be degraded just to secure the device.”

Before fixing the usability of the application, Sybase developers focused on secure segregation. The application was secured separately from the actual iPhone to ensure that no important sales or customer data could be compromised. Also, the Sybase app requires a password.

iPhone Screenshot of SAP Sybase Mobile Sales & Workflow App

The Sybase for SAP CRM application has a variety of features that are essential for sales professionals when they are away from their office. There is a day planner with a detailed schedule of meetings or activities in addition to relevant contact information. For example, if a business user is meeting with a colleague, the colleague’s contact information will come up on the schedule just in case the iPhone user is running late or needs to reschedule.

One of the most important features of the Sybase iPhone app is the analytics and reporting capability. Whitmarsh said, “This capability is huge. WE can create custom reports from the device if the user wants, or use some of our canner filters.” There are several filters, including top opportunities or the pipeline. The iPhone app is also customizable, as users can add different reports by exporting or importing information from the SAP system. Whitmarsh went on to say, “This kind of capability is very important to our users. The more they know about their business, the better off they are, of course. This way, they are always connected to what is happening.”

Another essential feature of the Sybase Mobile Sales iPhone app is its integration functionality. Using SAP’s Netweaver technology, the mobile application will integrate information on the iPhone device and on the main SAP system. This way, when something new is entered into the system it is instantly synced to the phone or main system.

The release of the SAP Sybase Mobile Sales & Workflow application is significant because it addresses the modernization of the workplace, as most business professionals are frequently on the go. This app will be very useful to users who need to access CRM, sales or workflow information when they are away from their desks. SAP ensures that using the mobile app is an easy and secure process. The iPhone app is free on the Apple App Store, with a SAP account.

Very soon, Zoho will take its BlackBerry CRM app out of private beta and make it publicly available, says Zoho evangelist Raju Vegesna. An iPhone app will also follow within the coming weeks.

In the near future, Zoho plans to develop more in the way of mobile business software. The company plans to update its mobile CRM applications with features such as a GPS locator (say, for finding nearby contacts) and camera integration. However, in this first generation release, Zoho wanted to focus on core mobile CRM functionality.

This BlackBerry CRM app offers users the standard, though mobile-oriented, functionality offered in the online Zoho suite. Users can view, create, edit, and search across six modules: leads, contacts, accounts, potentials, task management, and events.

The search function is particularly useful, says Vegesna. Users can search for any records from their online account via the mobile app.

The mobile CRM app automatically syncs contact information between the device and the online application. Users can work with the mobile app even if the device is offline by storing CRM records locally. Whatever modifications or additions made offline are synced with online records when a network connection is restored.

However, as a brand-new release, the BlackBerry CRM is limited and incomplete. Only the thirty most recent records in each module are retrieved and stored in the device when the user logs in. New records are added every time the device is synced. Each module can only hold 500 records. There is only an “All View” in the View function, though Zoho says they will add support for other views. Also, there is not yet support for BlackBerry touch screen phones, though Zoho will figure out touch screen mobile support for the release of the iPhone app. The BlackBerry CRM app will be able to support BlackBerry OS 4.2.1 and above, but not the newest update, BlackBerry OS 6.

Customer relationship management (CRM) has become a very important part of the business process.  More and more companies are installing CRM systems to help them find more sales opportunities.  In this modern age, most business executives are frequently on the go.  Mobile CRM applications are increasing in popularity because it allows users to access the CRM system away from their business computer.  Here are five of the best and most popular iPhone CRM mobile applications on the market right now.

1. Salesforce Mobile (FREE)

This CRM iPhone application is free for all Salesforce.com users, but new users can test it out with a 30 day free trial. Get constant access to your Salesforce account with your iPhone and this application. Users can create, edit and delete capabilities on the app because it is completely customizable. There are also filter and search options to find important information quickly. Users can even view dashboards and log meeting details immediately onto their iPhone.

2. SugarCRM Mobile ($9.99)

With a SugarCRM account, you can download this application. SugarCRM iPhone app is customizable as users can configure list and edit views. Easily edit, add or delete records on this app. This is a convenient way to access your SugarCRM account. Easily view customer information and stay up to date on your customer relationship management system.

3. Sales CRM EZ! (Basic: FREE; Pro: $9.99)

This award winning application lets sales managers track sales opportunities on their iPhones. This application produces realistic sales forecasts and current sales pipeline reports. Make sure you meet your deadlines with Sales CRM EZ! for iPhone because the app highlights overdue action and close dates in red. Even view historical sales or outstanding sales opportunities on your phone in addition to comprehensive dashboards.

4. 2Do CRM ($2.99)

This CRM iPhone application is unique because users can make their own CRM system or simply use 2Do’s CRM template. This app will help users organize their business better while collecting important customer information to ensure that the business is maximizing sales opportunities. There are task management, calendar syncing and contact organizing features. There is even a feature that lets users view clients or contacts on a map so meeting up is easier.

5. MS Dynamics CRM ($19.99)

This application requires a Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online account. Users can easily manage contacts or contact related activities with this application. It has syncing, search and attachment abilities. Use the iPhone’s microphone and camera to easily record notes about customers or potential opportunities. All customer information is in one place so it is an easy way to manage customer relationships in an efficient manner.

Last weekend, TenDigits Software, Inc., a mobile Microsoft Dynamics CRM provider, announced the release of MobileAccess 4.7. The mobile CRM application provides access to Microsoft Dynamics CRM from any smart mobile device, including the iPad, iPhone, and iTouch. This newest iteration of the product also provides new mobile features to Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

Mobile CRM is meant to enable employees to collaborate and stay connected without having to stay in the office. Workers can access important client information on the move, which can be helpful for sales meetings or mobile customer support.

The 4.7 release provides expanded mobile device support and enhanced IT management capabilities. “With this release, our vision was to address the demands for broader device platform support while at the same time improving the manageability that organizations need for serious Enterprise-grade deployments,” says Sean Gocher, CEO at TenDigits. “With a new Universal Client technology, we are delivering the promise that any investment into customization, integration, or business rules can be automatically made available to a wide range of smart mobile devices. With a number of Management Control innovations, we are simplifying deployment, support, and maintenance tasks to make it more convenient for IT managers to handle large numbers of user productivity.”

TenDigits focuses on keeping a low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) in order to make its mobile CRM solution accessible to all organizations. “We are inviting prospective customers and partners to see how easy it is to have the best of both – low TCO and high capability,” says Derek Warburton, CP of Sales at TenDigits. “A demonstration is helpful in showing the product depth, and how flexible and adaptable the offering is without needing an expensive and complex IT project.”

TenDigits is a leading mobile CRM solutions provider. The company has won a number of awards for solution deployments to BlackBerry and Windows Mobile smartphones. More information on the company and MobileAccess product can be found at www.tendigits.com or www.accessdynamicsCRM.com.

Salespeople have to stay on the move to make the deal, and now have more freedom than ever to do so. Mobile devices can come with tools to help at every moment of the sales process, from pulling up important lead information from CRM systems to displaying business statistics. Here are four innovative sales applications to step up your sales team.

Proposable.com

Through this website, you can create online sales proposals to send to your clients. Proposal templates can be customized and saved. Because the proposal is delivered online, you can now monitor and analyze much more information about the deal. You can check which client viewed the proposal and for how long. Instantaneous notifications inform you even about which section of the proposal is most seen. This allows you to focus on the right customer in real-time as soon as the potential buyer views or adds a comment to the site.

Packages start at $19 per month and go up to $79 per month, each with a 30 day free trial.

Sybase Mobile Sales

This is a CRM app that allows access to SAP sales data from a mobile at any location. You can receive all SAP alerts or notifications. The app works on iPhones and Windows mobile phones, while a version for Blackberry will be released later this year.

The app is $15 per user per month, or $405 for a perpetual license.

Mimiran Sales Compass

This software organizes and analyzes your business sales statistics. Your sales representatives are provided with all the necessary market information. Selling prices can be optimized among the sales team with the software’s analysis of historical pricing data and competitor’s rates. Sales decisions can be made more quickly and efficiently with Sales Compass Target Pricing; it can dramatically reduce the time needed for back-and-forth deal approvals.

The app costs $99 a month for the first user, and $49 for each additional user.

Salesforce Chatter

Salesforce.com’s customer relations management solution, as released today at Salesforce’s Cloudforce 2010 conference, is now available for Salesforce’s 77,300 customers. The application allows employees to maintain business profiles, make status updates, and collaborate. Client information can also be kept and updated. Indeed, it is Facebook for business. The uses of Chatter may expand further into business needs through the ChatterExchange category of AppExchange, where apps can be downloaded. Some 50 apps are already available, such as FinancialForce Accounting Chatterbox (accounting software), and Cloud Apps Carbon ’10 (helps to find ways to reduce operation costs).

Salesforce Chatter access is free to all existing Salesforce customers. Otherwise, Chatter-only licenses are available for $15 per user per month.

A competitive business in the global market today requires a mobilized workforce. CRM allows for this mobile workforce without excessive investment into technology for each employee. Instead, CRM capitalizes on efficiency. The relevant customer information and company employees are brought together.

CRM brings these major benefits:

All-Access
CRM data should be available to all employees all the time. These CRM applications should accommodate the work employees’ schedules, and thus make the collective workforce more accessible for the customer.

Optimized Productivity
Effective CRM tools allow staff to make changes from mobile devices at any time. Employees should not have to wait or return to the workplace for each update to customer status. On the contrary, using correct CRM applications allows each member of the workforce to utilize any unexpectedly open time to check a customer, review a lead, etc. The inherent flexibility given to the workforce by CRM optimizes the time given to work.

Business Operation Clarity
The doings of a business workforce are made apparent by CRM. Business items and clients can be prioritized. The entire process of customer service can be tracked with each ticket to monitor repetitive issues. Vital business statistics are made accessible at any moment to the workforce, which clarify business operations for each member and each desired contact. This application of CRM is especially helpful during business campaign periods, where staff must be on the move to make the deal.

Work and Personal Life Balance
CRM tools are functions for the workforce, and not the other way around. These applications do not represent an invasion into an employee’s personal life. Rather, they free employees from the office place. The employees can scatter apart into their personal lives, and yet still collaborate on any business developments without being chained to the office. The difference is that CRM does not attach the workforce to a 24-hour work schedule, but makes any time in the day available for them.

Customer Loyalty and Satisfaction
Customer sales are made through having the necessary information at the right moments. CRM connects all members of sales, customer service, and marketing in a network of correct intelligence about the company. Every member is equipped with the right facts and statistics to handle each client. More deals can be readily made with this kind of information mobility.

Android is quickly catching up to its competitors in the Applications arena. Salesforce.com’s has launched a Chatter Developer Challenge, and programmer Jeff Douglas has created a Chatter Android App. The Salesforce.com Chatter application for Android was built on the Force.com platform and uses Force.com Remote Access Applications with 3-legged OAuth for security.

With the Salesforce.com Chatter Android Application, users can:

• Display Chatter NewsFeed
• Update Chatter Status
• Store Chatter NewsFeed in local SQLite database
• Customize a project or object that you are following and view its Chatter Feed
• Store project Chatter Feed in local SQLite database

Jeff Douglas has also posted a video to show the functionality of the Salesforce.com Chatter Application for Android:

Salesforce.com Chatter Android Application

The Android Chatter application uses Google App Engine to tie the application together as a security model. The application uses OAuth to authorize access to Force.com and for access to Chatter feeds the application uses Force.com Remote Access Application.

For more information about the Salesforce.com Chatter Android Application by Jeff Douglas, visit: http://blog.jeffdouglas.com/2010/06/06/salesforce-chatter-for-android/#