Wednesday, January 27, 2010

CRM system in the Cloud

Sage North America is enhancing its CRM offerings by adding a “cloud computing version of Sage SalesLogix.”[i] Cloud computing programs have recently been recognized as an “infrastructural paradigm shift that is sweeping across the Enterprise IT world.”[ii] Cloud computing is being utilized in order to make the using of resources within a company more efficient, both with time and cost. The program works on “monitoring and increasing automation of resource provisioning” within a company’s databases, improving customer confidentiality.[iii] Cloud computing places all of a company's resources into a cloud, the metaphor used for the Internet. Reuven Cohen, founder and chief technology officer of Enomaly Inc, explains that the “new cloud computing software model is a shift from the traditional single tenant approach to software development to that of a scalable, multi-tenant, multi-platform, multi-network, and global.”[iv] Today’s society places a huge emphasis on the Internet and the services it can provide. Through the Internet, one can reach a global market as well as enter into multiple networks and access a multitude of information on almost anything imaginable. We have access to a wealth of information thanks to the Internet, and cloud computing makes it possible for us to retrieve this surplus of data all from one concentrated place.

The article specifically addresses the fact that many businesses are trying to focus on customer service. Tony Castle, CEO of Castle CRM, explains that the new cloud computing program, along with Castle CRM, is focusing on improving and increasing customer benefits instead of focusing on making things easiest for the companies themselves. However, that is not to say that all company conveniences should be dismissed. In order for a program to work properly, I believe, a company must be able to successfully implement it. If the program disregards the ease of implementation, it will not be profitable. A program that is too difficult to use will not be utilized.

In order to promote Sage SalesLogix, Castle CRM is offering to implement the new cloud computing program at no additional cost when replacing competing CRM systems. This data migration tool allows for companies to upgrade their CRM systems without having to pay out of their pockets for the new technology. Also, Sage SalesLogix provides a CRM program that is easy to implement. Steve Cloud, president of M. Frank Higgins and Co., Inc, a commercial flooring contractor that has applied the Sage SalesLogix version 7.5.2, explains that this program can be executed without numerous amounts of IT personnel and infrastructure.

Cloud computing is changing the technology world by bringing “together all the elements of hardware, software and services in a single package.”[v] This new programming will allow for all business operations to be done online and will eliminate the need for excessive purchases as well as larger labor forces. This is a benefit that M. Frank Higgins and Co. recognized as stated earlier. Cloud computing is still being defined in the technological world but is being recognized for its growing importance.


See Article:

“Castle CRM Developing Cloud Computing Practice Based on Sage SalesLogix,” Marketwire, January 26, 2010, http://sap.sys-con.com/node/1260469 (accessed January 26, 2010).

Endnotes:

[i] Castle CRM Developing Cloud Computing Practice Based on Sage SalesLogix,” Marketwire, January 26, 2010, http://sap.sys-con.com/node/1260469 (accessed January 26, 2010).

[ii] Jeremy Geelan, “Twenty-One Experts Define Cloud Computing,” Cloud Expo, January 24, 2009, http://cloudcomputing.sys-con.com/node/612375, (accessed January 26, 2010).

[iii] Jeremy Geelan, “Twenty-One Experts Define Cloud Computing.”

[iv] Jeremy Geelan, “Twenty-One Experts Define Cloud Computing.”

[v] “Cloud Computing Ushers in a New Business Age,” The Economic Times, January 28, 2010, http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/infotech/ites/Cloud-computing-ushers-in-a-new-business-age/articleshow/5506654.cms (accessed January 27, 2010).

5 comments:

  1. Customer service is an important part of businesses. In order to be successful, businesses need satisfied customers. CRM, an ERP strategy, provides companies with pertinent information that will develop tactics for a successful organization as well as happy customers. A prime example is the Harrah's Entertainment case from class. Through CRM, Harrah's regained its footing in the entertainment industry. Essentially, Harrah's increased knowledge brought about success. I think it is important to have a CRM strategy that is easy to use in order to have the greatest impact. I agree that too much complexity in implementation will defeat the purpose of the system.

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  2. If companies successfully implement the new Sage SalesLogix, the impact could potentially be huge. Since cloud computing is becoming more and more popular, most companies will have to have the program installed within their systems anyway to compete with other companies. This is not the only benefit though. Cloud computing will increase overall customer satisfaction. This will help the revenue of companies. Seeing as the program is not only cost, but time efficient, there would be no reason to not have the Sage SalesLogix. Castle CRM is obviously confident with their product because they are installing the program for free for companies with an existing competitor’s system. I feel this is crucial because of the apprehensiveness that a company may feel when it comes to switching from a program that they may be used to. The efficiency, convenience and installation factors should out way this uncertainty.

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  3. I feel that this new CRM program will help companies to increase their profits, while not having to spend much money to make the shift to the Sage SalesLogix. This program will not be the correct CRM program for all businesses, but for those who have a system that is compatible, there are few reasons to not switch. Besides the time it will take to train employees in the new system, the company will not have to pay for the product to be implemented. I have used a Sage product similar to this in the past and the program was pretty simple and easy to learn. Not having to pay to convert an older outdated system will provide savings for a company that should show up in an increase in profits from happier customers. I think this product should be able to make a large impact on the IT world.

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  4. This new program is in fact crucial to the overall success of Sage North America. With the added benefits of the Sage SalesLogix, such as customer satisfaction, up-to-date technological advances for the company itself, and more effieient usage of time, the company will be able to compete with others in its industry while (hopefully) cutting back on costs. This "cloud" where all crucial information is kept will allow users, both internal and external, to view important aspects of a company with ease rather than frustration and I believe that this benefit is extremely important in the ever-changing, technological era that we live in today.

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  5. CRM systems are extremely beneficial for companies to implement. They help collect and store various information which enables companies to better serve their customers. This new CRM program seems to hold alot of promise for companies. I beieve it will help lead to greater customer satisfaction because of the resources it is going to provide its users. I think it is also very important that Sage SalesLogix focuses on confidentiality in addition to improved efficiency because this will provide customers with a greater sense of security. I agree that it is important to make sure that the companies can implement this system with ease. However, I do not think this is going to be a problem. The fact that CatleCRM is willing to implement the system for free shows its confidence in the product and its willingness to be accomedating to the interested parties. Aditionally, I think companies will also benefit from the fact that this new system doesn't require numerous IT personal to help operate it. As it states in the article Sage SalesLogix is becoming people's choice because companies "can retain our confidential customer data without any IT complexity or extra expense". This new cloud computing sysytem seems to hold alot of promise for the future and I believe it will develop into a very important system for business success.

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