Tag:
CRM software
Latest Headlines
Latest Headlines
Apple: Getting down to business?
During the past few years, Apple has become the tech world's media darling. And while Apple rumors and speculation run rampant throughout the year, at no time is excitement higher than just before CEO Steve Jobs delivers his keynote at the yearly MacWorld Expo, laying to rest months of rumors and outlining Apple's road-map for the coming year. This year, the anticipation for new products is more …
Salesforce.com to launch customizable web apps
Ever wonder what CRM software will look like in the world of Web 2.0? This might be a good indication of where things are headed: Salesforce.com, which offers online CRM software, is planning to launch a new server infrastructure and programming language called Apex. Using Apex, customers will be able to customize the CRM apps that Salesforce offers--providing the flexibility of software developed in-house in an externally-hosted application. "We think this is going to dramatically …
Hosted CRM vendors need new tack
Sales of hosted CRM software grew 60 percent in 2005, according to AMR Research, but that doesn't mean the software is appropriate for all enterprises. It's not always the cost-saver that it seems, but comparing hosted prices to traditional software pricing models can be complicated. Even when cost savings are realized, customers must weigh a host's ability to minimize downtime with internal IT abilities and priorities. Another vital factor is service-level agreements--system downtime is …
SPOTLIGHT: Salesforce shows bits of Winter '07 release
Salesforce.com announced widespread customization features for the upcoming Salesforce Winter '07 version of its popular CRM software. Customized versions will still be relatively seamless to end users, officials said. Behind-the-scenes tools include support for AJAX, Cisco's computer-telephony portfolio and user interface elements. Article
A look inside Google's custom IT strategy
Google's previously secretive IT operations are becoming more well understood by the general public now that Google itself is getting more comfortable as a publicly-owned company. Its massive data centers are built near efficient electrical sources and include hundreds of thousands of servers built with common parts but assembled to custom specifications. Throw in obscure programming languages, modified Linux kernels, homebrewed Web servers and CRM software, decentralized IT management, …
Oracle buys Sigma Dynamics for analytics tech
Oracle, looking to improve its CRM software with predictive analytics features, acquired the assets of Sigma Dynamics this week. Sigma's software considers business rules and customer input to guide the decision-making process. The software ships in traditional and hosted varieties, which is a convenient fit for Oracle, as is Sigma's modular and standards-based design approach, since Sigma was already a Siebel partner, officials explained. The terms of the sale were not …
How to choose the right CRM integrator
CRM software almost always needs tailoring to a company's specific requirements, so the choice of integrator is as vital as the choice of software itself. Some questions for buyers to consider: can the integration be done by in-house staff? Is the existing IT infrastructure, such as storage and networks, ready for an intensive new app? Does the integrator have experience specific to your CRM selection? How important is the personality mesh?
For more on installing CRM:
- read this CRM Buyer article
CRM customers' top ten unfilled needs
There are plenty of problems with CRM software. A few of the lowlights: lacking integration with marketing plans, having merely bolt-on analytics, poorly designed interfaces, needing bloated servers to function, and lousy internationalization features. And that's only half of the list! (What are the problems with your own CRM system? Is the analyst's list all wrong? Email me ).
For more on CRM's flaws:
- read this CRM Buyer Op-Ed
SPOTLIGHT: Why CRM sucks in its present context
The term "customer relationship management" is often misused, is really inaccurate and reveals vendors' arrogance because most CRM software is pro-seller, not pro-customer, industry analyst James Governor says. Op-Ed
Salesforce.com syncs into big biz with SAP R/3
Salesforce.com, in its constant battle to move up-market, is now introducing middleware for connecting its hosted CRM software with SAP's R/3 resource planning software. The upgrade will be available July 30. That feature works in conjunction with the new Salesforce Summer '06 edition, which is basically version 20 of the software. Also new in this version are call scripting and lead-tracking features, plus regulatory compliance tools.
For more on the upgrade:
- take a look at this IDG News article
