Synchronising Outlook private and shared contacts
If you have any questions about this then let us know by clicking here.
Text ahead with webCRM
webCRM’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system has many functions which we’ll cover on our blog over the coming weeks. Here we focus on the the ability to use SMS to text clients and colleagues from within webCRM.*
Whether it’s part of a marketing campaign, chasing an lead or sending a meeting reminder, texting by SMS is an effective way of contact and it can all be done within webCRM’s web-based system. So no more checking your diary and fumbling on the mobile phone keyboard.
Just think, you’ve had the lead and updated the CRM system. You’ve put that all important meeting with a prospective client in the diary but just to make sure they remember you can set the system to text a reminder.
And it’s not just individual texts. You might have a PR or marketing campaign or even a big event coming up. Connect your campaign so that delegates, clients or prospective delegate get a quick SMS text reminder. You can even send confirmation texts after a sale or enquiry as confirmation. The possibilities are endless but beneficial. Read more
webCRM launches mobile CRM
At webCRM we are thrilled to announce the launch of the new mobile friendly webCRM interface.
Users are now free to access and update their work via their mobile phones – including Apple iPhone and Android devices – as well as tablet PCs and laptops.
Smaller screen sizes are no longer an issue as webCRM has been carefully rendered to fit and offer user access to all the main functions necessary for mobile users to manage their work.
Users can see all their previous notes, download documents, run reports and even send emails. As all this is live, the system is kept up to date provided users have a mobile signal.
“The company’s web-based CRM system is already used widely by clients via laptops, tablet PCs and on the iPad. Now they can access directly on their mobile phones,” explains James Bogue at webCRM UK
webCRM adds company credit and director searches
webCRM Ltd has added a new ‘company and director search’ module to its web-based CRM system, providing users with access to UK business accounts and directors’ searches filed with Companies House.
Users will have the ability to undertake basic searches on potential and existing clients, including risk scores, credit limits, directors shareholdings, accounts, mortgage and charges and County Court Judgements at additional cost. webCRM is using UK Data as the supplier.
“Searches on potential or existing business customers assist companies when making commercial decisions,” said Stephen Todd, director at webCRM.
“The integration of the UK Data database means users can access this information directly from the webCRM system, making the transition between data systems easier. It also enhances the user experience – cutting time between window and screen transitions.”
webCRM users will be able to click on a search option within webCRM before being taken to the UK Data website where their results will be posted. The user can record the information into the CRM system where necessary. Read more
webCRM shortlisted for CRM Idol 2011
webCRM is pleased to announce that it has been shortlisted and entered into the final of CRM Idol 2011.
CRM Idol is a global competition open to CRM system providers. We are just one of 20 companies in Europe to reach the final. There are 32 entrants in the US element of the competition.
This exciting news follows webCRM being placed in the Top 40 CRM systems in a recent global list. And that’s on top of us being given 9/10 in a recent GetApp.com CRM review.
We’d like to thank the clients who provided references to the organisers of CRM Idol 2011 for their time. The next stage in the contest is an interview with a prestigious judging panel and we’ll be undertaking this on the 9th September.
Talk about CRM with webCRM
It’s good to talk, as one UK telecommunications company used to say in its advertising. And here at webCRM we always like talking about CRM systems – so much so that we’ve fully launched a new live chat facility that allows our existing customers and potential clients to interact with us live via the website.
“You might have seen our earlier blog post about this when we launched a trial for it last year. Whether it’s an existing customer wanting to change something on their webCRM system or just needing a bit of advice, or a potential customer who simply wants to understand Customer Relationship Management systems better, we can help either way and answer your questions from the comfort of your PC or Mac. What could be easier?” said James Bogue of webCRM.
“We’ve trialled the system for a few months now to make sure it works as seamlessly as possible and is relevant to the needs of our customers. And so far we’ve had a big thumbs up from those who have used it. We’ve also been very surprised at the uptake from people who want to learn more about CRM and how it can enhance their business’s growth,” he added. Read more
webCRM doubles its customer base
2010 was a very good year for web-based CRM system provider webCRM and its customers.
We launched more new functionality to the CRM system than ever before, with more than 30 minor and more significant enhancements, including an API (enabling webCRM to talk to almost any ERP system) and an integration to Google Maps, enabling a quick overview of where your customers and leads are physically located. And the upgrades haven’t made the system any more complicated - we still maintain our uniqueness as the most easy CRM system to set up and get started with.
2010 also marked a doubling of the webCRM customer base. More than 3000 new users have started using webCRM during 2010, and we have seen a significant increase in the no. of users for each customer.
Google Maps within webCRM
See where your sales leads, contacts and companies are with Google Maps
webCRM now supports Google Maps. Easily launch a location map for individual companies, contacts or display maps with pin locations against reports.
Typical applications include:
- Display a single map for a visit
- Locate customer reference sites in a selected area
- Plan visits to customers and prospects
- Locate more productive postcode for targeted marketing
This is a free service and is included in our core licence subscription. To enable this function go to webCRM Configuration/Main Settings/Features and then enable GPS co-ordinates. To display maps you will need relevant postcodes.
All trial systems automatically include this function.
To request a trial system click Free Trial option on the right.
Software as a service vs Installation
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is becoming the preferred mode for CRM implementations. The hosted CRM model works well given the fact that sales persons are mobile and need to work from any location. Smaller organisations can now quickly implement very capable CRM systems within days without the need for new servers and staff to support their systems. Low cost implementation means they can focus on training and user adoption in the initial phase. This greatly enhances the chance of success and high returns.
Data Integrity
If you are updating data bought from a data supplier, why not protect the integrity of your data by using their unique account/contact numbering system. To ensure the suppliers numbering system is unique for you, ensure you prefix their number with a code for the supplier. For example a record bought from Dun and Brad with number 46879 becomes DB46879.
To handle this you need to create an Integration type custom field under Organisation or Person 1 (if you have a B2C type system). Access this from Configuration/Custom fields and select Organisation or Person 1 (if you have a B2C type system). Scroll to the bottom of the available fields and you’ll find a further 8 fields you can use to integrate your system. Create a field with the rule “Optional” and define as necessary. This field will now be available when you import data from your supplier.
Test this by uploading a sample import file and looking under the Create mode tab in the import function. You will see that your new field is offered as an optional way of identifying update and new records. This field will use the unique number to update existing data and create new records without duplication.
webCRM and The Reluctant Salesman
The Reluctant Salesman training company is now showing webCRM as part of their sales management training courses.
Sales Trainer Terry Mullins explains – “We provide motivational sales management training courses which help our customers sell more profitably. Our course delegates finish their courses with the right tools to sell more, but we realised that many do not have the tools to help organise their time. We evaluated a number of CRM systems and chose webCRM because it’s easy to implement and use.
Every course we run now includes a section on webCRM as a business tool. We are delighted with the feedback we receive.”
Quick search on Customer Account Number
Enable quick search by account number from the main start page by using the Division field to record your customer account number. The Organisation search field on the start page also searches against Division so this is a neat way to create this. Watch out however if you are using your accounting systems account numbers to synchronise data as you will need to use a custom field for this, NOT the Division field.
If in doubt then contact us to discuss. Contact webCRM
Handling Accounting data in your webCRM system
Should you wish to store and update monthly sales figures by customer in webCRM you can use the Products features for this. You can change the Products terminology to Monthly sales and then add the fields you need.
A monthly import from your ERP system will record sales figures for each customer for easy analysis and access by your sales team.
To switch Products on access Configuration/Main settings/Main functions. To add the relevant customer fields access Configuration/Custom fields/Products and create the fields you need.
webCRM Outlook Integration
Why not chose which emails and appointments you want to synchronise with Outlook. You can do this by installing the latest Outlook synchronisation module. You can also select to prompt ask whether you want to save or not.
Once you have installed the module, within Outlook choose Tools/Options/webCRM and select and select “Prompt before synchronising an email”
Help Video – Configure webCRM
The following video provides ideas and help when setting up your webCRM system.
If you are trialing webCRM for the first time you may wish to attend one of our regular evaluation webinars. You can join these online events from your own PC and see how webCRM works in a real business.
To select a webinar date click here.
[kaltura-widget uiconfid="535" entryid="1_o2bz9v91" width="461" height="370" addpermission="" editpermission="" /]
