Synchronising Outlook private and shared contacts
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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
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
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.
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”
