Did you know that at www.VendorDemo.com, you can watch hundreds of business software webinars and demos for free? You’ll also find documents at the site, including case studies, whitepapers, and brochures from industry leaders.  At VendorDemo, you can browse, share, and rate those videos and documents that help you most.  We’ve dedicated this issue of ERP Buzz to highlighting some of most popular content from the site.  Don’t miss these hot webinars and whitepapers! Read more »

Did you know that at VendorDemo, you can watch hundreds of business software webinars and demos - for FREE? This issue of CRM Buzz is dedicated to highlighting some of the latest and greatest on the site, including webinars and whitepapers from leading CRM vendors.  VendorDemo is a great tool to help you build your short list of software vendors, share your favorite videos, and access white papers to learn more about technology solutions.  But to start, check out these picks to see what others are raving about!
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Today, people, companies, and government are all looking for ways to live and conduct business in an environmentally responsible way.  In tune to this growing trend, business software contributes more than valuable reports to lead a company as well as paperless trail to lead a revolution.  Tim Hines, Vice President of Product Management Consona CRM, has seen his customers save money while achieving a paperless operation delivering real-time data. 

The savings resulting from available business software to technology buyers are clear as more companies strive for paperless operations.  Read more »

iLinc Web conferencing products are widely recognized as powerful tools for more effective virtual communication.  Whether enabling a Web meeting or hosting a virtual classroom, iLinc’s software is known for its reliability, security, and productivity-enhancing features. 

But iLinc, whose customers include HP, Aetna, The U.S. Army, Citigroup, Xerox, and 5 U.S. States, is recognized in the industry for more than the quality of its software: the company is respected in the business software world for its commitment to environmental responsibility and for furthering the growth of a “green environment” in the world of IT technology.  A recipient of the 2008 Frost & Sullivan Green Excellence Award, iLinc offers an innovative “Green Meter” to its customers, enabling them to see the immediate environmental impact that results from their use of iLinc’s “green” technology. Read more »

Where will ERP go next? In a radical artistic move, producer Andrea McIntyre is bringing the most popular enterprise business text of the past six months, Cameron Bidwell’s Best Laid Plans: The ERP Imperative, to an off-Broadway stage with her new musical In the Key of ERP. And if you ask Norah Helms, who plays “the CFO”, the book was just screaming for a musical adaptation:  “This is the Rocky of enterprise business books. I’m not kidding. This book has the exact same plot as Rocky.” Read more »

The future of businesses large and small has suddenly become uncertain. And while most economists, according to CNNMoney.com, don’t believe another depression is likely, this doesn’t change the fact that the financial impact on businesses has already proven to be significant.  Everyone’s purse is getting lighter. 

In light of our current economic situation, what is a company to do?  We want to direct you to articles from business experts who offer advice on surviving the current, dire state of the economy.  Read more »

Small businesses face unique challenges when it comes to acquiring, servicing, and retaining customers.  Budget constraints and limited staff resources can make it difficult for them to compete with their larger counterparts to win the business – and the continued loyalty – of potential buyers. 

Additionally, today’s financial climate is having a significant impact on businesses of all types and sizes, but it’s the smaller organizations that are facing the most pressure.  Finding and leveraging new business opportunities in a “down” market can be a monumental task for small businesses.  Read more »

CRM Strategy for Executives

October 10th, 2008, 1:00pm EST (approximately 45 minutes)
Sponsored by: Majestic Consulting Group, Inc.

In this webinar, you’ll discover why sales don’t grow at the rate you forecasted, how to identify lucrative opportunities in your database, how to beat the competition to the punch, and more!

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER, CLICK HERE.

Microsoft CRM Webinar

September 24th, 1:00pm EST (approximately 45 minutes)
Sponsored by: Majestic Consulting Group, Inc.

This webinar will give an overview of the Microsoft CRM system and will cover such topics as: activity management, contact management, opportunity management, customer service, and more.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER, CLICK HERE.

PhaseWare CEO, Hoyt Mann, Discusses His Full-Serve/Self-Serve Approach to CRM
An interview by The Business Software Advisor

There’s a lot going on at PhaseWare these days.  In addition to the release of the newest version of their popular CRM product, Tracker 3.1, PhaseWare recently hosted a webinar called “Organic Knowledgebase Creation”.  Between the event and the new product, PhaseWare is showing businesses how to integrate exceptional “hand holding” customer service with the element of self-service.  I interviewed Hoyt Mann, President and CEO of PhaseWare, about both the traditional customer service and the shape of the new self-service model.  Here’s what he had to say:

Advisor: You’ve got a new product!  What features of your new Tracker 3.1 set it apart where customer service/helpdesk solutions are concerned?

HM: Two of the most exciting features in Tracker 3.1 are assisted knowledgebase search and self service subscriptions.

With assisted knowledgebase search, incident deflections can happen with the Self Service Center and automated email responses.  When a customer uses Self Service Center to submit an incident the assisted knowledgebase search offers links to possible knowledge base solutions prior to incident submission.   For each incident submission initiated through email, the Event Engine automatically responds with links to potential knowledge base solutions.  

Subscriptions help customers stay on top of the latest information by receiving automatic notifications.  These customers are notified via email or RSS feed of new content posted to Self Service Center related to their interests.

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Although companies who utilize the Microsoft Windows operating system have countless solutions to choose from when it comes to customer relationship management (CRM), solution providers who offer CRM for Mac-based systems are quite hard to come by.  In fact, PC-based CRM software outnumbers Mac-based CRM by a massive margin. 

Yet, all that is changing.  The introduction of Apple’s OS X Tiger, and the unparalleled marketplace response, has created a huge shift in the business computer industry.  And as a result, new, feature rich applications for Mac users are being introduced every day – including systems to support CRM, ERP, and other key business functions. Read more »