Friday, December 28, 2007

Agresso Adds Powerful CRM Product for Services Sector

Acquires CRM Company, Integrates to ERP Line, Promotes CRM Expert Hub; Bypasses Microsoft Partnership for Better Tie to BLINC(TM) Apps

StrategySLIEDRECHT, The Netherlands--(Business Wire)--Agresso, (www.agresso.com/), the ERP market's definition ofagility, announced today the immediate availability of Agresso CRM, acustomer relationship management solution aimed specifically at themid-market services sector that Agresso has addressed for more than 20years. Agresso CRM is being rolled out globally via either a standard,on-site license or software-as-a-service (SaaS) agreement. The newest Agresso offering for sales and marketing staff is nowoffered stand-alone or it can be integrated into the Agresso BusinessWorld enterprise resource planning (ERP) suite that is in place atover 2,700 companies globally. It is 100% web based, and can run onmultiple databases, operating systems, and stationery or mobiledevices. Agresso CRM is part of a larger corporate acquisition strategythat is intrinsic to the company's plans to grow to a $700 millioncompany by 2010. The company has been growing at 40% or more in 2007on the strength of its flagship ERP product line, Agresso BusinessWorld, which was released with advanced features in late 2005. Shortlyafter the company began aiming its products exclusively at afast-growing market segment that Agresso calls BLINC (TM) --Businesses Living IN Change -- that require the unique, dynamic changefeatures in Agresso's VITA (TM) architecture. Agresso CRM is the firstin a series of "BLINC Solution Plug-Ins" and will provide integrationto the ERP suite that is similar to that achieved by services-orientedarchitecture platforms. Agresso Selects Acquired Technology + CRM Expert Hub Strategy Agresso's parent, Unit4Agresso in the Netherlands, evaluated awide scope of global CRM partnership strategies, including an alliancewith Microsoft. Agresso had also acquired a robust European-basedcompany with a strong CRM product, CCS of Spain, nearly a year agothat brought a base of 1,700 customers. Nearly 10 percent of thosecustomers are in a SaaS model. "We carefully reviewed the business requirements of our targetmarket against all of our options to acquire the best possible CRMsolution," said Jose Sanchez, managing director of Agresso Spain and amember of the Unit4Agresso Board. "It was our original intention topartner with Microsoft who we thought might come closest to meetingthe CRM needs of mid-market, services organizations. However, neitherthe Microsoft CRM product line, nor any others we reviewed, were asrobust as our acquired CCS technology. Plus, through an additionalacquisition, we have assembled a large, sophisticated implementationteam." Beyond its rich functionality and favorable market positionAgresso CRM offers five distinct advantages that lead againstcompetitive software offerings:

-- An ultra-thin web interface, including a web-based executive -- An ultra-thin web interface, including a web-based executive

dashboard;

-- Support for multiple operating systems, including Windows, -- Support for multiple operating systems, including Windows,

Linux, Unix and Mac (Microsoft CRM supports only Windows);

-- Support for multiple databases, including Oracle, DB2, My SQL -- Support for multiple databases, including Oracle, DB2, My SQL

and SQL Server. (Microsoft CRM supports only SQL Server);

-- A right-priced and better feature/function match-up to -- A right-priced and better feature/function match-up to mid-market service company requirements - versus those of

market leaders more oriented to tier one or manufacturing

companies; and

-- Agresso's proven low cost of ownership, both pre- and post-

implementation, which continues to earn it superior

third-party commendations by both technology analysts and

customers alike for its ongoing change capabilities. Agresso Establishes CRM Service Hub Agresso has established a CRM Service Hub of more than 100full-time professional services experts. This team collectively hasdecades of years of CRM experience selling, implementing andsupporting Siebel and Microsoft products, as well as the originalproduct underpinning Agresso CRM. The Agresso CRM Service Hub is basedin Spain and will lead the roll-out of the new offering to Agressosubsidiaries and partners throughout the world. "Our CRM Services Hub knows the competitive CRM technologylandscape, the mid-market's requirements and the fastest and best waysto implement our solution," said Ton Dobbe, VP of product marketing,Unit4Agresso. "Best of all, we are integrating Agresso CRM as a BLINCERP Solution Plug-In, meaning companies now can get the combination ofworld class CRM with ERP post-implementation agility." Market Research Firm Cites Agresso CRM Product's Leadership Agresso's new CRM solution is part of the larger acquired CCS ERPproduct line that has been evaluated independently against othervendors in the mid-market by European technology evaluation firm,Penteo ICT Analyst. Penteo provides independent expert analysis ofmarket trends and market research, and issues vendor positioningdiagrams about technology solutions and vendors. Penteo isheadquartered in Spain, where it is the market leader, and has officesin London and Paris. "Our Report 'SMB Business Solutions Spanish Market 2007' positionsCCS Agresso and its technology (which now includes Agresso CRM) as a'Star' in the Universe Map," said Albert Delgado, General Manager ofPenteo. "Stars are players providing services, solutions or technologywith remarkable viability, features and functionality performance.Penteo believes that 'Stars' are sound players that lead theirmarkets. Agresso is a leader in the Universe Map, as a result of abroad functional coverage for medium-sized businesses and strongsupport." About Agresso Agresso (www.agresso.com/usa) is a $225 million enterpriseresource planning (ERP) subsidiary of Netherlands-based Unit 4 Agresso

(Dutch Stock Exchange EURONEXT-U4AGR) and one of the topfive providers of ERP solutions for professional services and publicsector organizations. Agresso offers a uniquely integrateddata/process/delivery architecture designed specifically forBusinesses Living IN Change (BLINC) (TM). Agresso is known as "The ERPMarket's Definition of Agility" as it allows an unlimited amount ofongoing, post-implementation changes without the typical external ITcosts and intervention that nets billions of dollars in revenue to themarket leaders. Over 2,700 companies and organizations in 100countries deploy Agresso Business World for both operational supportand strategic management. The company's role-based, Web Services andServices-Oriented Architecture (SOA) enabled solutions include:Financial Management, Human Resources and Payroll, ProcurementManagement, Project Costing and Billing, Reporting and Analytics andBusiness Process Automation.AgressoJudith Rothrock, CMOJudith.Rothrock@agresso.com 858-847-9840 Copyright Business Wire 2007

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Microsoft CRM 4.0 released

Software giant Microsoft has now released the latest edition of their CRM software CRM 4.0.

This release was codenamed Titan and the company managed to keep their promise by releasing it in this year itself.

The company said that the software would be available to their customers and hosting partners to download online.

Software giant Microsoft has now released the latest edition of their CRM software CRM 4.0.

This release was codenamed Titan and the company managed to keep their promise by releasing it in this year itself.

The company said that the software would be available to their customers and hosting partners to download online.

Microsoft said that this new edition features multitenant architecture which would enable them and their partners to host CRM in much higher volumes.

This would help them compete more efficiently with rival companies in this segment like Salesforce.com.

The company added that the hosted edition of the service codenamed CRM Live would be available sometime later next year. said that this new edition features multitenant architecture which would enable them and their partners to host CRM in much higher volumes.

This would help them compete more efficiently with rival companies in this segment like Salesforce.com.

The company added that the hosted edition of the service codenamed CRM Live would be available sometime later next year.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Biz IT Pro's Microsoft CRM Training Completed for SourceMedia

Business IT Professionals, (Biz IT Pro), a vendor of Customer Relationship Management training and products, has announced the completion an intense, customized series of training sessions for SourceMedia, a New York-based B2B publishing company.

Steve Noe, president of Biz IT Pro, conducted CRM training to more than 70 of SourceMedia's sales staff. The sessions dealt with the benefits CRM provides to their sales success and productivity, an working understanding of Dynamics CRM and Source Media's customizations and clear and simple processes to make CRM easy to integrate into their day to day sales, according to the Bizians.

"We had implemented Microsoft Dynamics CRM, but our sales people didn't understand how to use the new system." said Azam Abuzar, senior director of corporate systems for SourceMedia. "Steve literally saved the day by giving us the education we needed to use our CRM solution efficiently and productively."

In August the Cary, North Carolina-based Biz IT Pro announced they will develop a CRM product, based on the Microsoft Dynamics CRM platform, for QRPS, Inc., an administrative consulting firm.

Biz IT Pro will use Scribe Insight, an end-to-end integration tool for converting data from ACT! to Microsoft Dynamics, to improve productivity and client experiences for QRPS.

"We had reached our limit of usability with the ACT! database. Moving to CRM will allow us to redesign how we store our proprietary information, while substantially improving our productivity," stated Forrest Knowles, President, QRPS.

QRPS provides customer service by using technology to streamline administrative processes, company officials say. Biz IT Pro will conduct data integration for the firm, to aid in their ability to maintain their "high-touch service philosophy and personal support."

Earlier this summer Biz IT Pro announced that it now is a Scribe certified partner.

Scribe Software Corporation provides data integration and migration software products for CRM and ERP. Using Scribe's tools, Biz IT Pro will migrate their client's data from applications, such as Salesforce, Goldmine and Act!, into Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

"Scribe Software provides rich integration solutions that are powerful enough for large customers, yet affordable and accessible to small and mid-sized businesses," stated Steve Noe, president of Biz IT Pro. "I am excited about being certified with Scribe and how this relationship will benefit our customers."

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Microsoft CRM drives service and sales for Concor Technicrete

Specialist contractor to the mining and construction industries, Concor Technicrete, has implemented Microsoft Dynamics CRM with Mobility to improve services to clients and streamline its sales process.

The CRM solution was implemented and configured by Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, IS Partners. The project entailed the implementation of customised contact management, sales force automation and basic case management.

"The integration of Windows mobile devices has ensured a dramatic improvement in customer service, as sales people are now able to initiate and follow through on the entire sales process at the customer site, from credit checking and quotation delivery through to placing of an order," says Heath Turner, CRM director at IS Partners.

Previously, sales people had to call a central office number and request quotes to be generated. This process was inefficient and did not provide the best possible service to customers.

The Microsoft-based CRM solutions has also addressed Concor Technicrete’s requirement for a common platform where all customer and prospect information could be captured, stored, retrieved and analysed. Sales teams now have the ability to collect leads routed to them, track prospects from initiation to sale and maintain information about existing customer relationships.

"The CRM solution has ensured consistent execution of the organisation’s sales methodology through the application of workflow, while also providing accurate sales reporting and forecasting capabilities. It has also enabled management to oversee sales teams’ activities and have access to their customers’ information," Turner says.

Basic complaint management will further ensure that any queries and service related issues are captured against a customer and assigned to the person responsible. Microsoft CRM has also been integrated with the existing JD Edwards system for customer account information and credit checking.

Source:computingsa.co.za

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Tenrox's Microsoft CRM-Compatible Version 9.2 Released

Tenrox, a vendor of workflow-driven project workforce management products, has announced the release of version 9.2, the latest upgrade to its integrative project and workforce management with financials product.

Among more than 30 enhancements claimed by company officials, Release 9.2 features "new integration with Microsoft (News - Alert) Project Server 2007 to provide users with improved tracking, planning, and reporting capabilities, as well as enhancements that include deeper integration to Microsoft Dynamics CRM."

There are new parameters for customizing and controlling billing details and user input, easier at-a-glance access to project status through Dashboard Task Lists and Project Plan Milestones, as well as more powerful forecasting capabilities, the Tenroxians say.

Release 9.2 is fully compatible with Microsoft Project Server 2007, Tenrox officials promise, allowing customers to use Tenrox's Timesheet and Expense reporting, project process management and cost and revenue accounting products within Microsoft.

This February Tenrox announced the availability of Release 9.1, then the latest version of the company's Project Workforce Management product.

Release 9.1 had such features as a Project Planning Module and integration with Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0. In addition, several enhancements were made to project status views, shift and work schedule support, the ability to create custom dashboards and more.

The product used the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 feature set to provide an end-to-end integrated product that can be hosted or deployed on-premise.

Release 9.1 is "based on customer feedback from the Tenrox User Conference and customer advisory board," according to Rafat Hilal, Vice President of Research and Development, who noted that improvements are designed to provide end-users with "additional flexibility, ease-of-use, configurability and alternatives for CRM integration."

New features and enhancements include the Tenrox Project Planning module, described by company officials as "a simple intuitive tool that addresses the most common project planning requirements."

source:callcenterinfo.tmcnet.com

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Endeavor Releases SmartCatalog Portal Edition for Sage, Microsoft CRM

By David Sims,

Endeavor Commerce has recently announced the release of SmartCatalog Portal Edition for Sage SalesLogix and Microsoft (News - Alert) Dynamics CRM.

The release offers "out of the box capability to extend Sales Configuration and Guided Selling to customers, partners and distributors via the Web," company officials say.

With the addition of Portal Edition, SmartCatalog now enables companies to deploy what Endeavor officials say are "100 percent accurate quote and order generation across all sales channels -- including employees, partners, distributers and customers."

SmartCatalog helps companies with their partners' and distributors' processes, as well as internal sales processes, in making channel boundaries transparent to customers.

SmartCatalog Portal Edition is a Web-based application integrated with CRM to allow external users to create their own quotes and orders as well as manage their online profile. The Portal Edition may exist as an addition to SmartCatalog Sales Edition or may function as its own standalone application.

"Portal Edition is the result of collaboration with our partners and customers and offers significant and immediate benefits," said David Reeder, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. With Portal Edition, our customers can offer the same quoting and ordering tools directly to their customers and partners making the complex sale simple across all channels."

Reeder considers Portal Edition "a great example of our CRM acumen."

At the beginning of July Endeavor announced version 6.1 of its SmartCatalog for CRM application.

SmartCatalog has seen "significant market growth" in 2007, company officials say, having recently won five new global enterprise customers. For the first half of 2007 overall revenue grew more than 90 percent, with software sales revenue growth at 155 percent.

SmartCatalog 6.1 offers a new end-user application containing features making the product more flexible, scalable and easier to use for both on-line and off-line users. SmartCatalog's new end-user application is architected using the ASP .Net 2.0 Framework.

Using an Outlook style of navigation, the user experience of SmartCatalog is designed to be consistent with Microsoft Office applications. The new sales messaging guides on-line and off-line CRM users through the quoting process offering rules-based alerts. This enhancement lets users to take advantage of cross-sell and up-sell opportunities.

SmartCatalog is billed by company officials as allowing enterprises to "increase revenue, decrease cost, and increase customer satisfaction by enabling intelligence at the point of sale."

Source:callcenterinfo.tmcnet.com

Monday, December 3, 2007

Tenrox's Microsoft CRM-Compatible Version 9.2 Released

Tenrox, a vendor of workflow-driven project workforce management products, has announced the release of version 9.2, the latest upgrade to its integrative project and workforce management with financials product.

Among more than 30 enhancements claimed by company officials, Release 9.2 features "new integration with Microsoft (News - Alert) Project Server 2007 to provide users with improved tracking, planning, and reporting capabilities, as well as enhancements that include deeper integration to Microsoft Dynamics CRM."

There are new parameters for customizing and controlling billing details and user input, easier at-a-glance access to project status through Dashboard Task Lists and Project Plan Milestones, as well as more powerful forecasting capabilities, the Tenroxians say.

Release 9.2 is fully compatible with Microsoft Project Server 2007, Tenrox officials promise, allowing customers to use Tenrox's Timesheet and Expense reporting, project process management and cost and revenue accounting products within Microsoft.

This February Tenrox announced the availability of Release 9.1, then the latest version of the company's Project Workforce Management product.

Release 9.1 had such features as a Project Planning Module and integration with Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0. In addition, several enhancements were made to project status views, shift and work schedule support, the ability to create custom dashboards and more.

The product used the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 feature set to provide an end-to-end integrated product that can be hosted or deployed on-premise.

Release 9.1 is "based on customer feedback from the Tenrox User Conference and customer advisory board," according to Rafat Hilal, Vice President of Research and Development, who noted that improvements are designed to provide end-users with "additional flexibility, ease-of-use, configurability and alternatives for CRM integration."

New features and enhancements include the Tenrox Project Planning module, described by company officials as "a simple intuitive tool that addresses the most common project planning requirements."

Endeavor Releases SmartCatalog Portal Edition for Sage, Microsoft CRM

The release offers "out of the box capability to extend Sales Configuration and Guided Selling to customers, partners and distributors via the Web," company officials say.

With the addition of Portal Edition, SmartCatalog now enables companies to deploy what Endeavor officials say are "100 percent accurate quote and order generation across all sales channels -- including employees, partners, distributers and customers."

SmartCatalog helps companies with their partners' and distributors' processes, as well as internal sales processes, in making channel boundaries transparent to customers.

SmartCatalog Portal Edition is a Web-based application integrated with CRM to allow external users to create their own quotes and orders as well as manage their online profile. The Portal Edition may exist as an addition to SmartCatalog Sales Edition or may function as its own standalone application.

"Portal Edition is the result of collaboration with our partners and customers and offers significant and immediate benefits," said David Reeder, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. With Portal Edition, our customers can offer the same quoting and ordering tools directly to their customers and partners making the complex sale simple across all channels."

Reeder considers Portal Edition "a great example of our CRM acumen."

At the beginning of July Endeavor announced version 6.1 of its SmartCatalog for CRM application.

SmartCatalog has seen "significant market growth" in 2007, company officials say, having recently won five new global enterprise customers. For the first half of 2007 overall revenue grew more than 90 percent, with software sales revenue growth at 155 percent.

SmartCatalog 6.1 offers a new end-user application containing features making the product more flexible, scalable and easier to use for both on-line and off-line users. SmartCatalog's new end-user application is architected using the ASP .Net 2.0 Framework.

Using an Outlook style of navigation, the user experience of SmartCatalog is designed to be consistent with Microsoft Office applications. The new sales messaging guides on-line and off-line CRM users through the quoting process offering rules-based alerts. This enhancement lets users to take advantage of cross-sell and up-sell opportunities.

SmartCatalog is billed by company officials as allowing enterprises to "increase revenue, decrease cost, and increase customer satisfaction by enabling intelligence at the point of sale."