There’s CRM software that enables
employees to create, assign, and manage requests made by customers — so when
you call your cable company, for example, a representative can pull up your
file to view your prior service history and log new information. CRM sales
software provides companies with a suite of tools to manage the entire sales
process, from initial lead qualification to opportunity management,
forecasting, and eventually deal closure. CRM marketing systems can track
campaigns over various channels, such as traditional mail and phone efforts,
email, search, and social media.
Most CRM solutions include all of
that functionality, though cheaper options may only offer bits and
pieces. Some software runs on-premises, while other systems operate as
cloud-based services and might even run on your phone or tablet.
Sure, CRM isn’t the sexiest software
market, but it’s an extremely valuable one: Gartner
predicts it’ll be worth $36.5 billion worldwide by 2017. And it’s
important that companies know which CRM solution to choose; a system with a
million and one features that nobody can figure out or wants to use is
useless.
via.venturebeat.com
