CRM UK - the official blog of Concentrix Ltd

The rise of Business Management Suites

The traditional method of using a variety of systems to manage a business causes inaccuracies, islands of information and poor knowledge across a business, and this often impacts on profitability. However, the days of running several unconnected systems to manage a business are quickly becoming a thing of the past, due to the rise of ERP and this is not a bad thing.

ERP (now more often called Business Management Suites) have significantly increased in popularity over the past few years as more and more businesses realise that implementing a solution can streamline internal processes, enabling them to reduce their overall operating costs and subsequently enhance their profitability.

So what Business Management Solutions are available?

Concentrix is a Microsoft Gold Partner and Sage Accredited Business Partner and supplies ‘best in breed’ solutions including Sage 200 Suite and Microsoft Dynamics NAV.

Both Sage 200 and Microsoft Dynamics NAV are extremely popular solutions, and we have a comparison of Sage 200 and Microsoft Dynamics NAV on our website.

Sage 200 Suite

Sage 200 is a genuine business wide application, so rather than having to run separate, an unconnected piece of software to manage your business, Sage 200 enables you to do it from within one piece of software. What’s more, because Sage 200 is an integrated solution which connects with all the main functions of your business, it delivers massive gains in efficiency and effectiveness.

Sage 200 is a modular solution. However the two foundation modules are:

- Sage 200 Financials

- Sage 200 CRM

There are also a variety of industry and process specific modules available including:

- Sage 200 Commercials

- Sage 200 Project Accounting

- Sage 200 Construction

- Sage 200 Manufacturing

- Sage 200 Point of Sale

- Sage 200 Wholesale and Retail

- Sage 200 Business Analysis and Forecasting

Microsoft Dynamics NAV

Microsoft Dynamics NAV is a cost effective, robust and highly flexible mid-market business management solution. It is a fully integrated solution which will bring your whole organisation together as it integrates all departments including, Manufacturing, Sales, Marketing and Human Resources.

In addition Microsoft Dynamics NAV has extensive business intelligence and reporting facilities which will help you to uncover valuable nuggets of information, enabling you to make more informed business decisions.

By comparison to Sage 200, the design of Microsoft Dynamics NAV is based around people’s roles and the tasks they perform. Essentially Microsoft Dynamics works with people, the way they do their jobs, and the way they work in their departments.

The standard functionality of Microsoft Dynamics NAV includes financial management, supply chain management, manufacturing, sales, marketing, human resource management, project management and service management. It also has a standalone accounting solution.

For more information about Sage 200 or Microsoft Dynamics NAV, or for more information about Business Management Solutions please contact Concentrix on 0509 410500 or email info@concentrix.co.uk

 

Concentrix Customer Surgery

The next Concentrix Customer Surgery is on Tuesday 8^th December.

The Customer Surgery gives existing customers the opportunity to spend an hour with one of our CRM, Accounts or Business Solutions Specialists completely free of charge, while enjoying some Christmas themed refreshments. You can ask our team about anything ranging from your existing system, to software upgrades, tips, advice and future developments.

Date: 8^th December 2009

Location: Concentrix Ltd, 20 Granite Way, Mountsorrel, Leicestershire LE12 7TZ

To book your place*, either email info@concentrix.co.ukor call 01509 410500 by Monday 30^th November.

*Please note to attend the surgery you have to book a place first

CRM Knowledge Base

Have you looked at the Concentrix CRM knowledge base recently? The latest post is the top ten do’s and don’ts for CRM success, and we’re adding articles of interest all the time.

All articles in the knowledge base are original – they’re written by experienced and qualified Concentrix consultants or our partners. CRM technology itself is rapidly developing and changing. The advent of ‘Social CRM’, the growth of hosted CRM, cloud computing, integrated solutions and ‘xRM’ (where the ‘x’ means ‘Anything’ - it’s not just about customers anymore) and increased computing power all mean CRM projects can become even more far-reaching and complex. That’s why the knowledge base is steadily growing. As well as this blog, we hope the knowledge base will help keep you up to date and informed about latest developments in CRM.

Concentrix also has a variety of whitepapers and pdf downloads. Most of these are available on request; however some are also available for download direct. For example, the CRM knowledge base includes Security for your Finance and CRM Software - A non-technical introduction on how to ensure your systems are protected from the ever prominent security threats, and Sage CRM – Standard and Advanced licences compared. The smaller accounts and ERP solutions knowledge base includesthe popular Concentrix whitepaper “Integrated Finance and CRM Software: How Sage 200 Improves Business Efficiency by combining Finance and CRM Solutions”.

If you have any suggestions or ideas for articles or whitepapers you would like Concentrix to develop, or any other questions or queries about CRM, accounting, business management or ERP solutions, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Sage 200, much more than an accounting solution!

If you currently use Sage 200, you will be aware that it comes with two foundation modules:

- Sage 200 Financials

- Sage 200 CRM

The majority of companies are aware of the financial module and use it on a daily basis. However, the CRM is often not given a second thought. However, a CRM solution properly deployed will significantly improve a company’s efficiency, effectiveness and overall profitability.

- Sage 200 CRM will bring a number of benefits to your organisation including:

- Reduced duplication of effort through storing all data in a centralised location

- Decreased errors through reduced data import

- A more consistent customer service experience

- Improved management effectiveness through powerful measurement and reporting tools

Concentrix is currently offering existing Sage 200 customers half a day of free training on Sage 200 CRM, to get you up and running.

For more information about Sage 200 CRM, or to arrange your free training, please contact us on 01509 410500 or email info@concentrix.co.uk

Free Seminar: Getting CRM Right

Just a quick reminder about the free seminar 'Getting CRM Right' on 24th November. To register* please click here, email info@concentrix.co.uk, or call 01509 410500.

Packed with tips and practical advice, the seminar is the ideal opportunity to find out how you can improve your organisation with the latest CRM technologies. The venue is easy to get to (just a few minutes from the M5 and M4 motorways), and refreshments and a buffet lunch will be included.

Seminar Title: Getting CRM Right

Date: 24^th November 2009

Time : 10.00 am to 13.00 pm (Registration 09.30)

Venue: Concentrix Ltd, 130 Aztec West, Bristol BS32 4UB

For more information about the event, please click here or don't hesitate to get in touch!

Sage 200 User Group

The next Sage 200 User Group for existing Concentrix Customers will be held at our head office in Mountsorrel, Loughborough on Tuesday 1^st December.

The User Group will include special guests Michael Crampsey from Sage UK as well as Elliot Stevens from Aspidistra.

The user group will provide the perfect opportunity for existing Concentrix Customers to:

- Ask questions about any aspect of Sage 200

- Meet and network with other Sage users and Concentrix Customers

- Get an introduction to Ecommerce for Sage from Aspidistra Software

- Find out about Sage 200 CRM integration with Sage 200

Date: Tuesday 1^st December 2009

Time: 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. (Registration 9.30 a.m.)        

Venue: 20 Granite Way Mountsorrel, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE12 7TZ

To register or for further information, please email info@concentrix.co.uk or call 01509 410500.