CRM UK - the official blog of the CRM specialists at TSG

Sage CRM v7 launched in the UK

Sage CRM version 7 has recently been launched and we’re receiving a great deal of interest in the new features!

What benefits will CRM deliver?

Today’s business environment is extremely competitive and securing a sale is at the least challenging. However, once a customer has been secured, it is critical to keep them. After all, customer retention costs less than new customer acquisition.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) provides businesses with one central location to store all information relating to all customers. This improves the efficiency and effectiveness of organisations as staff knowledge is enhanced. What’s more, there will be reduced duplication of effort and increased employee productivity.   

What is Sage CRM?

Sage CRM is the mid-market CRM software application from one of the leading solutions providers.

The new features in Sage CRM version 7 will revolutionise how you manage your employees and how your employees manage their day.

The new features include:

- Full CRM feature –set – Sales, Marketing and Customer Service

- Interactive Dashboard – Fully customisable to how you work

- Rich personalised User Experience

- Fresh Look and Feel

- Fast Implementation and rapid ROI

- Out-of-the-Box Integration with Sage ERP systems

- Low total cost of ownership

For more information about Sage CRM V7, or arrange a free demonstration, please contact Concentrix on 01509 410500

Concentrix to hold Sage 200 2010 Launch

UK independent CRM, Business Solutions and IT solutions specialist Concentrix is hosting a Sage 200 2010 launch on 23^rd June 2010 for their accounts customers.

The event will specifically showcase the new features of Sage 200 and will give customers the opportunity to:

See the latest tools, features and developments in Sage 200 2010

Talk directly to software experts from Sage and Concentrix

Take part in hands-on demonstrations of the software

Ask questions about any aspect of Sage 200

Meet and network with other Sage and Concentrix Customers.

Established in Loughborough in 1999, Concentrix has hundreds of customers, throughout the UK. The company takes a ‘product agnostic’ approach to implementing CRM and business management systems and provides Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Sage CRM, Sage 200 and Microsoft Dynamics NAV. Concentrix works closely with organisations to make sure they implement solutions that are right for their business model, strategy and budget.

Commenting on the launch event, Peter Elgar, Marketing Manager at Concentrix Said, “We’ve decided to host a launch event this year based on the success of last year’s event. Sage 200 2010 is a great product, packed with new features to help streamline a variety of business processes.”

The launch event details are as follows:

Event: Sage 200 2010 launch

Date: Wednesday 23^rd June

Time: 10.00am – 12.15pm

Venue: Hilton Hotel Leicester, Junction 21 Approach, Leicester, LE19 1WQ

To register for the event or for more information, please contact Concentrix on 01509 410500 or email [email protected]

Background Information

Concentrixis a leading UK independent customer relationship management (CRM) specialist, business management software and IT solutions provider. Founded in 1999, Concentrix helps companies increase competitiveness, profitability and customer satisfaction by improving business processes, systems and IT.

Concentrix solutions are based on recognised, 'best-of-breed' software products. These include Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Sage CRM, Sage SalesLogix, and FrontRange's GoldMinesoftware. Concentrix also supplies Microsoft Dynamics NAV, the Sage 200suite. The company has also developed a number of complementary, add-on CRM software modules, and has a dedicated team of software programmers and developers.

As well as CRM and Business Management software, the company also supplies leading brand hardware, a comprehensive range of support, training, courses, upgrades, advice and consultancy. In other words, Concentrix provides complete IT solutions: software, hardware and supporting services.

Concentrix is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, a fully Accredited Sage Business Partnerand a FrontRange Premier Partner.

Concentrix is head office is based near Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK. The company has a regional office in the South-West (Bristol) and a satellite office in central London.

Get a real insight into how CRM works with a free demonstration from Concentrix!

Customer Relationship Management is becoming a must have to ensure the success of a businesses.  However, CRM is a concept which many people still don’t understand. So, what is it?  Essentially, CRM software streamlines internal business processes by effectively integrating all the key functions of a business. It is all about building and strengthening relationships with existing clients at the same time as attracting new customers.

Although, nearly all businesses will benefit from implementing CRM, often the advantages which the solutions deliver are difficult to comprehend until you actually see a working version of the software.

This is why Concentrix provides FREE demonstrations of all the software packages they provide. Concentrix supplies Microsoft CRM (and is a Microsoft Gold Partner), Sage CRM (and is a Sage Accredited Business Partner) and FrontRange’s GoldMine (and is a FrontRange Premier Partner.) Concentrix also provides leading Business Management solutions including Microsoft Dynamics NAV and the popular Sage 200 suite.

What’s more, Concentrix can customise demonstrations so that they work exactly how your business does. Often, if you see a demonstration which doesn’t relate to your company and its processes, it is difficult to get a real understanding of the benefits it will deliver. However, with a customised demonstration from Concentrix the software, strategy and processes become clear.

Concentrix demonstrations can either be done face to face or, over the internet (you won’t even have to leave your desk!), giving you the flexibility to arrange a demonstration at a time and place which suits you.

To arrange you free demonstration, or more information please contact Concentrix on 01509 410500 or email [email protected].

Sage 200 – the next logical step?

Businesses have been using accounts solutions for a number of years and recently CRM software has increased in popularity. However, fully integrated solutions are quickly emerging as the next logical step for a number of forward thinking organisations.

Standalone CRM solutions deliver a number of benefits to organisations including:

- One central location to store information relating to customers

- Enhanced employee knowledge

- Reduced duplication of effort in terms of data entry

However with fully integrated solutions, these benefits are magnified. What’s more Sage 200 delivers a quick return on investment and will soon increase competitiveness, customer satisfaction and profitability.

Implementing Sage 200 connects the front and back office systems and gives employees a complete view of what is happening within the organisation, increasing knowledge and therefore the customer experience.

The latest version of the software: Sage 200 2010 is due to be launched in June 2010. The new release is more powerful and is packed with new features which will bring real benefits to organisations.

To celebrate the launch of Sage 200 2010 and give customers an insight into the new features,  Concentrix is hosting a FREE launch seminar at the Hilton Hotel – Leicester on 23^rd June 2010.

For more information, or to register for the event, please contact Concentrix on 01509 410500 or email [email protected]

Free Seminar and Workshop – Sage 200 2010 Launch

Concentrix is inviting all existing Sage Accounts customers to their Sage 200 2010 Launch.

The launch will specifically showcase the new features of Sage 200 and will give customers the opportunity to:

- See the latest tools, features and developments in Sage 200 – 2010

- Talk directly to software experts from Sage and Concentrix

- Take part in ‘hands-on’ demonstrations of the software

- Ask questions about any aspect of Sage 200

- Meet and network with other Sage users and Concentrix customers

Event: Sage 200 2010 Launch

Date: Wednesday 23^rd June 2010

Time: 10.00am – 12.15pm (registration 09.30am)

Venue: Hilton Hotel Leicester, Junction 21 Approach, Leicester LE19 1WQ

To register* for the event, please contact Concentrix on 01509 410500 or email [email protected]

*Please note for free entry and refreshments you need to register for the event before 1^st June 2010

 

Sage 200 for Charities - 25% discount available on all new purchases

If you're a registered charity, have you ever considered implementing Sage's mid-market business management suite, Sage 200?

Well, now is the perfect time to think about it! 

Concentrix is currently offering a 25% discount for charities and not-for-profit organisations on all new purchases of Sage 200 for a limited time!

For charities, maintaining the support of funders and sponsors is critical to ensure the future success of the organisation. As a result, CRM for charities is becoming a must have rather than a nice to have.  This means that increasingly charities are running two solutions one for front office functions and one for back office functions. Although both of these systems will bring benefits, essentially the charity will still be running two completely separate systems. Therefore there are a number of problems which can still arise from duplicate data entry.

However, implementing Sage 200 can make these problems a thing of the past. Sage 200 provides powerful accounting and finance functionality as well as 'best in breed' CRM through its Sage 200 CRM module, which is closely related to Sage CRM.

Sage 200 is a fully integrated solution which connects all departments of an organisation. So, rather than having to run separate, unconnected pieces of software to manage different areas of your company, Sage 200 enables you to control all of your businesses main processes from within a single software suite.

Sage 200, helps automate and bring together all the key processes in each area of the organisation: from marketing, sales and customer service, right through to finance, operations, projects and a whole range of other activities.

Concentrix has a close working relationship with Sage and is a fully accredited Sage Business Partner. Concentrix has also been included in the Sage Circle of Excellence and won Sage CRM Partner of the Year in 2009.

Concentrix provides a full range of services from system implementation to training, maintenance, support and hardware.

To find out more about how implementing Sage 200 will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your charity, or to take advantage of the discount available, please contact Concentrix on 01509 410500 or email [email protected].

Concentrix begins gardening Project with the RNIB!

Concentrix the leading independent Business Solutions Specialist has begun a two-week gardening project with the RNIB in Loughborough.

Last year Ian Dawkins, the Managing Director of Concentrix Ltd, gave all staff the opportunity to take part in a charity day.

The charity day proved to be extremely popular, with over half of the staff volunteering to participate.  After a lengthy search for a suitable cause, the RNIB in Loughborough was appointed as the charity.

Deirdre Coulthard, HR Manager at Concentrix had several discussions with staff at the RNIB to find out how Concentrix could help.  After several meetings, it became apparent that there was a gardening project to complete, and this quickly became the challenge!

The RNIB in Loughborough have an independent house for some adult students to live in and the garden is in severe need of redesigning!  It has previously been pebbled,   but weeds have started to come through and the garden is no longer fit for purpose.  During the two-week project Concentrix staff will take up all the pebbles, weed and lay new turf. 

Asked why Concentrix has chosen to get involved in a charity day, Ian Dawkins said, “It is really important that we give something back to the local community. Getting involved in a charity day gives our staff the opportunity to join in a project which is going to make a real difference. ”

The project began yesterday, with the first three volunteers from Concentrix getting the project off to an excellent start. Over the two week period there will be a team of three or four working on the garden each day. The new turf, also donated by Concentrix will be delivered on Thursday this week, and the project is due to be complete by Friday 30^th April.

Background Information

Concentrix is a leading UK independent customer relationship management (CRM) specialist and IT solutions provider. Founded in 1999, Concentrix helps companies increase competitiveness, profitability and customer satisfaction by improving business processes, systems and IT.

Concentrix solutions are based on recognised, ‘best-of-breed’ software products. Concentrix supplies Microsoft CRM, Sage CRM, FrontRange’s GoldMine, Sage 200 and Microsoft Dynamics NAV. Concentrix has also developed a number of complementary, add-on CRM software modules, and has a dedicated team of software programmers and developers.

As well as CRM and business management software, the company supplies leading brand hardware, a a comprehensive range of support, training, upgrades, advice and consultancy. In other words, Concentrix provides complete solutions: software, hardware and supporting services.

Concentrix is based in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire and has a regional office in Bristol and central London.

Business Software Company Digs Deep for the RNIB

Staff at UK CRM and Business Management software specialist Concentrix Ltd have begun a voluntary project renovating a garden for RNIB students in Loughborough. The project, which involves extensive garden redesign, is part of a charitable initiative by the company to devote time and resources to good causes within the local community.

Over the next two weeks, teams of three and four Concentrix staff will work on the garden each day. Around 30 staff at the company have volunteered, swapping their desk-jobs for digging, weeding, moving rocks and laying a new lawn.

Asked about the initiative, Ian Dawkins, Concentrix Managing Director said, “It’s really important for businesses to help the local community. Before we started the RNIB garden was in a pretty poor state and we hope to really improve the environment for the students. ”

As well as providing volunteers, the company is also supplying new turf. The project is due to be completed on Friday 30^th April.

Background Information

Concentrix Ltd is a leading UK independent business management software specialist and IT solutions provider. Founded in 1999, Concentrix helps companies increase competitiveness, profitability and customer satisfaction by improving business processes, systems and IT.

Concentrix solutions are based on recognised, ‘best-of-breed’ software products. The company supplies a range of CRM software such as Microsoft CRM, FrontRange’s GoldMine and Sage SalesLogix, and was awarded Sage CRM reseller of the Year in 2009. Concentrix also provides leading ERP solutions including Microsoft Dynamics NAV and the popular business management suite Sage 200.

Concentrix is based in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire and has a regional office in Bristol and central London

News from Microsoft - Customer Service and Microsoft Dynamics CRM

Microsoft CRM is one of the stronger mid-market CRM solutions for customer service, including contact centres, case management and resource scheduling. Microsoft also has a range of accelerator programmes, which enhance the products functionality in specific industry areas and tasks even further.

The company is about to release (on April 30th) a specific Microsoft Dynamics CRM accelerator for Customer Service. Customer service, contact centres and call centres are a highly competitive area in the CRM sphere. The new Microsoft accelerator will be free of charge and will arguably make Microsoft Dynamics CRM the CRM software of choice for businesses and organisations with call-centres or strong customer service requirements.

Here's a copy of Microsoft's latest press release about this new accelerator for Microsoft Dynamics CRM:

Dynamics CRM Named a Leader in Customer Service Contact Centers 2010 Magic Quadrant

REDMOND, Wash. April 15, 2010 — Microsoft Microsoft Corp. today announced that Microsoft Dynamics CRM has been positioned in the Leaders quadrant of the 2010 Magic Quadrant for CRM Customer Service Contact Centers. In this research report, Gartner Inc. looks primarily at the first layer: CRM business applications for customer service interactions.

Microsoft today is also introducing the Customer Care Accelerator for Microsoft Dynamics CRM. The new accelerator helps customer care and contact center organizations provide a consistent customer service experience by combining data elements from disparate applications such as mainframes, databases or Web sites for display in a single user interface. The quick ease of access to information helps agents provide efficient service, which in turn helps improve overall customer satisfaction; and, as a corollary benefit can help to preserve or increase profit margins. The core business scenarios supported by the Customer Care Accelerator include the following:

Integrated desktop enables the aggregation of information from diverse business applications into an integrated agent desktop, providing users with a 360-degree view of customer interactions. Customer service representatives have fast access to business-critical information to serve customers quickly and efficiently, which helps increase satisfaction and loyalty.

Desktop automation workflows minimize human error and streamline business processes, eliminating the need for contact center agents to re-enter the same data in multiple applications and helping to ensure a consistent customer service experience.

Computer telephony integration (CTI) is simplified for supplying caller screen pop-up information to agents. CTI makes it possible for the telephony system to connect to the CRM business application and give agents detailed customer information to help them better serve their customer.

Activity reporting gives contact center managers the ability to quickly access agent desktop transaction reporting, identify process bottlenecks, streamline processes and automate routine tasks to improve overall call center efficiencies.

As with all CRM Accelerators, the Customer Care Accelerator is available at no additional cost to current Microsoft Dynamics CRM customers and partners. Accelerators can be deployed as packaged extensions to Microsoft Dynamics CRM or, in the case of the Customer Care Accelerator, can be used to help develop new solutions, enabling organizations to customize Microsoft Dynamics CRM to meet their specific business needs.

“Leaders demonstrate market-defining vision and the ability to execute against that vision through products, services, demonstrable sales figures, and solid new references for multiple geographies and vertical industries. Clients report that the vendors deliver a high level of value and return on their commitment. The development team has a clear vision of the implications of business rules, and the impact of social networking on customer service requirements,” writes Michael Maoz, vice president and distinguished analyst, Gartner Inc. “A characteristic of a leader is that clients look to the vendor for clues as to how to innovate in customer service. The vendor does not necessarily drive a customer toward vendor lock-in, but rather provides openness to an ecosystem. When asked, their clients reply that this product has affected the organization’s competitive position in their markets and helped lower costs. Leaders can demonstrate $50 million in sales to new customers during the past year.”¹

“Delivering a great customer experience is vital to building loyalty and business success,” said Brad Wilson, general manager of Microsoft Dynamics CRM at Microsoft. “Microsoft Dynamics CRM delivers a powerful, yet affordable customer service solution to help businesses get a deep understanding of their customers, deliver high satisfaction and use outstanding service to generate new sales opportunities.”

The Customer Care Accelerator will be available for download on April 30, 2010.

About the Gartner Magic Quadrant The Magic Quadrant is copyrighted 2010 by Gartner, Inc. and is reused with permission. The Magic Quadrant is a graphical representation of a marketplace at and for a specific time period. It depicts Gartner’s analysis of how certain vendors measure against criteria for that marketplace, as defined by Gartner. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in the Magic Quadrant, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors placed in the “Leaders” quadrant. The Magic Quadrant is intended solely as a research tool, and is not meant to be a specific guide to action. Gartner disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About Microsoft Dynamics

Microsoft Dynamics is a line of easy-to-use, integrated and adaptable ERP and CRM applications that enable business decision-makers to quickly respond to market shifts, take advantage of new trends, increase their competitive edge and drive business success. Microsoft Dynamics solutions are delivered through a world-class network of reselling partners providing specialized services and additional innovation to help customers excel in their industries.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. 1 Gartner Inc., Magic Quadrant for CRM Customer Service Contact Centers, Michael Maoz, April 9, 2010.

For further information about Microsoft Dynamics CRM, accelerator programmes, Microsoft Dynamics NAV or any other of the products or services supplied by Concentrix, please contact us.

Congratulations Concentrix Allstars!

Yesterday Concentrix entered a team into the Charnwood 6- a side Football Tournament at the Loughborough College Campus.

The weather was perfect and the day got off to a great start as Concentrix won two out of three matches! This took the jubilant Concentrix team into a three way penalty shoot out.

The penalty shoot out was extremely close and Goalkeeper, Dan Hawkins made some fantastic saves! However, unfortunately, some of our strikers hadn’t quite got their eye in and missed a few shots. This meant we missed out on winning our group.

However, after another nail biting penalty shoot out, we came 5^th out of 16 teams, which is not a bad effort at all. Well Done!!

The squad included:

- John Gilding -  Hardware Administrator

- Matthew Yates – CRM Consultant

- Craig Taylor – ERP Consultant

- Steven Zambas – Microsoft Team Leader

- Stuart Henry – Support

- Chris Tipping – Account Developer

- Sukhdeep Gill -  CRM Consultant

- Daniel Hawkins – Senior Sage Developer

- Himanshu Patel - .NET Developer

Formed in 1999, Concentrix is an independent Business Solution specialist.  Concentrix  supplies best in breed CRM and ERP solutions including Sage CRM, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, FrontRange’s GoldMine, Sage 200 and Microsoft Dynamics NAV.

Concentrix helps companies increase competitiveness, profitability and customer satisfaction by improving business processes, systems and IT.

Concentrix is a UK Company with its head office in Loughborough, Leicestershire. Concentrix also has a regional office in Bristol and a satellite office in central London.