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

Concentrix Customer Surgery

The next Concentrix Customer Surgery is on Wednesday 14th April 2010 and we would love you to come!

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

Date: 14th April 2010

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

To book your place, either email [email protected] or call Rebecca on 01509 410500 by Monday 5th April.

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

CRM for the Education Sector – Concentrix Release New Case Study

In the UK, the use of CRM in the education sector is growing. As well as helping with marketing to prospective students and improving communications during the admissions process, many colleges are using CRM in areas such as employer engagement, train to gain, alumni programmes and helping towards accreditations such as the training quality standard. In many cases it’s these factors that are really driving the CRM projects forwards.

Concentrix has worked with many institutions in the UK education sector to help with their CRM projects, including colleges, universities and supporting organisations, and has a long list of satisfied clients. To illustrate how these projects typically work in practice, we’ve recently released a case study of CRM in the education sector, describing how Concentrix and Bradford College turned around an ailing CRM project into a highly successful system which is delivering significant benefits.

When Concentrix started working with Bradford College, which is one of the largest Further Education Colleges in the UK, the college already had a CRM system. However the project, which originally started with another business partner unrelated to Concentrix, had got off to something of a rocky start. The new case study describes how Bradford College appointed Concentrix as their new CRM business partner, and how the project went on to improve employer engagement, streamline the colleges internal processes and provide a solid, reliable CRM system. T

The Bradford College case study is one of a series of CRM case studies from Concentrix, and the second focussed on CRM in education. While Bradford College used GoldMine Premium CRM software for their solution (they started with GoldMine Corporate Edition, but after investigating the college's requirements fully, Concentrix recommended they upgrade), we have also released a case study on Microsoft CRM in Education. This case study describes how Darlington College successfully deployed Microsoft Dynamics CRM help them engage more effectively with the local business community, streamline internal processes and increase competitiveness against other training providers. The system also helped Darlington College towards an outstanding Ofsted report.

If you’re interested in CRM in the education sector, there’s also an article in CRMsoftware blog which you may want to read: From Employer Engagement To Student Alumni, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Is Delivering Proven Benefits To The Education Sector.

If you need any further help, advice or information about the use of Microsoft CRM or GoldMine software in the UK education sector, please don’t hesitate to contact Concentrix.

Concentrix Sage 200 User Group

Due to high demand, the morning session of our Sage 200 User Group is now full, so we are running an afternoon session as well.

The User Group will be held at our head office in Mountsorrel, Loughborough on Wednesday 10th March and provides 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 over lunch

- Find out about Sage 200 Business Intelligence

- Get an introduction to Fixed Assets for Sage 200

We will be joined by Scott Gibson from Sage and Sarah Vickers from Sicon and there will be a free buffet lunch provided (for both the morning and afternoon sessions).

Date: Wednesday 10th March 2009

Time: 12.30 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. (Lunch 12.30 p.m.)

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

To register (we need you to register beforehand) or for further information, please email [email protected]  or call Rebecca on 01509 410500.

Another Successful Year at TFM&A!

Thank you to everyone who visited the Concentrix stand at TFM&A this year. The feedback we have received has been fantastic!!

We spoke to a number of people who have active projects and others who wanted to find out more about how CRM could help their business. There was also lots of interest in both hosted Microsoft CRM and our Professional Partnership Programme.

If you were unable to visit our stand at TFM& A this year but would like more information about any of the products we supply, or our professional partnership programme, please contact us on 01509 410500 or email [email protected]

Concentrix at TFM&A - It's Off to a Great Start!

Today is the first day of the Technology for Marketing and Advertising (TFM&A). The exhibition is at Earls Court in London and so far the feedback we’ve received has been excellent.

At TFM&A we are displaying our whole range of products including Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Sage CRM and FrontRange’s GoldMine.

James Nightingale who is one of the team manning the Concentrix stand has commented, “So far we have met lots of Sales and Marketing professionals who have a keen interest in CRM. We have also had interest in our Professional Partnership Programme. Overall the show is off to a great start.”

It’s not too late to visit TFM&A this year. The exhibition is open until 17.30 tonight and is open all day tomorrow, with the doors opening at 09.30. If you can make it please come and have a chat with Concentrix, we’re on stand A9.

If you are unable to attend TFM&A but would like more information about any of the products we provide, please visit our website www.concentrix.co.uk or contact us on 01509 410500

Meanwhile here’s some photo’s taken a couple of minutes ago!  

 

 

 

 

Microsoft Dynamics NAV – It’s So Successful We Have New Job Vacancies!

Are you experienced in using or developing Microsoft Dynamics NAV? If so we have some job vacancies you may be interested in. But first, here’s some background.

Back in September 2009 Concentrix added Microsoft Dynamics NAV to its product portfolio and since then has experienced a high level of interest and success. Concentrix already supplied both the Sage 200 suite and Microsoft Dynamics CRM, so providing Microsoft Dynamics NAV was the next logical step. By offering both Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Sage 200 Concentrix is able to offer a product agnostic approach to implementing ERP solutions. In other words we help organisations choose the most appropriate solution to match their requirements, rather than trying to shoe-horn a product into fitting.

Offering Microsoft Dynamics NAV as well as the Sage 200 suite not only offers more choice to our customers, it also has a massive range of industry and process-specific add-on applications. What’s more, we have a technical team who can deploy the solution quickly, integrate it with other applications and tailor it to do exactly what businesses need it to do. Concentrix has deployed several successful implementations of Microsoft Dynamics NAV including a large printing company in Leicester.

Concentrix deploys Microsoft Dynamics NAV quickly and with minimal disruption to businesses. For example, one of our recent customers needed to streamline their internal financial processes which were fairly complex. Working in partnership with Concentrix they acheived this by focussing on using Microsoft Dynamics NAV for financial management. As well as improving their accounting and finance, we also provided training and ongoing support once we had implemented the system. What’s more the  development team had strong business knowledge and technical skills to configure Microsoft Dynamics NAV to meet the precise requirements of our the organisation.

Microsoft Dynamics NAV Job Vacancies

Our current Microsoft Dynamics NAV job vacancies include a place in our software development team as a Microsoft Dynamics NAV Software Developer and for a Microsoft Dynamics NAV Applications Consultant.

For the Microsoft Dynamics NAV Software Developer role, you’ll be involved with a number of projects throughout the development cycle, including designing and implementing new systems as well as supporting existing ones. You will regularly liaise directly with our customers in order to understand their requirements so must have Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Technically you will need solid ASP.NET software development experience, nowledge of C#, Microsoft IIS and SQL Server 2005 or later, and of course Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Sharepoint.

We’re also looking for an additional Microsoft Dynamics NAV Applications Consultant  to work on key accounts and projects. You’ll be client facing so will need excellent written and spoken English. You’ll have a wide range of responsibilities including analysing customer requirements, demonstrating to clients and end users, conducting client workshops, documenting customer requirements, carrying out modifications to the highest standard, testing software, and Microsoft Dynamics NAV installation and implementation. You’ll also need knowledge of other business management and CRM applications, such as Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Sage CRM and Sage 200.

For the successful candidates in either of the roles, Concentrix provides a pleasant working environment, strong career development opportunities and competitive salary and benefits packages. To find out more, please see Concentrix CRM and ERP job vacancies.

CRM in the South West - Concentrix Bristol Office Gets Off to a Great Start!

In October 2009 Concentrix opened a new regional office in Bristol to serve the South-West of the UK and four months later the office is proving to be a great success!  Andy Parry, the regional manager in the South-West has reported great interest in Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Sage 200, Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Sage CRM. Andy has been extremely busy visiting different companies based in and around the South-West that are investigating CRM, Business Management and IT solutions and has received a great deal of positive feedback about the way we approach projects. He believes that our product agnostic approach adds real value as it ensures that our customers get a solution which fulfils their requirements.

Following the opening of the Bristol office we hosted a free seminar ‘Getting CRM Right’. The seminar generated lots of interest in CRM as well as Concentrix and the feedback we received from the event was excellent. We will be holding more seminars in the South-West in the future so to keep up to date with Concentrix events, please visit the events page of our website

The Concentrix South West office is conveniently located at Aztec West Business Park, easily accessed from the M5 and M4 motorways and just a short drive from Bristol city centre.  So, if you're looking for a company that provides quality CRM, business management and ERP software in Bristol and the south west, please contact Concentrix on 01454 629700 or email [email protected].

CRM for Charities

In the UK, CRM for charities and not-for profit organisations is increasingly popular. For charities their most important asset is their funders and supporters and in order to secure future success, it is essential to retain existing backing at the same time as attracting new interest.  However, with the depressed state of the economy, monetary contributions may be a little lighter than in previous years, although the support may still be there. This is because many of us are trying to hold onto our cash for longer and have reduced non-essential spending, often this includes charitable donations. As a result, it has become essential for charities and not for profit organisations to develop strong relationships with existing funders, after all, in tough economic times; they could become a life line. 

How can charities retain existing support?

The key to developing any long term relationship is communication, however often improving communication is easier said than done. Within organisations there will be varying processes of storing information. One department may store information on spreadsheets, others will use paper files and there will be some who just store information in their heads. However, holding critical data in this unstructured manor can result in a poor relationship between the charity and the funder, this can ultimately lead to funding going elsewhere. However CRM software can help.

Why do charities and not for profit organisations need CRM?

CRM is a way of improving business efficiency and effectiveness, it all about attracting new funders at the same time as retaining existing support. CRM streamlines internal processes and helps everyone within the charity work together and share critical information.

What benefits will CRM bring to charities?

CRM will bring a number of benefits to a charity or not for profit organisation including:

- One centralised database – providing a complete view of all sponsors, donors and funders

- Improved communication – between staff and between the charity and its supporters

- Administrative tasks are made easier as they are automated

- Enhanced staff efficiency and effectiveness through streamlined processes

How much does CRM cost?

Implementing a CRM solution doesn’t have to cost a fortune, there are solutions available to suit every budget. What’s more there are considerable discounts available for charities on both Microsoft CRM and Sage CRM licenses, in some cases the discount can be up to 80%.

Concentrix is an independent CRM specialist and provides the best in breed solutions including Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Sage CRM and FrontRanges GoldMine.

For more information about any of the CRM solutions provided by Concentrix or for help and advice on selecting the solution which is right for your charity or not for profit organisation, please contact Concentrix on 01509 410500 or email [email protected]

Improve every part of your business with Sage 200

Many organisations have been using accounting software for a number of years.  However, it’s relatively  recently that companies have realised that Customer Relationship Management (CRM) can help them to achieve a real competitive advantage.

Although organisations often implement CRM to provide one centralised source of information, this can be undermined by using a different accounts solution in the back office. If for example, sales have a customer who has the potential to generate a significant amount of revenue and the accounts department have the same customer on stop for poor payment – this could have negative implications on the future relationship between the customer and the organisation.    

The Sage 200 software suite is a fully integrated Business Management solution. Built from the ground up using “.net” technology, Sage 200 includes Financial and CRM modules as standard.

Implementing the Sage 200 suite will bring a number of benefits to your organisation including:

- It will Integrate your key business processes

- It helps improve efficiency, competitiveness and customer satisfaction

- Sage 200 is a flexible, modular solution , which can be configured to your precise business requirements

- Provides a quick return on investment

Sage 200 is a highly robust solution. It is also highly flexible, with modular and industry specific applications to manage information and processes throughout your company – whatever business you’re in. What’s more because the solution is modular you only have to purchase the software you need – making Sage 200 highly cost-effective.

For more information about Sage 200 or to arrange a free demonstration, please contact Concentrix on 0150 9410500 or email [email protected].

Add-on Applications for Sage CRM

All companies in every industry strive to increase the long-term profitability of their organisation, safeguarding its future success. However this can be difficult, especially when different departments have varying ways of recording customer information and communications.

Data is the key for every organisation irrespective of the sector you work in and this has resulted in an increase in the popularity of Customer Relationship Management software. Customer Relationship Management is a way of improving business efficiency. It is all about keeping existing clients when attracting new customers.

Sage CRM is based on industry leading technology and with over 5.5 million implementations worldwide, it is extremely popular. Sage CRM enables you to quickly analyse, manage and synchronise sales, marketing and customer care across all points of contact, essentially it is designed to encourage better business practices.

Benefits of Implementing Sage CRM

Sage CRM brings many benefits to an organisation including:

It Brings information together - Sage CRM keeps all-important information in one place. It brings all information from Sales, Marketing and Customer Service and Finance providing a complete view of   customers.

Manage Customer Interactions More Effectively – Sage CRM helps you keep a firm track of all your communications, irrespective of what form they are in.

Easy to Use CRM Software – Sage CRM has an intuitive user interface, making it easy to use and increasing the chance of higher user adoption.

Marketing Automation – Sage CRM provides a single source of information to help you run more targeted marketing campaigns.

Sage CRM Planner

There are often instances within businesses when meeting are double booked or someone isn’t where they are supposed to be at the right time. However, although Sage CRM stores all the information needed, it can be difficult to see the information without drilling down into each individuals calendar. However, Concentrix has developed the Sage CRM Planner to provide complete visibility across organisations and make double booked meetings a thing of the past. The planner is a reliable, web-based application which sits within Sage CRM. The planner enables users to see all communications and tasks in their Sage CRM system, in a graphical view over a specific period of time. Users can specify the timescale and can also customise the solution so they immediately understand which tasks are in progress.

Benefits of the Concentrix Sage CRM Planner

- Presents communications in a graphical context over a specific period of time

- It provides a state of the art user interface but still maintains the same look and feel of Sage CRM

- Enables effective allocation of resources

- Has quick search functionality

- Can be customised to individual user preferences

- Having all you information stored in one place is critical for developing employee knowledge which ultimately enables you to deliver an improved customer service. Essentially the Sage CRM planner will help you run your business more effectively.

Concentrix Membership Management System

The key to any sporting organisation is its members. However, manually processing memberships can be a time consuming job. This can result in membership applications going missing or the wrong information being entered into the system as a result of human error. This can have implications on the member, especially if they want to enter a competition and because their information has been entered incorrectly they do not meet the prerequisites.

Concentrix has developed a membership management system based on Sage CRM which improves the efficiency and effectiveness of clubs and sporting organisations through increasing the consistency of member information as well as access to it. The Sage based membership management system has also made it easier for membership organisations to administer and run their sport. In addition the system has a variety of tools and functions which help clubs to build stronger relationships with their members.

Sage 200 CRM

Within the Sage 200 suite, there are two modules which come as standard, these are:

- Sage 200 CRM

- Sage 200 Financials

Within Sage 200 the CRM module is exactly the same as the standalone module. However through implementing the fully integrated solution Sage 200 will provide one unified data set for both the front office and back office functions.

Both the Concentrix Sage CRM Planner and Membership Management solution work with Sage 200 CRM.

Need more information?

For more information about any of the Sage CRM solutions provided by Concentrx, or for help and advice on selecting the solution which is right for your business, please do not hesitate to contact Concentrix on 01509 410500 or email [email protected]