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

Sage Software - Sales, Deals and Discounts!

Chris Smith is a Senior Sales Consultant for Sage Software at Concentrix. If you're looking to buy Sage software, or have ever considered doing so, here's Chris's view from the other side of the process.....

You may or may not be aware that September 30^th is Sage’s fiscal year end. If you sold Sage software for a living, you definitely would be more than aware as Sage are very good at passing the importance of the date to them onto their partner channel and subsequently to any end user customers or prospects.  

I’ve personally been selling Sage’s mid market products (line 100, MMS and now Sage 200) for around 6 years and each year September has been a frenzy of activity. Typically the fun starts around July as we enter Sage’s Quarter 4). Those pipeline update calls start to get a bit more regular and your account manager starts to offer help on deals without you asking for it.

By the time we get to August, any deal that’s not going to close in September may as well be lost in Sage’s eyes and the partner channel are concluding all demo’s with a strap line around Sage year end and the great deals that are to be had. This immediately puts the customer is discount mode but does, in fairness, add some urgency to the discussions.

Once we are into September itself, it all royally kicks off. Pipeline updates are daily and sometime twice daily as the month closes, educated buyers are hitting google to play partners off against each other and deals that were previously 20% discounted become 30%, 40% and maybe more on the bigger bids. The pressure builds and builds right up to 17.00 on 30^th September. Then it stops.

If you take the metaphor of the January sales, it’s the 1^st February, the Sales signs are in a big pile in the corner, there’s a few bits of tat left on a rail at the back of the shop but basically we’re dealing with new season full price stock. In short all deals are off.

This of course is nonsense. For the right project with the right customer, Concentrix can do a deal as easily in October as we can in September (I did one this week!). We can still discuss deals with Sage, we can still look at our own bottom line and we can agree sensible, mutually beneficial payment plans. We can put timeframes on it if you want, but there should be no point if the software’s a good fit.  

So if you are interested in Sage 200 or are growing out of Sage Line 50, contact Concentrix now and rest assured you don’t have to wait 11 months for a deal!   

Concentrix CRM Solution helps CrossCountry Trains Nomination for Customer Service Excellence Award

We're really pleased that one of our customers, CrossCountry Trains, who we developed a new customer service system for based on Microsoft Dynamics CRM, has been nominated for the UK 2009 National Customer Service Awards. Congratulations to Matt and his team! Here's the press release:

Concentrix customer CrossCountry Trains has been nominated for the 2009 National Customer Service Awards.

The nomination, achieved after a rigorous entry and selection process, sees CrossCountry Trains shortlisted in the ‘Contact Centre Team of the Year’ and ‘Customer Services Manager of Year’ categories.  The company has also been ‘Highly Commended’ in the ‘Complaints Team of the Year Category’.

CrossCountry Trains crosses more of the UK than any other train operator. In 2008 they chose Concentrix to develop a new customer services system. Based on Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Concentrix replaced a bespoke legacy system that was expensive, difficult to use and had severe limitations.

Concentrix created a CRM-based customer service system tailored specifically to the needs of CrossCountry Trains. Through extensive configuration and customisation of Microsoft Dynamics CRM, the Concentrix solution integrates with trackside train performance systems, calculates refunds, speeds up response times and lets CrossCountry Train’s staff focus on delivering excellent, personalised service to their customers.

Matt Foster, Customer Service Manager for CrossCountry Trains and nominee for Manager of the Year said “We’re really happy that the customer service solution developed by Concentrix, along with the dedication of our staff and other changes we’ve made to our business, has helped CrossCountry Trains through to the finals of two categories at the National Customer Service Awards 2009 and achieve ‘Highly Commended’ in another.”

John Odell, Senior CRM Consultant at Concentrix commented “Congratulations to Matt and the team.  We’ve developed a productive and close working relationship with CrossCountry Trains throughout their customer service project. From initial scoping right through to training and support, CrossCountry Train’s professionalism and knowledge helped us deliver a highly successful solution”.

The winners of the National Customer Service Awards will be announced at an “Oscar’s style” awards evening on 9^th December 2009.

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. As well as providing Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Concentrix also supplies Microsoft Dynamics NAV, the Sage 200 suite, Sage CRM, Sage SalesLogix, and FrontRange's GoldMine software. 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 systems, 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 Partner and a FrontRange Premier Partner.

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

 

Concentrix is Exhibiting at Technology for Marketing and Advertising 2010

After the success of last year’s event, Concentrix is exhibiting at Technology for Marketing and Advertising (TFM&A) again this year.

The exhibition is at Earls Court, London from 23^rd February to 24^th February 2010

We’ll be showing our full range of products and services, including Sage CRM and Microsoft Dynamics CRM, as well as FrontRange’s GoldMine.

Concentrix has many years experience with a wide range of CRM products and different CRM environments. As independent CRM specialists, we provide the best in breed CRM software and as a result we are able to take a product agnostic approach to supplying software. This enables us to ensure you get the solution which is right for your company. We’ll be more than happy to discuss any aspect of CRM, business management software, or any related issues you may be having. Above all, we’ll provide you with free, unbiased, high-quality advice.

If you can make it to Technology for Marketing and Advertising this year, it’s well worth a visit. And of course, please drop by our stand and have a chat!

If you’re not able to attend TFM&A, and would help, advice or more information about Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Sage CRM or FrontRange’s GoldMine, contact Concentrix on 01509 410500 or email [email protected]. You can also use our website to book a live, one-to-one online demo with one of our CRM experts.

To register for free entry to the exhibition please click here

We look forward to talking to you at TFM&A!

Concentrix expands into the South-West

Concentrix is delighted to have opened a new office in the South-West. The office is conveniently located just off the M5/M4 interchange at Aztec Business Park, Bristol and will enable us to provide businesses throughout the region with access to expert advice, consultancy and a range of products and services for their CRM, Business Management and IT projects.

Our Regional Manager for the new Concentrix South West branch is Andy Parry. As Concentrix already had a number of customers in the South-West and we get a lot of enquiries from the region, it made sense to open an office here.

The opening of the new office is very exciting for all concerned as it extends the company’s physical presence significantly. The South-West addition takes the total number of Concentrix offices to three, with our head office in Leicestershire and our satellite office in London.

The new facility means Concentrix can provide businesses in the South-West of England with a  local “one-stop-shop” for CRM, business management and IT projects.  So if you're base in the region and need help or advice about CRM solutions such as Microsoft CRM, Sage CRM and FrontRange’s GoldMine, or business management solutions such as Microsoft Dynamics NAV and the Sage 200 Suite - please get in touch!.

For more information about our new office or any of the products and services we supply, please contact us on 01509 410500 or email [email protected]

Concentrix participates in National Customer Service Week

Leading independent Business Solutions specialist Concentrix is pleased to be participating in National Customer Service Week.

So what is National Customer Service Week?

- A week long celebration of Customer Service Professionalism

- A chance to recognise the achievements of Customer Service Professionalism

Concentrix has a history of delivering outstanding customer service and support and this is something we want to continue to deliver going forward. By participating in National Customer Service week we are demonstrating our continuing dedication to delivering excellent support and customer service.

At Concentrix we believe that delivering customer service is the responsibility of every employee, it does not just fall onto one department and this is what enables us to deliver exceptional levels of customer service.  What’s more, Concentrix has dedicated support and account management teams.

The Concentrix support team is made up of a dedicated, in-house support desk and a team of highly experienced field engineers. To ensure you receive the highest level of support, we strongly recommend you take out a Support Agreement. This gives access to our dedicated support line 5 days a week, between 8 am and 6.00 pm, and a dedicated email address solely for support issues. We also offer remote assistance and allow you to view all of your previous issues online with our Concentrix Self-Service facility.

For help or advice about the support services provided by Concentrix, contact us on 01509 410500 or email [email protected]. For more information about National Customer Service week, please click here.

Leicester Business Event 2009

Thanks to everyone who visited our stand at Leicester Business Event (LBE) yesterday! We found the event extremely useful; and we had a number of discussions about the products we provide including Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Sage CRM, FrontRange’s GoldMine, Sage 50 and Sage 200.  

There was also a great deal of genuine interest in our new product Microsoft Dynamics NAV. Plus, Concentrix even got a quote in the local paper, the Leicester Mercury (if you want to find out what we said, you'll have to buy the paper!).

We hope to arrange meetings with those we spoke to shortly, so we can discuss your requirements in more detail. And thanks to those who expressed an interest in our Professional Partnership Programme, we'll also be in touch again shortly.

If you have any questions about any of the products we provide, or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01509 410500 or email [email protected].

Microsoft Press Release - Microsoft Dynamics ERP Innovations Boost Business Productivity for Customers

Here's a recent press release from Microsoft announcing new capabilities and enhancements to the Microsoft Dynamics RoleTailored user experience, enabling products such as Microsoft Dynamics NAV to further increase business productivity:

Microsoft Dynamics ERP Innovations Boost Business Productivity for Customers

Strong momentum for Microsoft Dynamics ERP partners delivering vertical solutions.

REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Less than a year since the milestone release of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009, Microsoft Corp. today announced new capabilities and enhancements to the Microsoft Dynamics RoleTailored user experience that further increase business productivity. This move supports Microsoft's promise to enable the Dynamic Business, which includes offering flexible business applications that remain relevant as business needs evolve.

The new visualization capabilities allow partners to create innovative visual custom controls using Microsoft technologies such as Silverlight, while additional personalization capabilities such as improved data entering and quick navigation can result in appreciable time savings across an organization. Customers also benefit from having direct access from within the Role Center to the latest product information and user forums through a feature called Connect.

"Our customers are appreciating having better insight and increased control over the level of information displayed, while our partners are celebrating the creative appeal of the new visualization capabilities with Client Extensibility that enable the differentiation of vertical solutions through visual representation of complex data," said Crispin Read, general manager of Microsoft Dynamics ERP. "The new capabilities are a result of close collaboration with our customers and partners; they build on the core values of simplicity and productivity that are the hallmarks of Microsoft Dynamics NAV."

Celebrating Strong Partner Vertical Success

The Microsoft Dynamics ERP business has had tremendous success with partners delivering solutions for Microsoft Dynamics NAV, which serve the vertical needs of customers such as those in automotive manufacturing, waste management, construction, pharma, equipment rental, fashion retail, food production, real estate, shipping and hospitality. "Microsoft Dynamics NAV serves as a rapid development platform that makes it easy for partners like us to deliver vertical or micro-vertical solutions," said Steen Waever Poulsen, chief operating officer, Trimit A/S.

More than 100 Microsoft Dynamics NAV partner solutions have received the Certified for Microsoft Dynamics distinction, a recognition for solutions that meet Microsoft's highest development standards.

"We are very pleased with the new visualization capabilities in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009", said one such Certified for Microsoft Dynamics solution partner, Andrea Voss, Tectura, EMEA. "We offer Tectura Process Manufacturing, which includes a visual planning tool that enables us to differentiate our solution and deliver more value to our customers. With the new enhancements in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 we have been able to fully integrate the tool into the RoleTailored user experience and give customers a much more seamless and efficient way of working than before."

In addition to visualization capabilities with Client Extensibility, the new Microsoft Dynamics NAV features include the following:

- Data entry enhancements such as the ability to make calculations in fields, and enable single-cell data copying and Excel-like navigation

- Filtering improvements such as Advanced Search features that allow customers to search for pages, report views and other items with the Search box, just like in Microsoft Internet Explorer and Outlook

- Keyboard shortcut changes that improve navigation within the customer's Role Center

- Connect capabilities that connect users from the Role Center with the Internet to access resources such as product updates, newsgroups, training and other tools that are targeted to their role

"Microsoft Dynamics NAV is highly intuitive and makes it easy for our employees to access and manipulate information so we get the right orders to the right customers in less time," said Henrik Dam Jespersen, CEO of Hurup, an early adopter of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009. "We expect increased productivity as a result of the latest enhancements."

The new capabilities are offered with the Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Service Pack 1, which is available in 16 countries: Australia, Austria, Canada (English and French), Denmark, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland (French, German and Italian), the United Kingdom and the United States, with plans to extend to 26 additional countries later this year and during 2010.

About Microsoft Dynamics

Microsoft Dynamics is a line of adaptable, easy-to-use ERP and CRM applications that enable business decision-makers to run their business efficiently and drive business success. Delivered through a network of channel partners providing specialized services, these integrated, adaptable business management solutions work like and with familiar Microsoft software to streamline processes across an entire business.

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.

Quote Sheet

"We were delighted with the ease with which we could build a vertical product based on Microsoft Dynamics NAV. Its integrated development platform helped us offer a competitive solution."

"The Certified for Microsoft Dynamics NAV standard reflects our proven ability to provide a vertical solution that covers all the processes in our customer market."

Ralf Linnemann, CEO Sales and Marketing, Tegos GmbH

"Because of the core industry functionality already found in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009, it makes it even easier for an independent software vendor like us to develop vertical or micro-vertical solutions on top of the existing solution."

Steen Wæver Poulsen, Chief Operating Officer, TRIMIT A/S

"We invested resources in Microsoft Dynamics NAV because it is a richly featured, highly versatile ERP solution that makes rapid development possible. We can build and embed our vertical solution in a fraction of the time we would need if we worked with other programming tools."

"Participating in the Certified for Microsoft Dynamics program has helped us deliver high-quality solutions to the partner channel and increased the global reach of our solution."

Brandon Taylor, Vice President of Product Strategy and Development, Serenic Software

SOURCE Microsoft Corp.

The next Concentrix Customer Surgery is on 28th October 2009!

If you are an existing Concentrix customer, this is your opportunity to come to our head office in Mountsorrel , Loughborough, enjoy some light refreshments and spend an hour with one of our CRM, Accounts or Business Solutions specialists, completely free of charge.

As usual, we will have experts available to cover Sage CRM, Sage 200, SalesLogix, Microsoft Dynamics CRMand GoldMine Premium Edition. We will also have staff available to discuss any hardware and business solutions issues.

The feedback we have received in the past has been excellent with many surgeries being oversubscribed.

To book your place, either email [email protected] or call 01509 410500 by Monday 19^th October 2009

Enhance your Cash Flow, with Credit Hound

Business is a balancing act – with cash flow at its heart. If not properly managed, cash flow can cause significant problems for an organisation which are likely to negatively impact on profitability.

Giving customers credit is an excellent tool for enhancing and facilitating sales, however it is essential that if this is adopted, that the organisation has processes in place to help them to collect the money. It is when there are no process in place that problems arise and cash flow becomes a problem.

Poor cash flow will impact on your organisation in a number of ways. Not only will you have reduce profitability you may also have unsatisfied customers as a result of not being able to pay your suppliers on time. What’s more, unsatisfied customers are unlikely to become loyal.  

Improve cash flow with Credit Hound

Credit Hound is a piece of software which automates and streamlines the processes involved in good credit control, enabling you to collect money quickly and easily. Credit Hound has built in features which reduce debt and provide critical business information.

Key benefits of Credit Hound include:

- Improved cash flow – When your customers pay on time, you too can pay on time

- Manage and control disputes so invoices get paid – Disputed invoices are often not paid. Credit Hound enables you to manage and resolve problems quickly, ensuring you get paid

- Automated processes save time – Credit Hound tells you who you need to talk to

- Reduce debts by monitoring your customers - By keeping in contact with your customers you will be aware of potential problems and be in a better position to take preventative action.

- Links directly to your accounts system – As Credit Hound links straight to your accounts system there is no duplication of effort.

- Achieve good credit control quickly and easily – Credit Hound is easy to use which means you will feel the return on investment quickly.

For more information about Credit Hound, please click here alternatively contact Concentrix on 01509 410500 or email [email protected]

Concentrix provides a solution which will help your business create the right impression

Having the right company image is pivotal for business success. However, creating the right image comes at a price. In the current economic climate you may be trying new initiatives to reduce costs, but extreme cost cutting can have catastrophic implications. Concentrix is now supplying a solution which will help you to reduce costs without having any negative implications on your business. 

Spindle Professional, enables businesses to merge information from business applications such as Sage 200 and Microsoft NAV and creates documents which can be sent to customers quickly and easily. What’s more, it allows you to add your company logo and branding to letters, emails invoices and delivery notes – eliminating the need for expensive pre-printed stationary and subsequently reducing costs. In addition the software is flexible so you can create promotional and seasonal messages whenever you want to.

Spindle Professional automates routine communications and consequently provides significant cost savings on stationary, postage and staff administration. And, because routine communications are automated, Spindle Professional reduces human error and improves accuracy of communication.

Key Benefits of Spindle include:

- Reduced costs – Document delivery by email and fax

- Intelligent delivery – Spindle professional knows what to fax, what to email and what to print

- Flexible – Automatically adds terms and conditions and seasonal or promotional messages

- Saves money and wastage – Uses plain paper instead of pre-printed paper

- Emails and Archives – Documents are sent and stored as PDF files

For more information about Spindle professional click here, alternatively contact us on 01509 410500 or email [email protected]