Simplesoft Solutions Blog

New Sage SalesLogix Mobile Quick Tutorial

May 10th, 2011 by Janetta

Click on the Mobile image to view a Sage SalesLogix Mobile Quick Tutorial.  Be a master in minutes!  Simple to deploy and easy to use.  Call us if you need help.

If you would like to learn more tips or have a CRM topic you would like us to write about please contact Simplesoft Solutions, Inc. in one of our Cincinnati/Dayton (OH), Charleston (WV), or Charlotte (NC) surrounding area office locations:

Dayton, Ohio Office:
Simplesoft Solutions, Inc.
550 N. Main St. Suite A
Springboro, OH 45066
Phone: (937) 885-1204 x 3204
Fax: (937) 885-3580
sales@simplesoft.net

Ripley, WV Office:
Simplesoft Solutions, Inc.
710 Random Rd.
Ripley, WV 25271
Phone: (304) 521-2387
Fax: (937) 885-3580
sales@simplesoft.net

Charlotte, NC Office:
Simplesoft Solutions, Inc.
3635 Eastover Ridge Drive
Charlotte, NC 28211
Phone: (704) 910-3872
Fax: (937) 885-3580
sales@simplesoft.net

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Planning and Training the Business Usage of Sage SalesLogix

April 18th, 2011 by Janetta

shutterstock_47340328

To prevent data inconsistencies in Sage SalesLogix we recommend you document the business rules around your usage of CRM.  We have created what we call a QCard (quick card) to record the practical application of Sage SalesLogix to your business processes.  For example, take the Account screen and teach your users how to make changes to pick lists as your relationship with this Account evolves.  Don’t you hate it when you receive mail or email from a company you have been doing business with for several years and they treat you like you are a brand new prospect.  Those kind of mistakes can be eliminated if you will tie the usage of Sage SalesLogix to your business processes.

If you need help converting business processes into action in Sage SalesLogix or you want to conduct some refresher training for your teams, give us a call at 937-885-1204 x3204.

Use this Link to a sample Qcard to document your own usage guidelines.

If you would like to learn more tips or have a CRM topic you would like us to write about please contact Simplesoft Solutions, Inc. in one of our Cincinnati/Dayton (OH), Charleston (WV), or Charlotte (NC) surrounding area office locations:

Dayton, Ohio Office:
Simplesoft Solutions, Inc.
550 N. Main St. Suite A
Springboro, OH 45066
Phone: (937) 885-1204 x 3204
Fax: (937) 885-3580
sales@simplesoft.net

Ripley, WV Office:
Simplesoft Solutions, Inc.
710 Random Rd.
Ripley, WV 25271
Phone: (304) 521-2387
Fax: (937) 885-3580
sales@simplesoft.net

Charlotte, NC Office:
Simplesoft Solutions, Inc.
3635 Eastover Ridge Drive
Charlotte, NC 28211
Phone: (704) 910-3872
Fax: (937) 885-3580
sales@simplesoft.net

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SalesLogix LAN Quick Lookups Tips

December 23rd, 2010 by Janetta

There are so many ways to lookup information in Sage SalesLogix and I just want to point out a few of my favorite quick ways to find things while I am working.

1.  I use the % wildcard to look things up quite often.  This is very helpful when you don’t remember the exact spelling or you don’t remember the complete name of the company but you know one word.  For example, if I lookup under Account using %green, I am going to get:

SLX Wildcard Lookup

2.  Another lookup that I use frequently is looking some one (Contact) up by first name.  I use the Lookup>Contacts>First.

SLX First Name Lookup

3.  On any of the main screens, if the field caption raises up when you put your cursor on it, it is a lookup.  For example, the Main (phone) caption will allow you to look up someone by phone number.

Phone number lookup

These are examples of one value simple Lookups. SalesLogix also has advanced Lookups (multiple value lookups) and a full query builder for creating more complex queries.  I hope you learned at least one new quick tip to find Accounts and Contacts in SalesLogix.

If you would like to learn more tips or have a CRM topic you would like us to write about please contact Simplesoft Solutions, Inc. in one of our Cincinnati/Dayton (OH), Charleston (WV), or Charlotte (NC) surrounding area office locations:

Dayton, Ohio Office:
Simplesoft Solutions, Inc.
550 N. Main St. Suite A
Springboro, OH 45066
Phone: (937) 885-1204 x 3204
Fax: (937) 885-3580
sales@simplesoft.net

Ripley, WV Office:
Simplesoft Solutions, Inc.
710 Random Rd.
Ripley, WV 25271
Phone: (304) 521-2387
Fax: (937) 885-3580
sales@simplesoft.net

Charlotte, NC Office:
Simplesoft Solutions, Inc.
3635 Eastover Ridge Drive
Charlotte, NC 28211
Phone: (704) 910-3872
Fax: (937) 885-3580
sales@simplesoft.net

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The Future of SalesLogix Mobile Part II: HTML 5 Client is Coming

November 15th, 2010 by Mike Pothast

Back in September, we published a blog providing you with a preview of OnTheGo, the SalesLogix mobile solution for iPhone and Android developed by the team at Net@Work. In that post, we also alluded to the fact that Sage would be addressing iPhone and Android platforms through the development of a shiny new HTML 5 browser based solution. Well we are happy to report that we’re getting increasingly closer to the release of that product, and thought you’d like a sneak peek!

The delivery of the HTML 5 client is expected before the end of the calendar year 2010, and should provide SalesLogix users with an effective, zero footprint model for accessing their data remotely. We’ve been able to test the look and feel of the new product on a variety of devices, including the iPad, and have been more than satisfied with the results. This new SalesLogix access point should be a welcome addition to the family of products, especially as Sage puts more focus on the web based client and more fully develops the SData strategy. (Click to expand the image)

There’s no word just yet on the pricing and licensing model, but we expect it to be in line with the current pricing.

For more information or for a demonstration of this exciting addition to the SalesLogix family, please feel free to contact us at 937-885-1204×3210, or email us at sales@simplesoft.net

If you would like to learn more tips or have a CRM topic you would like us to write about please contact Simplesoft Solutions, Inc. in one of our Cincinnati/Dayton (OH), Charleston (WV), or Charlotte (NC) surrounding area office locations:

Dayton, Ohio Office:
Simplesoft Solutions, Inc.
550 N. Main St. Suite A
Springboro, OH 45066
Phone: (937) 885-1204 x 3204
Fax: (937) 885-3580
sales@simplesoft.net

Ripley, WV Office:
Simplesoft Solutions, Inc.
710 Random Rd.
Ripley, WV 25271
Phone: (304) 521-2387
Fax: (937) 885-3580
sales@simplesoft.net

Charlotte, NC Office:
Simplesoft Solutions, Inc.
3635 Eastover Ridge Drive
Charlotte, NC 28211
Phone: (704) 910-3872
Fax: (937) 885-3580
sales@simplesoft.net

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Editing Activity and Calendar User Options in SalesLogix Web

June 16th, 2010 by Kyle

Sage SalesLogix provides the tools to allow you to modify some parts of the interface so that you can work in the way that suits your needs. The User Options allow you to set specific preferences for certain features such as General/Search, Group, Activity/Alarm, Calendar, Change Password, and Opportunities that appear when you start the Sage SalesLogix Web Client application. The settings that you select are recorded as being for the user who is logged on and are not visible to other Sage SalesLogix users.

To edit user options:

  1. Login as the proper user of the SalesLogix CRM system.
  2. On the top right status bar, click Options.
  3. Click the tab for the options you want to edit.
    • Click the Activity/Alarm tab to set options for the Activity Main View, follow-up activities, or Activity alarms.
    • Click the Calendar tab to set options for the Calendar view. You can determine the information that displays on your calendar, the default view, or the day start and end times.
  4. Click the Save button icon.

Sage SalesLogix Web CRM Options - Activities

Activity/Alarm Options
Activities, Alarms, and Reminders enable you to keep track of tasks in the Sage SalesLogix Web Client. The Activity/Alarms tab allows you to specify how and when Activities, Alarms, and Reminders will display.

To set Activity and alarm options:

  1. On the top right status bar, click Options.
  2. Click the Activity/Alarms tab.
  3. In the Show Activities for box, select the user whose Activities you want to display in the Activity Main View.
  4. From the Default View drop-down list, select the tab name for the type of Activities you want to display in the Activity Main View (for example, All Open).
  5. In the Time Frame drop-down list, select the time range of Activities you want to display in the Activities Main View.
  6. In the Default Follow-up Activity drop-down list, select the type of Activity to be scheduled as a follow up, after you complete an activity.
  7. In the Carry Over Notes drop-down list, select Yes if you want to carry over any existing notes.
  8. In the Carry Over Attachments drop-down list, select Yes if you want to carry over any existing attachments.
  9. In the Alarm Default Lead boxes, enter a number in the box and select Minute(s), Hour(s), or Day(s) from the drop-down list to determine the length of time the reminder should occur before the Activity Start Time.
  10. Click the Display Activity Reminders drop-down arrow and select Yes to display Activity Reminders or No to prevent Activity Reminders from displaying.
  11. Click the Display Alarms drop-down arrow and select Yes to display Activities with alarms in the Activity Reminders view or No to prevent Activities with alarms from displaying.
  12. Click the Display Confirmations drop-down arrow and select Yes to display Activity confirmations in the Activity Reminders view or No to prevent Activity confirmations from displaying.
  13. Click the Display Past Due drop-down arrow and select Yes to display past due Activities in the Activity Reminders view or No to prevent past due Activities from displaying.
  14. Click the Save button icon.

Sage SalesLogix Web CRM Options - Calendar

Calendar Options
The User Options view displays the settings for the logged on user. These options are only applicable for that specific user in the Web Client.

Calendar Options allow you to adjust the content and appearance of your calendar to accommodate the way you work. You can set the type of information that displays in Activities, the start and end of the work day, the default calendar view, default interval on the calendar, and whether or not completed Activities (history) items display. History items only display on the day and week calendars by default. You can also set the user whose calendar is displayed by default. The logged-on user is the default.

To set calendar options:

  1. On the top right status bar, click Options.
  2. Click the Calendar tab.
  3. In the Default Calendar View box, click the drop-down arrow and select the default calendar view you want to display when you open the Calendar view.
  4. In the Show History on Calendar box, click the drop-down arrow and select Yes to display history items or No to not display history items on the day view.
  5. In the View Calendar For box, click the Find button, select a user from the list, and then click OK.
  6. In the Show on Activities box, click the drop-down arrow and select the Activity information you want to display on the Calendar.
  7. In the Day Start box, click the drop-down arrow and select the time you want the Calendar to display as your start time.
  8. In the Day End box, click the drop-down arrow and select the time you want the Calendar to display as your end time.
  9. In the Default Interval box, click the drop-down arrow and select whether the calendar displays information in 15, 30 or 60 minute intervals.
  10. In the Default Activity Type box, click the drop-down arrow and select a default Activity type. This is the type of Activity that will be created when you double-click on any of the Calendar views.
  11. Click Save.

The above two tabs have been covered but there are other User Options as well such as General/Search, Group, Change Password, and Opportunities tabs that appear when you start the Sage SalesLogix Web Client application. Below is a brief description of those categories:

  • General/Search Options
    Use the General/Search tab to specify such settings as which view opens by default when you first log into Sage SalesLogix Web Client, and who to use as the default owner for any new records you create. You can also set options for using Mail Merge, although these will not be visible unless you selected the “Use ActiveMail” check box when you logged in.
  • Group Options
    The Group Options view display your personal preference settings for Main Views, Default Groups, and Grid Options such as auto resizing columns to prevent horizontal scrolling. These options only apply when the user is logged on to the Web Client.
  • Changing a Password
    You have the ability to change your password through the User Options in the Web Client. Once you have made the changes you want, you must log off and then log on again for the changes to take effect.
  • Opportunity Options
    Use the Opportunities tab to specify default attributes for any new opportunities that you enter into the Sage SalesLogix Web Client. The Opportunity Options view displays the settings for the user who is logged on. These options are only applicable for that specific user in the Web Client.

Editing User Options in Sage SalesLogix Web allows you to modify personal preferences so you can work in an environment that better suits your needs and allow each user to work as effectively as possible in the Sage SalesLogix customer relationship management (CRM) environment.

If you would like to learn more about Editing Activity and Calendar User Options or have another CRM article that you would like us to write about please contact Simplesoft Solutions, Inc. in one of our Cincinnati, OH or Chicago, IL surrounding area office locations:

Dayton, Ohio Office:
Simplesoft Solutions, Inc.
550 N. Main St. Suite A
Springboro, OH 45066
Phone: (937) 885-1204 x 3204
Fax: (937) 885-3580
sales@simplesoft.net

Chicago, Illinois Office:
Simplesoft Solutions, Inc.
950 N. Rand Rd. #123
Wauconda, IL 60084

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Easy as 1-2-3: E-mailing Notes and History from SalesLogix

June 2nd, 2010 by Arminta

On many occasions I have found the need to e-mail the details of a SalesLogix History item to a client, or other non-SalesLogix user. This is something that can be done quickly and easily, if you know how! Just follow the three easy yet simple steps below.

image
Step 1: Browse to the correct Account/Contact/Opportunity.

Step 2: Select the History record to e-mail.

Step 3: Click the E-mail button!

The resulting e-mail is populated automatically and is pulled up as an MS Outlook draft. Just add your recipients and select send!

image

This is a quick way to share Sage SalesLogix Notes and history with other people!

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The Great CRM Implementation Sabotage

June 1st, 2010 by Lisa

Are you contemplating a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) project? The process, people, and technology you choose to deploy your project will have a big effect on the success or failure of your overall plan. User adoption is one major key to success and here are a few ways to ensure failure.

 Just buy the first one you see or the one everyone else is using. Whatever! Don’t set goals or define objectives for a successful CRM project. Throw that “must-have” requirements list out the window. And don’t involve any other departments in the decision. They will love whatever you pick, right? And please don’t ask the vendor or salesperson to demonstrate how your data will perform in the proposed environment. He’s a busy guy!  Besides, that web demo was really flashy.

 Don’t worry about getting the executive team involved.  They like you so much they’ll agree with whatever you say, right? Sign those contracts! After all it’s only money and who cares about that fine print anyway. Everything will go smoothly and no one will question your decision. Oh and be sure to tell your sales department that the reason for the new CRM is to allow management to look over their shoulder and monitor their every move. It has nothing to do with making their job easier or helping them sell more. The sales team will be excited to jump in and get started. They LOVE change and especially rigid “big brotherish” accountability!

Pick the cheapest solution. Everyone knows that you’ll get a quick ROI with the cheapest CRM. Don’t ask questions or do research…and never ask for references. Don’t worry about contract lengths, service agreements, storage limits or data management. You get what you pay for and cheaper is always better!  Besides, it’s got that sweet new app that downloads ringtones. It doesn’t matter if the tool enables you to better serve your customers.  And don’t worry if you need to change your business model to fit the tool.  Remember… people love change and price should always trump features!

Tell everyone that this new CRM will solve every problem the company has ever had. Create hundreds of data entry fields and pick lists for your users. Sales reps love being data entry clerks! Don’t change any of your current processes or make improvements in your spreadsheet mentality.  That’s the way you have been doing it for decades.  Those forms are timeless and essential. Oh, and be sure to knock your team out with all the amazing features and promise them that nothing will go wrong. Let them know that this new CRM will be the panacea that fixes everything. Make sure the executive team has the absolute highest expectations of you and the CRM tool. You need a raise anyway, right?

Make sure the CRM you choose a really difficult to use. Everyone knows that difficult means superior and the more times you click through screens the better. All of your peers have amazing IT skills so they will appreciate your time-saving choice.  Besides, the user experience is totally overrated.  Oh yes, and be sure to “dump” all your old data into that shiny new tool. Everyone in your organization is a perfectionist and that data is clean as a whistle. Now… roll that thing out to the entire company all at once. You’ll get lots of positive feedback, I promise, and rollouts are more manageable without phases or trials.

While my list is ridiculous and no one would ever set out to sabotage their own project, there are some implementation truths to heed. Upper management can demand the use of a CRM tool, but the front end users can make or break your success.

The Simplesoft approach to CRM is unique, and we do invest the upfront time needed to listen and understand how our clients currently work with their customers. We take the time to help them define “best practices” and configure the tool to fit the personality of their business.  And, we understand that any investment in a software technology alone will be wasted unless the management, the end users, and the system administrator have a vision and understand how to implement the software properly to serve the customer better.

Consider joining us on June 8th for the Heartland SalesLogix Users Group meeting. If you are in the Ohio area or a nearby state, it’s a free event and it is held quarterly. The topic this quarter is “Strengthening User Adoption”. Click here to sign up and learn more.

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The Flexibility of Sage SalesLogix

April 23rd, 2010 by Paul

Here are a few of my favorite flexible Sage SalesLogix ideas

The flexibility of Sage SalesLogix means you have liberty and freedom.  What types of choices and liberty do you mean?  I am glad you asked.

  • Customizations

 Sage SalesLogix offers powerful options for customizing the applications.  You can use the scripting engine to customize.  You can use built-in configureable options like contact processes, sales processes, and pick lists as easy as clicking a button without being a programmer.  If you have the skills or resources available you can even use custom coding and .NET Extensions.  Overall the limitations are few and mostly centered around imagination and practical budget.  One of the common approaches is the incremental development approach or sometimes called phased approach to deploying customizations over time and measuring the return and the impact to both the end users and the customer results.  These customizations offer customers choice and helps deflect the round hole and square peg approach of some CRM tools.  Smart customers today demand flexible tools.  Most companies want their software to work the way their business operates, not changing the business to fit the software.  Sage SalesLogix allows you to be creative and build customizations affordably your way.

  • Territory Realignments

 One of the “smart idea” tools built in to SalesLogix is the ability to slice and dice the data.  The built in administrative tool allows for easy changes in Account Management and territory changes.   I am sure that sales representatives never switch companies or territories almost never change.  But when they do get altered, it is great to be able to accommodate those adjustments in business software.

  • Bundles

Sage SalesLogix has the ability to pull customizations, also known as plugins, out of the database and be saved into a portable format called a SalesLogix bundle (*.sxb) file.  Why is this smart?  Well on two fronts.  It helps the customer to make changes in SalesLogix and test the outcome without impacting production.  You might call this a “sand box” or development/test environment.  Once these changes are fit for production (QA) then they can be bundled up and moved to production without having to recreate them from scratch.  This saves time, energy, and money.  On the second front, bundles allow for smart people to create clever modifications to SalesLogix and share them either for free or for a fee with multiple SalesLogix systems.  This is another example of choice that the right Sage foundation has provided.  Don’t you just love open systems with flexibility.  You can keep bundles private as your competitive edge or share them with the world, but this is your choice.

  • Deployment

 The next three items go hand-in-hand, but are separated out because of some unique value that Sage SalesLogix provides.   You can deploy the way your users want to work with SalesLogix.  You can deploy on-premise or off premise (SaaS) for starters.  Sage SalesLogix has always had the option of being hosted in a data center.  That is not anything new, but few have done so in the past.  With the on premise, the options run the gamut.  You can choose to be LAN (Local Area Network) only.  Note:  This is the primary “live or real-time” directly connected to the database option.    You can also use Terminal Services or Citrix or hosted LAN deployments.  Nothing new here, but it is great to have options, eh?  In addition, you can opt for browser-based users using a portal.  (This is a rapidly growing choice by companies) This can be deployed inside your firewall locally or outside (Internet).  Your option and your freedom.   (I feel like I am getting warmed up on deployment!) 

Now another alternative is concerning those users who are outside your company roaming accross the planet.  There are “disconnected” systems for those remote users.  You can use remote clients with a slice of the main host, using MS SQL Express, or you can use remote office for a group of LAN users who work off of one big remote client as direct connected users.  There is also the option of “disconnected” browser based clients.    The options don’t end with these choices.  All the options above are OR options.  You don’t have to pick one deployment option and if you wish you can work with them all.

Sage SalesLogix Deployment Options

Next, what if I don’t want the infrastructure in my IT data center at all?  Another popular option is hosted, which comes in three flavors.  SalesLogix Cloud, a data center hosting SalesLogix only, and a data center hosting your whole infrastructure remotely (we call this the Green Office Option).    The SalesLogix Cloud is mainly for the web client only deployment option using Amazon Web Services.  Very slick!  The data center hosting SalesLogix can be for any client type but mostly remote or hosted via Terminal Services.  And the last option is for the whole integrated infrastructure for your CRM tool set (think Exchange and Sharepoint, and SalesLogix etc more of a IaaS option).  You get to decide.  You have the freedom. You are the customer.   Unlike some Customer Relationship Management tools that box in your decisions to only browser based decisions and are only SaaS deployments.  Today, you may desire to have more options than that if you need them.

Oops, I didn’t even talk about SalesLogix Mobile Client or SalesLogix Disconnected Web Client options which have existed for years.  Maybe another time.

Client Types

Network, remote, web, and mobile users

Freedom To Work Anywhere

The deployment option selected usually impacts the client types that are available.  If you are choosing to move SalesLogix out of your data center, then maybe you are a low customization needs shop and want to use  browser based access.  (Although, the browser based option can be heavily customized)  You have only one basic option then, the Web client.  Then your decision is where to deploy inside your campus or published to the internet or hosted in the Amazon infrastructure as SalesLogix Cloud.    If you wanted an application on your desktop, then you can virtualize the application, using (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure)VDI technology, or have it installed local, or even use thin multi-user technologies like Terminal Services across the web.  Most desktop deployments use either remote or network installed software.  The trending movement has been toward the Internet based toolset for many years.  The point is that you can work from anywhere now!   I like the idea of working from the deck with my feet kicked up with a broadband internet connection or even in a field enjoying the great outdoors.  Feel the untethered freedom of the wind whipping through your hair?

These are just a few of the areas that I believe makes SalesLogix a vastly superior tool for the flexibility that it brings to the CRM marketplace and the many features that are designed with the user at heart.  As a Sage SalesLogix business partner, we would love to share the options that will work for your company and your situation on your terms.

“We want to get it done as quickly and inexpensively with as much creativity and flexibility as we can have.”
Andrew Johnson (American President)

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