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October 23rd, 2014 by

A few years ago I wrote an article on cleaning dirty data in your CRM system, See link for details on Dirty Data cleaned Dirt Cheap.  http://community.saleslogix.com/t5/The-Saleslogix-Journal/Dirty-Data-Cleaned-Dirt-Cheap-Guest-Blog-by-Paul-Hansford/ba-p/9974. The gist of the article is that data management needs to be a sustained activity that is accomplished over time and not a one-time event.  CRM Data management is like technology compatibility in the sense that it is an ever moving target.

Data does not have to be perfect all the time, but does need to be fit for use in your sales operations cycles. Even if your CRM platform is backed up, updated, and managed on your behalf, your data management is an area that needs to be maintained and included in your CRM strategies.    A CRM tool is the central repository for the lifeblood of your business – sales.  When your business is using your CRM tools (Mobile, Web, Social etc) well then it becomes a tool where dashboards, data lists, reports, become a way to help your teams win the heart of your customers.

What is clean high quality data?

The top five characteristics of high quality data are:   Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Unique, and Timely. These items can all be addressed with a system usage guide (user policy document) to ensure that everyone knows what is expected.

Data are of high quality if “they are fit for their intended uses in operations, decision making and planning.” (J. M. Juran)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_quality

Practical Steps to help your situation

  1. Establish usage guidelines for data entry (intelligent naming conventions)
  2. Confirm your integrated system are not creating data issues (E-mail, Social, ERP/Accounting, web)
  3. Confirm your imported data, is compared either before or after, and has not creating duplicates
  4. Assign a Data Steward (DS) to help advocate and educate on data compliancy
  5. Use the proper built in tools and 3rd party tools to assist
  6. Use experienced consultants to give you the jump start you need

We’re entering a new world in which data may be more important than software.   Tim O’Reilly

If you would like to discuss upgrading your system, or to see a free demonstration, please contact Simplesoft Solutions.

Remember to check our CALENDAR and register for free training, demo sessions, and the Heartland Saleslogix Users Group Events.

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Dayton/Cincinnati, OHCharleston, WVCharlotte, NC

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September 8th, 2014 by

ParishSoft provides browser-based church management, accounting, and denominational headquarter management systems designed to give faith-based organizations a single database solution and an integrated platform for membership, sacraments, faith formation, ministry volunteers, giving, development, accounting, communications, reporting and data mining, and more. Their solutions serve more than 10,000 churches of multiple denominations and have an especially strong presence in Catholic organizations, with products in nearly every U.S. Catholic diocese and 84 Catholic diocesan offices.

ParishSoft uses Saleslogix to keep track of and serve customers, as well as manage software deployments and upgrades.  In the last year, we have helped them implement a new process they designed in Saleslogix using Opportunities and Tickets. Once Opportunities are  close-won, Tickets are automatically generated for each product sold to manage the fulfillment process. A dynamic dashboard allows ParishSoft to track and filter progress based on Ticket Stages (similar to Opportunity Sales Process Stages).

ParishSoft won the Saleslogix Business Vision-Customization award from Simplesoft during our Q3 Heartland Users Group meeting in July for this work. They have created a consistent and closed-loop process for their delivery of products and services.  We will be working with ParishSoft to document their process improvement metrics in the coming months.

If you would like to discuss upgrading your system, or to see a free demonstration, please contact Simplesoft Solutions.

Also, 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.

Remember to check our CALENDAR and register for free training, demo sessions, and the Heartland Saleslogix Users Group Events.

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Dayton/Cincinnati, OHCharleston, WVCharlotte, NC

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January 17th, 2011 by

An Administrator writes:

Dear Paul,

Are there any issues with giving a SalesLogix user the ability to delete ‘Contacts’  in the LAN client?

Answer:

There are two philosophies on how to do this.  The first is to create a policy and to keep the permissions as an Administration function or secondly to just provide the user with the capability.  There are pros and cons to both.

What I mean by policy is to add an item to the contact/account status pick list with a value of ‘Delete’.  Next, have the user provide a note explaining the reason on why it needs to be deleted or archived to team that only the admin user can access.  Then the Administrator can review a group based on the status field of delete on a periodic basis and take appropriate action.  Creates work on your part, but pretty easy.

If you provide the user the ability to delete contact, account, etc. (Administrator | user profile | Security tab and feature security tab to adjust the delete item menu access) then you will not have to monitor the group or take action.  But if the user deletes an account or contact by accident that is very important then you will need to restore a copy of the database with a new name.  Then use a tool called ‘Group Copy’ to bring the data back into the production database.  This takes time also and is a reactive way to manage your system.

I tend to prefer the first option of creating an admin policy.  It creates more maintenance work for me but is proactive data management.  It prevents headaches from data loss and working in emergency mode (reactive).

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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October 18th, 2010 by

7 Reasons to Choose Sage SalesLogix as Your CRM Tool

After deploying hundreds of Sage SalesLogix implementations at customer sites, I thought I would offer some insight into a few of the key elements  for companies selecting Sage SalesLogix.  To make it a challenge, I thought I would start each reason off with the letter “F” for fun! (Brought to you by the letter “F”)

1.) Flexible Sage SalesLogix fits your business. Sage SalesLogix Cloud offers the best of both worlds – the flexibility and rapid time-to-value of a traditional CRM SaaS solution, combined with the benefits of an on-premise solution like security and control.  With payment and subscription options, data ownership, greater data storage, and advanced customization, Sage SalesLogix Cloud is a great option for businesses that already leverage the Cloud or are looking to incorporate Cloud computing in their customer relationship management strategy. There is also remote, network, web clients, and mobility clients.

2.) Familiar Sage SalesLogix works in an intuitive way and that encourages user adoption. This helps you to minimize training and get up and running quickly.  This helps your sales team focus on what they do best…selling.  Time saving features such as the ability to update multiple Opportunities at once, quick list building capabilities, one-click access to important tasks and features, and customized views of information enable sales reps to be successful at what they do. User acceptance is critical with any CRM implementation. SalesLogix provides a true utility to get everyone on the same team, shortening the learning curve.

3.) Financially Rewarding Sage SalesLogix gets you more for your money. Does your CRM allow you to do more with less? Sage SalesLogix doesn’t require a “technology stack” investment or servers and software upfront investment.  Sage SalesLogix can be hosted in the Cloud or a third party hosting company, and can be brought on-premise when the time is right for a low upfront investment per user.  The ROI is topline results that have a positive impact on your customers, partners, and employees.  You can start with a free trial today!

4.) Functionality Sage SalesLogix delivers functionality that is unmatched at its price point and ROI that is hard to beat.   Here is a summary of the features that you get out of the box:

• Account, Contact, & Opportunity Management

• Calendar & Activity Management

• Microsoft Outlook and Office Integration

• Process & Workflow Automation

• Sales Forecasting & Territory Alignment

• Lead Qualification & Management

• Campaign Management & ROI

• Integrated E-mail Marketing

• Ticket Management

• Service Contract Management

• SpeedSearch KnowledgeBase

• Defect Tracking & Returns

• Customer Self-Service Web Portal

• Web, Windows, and Mobile Access Methods

• Disconnected Web Client

• On-premise or Cloud Deployment Options

• Back-Office Integration Capabilities

• Advanced Customization Capabilities

• Data Mashups Capabilities

5.)  Freedom Sage SalesLogix offers operational insight by delivering customizable reports, dashboards, spark line charts, and more that are intuitive and easy to use. Only Sage SalesLogix provides users the freedom to create their own dashboards using nearly any parameter to query data. The dashboards can also be customized to each individual users specific needs, and then shared with other users at any time. Nobody wants their sales team spending time building queries, generating reports and designing dashboards. But when it’s this easy, the value of the product becomes unique to each individual.  Sage SalesLogix provides users the ability to configure the system to help them work best.

6.)  Fusion Sage SalesLogix works with other applications and hundreds of add-on tools. This rich development platform can help you build a customer relationship management (CRM) ecosystem for incorporating closely related functions like bill management, quote management, order management, or contract management.

Sage SalesLogix is flexible

  

  

 

 

7.)  Fit Sage SalesLogix works the same either by premise or hosted. You can choose how your people work with the tools – through a Windows client, a web browser, a mobile device or a combination. You can even decide whether to buy it or to rent it. It’s easy to switch if your business needs move your deployment to the Cloud and then later back to your own facility. In so many words, it fits your specific business needs and infrastructure. ( You can’t place a square peg in a round hole and expect users to be happy with the results.)

So there you have it, my 7 reasons why Sage SalesLogix is a great CRM tool for most companies.  Hope you find some useful nuggets in this list.

Here is a quote from a Founding Father on his method for making decisions:

When confronted with two courses of action I jot down on a piece of paper all the arguments in favor of each one, then on the opposite side I write the arguments against each one. Then by weighing the arguments pro and con and cancelling them out, one against the other, I take the course indicated by what remains.

– Benjamin Franklin

 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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September 7th, 2010 by

It is easy to spell check your notes in Sage SalesLogix Activities and Tickets by right clicking and choosing Spell Check. Watch the demonstration below by clicking into the screenshot.

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August 20th, 2010 by

If an employee leaves your company, you should retire that user and not delete the user in SalesLogix. When you delete the user, it will associate the Notes/History records to an “Unknown” user. If you retire the user, the SalesLogix Notes/History records are permanently associated to that Retired User as well as freeing up a SalesLogix license.

Before you change a user to “retired”, be sure to do the following:

  • If the user owns any records, do a territory realignment.
  • If the user is an Account Manager for any Accounts, do a territory realignment to assign a new Account Manager.
  • If the user is a manager, reassign any users who report to him or her to their new manager or to the Administrator.

How to retire SalesLogix users:

  1. Login into the SalesLogix Administrator.
  2. Click the left navigation Users icon.
  3. Highlight a user and right-click and select “Change User Type“.
  4. Select “Retired User” from the DropDown on the popup dialog window.
  5. Click “OK“.

Sage SalesLogix Web CRM Retire Users

Sage SalesLogix Administrator - Change User Type

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 (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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June 16th, 2010 by

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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March 22nd, 2010 by

There are so many ways to collaborate and exchange ideas in this day and age, including this very medium, a blog.  I think most people would still agree that the face-to-face dynamics and exchange of thoughts remains the most energizing. The Heartland SalesLogix Users Group meeting was held in our office again recently, and although I did not participate I was very pleased to hear the enthusiasm, the sound of interaction between attendees in our training center.  I know the group has struggled with offering the ability for some attendees to participate in the meeting via a web meeting, but has staved off that option to promote face-to-face participation only.  From what I heard, I believe that remains the best decision.

Although I could hear the spirited exchange of ideas and the laughter, I received most of the feedback from the after meeting event over dinner.  One of the attendees conveyed a pivotal comment made by their SalesLogix database administrator recently that focused the whole group on next month’s meeting topic.  The comment was about a power user  in her organization that called and said, “ Do you know that it takes me 3 clicks to ……”  The power user continued, “See if you can get it down to 1.”  The rallying challenge of “user adoption” was embraced by the entire group.  Everyone is anxious to see the design ideas this company has implemented and those planned to improve the user adoption of SalesLogix.  Next month’s meeting will be held at that company’s location and a full demonstration of their ideas will be shared. 

In the end, the purpose of the users group is all about building relationships and that is still done most effectively looking one another in the eye!  Having said that, I would like to look you in the eye at the next meeting.  Register for the next Heartland SalesLogix Users Group meeting.

“Electric communication will never be a substitute for the face of someone who with their soul encourages another person to be brave and true.”  –Charles Dickens

“It is good to rub and polish our brain against that of others.”  –Michel de Montaigne

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