Top CRM Reviews

Commence Small Business CRM Market and Vsm Profile in the Machinist

Many small and mid-sized businesses (SMB) have taken notice of Commence Corporation (www.commence.com), a provider of on-premise and hosted web-based solutions designed specifically for this businesses sector. The company is gaining momentum and marketshare with Commence On-Demand, a suite of CRM (customer relationship management) applications that is deployed as software as a service (SaaS). In the current issue of The Machinist, manufacturing journalist Thomas R. Cutler profiles both Commence and the role of value stream mapping.

Value stream mapping (VSM) is perhaps the most worthwhile lean innovation because according to Lynne Hambleton it allows manufacturers to ask, “Where is value being added in the process and conversely, where does waste exist in the

process?” Ms Hambleton, author of Treasure Chest of Six Sigma Growth Methods, Tools, and Best Practices, suggests that VSM provides specific analytics including:

? Identify the value-add and non-value-add activities in a process and discover improvement and/or redesign opportunities

? Analyze where waste occurs in a process and develop a strategy to improve the process flow by eliminating the waste

? Make the processes work for a company, instead

Value stream mapping leads to technological breakthroughs obviously the elimination of waste and identifying the ideal flow changes the efficiency of an organization. However, far beyond eliminating rework by creating standardized work reducing inventory, or balancing workloads, a genuine competitive advantage is created through the implementation of a value stream mapping because the organization seeks technological breakthroughs.

According to Larry Caretsky, President of Commence CRM (customer relationship management), who has spent much of the last two years focusing on the industrial sector, “There seems to be a strong resistance on the part of many manufacturers to extend a lean process to understanding the customer-base. Basic tracking and data analysis of the customers’ buying patterns, satisfaction, and sales methodologies is such a natural extension of the value stream mapping process, yet often does not get beyond the plant floor to the sales and marketing arm of the enterprise.” Only 36 percent of manufacturers surveyed in the TR Cutler, Inc. data reported using a formal CRM technology solution corroborating Caretsky’s assertions.

About Commence Corporation

Commence Corporation is a leading provider of Customer Relationship Management solutions. The company’s products are designed to provide growing businesses with flexible solutions that leverage the Web to offer an integrated platform for managing sales execution and customer service. Commence supports several thousand customers through a worldwide distribution network, with outlets in North and South America, Europe and Asia.

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The Role of CRM for Distributors

Distributors typically patch together and then utilize several different business applications and spreadsheets to manage the nuances of this complex industry. Precious resources are often wasted managing multiple systems. According to Larry Caretsky, CEO of Commence CRM for Manufacturing and Distribution, “What is needed is an intelligent, integrated, customizable application to connect the business processes, increase visibility for effective decision making, and extend processes to customers and supply chain channel partners.”

Distributors must be able to see data trends in leads, opportunities, inventory utilization, service issues, expenses, and much more. Data must be managed with point-and-click content additions and drag-and-drop layout.

Globalization has made competition within manufacturing fierce in recent years. Not only is cost-effective, timely production key to success, but streamlined procurement processes are also essential. Manufactured goods typically require collaboration with several partners, so only manufacturers that have highly efficient business processes will thrive and grow.

According to Caretsky, “Most software companies entered the CRM market with a handful of basic products. However, end-user companies found these products didn’t always meet their unique needs, resulting in a low success rate, which discouraged company leaders. So, software vendors came out with variations of CRM software designed to meet a broader range of needs, with varying degrees of success. CRM software is only successful when it helps a company manage relationships with its customers. But not all software manages customer relationships or provides managers with the same data.”

Some software specializes in data mining, so a company can identify characteristics of different customer segments. Other software specializes in collecting and analyzing information from customers who visit Web sites. Still others link with Enterprise Management software so consumer data from accounting, shipping, invoice processing, marketing research, and customer service can be combined to get a 360-degree view of your consumers. Some specialize in matching incoming consumer calls with designated customer service reps, or automatically generating responses to consumers.

Commence (www.commence.com/mfg) offers lean industrial companies complete “Freedom Of Choice” to select the solutions and platform that best meets the business requirements of manufacturers and distributors. The comprehensive CRM Industrial application suite is available for use on premise or on-demand as a hosted service. Industrial leaders often build departmental lean CRM solutions with the award winning Commence Lean Industrial CRM Framework. These choices are why so many industrial companies choose Commence as the solution for managing customer relationships. All Commence Industrial solutions support mobile or wireless connectivity and integration to back-office accounting and ERP systems.

CRM software provider Commence Corporation has taken their online CRM solution to the next level by incorporating real time analytics as a component of their CRM offering. The analytics program is designed to provide senior management with a complete snapshot of business performance so that they can take a proactive approach to improve how they market, sell and provide service to their customers.

Crm On Demand Provides Unique Platform Benefits

Commence CRM On-Demand provides breakthrough technology for

Manufacturers and distributors with greater functionality and

flexibility than traditional application service offerings. Using the

industrial strength JAVA (J2EE) platform, Commence CRM On-Demand

offers robust functionality, ease of use and limitless scalability.

Customization capabilities allow user-defined fields, custom reports,

queries, filters; even personalized desktop settings.

Platform Highlights

Enterprise Class Platform

Encrypted Database Security

Automated Processes

One-to-Many Data Relationships

Remote Synchronization

Built-in Report Writer

Multi-level Security

Centralized File management

Mail Merge with MS Office

Web E-Mail Client

Global Search

On-Line Help and Knowledgebase Facility

Support for Handheld Devices

Project Tracking

Group Calendar & Scheduling

E-mail Integration

Web Integration

Application Programming Interface (API)

Platform Benefits include:

Scalable enterprise class platform Flexible architecture that promotes customization and add-on functionality. Operate quickly without IT infrastructure cost. Customizable without the headaches of traditional On-Demand offerings. Integrate people, processes and technology for improved performance and agility.

Commence CRM On-Demand allows manufacturers and distributors to focus

on sales efficiency and customer service, monitor and improve business

performance and drive higher profits by bringing down cost through

streamlining processes.

Commence offers lean industrial companies complete “Freedom Of Choice”

to select the solutions and platform that best meets the business requirements of manufacturers and distributors. The comprehensive CRM Industrial application suite is available for use on premise or on-demand as a hosted service. Industrial leaders often build departmental

lean CRM solutions with the award winning Commence Lean Industrial CRM

Framework. These choices are why so many industrial companies choose Commence as the solution for managing customer relationships. All Commence Industrial solutions support mobile or wireless connectivity and integration to back-office accounting and ERP systems.

Crm On-demand

Commence CRM On-Demand is a web-based CRM solution that enables

Businesses to manage customer relationships in an organized and

Efficient manner. An intuitive set of ready to use applications

Automates the customer facing aspects of manufacturing businesses that directly impacts sales execution and customer service. Commence On-Demand is customizable and offers extensive reporting and graphical analysis.

Solutions are available for the following:

Contact Management

Sales Force Automation

Marketing and Campaign Management

Customer Service/Support

Project Management Accounting

Commence CRM On-Demand is delivered over the Internet at a fixed

Monthly fee per user and requires no upfront IT infrastructure

cost. Commence offers lean industrial companies complete “Freedom Of Choice” to select the solutions and platform that best meets the business requirements of manufacturers and distributors. The comprehensive CRM Industrial application suite is available for use on

Premise or on-demand as a hosted service. Industrial leaders often

Build departmental lean CRM solutions with the award winning Commence Lean Industrial CRM Framework. These choices are why so many industrial companies choose Commence as the solution for managing customer relationships. All Commence Industrial solutions support mobile or wireless connectivity and integration to back-office accounting and ERP systems.

Crm Platform Quite Different for the Manufacturing Sector

Unique Manufacturing Platform Highlights:

Enterprise Class Platform

Encrypted Database Security

Automated Processes

One-to-Many Data Relationships

Remote Synchronization

Built-in Report Writer

Multi-level Security

Centralized File management

Mail Merge with MS Office

Web E-Mail Client

Global Search

On-Line Help and Knowledgebase Facility

Support for Handheld Devices

Project Tracking

Group Calendar & Scheduling

E-mail Integration

Web Integration

Application Programming Interface (API)

Platform Benefits include:

Scalable enterprise class platform Flexible architecture that promotes customization and add-on functionality. Operate quickly without IT infrastructure cost. Customizable without the headaches of traditional On-Demand offerings. Integrate people, processes and technology for improved performance and agility.

Commence CRM On-Demand allows manufacturers and distributors to focus

on sales efficiency and customer service, monitor and improve business

performance and drive higher profits by bringing down cost through

streamlining processes.

Commence CRM On-Demand provides breakthrough technology for

manufacturers and distributors with greater functionality and

flexibility than traditional application service offerings. Using the

industrial strength JAVA (J2EE) platform, Commence CRM On-Demand

offers robust functionality, ease of use and limitless scalability.

Customization capabilities allow user-defined fields, custom reports,

queries, filters; even personalized desktop settings.

.

Commence offers lean industrial companies complete “Freedom Of Choice”

to select the solutions and platform that best meets the business requirements of manufacturers and distributors. The comprehensive CRM Industrial application suite is available for use on premise or on-demand as a hosted service. Industrial leaders often build departmental

lean CRM solutions with the award winning Commence Lean Industrial CRM

Framework. These choices are why so many industrial companies choose Commence as the solution for managing customer relationships. All Commence Industrial solutions support mobile or wireless connectivity and integration to back-office accounting and ERP systems.

CRM Critical to Consumer Packaged Goods Manufacturers

In the September issue of Canadian Packaging magazine, manufacturing journalist TR Cutler profiled the importance of technology, specifically customer relationship management. Consumer packaged goods manufacturers are facing a radical shift in the information environment. As retailers create new sources of information in the form of direct feeds to their suppliers, this information has increasing value and importance. Most CPG manufacturers are trying to streamline and obtain leverage from their extensive technology investments including customer relationship management (CRM), enterprise resource planning (ERP), supply chain management (SCM), and enterprise data warehouse solutions.

The information technology for CPG manufacturers must enable critical business initiatives by delivering the most productive and lean processes, and syndicated data providers are reacting by building higher value platforms and solutions for CPG manufacturers. According to Larry Caretsky, president of Commence Corporation (www.commence.com), “CPG businesses are presented with a major opportunity to collect direct customer feedback that can be used to drive product changes and act as an early warning system for issues with the potential for legal liability.”

It is vitally important for all new CRM (Customer Relationship Management) technology solutions to address the key following issues facing today’s leading CPG companies:

• Gaining insight into the market, consumer preferences and buying patterns;

• Capturing feedback quickly and cost-efficiently to test-market new products, packaging, or marketing campaigns;

• Mitigating risk and identifying product and quality problems early;

• Handling a rapid increase in contact volume caused by news reports or a product recall.

About Commence Corporation

Commence Corporation is a leading provider of Customer Relationship Management solutions. The company’s products are designed to provide small to mid-size businesses with flexible solutions that leverage the Web to offer an integrated platform for managing sales execution and customer service. Commence supports several thousand customers through a world-wide distribution network, with outlets in North and South America, Europe and Asia/Pacific.

The Commence CRM client roster is impressive and includes ABC television, Alcatel, American Express, Bank One, Bank of America, BP, Brinks, Century 21, EDS, Exactech, Ford, General Electric, Handyman Connection, IBM, Merrill Lynch, PNCBank, Northrop Grumman, NYPD, New York Post, Princess Cruises, Raytheon, Shell, Siemens, Sprint, Steelcase, St. Luke’s Hospital, TDK, Tele Atlas, and Unicef are just some of the marquis clients. The company has embraced the small business CRM market as well.

Commence is offering a small – midsize business site license program that will enable customers to add users at no additional cost. Site licenses start at a five user level and require an annual contract. Commence may be reached at 877-COMMENCE.

S.t.e.p. Formula Changes Industrial Crm Efficiency

The deployment of any CRM system takes proper planning. In order to

Assist customers during this process, Commence has developed

S.T.E.P., (Strategic Targeted Execution Process). A proven methodology for the successful implementation of the Commence CRM solution.

S.T.E.P is the result of more than a decade of experience in providing

High quality business solutions to small and mid-size businesses. By

Working with hundreds of companies around the world, the company

Acquired the knowledge and skills necessary to design and deliver

Business solutions that are easy to implement and easy to use. This

Has allowed customers to realize the maximum value from products and

An immediate return on their investment.

S.T.E.P outlines the key areas of responsibility, resource

Requirements and timeframes for implementation. This helps the

Implementation team guarantee a timely, cost effective and successful

Installation process.

Outlined below is a brief overview of S.T.E.P

STEP I: Needs Analysis

Before the process begins it imperative to review the strategic

Objectives of the CRM implementation and to gain management acceptance

And commitment to begin the project. During this phase we clearly

Define the policies and procedures for managing customer interaction

And discuss how the system will automate this workflow.

STEP II: Project Planning

A detailed implementation plan will be created and finalized during

This phase. It will outline the responsibilities of the

Implementation team and those of in-house personnel. A system

Administrator will be selected, as well as team members from each

Department, who will work in conjunction with the vendor or system

Integrator managing the implementation process.

STEP III: Implementation

It is during this phase that the software implementation will begin.

System configuration and administration will be completed such as

Setting up security profiles, e-mail accounts, data entry for drop

Down menus and data migration from disparate systems. Administrative

Training will also begin at this time.

STEP IV: Testing & Quality Assurance

An operational prototype of the system is up and running at this time.

Operational issues are identified and resolved and basic modifications

Will be made to tune the solution to the customers specific

Requirements.

STEP V: Deployment & Training

During this phase the CRM system will be completely operational.

Training will begin for all end users. Ongoing support will be

Provided by the system administrator with assistance from Commence

Corporations support staff.

Commence offers lean industrial companies complete “Freedom Of Choice”

To select the solutions and platform that best meets the business

Requirements of manufacturers and distributors. The comprehensive CRM

Industrial application suite is available for use on premise or

On-demand as a hosted service. Industrial leaders often build

Departmental lean CRM solutions with the award winning Commence Lean

Industrial CRM Framework. These choices are why so many industrial

Companies choose Commence as the solution for managing customer

Relationships. All Commence Industrial solutions support mobile or

Wireless connectivity and integration to back-office accounting and

ERP systems.

More Commence CRM Articles

Leading CRM Provider Expands to India

“CRM is becoming an important addition to growing businesses in India” noted Abhijit Joshi, director of operations for Commence India. “Businesses here are looking for a highly flexible affordable CRM solution that operates at the desktop. Commence offers a solution that addresses this requirement very well. The product provides a CRM Framework that consists of pre-built applications that are easily customizable. Commence will enable us to quickly and efficiently meet the unique requirements of companies in India.”

“We are delighted to expand the outreach of Commence CRM to India because we recognize the value and importance of this rapidly growing market,” explained Larry Caretsky, president of Commence Corporation. Caretsky noted, “The business opportunity in India is significant and we need to invest in the infrastructure and people who know how to sell and provide services to this growing community. In addition, the skills we need for product expansion are readily available in India and at attractive rates. The growth of our team in India is also an important step in continuing the expansion of our presence outside the United States. We are currently selling and supporting customers in 22 countries around the world and hope to grow this substantially in the next few years. “

Commence Corporation (www.commence.com) the leading provider of Customer Relationship Management software has announced that it will be expanding its operations in India. Commence India, located in Pune, has been primarily a development arm of Commence USA. It will now be expanded to include additional development, marketing and sale of the Commence products for the Indian market.

About Commence Corporation

Commence Corporation is a leading provider of Customer Relationship Management software tools and solutions for small to mid-size businesses. Commence supports several thousand customers through a worldwide distribution network with outlets in North and South America, Europe and Asia Pacific. The company’s products are used in more than 30 industries in 22 countries around the world.

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Commence Explains Rationale for Place in Crowded CRM Space

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software is growing at a significant pace with other hosted solutions significantly surpassing traditional client server technology offerings. This growth has allowed several smaller companies, like Commence Corporation to quickly capture marketshare in the small to mid-size business sector. Larry Caretsky, CEO of Commence Corporation, was recently interviewed regarding the rationale for getting into a crowded CRM space, populated with big players, such as Salesforce.com.

Caretsky suggested, “A few years ago industry experts asked Jet Blue executives why they choose to start an airline when the industry was in turmoil and even the giants were struggling to stay alive. Jet Blue succeeded in becoming a significant carrier. Unlike the airline industry, the CRM space and is growing rapidly and no single vendor has more than a 5% market share. The new battlefield is the SMB market, which Commence has been servicing for almost twenty years. This is our core competency and we know how to compete effectively.” He also noted that there were elements missing in the CRM market that Commence could address more effectively, noting that, “Hosted solutions such as Salesforce.com addressed the difficulties associated with deploying traditional client server based CRM solutions, but utilization rates have remained low and customer renewals have been problematic. This is the direct result of a business model that does not include the proper planning and coaching required to ensure customer utilization. Regardless of the deployment model (in-house or hosted), there is still a reasonable degree of planning and mentoring necessary for the successful implementation and utilization of CRM.”

About Commence Corporation

Commence Corporation is a leading provider of Customer Relationship Management solutions. The company’s products are designed to provide small to mid-size businesses with flexible solutions that leverage the Web to offer an integrated platform for managing sales execution and customer service. Commence supports several thousand customers through a world-wide distribution network, with outlets in North and South America, Europe and Asia/Pacific.

The Commence CRM client roster is impressive and includes ABC television, Alcatel, American Express, Bank One, Bank of America, BP, Brinks, Century 21, EDS, Exactech, Ford, General Electric, Handyman Connection, IBM, Merrill Lynch, PNCBank, Northrop Grumman, NYPD, New York Post, Princess Cruises, Raytheon, Shell, Siemens, Sprint, Steelcase, St. Luke’s Hospital, TDK, Tele Atlas, and Unicef are just some of the marquis clients. The company has embraced the small business CRM market as well.

Commence Corporation has posted the entire interview at: http://www.commence.com/CommenceCRMADavidandGoliathStory.asp. Commence is offering a small – midsize business site license program that will enable customers to add users at no additional cost. Site licenses start at a five user level and require an annual contract. Commence may be reached at 877-COMMENCE.