Lifecycle: Make Technology Decisions > Select: Selection Advice, Make Technology Decisions > Evaluate: Product Evaluations, Make Technology Decisions > Compare: Product Comparisons
Last Revised: 2012-03-05
Your Challenge
- SMBs must assess their needs by reviewing the volume and complexity of their customer interactions, as well as the functionality provided by their current solutions. If support is required by a specific business domain (sales, marketing, or customer service), SMBs should consider point solution alternatives. They should not overlook the low cost products that may fulfill their customer relationship needs, such as Contact Modules and ERPs and Accounting and finance suites.
- Many SMBs have failed to define a formal strategy for Customer Relationship Management. Despite the importance of creating a “single face” for the customer, efforts in the three domains are rarely harmonized. Integration is critical across process domains. Social media is a particular pain point: marketing often leads social initiatives, but neglects to involve stakeholders in sales and customer service.
- The CRM adoption scenario becomes complicated by a rising number of best-of-breed point solutions in the three domains. For example, should SMBs adopt a standalone Customer Service Management (CSM) Suite, or should they use the integrated customer service module of their CRM Suite? Taking the wrong approach to the CRM vs. best-of-breed solution can lead to either wasted investments or insufficient functionality. IT managers are wondering “what product combination will provide the most value?”
- Integrating across disparate systems is painful – an integrated suite addresses the customer lifecycle the best.
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