Functional features of CRM solutions
All businesses are upgrading their systems to incorporate CRM solutions. The choice of CRM depends largely on the features offered by the CRM and if it can meet the specify area of requirement of the business.
Comparison of Salesforce, MS Dynamics and SugarCRM
Microsoft Dynamics | Salesforce | SugarCRM | |
KEY FEATURES | |||
Campaign Design | 85 | 85 | 85 |
Customer Targeting | 70 | 85 | 70 |
Campaign delivery | 70 | 70 | 85 |
Campaign analysis | 85 | 70 | 70 |
Batch email marketing | 85 | 85 | 0 |
Lead generation | 85 | 70 | 85 |
Sales Tracking | 85 | 85 | 85 |
Customer Portal – online case management | 85 | 70 | 70 |
Customer reports | 70 | 70 | 85 |
Business Intelligence | 85 | 85 | 85 |
Industry Business Process Support | 70 | 70 | 70 |
Planned enhancements | 50 | 85 | 50 |
FUNCTIONAL FEATURES | |||
Email utilities | 70 | 85 | 70 |
VOIP comparability | 100 | 50 | 50 |
Access control & data audit trail | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Customer database (history) | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Knowledge management | 85 | 85 | 85 |
Social media interaction | 85 | 70 | 70 |
TECHNICAL FEATURES | |||
Hosting & installation | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Overall ranking | 82 | 80 | 74 |
Source: selecthub.com
Campaign Design
When it comes to designing a sales campaign, right from the planning stage to the execution Salesforce, MS Dynamics and SugarCRM all standout with excellent performance. They offer a variety of helpful features and functions to create a vibrant sales strategy.
Customer Targeting
Tracking target customer based on their activities such as purchases, spend patterns, income group, geographic location etc. This information can be accumulated and analysed by the CRM software and used for locating potential customers. Salesforce performs exceptionally well in this arena with an all-round view of a customer’s preferences.
Campaign delivery
Carrying out the campaign once it has been designed is the next crucial step. Ensuring that the strategies are on target and reaching the desired audience. It is essential to make sure that the campaign unfolds the way it has been designed for best results. SugarCRM performs well when it comes to proper campaign delivery with its powerful workflow management tools.
Campaign analysis
Analysing if the campaign reaped the desired results, what kind of returns did the marketing investment derive? Appropriate campaign analysis tools can help to perform a detailed analysis.
Microsoft Dynamics with its exceptional campaign analysis tools performs an outstanding job of analysing the final results of how successful the campaign has been. It helps to identify areas of improvement and how the campaign can be delivered in a better manner or planned differently to generate better results.
Batch Email Marketing
Email has a powerful effect and is a personalised method of contacting a person regarding a service, upgrade, new product or as a reminder. This function does not hold the same value through social media. The Batch emailing feature assists in designing emails and newsletters with easy to use tools. Microsoft Dynamics and Salesforce go a step further in this sphere with wonderful features for easy and automated emailing.
Lead Generation
Using the built-in lead generation tool of the CRM, business are able to capitalise on the leads acquired through the campaign. The leads can be nurtured and converted through the available CRM tools.This tool also enables the business to renew contact with existing customers and strengthen the current relationship. Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics allow business to define their own criteria’s and qualify the leads.
Sales tracking
Opportunity management is an innovative feature offered by the CRM software which allows businesses to take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves in the sales pipeline. This feature of CRM enables business to do an end to end tracking of the sale. Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics and SugarCRMoffer similar sales tracking features, which increases business.
Functional Features
These may not be among the essential core features one looks at when considering a CRM solution, but play a vital role in enhancing business. Cutting edge features are a result of the constant evolving capabilities of the CRM. When it comes to VOIP Microsoft Dynamics stands out with the Skype integration. Charting an audit trail or customer history is now a basic CRM functionality and they all provide excellent features. Social media integration is an essential required that is covered well by most of the CRM software.
Choosing the best CRM rests on a few crucial features such as cost, functionality, ease of deployment, marketing tools and generating revenue. Based on these criteria Microsoft Dynamics has moved into the top spot as the preferred choice. Salesforce is a close second with price as a hindrance. SugarCRM offers wonderful customisation but comes with certain complexities that prove to be a challenge.