Best Software Delivers Expanded SalesLogix® 6.2 CRM Suite With New Customer Service Features  (email this article)

User-centric enhancements fulfill demand for tools that tailor to individual and team workflows with new SpeedSearch features, flexible sales processes, snapshot opportunity reporting and easy implementation

CRM Headline News

Phoenix, AZ, August 2, 2004 Best Software (Company Profile, Past Stories, Case Studies) today announced delivery of its expanded SalesLogix 6.2 CRM suite that now integrates powerful customer service features to provide SpeedSearch, issue tracking and resolution tools for all users. SalesLogix 6.2 also introduces flexible sales process enhancements, improved opportunity management, easier implementation and increased customization options. All 6.2 features adapt to the individual workflow preferences of sales, marketing, support and customer service representatives in small to medium-sized businesses.
 
"SalesLogix 6.2 is a milestone for Best Software and a major advancement for businesses that need to maximize their use of a CRM system beyond traditional sales force automation," said Jon Van Duyne, senior vice president and general manager, Best Software Mid-Market CRM. "We have completed our most thorough beta program in the product's history, incorporating features that users and key business partners are demanding from a serious mid-market CRM offering."
 
The new customer service features represent a major functionality expansion by providing all SalesLogix 6.2 users with easy access to a holistic view of their customers, supporting the practice among many small and medium-size businesses where employees share customer service roles.
 
New ease-of-use features that enhance user workflow include a split-view screen for simultaneous visibility of group lists and individual records. Multi-currency features allow individuals to see proposals in their native currency. An enhanced SpeedSearch engine helps users quickly locate potential resolutions to customer issues, or any pertinent data, by scanning any SalesLogix database or network directory.
 
"We are already realizing the benefits of SalesLogix 6.2 across three of our key requirements," explained Gary Hawton, IS Director, NDC Infrared Engineering, Inc. "We upgraded 53 remote users and 12 network users in under two days; so the ease of implementation enhancements have really performed. As a global company that considers international features critical, we are pleased with the flexibility of the new multi-currency features in SalesLogix 6.2. Finally, having the new customer service features on the same client and through remote access is a big deal for us."
 
With SalesLogix 6.2, Best Software further improves intuitive sales processes by focusing on how sales representatives and managers work individually and with each other. Workflow customizations can adapt on a user-by-user basis to however each user wants to work, whether it be redefining steps in a sales process, getting a snapshot of the opportunity pipeline, or reporting key account status to management with one click.
 
A summary of additional SalesLogix 6.2 enhancements includes:

  • New Customer Service Module - SalesLogix Customer Service helps users track tickets that efficiently manage customer issues and requests. Service contract management functionality tracks contract details including service level, price and time or incidents remaining. Customers can also be given access to a Web portal containing archived data, empowering them to reference a knowledge base of common issues on a self-serve basis.
  • Enhanced Opportunity Management - Users can view snapshot summaries of opportunity details and generate proposals automatically. One-click features allow users to update multiple opportunities concurrently, E-mail key account status to managers and export data quickly to Excel for pivot tables. A new flexible sales process engine lets users define sales stages and launch activities from hyperlink checklists to fulfill literature requests and send proposals, among other functions. Users can also analyze and adjust each stage of their sales process.
  • Ease of Implementation - Express installation allows administrators to import and configure licenses, offices and new users quickly by copying and pasting licenses as a group from E-mail or text files. New users can also be imported directly from Windows, without requiring Active Directory, to further improve implementation efficiency.
  • Increased Ease of Use - Users benefit from enhanced workflow, usability and access to information. For example, in addition to extensive user-based screen customization, new accounts can be inserted with multiple contacts from a single view, and checked for duplicates. Access to contact groups can also be shared easily between users. One-to-many mail merges expedite inclusion of tables or lists in marketing and sales documents. Global date/time support is provided for activities and calendaring.
  • Expanded Customization - SalesLogix business partners and users can extend functionality beyond accounts, contacts, opportunities and tickets. Sales process stages and actions can be configured and bundled for release. Global application scripts can more easily load and run within the system. SalesLogix functionality is customizable for Windows and Web clients with the SalesLogix Architect tool; partners use SalesLogix as a development platform to customize CRM solutions for unique vertical markets.
    • "Version 6.2 specifically fulfills the demand for user-centric workflow and introduces ease-of-use enhancements that deliver the most flexible set of productivity tools to date," notes Steve Chipman, Lexnet Consulting Group. "We now have an expanded set of customization options that allow us to build unique, customer-specific solutions that deliver more cross-departmental functionality and therefore an even higher ROI."
     
    SalesLogix From Best Software
    The Best Software portfolio of contact management and customer relationship management solutions is comprised of ACT!, ACCPAC CRM and SalesLogix. SalesLogix is the CRM leader for small to medium-sized businesses that require flexible, easy-to-use solutions to help acquire, retain and develop profitable customer relationships. SalesLogix delivers integrated sales, marketing, customer service and support automation solutions that adapt to an organization's unique customer acquisition, retention and development processes.
     
    With more than 6,000 customers, SalesLogix has garnered accolades for its ease of use and high levels of end-user adoption. Gartner recently named Best Software the number one CRM market share holder for the small and medium-sized business segment with 25% market share, and currently lists SalesLogix as the lowest total cost of ownership among leading CRM solutions.
     
    SalesLogix 6.2 is available through the Best Software Mid-Market CRM channel of over 450 business partners, and lists at $1795 per server and $795 per user for the standard version. For more details visit www.saleslogix.com.
     
    About Best Software, Inc.
    Best Software offers leading business management products and services that give more than 2.3 million small and mid-sized customers in North America the insight for success throughout the lives of their businesses. Its parent company, The Sage Group plc (London: SGE.L), supports 4.3 million customers worldwide. For more than 25 years, Best Software has delivered easy-to-use, scalable and customizable applications through its portfolio of leading brands, including Abra, ACCPAC, ACT!, BusinessVision, CPASoftware, FAS, MAS 90, MAS 200, MAS 500, MIP, Peachtree, SalesLogix, Timberline, among many others. For more information, please visit the Web site at www.bestsoftware.com/moreinfo or call (866) 308-BEST.
     

    Editorial Contact:
    Ryan Zuk
    Best Software
    480-368-3818
    ryan.zuk@bestsoftware.com