Posted by Administrator on November 29, 2005 under ERP Software | 
During the 1990s, the vast majority of Global 2000 companies deployed client/server systems for enterprise resource planning (ERP) to replace their mainframe-based accounting packages. Some did it as part of the business process re-engineering (BPR) boom, others as Y2K upgrades at the end of the decade and others simply to replace aging financial systems. A recurring theme throughout the ’90s was that implementing ERP was difficult, expensive and frustrating. Study after study showed substandard returns for ERP investments. Perhaps because of this experience, many organizations have been very cautious about making changes to their ERP environments. However, doing nothing may be a costly mistake because most companies can use their ERP software more effectively than they are doing today.
Intelligent Enterprise Magazine: Adding Value to ERP
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Posted by Administrator on November 28, 2005 under CRM Software |
by Matt Hogansworth
Customer relationship management (CRM) is one of the most effective tools for improving customer relationships and therefore increasing revenue, customer satisfaction, and customer retention. Unfortunately, some CRM strategies fail. This leaves CRM vendors and their customers baffled, but there a few common reasons why a CRM strategy will fail.
1. Too much focus on the CRM vendor and technology. Some companies get too caught up in having the best possible CRM strategy out there. Some companies want entire call-centers, On-Demand CRM, Web-based, and Blackberry devices which allow their IT people to enter customer information wirelessly. While these technologies are extremely helpful, too much emphasis on them can lead any company astray. It is naturally very important to select the best CRM vendor for your company, but best does not always mean flashiest.
2. Not enough focus on the customer. Companies can focus too much on technology and strategy, and not enough on what is at the core of CRM: the customer. The first letter in CRM stands for “Customer” and so the customer should be first when thinking about any CRM strategy. A call-center can be wonderful if it is customer friendly. However, some call centers are too complicated and alienate the customer from the company. Alienation is the exact opposite of what companies want to achieve when implementing CRM. The real ROI of CRM is found in customer retention and the acquisition of new customers. In order to have success with CRM, a company must work towards building a strong relationship with its customers. CRM is the path through which the customer and the company can understand each other. Focusing on technologies and ignoring the basics of customer service will cause even the most technologically advanced CRM strategy to go wrong.
3. Rushing into CRM adaptation. Sometimes, company presidents get the idea of CRM into their head and decide that their entire company must be CRM-ready as fast as possible. Rushing into CRM is a recipe for disaster. IT workers need to understand the concept of CRM. Someone who understands the importance of CRM will be better suited to deal with customers and reach the companys goals concerning CRM. Rushing into CRM does not allow ample time for all IT people to be briefed on the basics of CRM and how it will be implemented within the business. Some companies implementing CRM have to create entire departments that never existed before. The greatest care must always be taken when creating an entire new section of a company. CRM should generally be implemented across the entire company. If this is rushed, it can lead to all sorts of compatibility issues, customer confusion, and even employee confusion. Data collected must be viewed across many applications, and ample time must be given for networks to be set up. Companies using CRM technology such as Blackberry devices, or Call-centers must be even more careful when implementing CRM for the first time. Technology is not perfect, and problems can occur at any time. Any company that sends their sales force out into the market with unchecked technology is asking for disaster.
Some say that it is impossible to determine whether CRM is a success or a failure. The true ROI of CRM lies with the customer. A company that avoids the pitfalls of CRM implementation will notice a dramatic increase in customer satisfaction, retention, and acquisition. CRM can help any company significantly if it is used correctly, carefully, but still efficiently. CRM technology can also help companies if it is used thoughtfully and timely. The entire company must be prepared for CRM when it is implemented. A company cannot expect exact numbers immediately after putting CRM into effect. CRM is a long-term strategy that will help achieve long-term goals of a company. Customer focus is essential and will help any CRM strategy to become a success.
Matt Hogansworth writes about CRM and other business topics.
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Posted by Administrator on November 26, 2005 under CRM Software |
Changing consumer attitudes are driving Customer Relationship Management. Fuelled by Internet induced expectations and an even increasing mood of self reliance among customers, companies have to compete in an environment where communication, buying processes, data management, delivery and service are all-important in the battle for longterm, profitable relationships.
Customers now require: …
Changing Consumer Attitudes Drive CRM
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Posted by Administrator on under Process Improvement |
Two years ago, Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA (KMC, USA) took a closer look at both its supply chain and its relationship with dealers, and found some weak spots. “We didn’t have forecasting that was sophisticated and we didn’t have a reporting engine,” says Barry Beehler, VP of Planning and Marketing for KMC, USA. “The different pieces weren’t talking to each other.”
By March of next year, the pieces are set to integrate. There’s now a supply chain management (SCM) and supply chain execution (SCE) execution from Mitrix that will tap into KMC, USA’s forecasting engine, imports system, shipper information, legacy vehicle system, and manufacturing systems as well. Read more…
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Posted by Administrator on November 25, 2005 under ERP Software |
As many companies are part of the global or domestic supply chain, they have their own reservations, which include cost challenge, quality as well as less rejection of the product apart from the tight deadline to cater to the need of the customers.
The panacea for the above problems is a right platform to utilise resources like man, material, machine and money intelligently and here comes the role of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
ERP helps how to effectively utilise all these resources to get the optimum result.
Once implemented, all departments can more easily share information and the workflow that takes place between departments can become much more automated, thus serving the customers much better way.
Handle your resources optimally, ERP is here – Newindpress.com
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