Web Based CRM Software

Web based CRM software is an easy and cost effective way to maintain a robust relationship with your customers via the Internet. The proliferation of the Internet and the Web has fuelled the rapid growth of Web-based CRM software or online CRM applications.

Customer relationship management, or CRM as is is commonly known, is a comprehensive business strategy utilised to maximize customer satisfaction and customer retention which in turn increases business revenue and profitability. An effective Customer Relationship Management program includes CRM software, strategies, processes and web-based capabilities that manage, co-ordinate and organise the customer relationships in a business.

With the introduction of web based CRM software, business owners are now able to offer support to their customers through the Internet around the clock, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Web based CRM software solutions can be implemented by any type of business. They have usually been developed after systematically understanding the needs and demands of the target audience. Web based CRM systems are widely deployed for web based call centre, contact management, trouble ticket, personal information manager and scheduling. Industry-specific programs such as call centre CRM software have now been developed and are a standard requirement for many organisations.

Companies using a web based CRM solution access their CRM software online. The software is usually installed on a single server hosted by the software company. This means users from remote locations around the world can access the facilities of the CRM software via the Internet. Software maintenance and upgrades only need to be installed on the main server, where they are instantly available to all businesses signed up to the web based CRM program.

Benefits of web-based CRM Software

Low Total Cost of Ownership - The cost of web based CRM software itself may not necessarily be cheaper than their enterprise software counterparts. However, the total cost of ownership for web based CRM is much cheaper due to the substantially lower cost of implementation and deployment.

Rapid deployment - Online CRM systems use web browsers for accessing the main CRM engine. It saves the cost of deploying CRM clients, which is a major burden for enterprise CRM software applications when companies have thousands of end users.

Accessibility - Users can access web based CRM systems from any location provided they have Internet access. Web based CRM also provides accessibility through wireless devices such as PDAs and WAP-enabled mobile phones

Instant information sharing - Information entered remotely via the internet can be transmitted back to the main CRM engine for instant information sharing across the organisation.

Low maintenance cost - CRM web based solutions are cost effective and easy to maintain.

Most major CRM vendors (Oracle, Microsoft, SAP, and PeopleSoft) offer their CRM products in both Enterprise Version and Web Based CRM or Online CRM version. Many small CRM vendors focus exclusively on providing Webbased or online CRM solutions

In the past, web based CRM solutions were used mainly by medium sized business organizations. But in recent years, businesses of all sizes have started using the facilities of online CRM systems