Australian Businesses Turn to Mobile CRM for Competitive Edge


New research reveals 68 per cent of organisations will use mobile CRM to improve customer service

SYDNEY, July 17, 2006 – FY07 will see Australian organisations increasingly deploy CRM software on handheld devices to increase competitiveness and support a growing mobile workforce, according to new research released today. However, the cost of deploying CRM infrastructure remains a primary concern for many businesses.

The research, undertaken by Sage Software, a leading global business software provider, found:
  • 68 per cent of respondents have a mobile workforce.
  • 68 per cent of respondents would use CRM software on handheld devices to assist their businesses to improve customer service.
  • The cost of investment to deploy CRM solutions is a primary concern for 47 per cent of businesses over changes to business process (28 per cent) and lack of understanding on how it will improve the business (17 per cent).
According to Alan Osrin, Managing Director of Sage Software Australia, the survey results reflect the industry-wide recognition that mobile CRM is the future of the market and critical to maintaining competitiveness.

“Our customers, particularly small to medium enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly demanding mobile solutions that are cost effective,” said Osrin. “CRM providers need to consider mobility bundles and other innovative solutions to maximise this market trend.”

“As SMEs face an increasingly mobile workforce, they need to prepare their IT environments to accommodate this trend. A mobile IT strategy will become a critical component of SME’s overall business plan,” said Osrin.

Cost of CRM a major barrier
Another key finding is that the cost of investment in CRM is a major barrier to adoption among Australian businesses.

”The challenge is for CRM solutions to deliver value for money and a real return on investment,” said Osrin. “Businesses don’t see value in CRM solutions because they can’t access it when they need it – when salespeople are on the road, seeing clients, traveling interstate.”

”Mobile solutions are the way for providers to make CRM more accessible, and more valuable to their market,” he said.

About Sage in Australia
Sage is a world-leading supplier of accounting, payroll and people management, CRM, tax and practice management software to small, medium and large sized businesses and practices. Sage offers products for every kind of user, from the smallest business new to computing, to large companies requiring a tailored, comprehensive system.

Sage has a broad range of products offering users a variety of software solutions to run their businesses efficiently. Sage’s leading brands include Sage Accpac, Sage CRM, Sage HandiSoft, Sage MicrOpay and Sage Pastel.

The group includes market-leading businesses throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, South Africa and Australia. Australia, South Africa and sub Saharan Africa constitute the geographical region of the Southern Hemisphere within the Sage plc stable. Australia is under the leadership of country managing director, Alan Osrin.

Sage has a solid track record of profitability and cash generation. The business strategy is based on nurturing the entrepreneurship, innovation and team spirit of its people.

www.sagesoftware.com.au

About Sage plc
The Sage Group plc is a leading international supplier of accounting and business management software solutions and related services for small, medium and large size enterprises. It comprises market-leading businesses throughout Europe, United Kingdom, North America, South Africa and Australia. For the financial year ending 30 September 2005, the Group’s revenue grew by 14% to £776.6m and the Operating profit rose by 14% to £211.1m. The Sage group plc has 5 million small-and mid-sized clients in 55 countries and over 10 000 staff.

For further information:
Vanessa Liell / Helen Yeatman
N2N Communications
57 Cooper Street,
Surry Hills NSW 2010
Australia

T: + 61 2 9213 2309 or 9213 2303 M: + 0418 662 168 or 0412 690 573
E: vliell@n2n.com.au or hyeatman@n2n.com.au

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