Contact management software helps businesses manage and track their customers and other contacts. These software packages help insure customer loyalty and improve customer satisfaction. If used correctly, they should also increase productivity and operational efficiency.
Many providers combine contact and time management software into a single package. Business software suites (Microsoft Office Suite, Word Perfect Office, etc.) usually include a contact component as well. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software packages generally include a robust contact management module.
It is very helpful to have any contact software integrated with your sales and ordering software. Most sales offices are looking for very powerful sales contact management software that will help them manage all aspects of their sales. Organizations should evaluate their particular business contact needs to see if the product available within their office or business software suite meets their needs or if contact solution software is necessary.
Common features included with contact software include:
- Address book w/ contact detail
- Calendar / Scheduling
- Alarms / Reminders
- Grouping
- Call history
- To do lists
- Sales opportunity record
- Activity notes
- PDA synchronization
Major Vendors:
- ACT
- Microsoft
- GoldMine
- SalesForce
- Sales net
Factors that should be considered when selecting contact software:
- Shared contacts? Volume? Special contact info?
- Interface into other business software programs
- Ease of use
- System resources: Not usually an issue, but sometimes small business environments are on over-taxed hardware already.