Private Cloud Contact Management Software

Cloud contact management software is definitely on the rise, but there may be another kind of cloud many companies are not yet aware of and it’s called private cloud contact management software.  This system, like hosted cloud software, allows employees to access company information and tools from laptops, desktops, mobile phones or tablets.  However, private clouds boast a host of benefits for new and thriving businesses.

Private cloud contact management software gives control to each user-company through a designated server installed on a central computer.  The server provides a static IP address for the entire company, creating a unique and private company cloud.  This solution makes sense for business owners in search of tools secure enough to store sensitive company information and reliable enough to withstand unforeseen circumstances such as Internet connectivity issues.

Some may argue that private cloud contact management software falls short of the convenience and flexibility offered with hosted cloud systems.  However, there simply is no lack of ease or convenience with private cloud.  It’s a complete contact management system accessible from anywhere your employees are, giving your company exclusive access to its very own cloud. Plus, when it comes to long-term affordability, private cloud contact management systems can’t be beat. With one-time costs of as little as $99, private cloud systems offer easily customizable contact management services as well as long range savings.

Though hosted cloud services are quite popular, they may not be the best bet for your business.  Consider private cloud contact management software as a viable alternative. Its an excellent way to get the best out of all that cloud computing has to offer without relinquishing control of sensitive company information or adversely affecting month-to-month cash flow – a wise choice for the best and brightest in business.

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The Perils of Outdated Contact Management Software

It’s a fast-paced world we live in, and hardly anyone can deny what’s outdated is always in immediate danger of being eliminated by the next big thing.  In a matter of minutes, the entire landscape of an industry can go from the comfortably familiar to a game of anything goes, and companies must be prepared to navigate such shifting waters of profit and commerce with an eye towards staying up-to-date on everything.  This includes contact management software and for good reason.

Contact management is at the heart of most businesses and companies.  After all, it’s the clients, customers and accounts that form the basis for generating profits, increasing revenue and staying afloat in good times or bad. Thus it is often center stage when it comes to the day-to-day company functions that can either propel a business forward or leave it stagnate and far less productive than it should be. This is bad news for businesses using outdated software.

What does it mean to be outdated in the core processes of your business in today’s world? It means you’re dangerously slower, less flexible and less capable of consistently responding to customer and client needs.  It means you’re stuck with fewer opportunities to tackle the big money, brand building projects that could set your company apart as the leader in the industry.  Ultimately, it means forfeiting success in almost every area to your competition day after day.

To remedy this risky scenario, consider only installing contact management software that’s already on the cutting edge. One that has telephone system integration, document management, project management and even virtual office technology creating your own private cloud such as InfoFlo software.  Add to the mix free built-in system updates, and you’re well on your way to avoiding the many perils of outdated contact management software.

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Why Your Sales Team Needs CRM Software

The needs and responsibilities of most businesses are extremely numerous and diverse, but at some point almost every company will need to pose the question, why CRM software for my sales team? It’s a good question – one worth investigating further for a conclusive answer that’s ultimately best for the bottom line.

CRM software for your sales team, simply put, means an increase in the overall effectiveness of any sales operation. It eliminates the rigors of manually managing customer relationships or tracking sales progress and frees up a sales team to consistently meet sales goals and achieve desired results.

A CRM system is a reliable and secure investment that can improve the overall accountability and productivity of a sales team. Consider what business is like without a CRM system for your sales team. In today’s fast-paced, social network-driven society, businesses without secure and reliable data visibility, lead analysis tools and capacity to manage workload, follow-up and information capture often fall fatally behind the competition.

Some may argue that web-based solutions are better, given the amount of time and money that must be put into IT staff and infrastructure.  However, the very best CRM software places all customer information at the user’s fingertips and offers a fully integrated, customizable package at a one-time cost per user – creating a significant sales team asset and even more significant cost savings in the long term.

Why CRM software for your sales team? The list could go on and on. Our business world relies heavily on the cost- and time-saving solutions found in advanced technology reliable enough to ensure future profitability. Customer relationship management software for your sales team is an essential ingredient for survival in today’s changing economy.

 

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Should You Purchase Cloud Contact Management Software or Not

Unsure whether to purchase a cloud or private (client-server) contact management software? To help you decide, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of cloud.

Cloud Contact Management Software:
A cloud solution has many great benefits. The first and most important one is the simplicity in installation and configuration. Unlike a client-server solution, organizations do not need to purchase a server computer, setup their network or even download software. Organizations are only required to visit a website, type in their credentials and begin using the software. Since most cloud solutions are in fact web-based, organizations can be anywhere in the world and access their information from any wireless device, such as smartphones and tablets.

However, a clould contact manager software also has its negatives. First off, the whole idea of a cloud infrastructure essentially means that the server running the software is being hosted by the cloud software provider. This means that organizations never actually own their own data and are placing all of their private and confidential information on someone else’s server (the cloud company’s), which is remotely connected to the internet. If the software provider hosting your information goes belly up, you could loose all of your information over night. Many organizations don’t feel comfortable with that as they want to be in control of their information and know that it’s privately stored at their locations. In fact, for this reason, many lawyers and accountants don’t purchase a cloud solution for exactly this reason. Legally, they are not allowed to place sensitive client information on someone else’s server. As well, all cloud solutions are a monthly cost, so if your organization stops paying the monthly service cost for the cloud contact management software, you could technically loose all of your information as someone else owns it. A simple example would be if Gmail, which is a free cloud solution that people can use for emails, pictures and documents, suddenly decided to charge for the service. The only way you could retrieve your information is if you now forwarded all of your emails to a different account (hopefully one that downloads the emails to your computer) and transfer all the documents.

In conclusion, a cloud solution is simple to setup and includes great mobility and remote connectivity options, which are great reasons to purchase it. However, an organization needs to understand that they never own their own data and are therefore always depending on the hosted contact management software provider they choose. Also, in the long run, as cloud solutions charge a monthly fee, they are far more expensive than traditional private (client-server) solutions which typically have expensive upfront costs, but minimal long term costs (Be careful though some private contact management software solutions are more expensive than cloud solutions as they charge expensive annual maintenance costs and are expensive to upgrade!!).

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