The latest customer relationship management (CRM) offering from Infor not only integrates with multiple back-office systems but also lets users access important information even when they’re offline.
Released earlier this week, version 8.3 of the cloud-based Infor CRM is designed to help enterprises “maximize the impact of every interaction, across the entire customer lifecycle, whether in the office or out in the field,” the company said.
In addition, the new version of Infor CRM features an updated user interface for mobile users designed by the company’s in-house digital design agency. With a reconfigured layout, the interface was created to improve efficiency and reduce the need for user training, Infor said.
‘Always-On Access to Data’
“Across every industry, from manufacturing to financial services to distribution to retail, the need for instant and always-on access to the right data pulled in from various applications such as ERP, financial management systems, and supply chain management systems is critical to delivering superior customer experience,” said Pierre Custeau, vice president for product strategy, Infor Customer Experience, in a statement announcing the updated CRM software.
Infor entered the cloud-based CRM market in 2014 after acquiring the Arizona-based software-as-a-service company Saleslogix. It rebranded Saleslogix’ CRM as Infor CRM, and has since made a number of updates to the offering.
The latest update, version 8.3, comes pre-configured to integrate with multiple back-office ERP systems, Infor said. It supports those systems through the Infor Intelligent Open Network, a middleware framework that was purpose-built for letting users “get software without borders.”
Enabling ‘More Intuitive’ Customization
In addition to providing enterprise-wide visibility from a single environment, Infor CRM 8.3 also delivers a unified platform for social, mobile and cloud, the company said.
Another new feature, Infor Configure Price Quote (CPQ) integration, enables manufacturing and distribution businesses to have “one vision from order to delivery, all through the same interface.” Infor CPQ users can capture information about customizable products, then easily share that data with dealers and salespeople via any device so choosing options and configurations is “more intuitive and error-free,” according to the company.
The redesigned interface for Infor CRM Mobile 3.4 also lets users store some customer data locally on their mobile devices and cache other details so they can access information even when network connections are unavailable, Infor said.
According to the company, all of these improvements are aimed at helping CRM professionals provide better experiences to customers, which research has shown to increase both satisfaction and revenues. The company cited studies indicating that by 2020 customer experience will become a more important brand differentiator than prices or products.
Infor CRM is available in English, French, German, Italian and Russian, with Chinese, Portuguese and Spanish translations also available through channel partners. The company is offering a free 30-day trial of the updated solution.
