Sales software must contain some form of a Business Contact Manager and Customer Relationship Management software. Sales software is typically a software package that automates business tasks such as inventory control, order processing, contact management, tracking of customer interactions and sales forecast analysis and performance evaluation.
Sales Software is usually utilized mainly by medium to large size businesses due to costs associated with many of the packages on the marketplace. Out of the box products are available which offer a certain level of customization; however is very limited in features and linkage to the business compared to purpose build versions. Custom versions are specifically developed for businesses individual needs and contain more relevancies to that business such as business icons, specific requirements, etc.
Software packages are able to incorporate a Web-ready database, an e-mail package, and customizable templates. Sales Software forms part of a company’s customer relationship management system, in which the software automatically records all the stages in a sales process.
Major features of Sales Software systems include:
- In-depth client contact information including addressing, phone numbers, etc. This can also extend to the client’s previous sales history and last purchase date. Links to all e-mail, letters, and memos related to the client are also desirable.
- A comprehensive calendar that has the ability to apply priorities to client meetings, and to automate prospecting, follow-up, and sales activities. It should be able to synchronize with various applications such as Microsoft Outlook.
- Integration with various applications such as your fax software or word processor, with standard and customizable templates for faxes, memos, and letters.
- The ability to synchronize with handheld PCs and PDAs.
- Share databases over the network for a multi-user environment with record locking and password protection
- Account management with tools for forecasting, and graphical reports to allow tracking sales cycles and performance.
