Features the Best CRM Systems Have

7 Simple and Easy Features the Best CRM Systems Have

If you’re hoping a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software might make it easier for your company to function and generate more revenue, you’re right… so long as the system is simple and easy for you and your staff to use. Otherwise, it could become an expensive tool no one at the company uses.

Features the Best CRM Systems

Using a simple CRM software is the easiest way to increase the efficiency of a small business.

Many CRM systems have varying features within certain packages or level of usage. You only want to pay for what you really need and what makes the most sense for your team. Before you buy anything, consider what sort of information would make it easier to run your business. For example, if you run a delivery business, maybe what you need to see in your reports is how long it takes each employee to run a certain number of deliveries. Look for a CRM with features to track progress and make decisions faster when it comes to top performers and how many people would be required to increase deliveries.

A simple, easy-to-use CRM software will cut down on the administrative work load which likely falls on a business manager who could better use his time improving customer relationships. Aided by the right data automatically collected by a CRM system, business managers have more time to develop products and services that appeal to their loyal customer base.  With managers focusing their time on more important tasks the possibility for growth and revenue increases. Whenever corners are cut without losing quality, a business is set up to succeed.

7 Features You’ll Find in the Best CRM Systems

When you’re ready to look around at different CRM systems, there are 7 basic features which definitely stand out for user-friendly implementation in work life.

1: The best CRM systems offer accessibility everywhere via mobile applications.

If you own or operate a small business, you likely wear several hats. The best CRM systems for small businesses tend to include a mobile app to allow managers to access vital business information no matter where they find themselves. In addition to a desktop application for the office, a CRM system available on a mobile app will keep you up-to-date. For example, if a customer has a question you can answer in a timely manner while on-the-go and the CRM will track it and then all staff can see it in real time instead of waiting to hear it from you when you get back in the office.

2: Role-based access is another key feature for small business owners looking for the best CRM system.

While your CRM system should be easy for anyone to use, not everyone should have access to the reports managers need in order to make decisions for the betterment of the company. A simple CRM software system should allow for managers to choose who can view what reports as well as who can use certain features.

3: The best CRM systems of 2019 offer GPS Tracking.

Knowing where your staff is and how long it takes them to complete work are valuable data points to consider for hiring and scheduling purposes. The best CRM systems offer GPS tracking for people as well as property – know when company vehicles or equipment are checked out for work use and the longevity of the items purchased by the company.

4: The best CRM software comes equipped with customization reporting

Even businesses within the same industry do not necessarily thrive in the same system of operation. You want to find a CRM system which allows for customization reports so your managers have the information they truly need to increase company efficiencies. For example, rather than knowing only what products are ordered, maybe what you really want to know is how much of a product is bought by your loyal client base in order to get dud products out of your inventory and make room for the upgrades your customers really want. Customization reports will help a business manager employing a CRM platform narrow down what is truly valuable for the business to know in order to improve customer satisfaction.

5: Real-time tracking is a vital component to a simple CRM system

Answer customers asking for an ETA from their service technician with the click of a button rather than multiple texts and phone calls. This level of awareness is a critical component to customer satisfaction. Most customers who abandon a business for a competitor do so if they are treated like a number rather than a valued member of the brand team. Additionally, answer your own need-to-know questions on the go with real-time tracking on the progress of the work day.

6: The best CRM systems offer integration for invoicing and popular communication channels.

Your business has likely lived longer than your search for a CRM software solution – you may already have practices and software systems with vital information. You want to find a simple CRM software which will integrate the information you already have without a lot of hassle or longer man hours transferring everything over to the CRM platform.

7: Automated quotes and invoicing are included in the best CRM systems.

Automating whatever you need to make business operations move more smoothly will save time and money in the long run. Quotes for typical work orders can be sent without drawing up a whole new document every time the order is made. Similarly, an integrated system for invoicing and receiving payments make billing and getting paid easier than ever before.

CRM Runner offers the best free CRM software trial available.

CRM Runner is proud to produce a CRM system which meets the needs of all businesses and their employees. They stand behind their product with a 30-day trial so you can try it out at no cost and verify if it’s the right CRM for your company. Check out the features and start a free trial by clicking here.

3 Challenges Business Face When Managing Field Staff Without a CRM System.

Running a business is hard enough, but adding in the element of tracking field technicians often doubles the time it takes to manage day to day operations.

Field technicians are the most effective way to operate many service based businesses.  Electricians, construction crews and installation technicians are essential to providing excellent customer service.  However, when business is spread out across town or across the country, maintaining the most efficient processes presents a different set of challenges.

Business owners who now utilize CRM Runner, an online CRM, to manage their field staff listed many challenges they faced prior to using the system.  Across the board, each business owner listed 3 main road blocks to having their business run smoothly and efficiently.

Business Challenges Managing Staff

 

3 challenges most business owners face when managing field staff are resolved by using the best CRM

Business owners are looking to eliminate the extra work while maintaining everything they need to run their business all in one place.  Most often they state their time is spent tracking down the missing parts to the business and having all of the business tracked in one place would cut the time they spent chasing paper to nearly half.

Tracking inventory held by field technicians is a major concern for business owners.

Field technicians need basic parts to complete their job.  Since they are on the go, often these parts get pulled off the warehouse shelf and put into the back of the company truck without documentation.  To avoid extra trips back to the supply house, they may also take more than what the job requires.  This means company time is often spent tracking down a missing part or a purchased item that was never used.

CRM Runner’s field management software tracks inventory effortlessly.  Inventory can be tracked across several locations; including warehouse management and trucks driven by field staff.  This online CRM shows exactly where inventory is – even if it’s on the jobsite.  With real time reporting, managers and business owners can see where progress is made or halted with a quick glance.

Managing deadlines and progress at a job site with field staff presents a big challenge for businesses.

With job sites in multiple areas of town and staff spread thin to keep costs down, businesses can’t afford to not keep all of the projects moving forward.  Most owners report being unable to know exactly what was completed and when the crew left without visiting for themselves.  Making personal visits to each job site to ensure they stay on track is not only costly, but also isn’t a scalable model.

CRM Runner allows for up-to-date reporting on job sites with custom designed templates.  Using GPS tracking ensures you know where your technicians are while real time reporting keeps progress moving forward.  With end of day reporting, technicians can upload photos allowing managers and owners to have eyes on the project without actually driving to it. Time tracking included with the reports eliminates the worry of when the crew was onsite and when they left.

Controlling field staff communications with clients has led to problems for business owners.

Clients main complaint is often that they feel like they aren’t communicated with appropriately.  This is often the case because field staff are there in person with the customer and may get questions they don’t know the answers to about the project.  Field staff also are presented with changes the client requested prior to being notified by the office.  Clients are likely to have a better experience if they feel like they are informed, which is often not possible without costly software or additional dispatching and paperwork.

With CRM Runner’s software, communication is built in. Keeping all communication in one place allows the technician to receive real time updates to requests from the home office and the client.  Technicians and other staff can let the client know where they are, when they will be there and how the project is progressing all at the touch of a button.   Using CRM Runner makes communication with field staff and clients seamless.

Manage your business in a better way with an online CRM field management software.

Business owners face enough challenges finding reliable employees and bringing in clients.  When time is spent chasing down paperwork, checking on jobsites and managing inventory with a hands on approach there is not a lot of room left to manage day to day operations.  CRM Runner saves business owners time and money while also effectively managing processes and field staff.

Learn more about CRM Runner and how it can change the way your business operates with a 30 day free trial.  Sign up here.

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