ACT! for Pastel now in retail stores

Softline Pastel has announced the availability of ACT!, an off-the-shelf contact management solution, from Incredible Connection, Makro stores and through Pastel`s reseller network. ACT! now integrates with Pastel Partner and can also be used as a standalone product, saving SMEs time and making it easier for them to keep in contact with their customers.

ACT! makes it easy for smaller companies to add CRM functionality onto the existing Pastel Partner database.

"SMEs already have a wealth of information in their existing accounting system. That information can become more meaningful if customer interactions, such as queries or complaints, are captured into the same database for easy information sharing," says Bridget du Toit, sales director at Softline Pastel.

ACT! allows businesses to track all communications relating to sales and other customer interactions. "You can, for instance, identify where in the sales process a prospect may be. By tracking these communications, leads can be more readily converted to sales. Reports can also be generated at the push of a button to monitor sales opportunities. "

Not only is this a contact management solution, but also allows users to run quotes, do sales and marketing, create requests for proposals and do in-house correspondence.

"Maintaining regular contact with your customers is essential, but can become an arduous task as your customer base grows. ACT! allows users to set weekly or monthly alarms so you`ll never forget to follow up with a customer. Users can simply look up all customers that have not been contacted in a month and reconnect with them by sending an e-mail or letter," Du Toit says.

The ability to network the software means access to vital customer related information can be extended to everyone in the organisation. This way all staff will have access to the most current information and can also keep the database up to date.

Quick access to historical information about customers` buying trends helps ensure all sales and marketing campaigns are well targeted. ACT! also includes a number of tools for direct mail and fax shots to effectively market to customers or keep them up to date on the latest products or services.

"The accounting database can be a goldmine of customer related information. ACT! ensures this database is more effectively managed, making it easy to access, explore and `act` on data for improved customer management and laying the foundation for long-term relationships."

ACT! is available immediately at R1 799 for a single user setup. A standalone version is also available for non-partner users.