Scala Business Solutions was one of only eight Microsoft partners invited to showcase their Microsoft CRM-powered software at the UK launch of Microsoft's CRM product, last week.
Shamik Sinha, CEO of Scala Africa, notes that Scala Business Solutions has been working very closely with Microsoft to develop the iScala CRM offering during the past six months. This has enabled Scala to commercially release its CRM offering just one week after the official US release of Microsoft CRM version 1.20 in December 2003. Since launching iScala CRM, deployment has taken place on 12 sites in nine countries around the world, an impressive achievement considering the worldwide decrease of IT spend and deployment over the December/January period.
Sinha continues: "The local market has shown a strong demand for an integrated solution. The benefits that can be had from gaining instant access to more accurate customer data are invaluable. As local markets become more competitive, customer service becomes a key factor of gaining and retaining clients."
Commercially released on 15 December 2003 and available globally, iScala CRM is powered by Microsoft CRM and provides customers with out-of-the-box integration to the iScala Collaborative ERP system to leverage proven iScala functionality. For companies dealing internationally, the multi-currency capabilities, international tax calculations (VAT) and business intelligence capabilities are already set up for doing business in over 140 countries worldwide.
iScala CRM helps customers reduce their costs, improve their revenues, increase customer satisfaction and create a consistent favourable customer experience. Because it uses XML and Web services it can be easily integrated with familiar Microsoft Office products like Outlook as well as any ERP application that a company uses so that all customer-related information and activities are stored in one place to provide the user with a complete view of their customers.
"Scala's relationship with Microsoft dates back more than 10 years," says Sinha, "and as such our software is designed to run exclusively on Microsoft technology. This relationship has enabled Scala to adopt many of the Microsoft technology innovations while adding our own functionality and connectivity to enhance the solutions we offer our customers. The ease of integration onto Microsoft based systems makes this a compelling choice for small to medium-size businesses."
"We congratulate Scala on the rapid progress they have made by extending Microsoft CRM and bringing iScala CRM to market," said Jeff Young, General Manager, Emerging Solutions at Microsoft Corp.
"With its Web services-based architecture that allows easy integration with ERP applications, iScala CRM will appeal to any midmarket company that wants to offer superior customer service and improve their efficiency throughout the enterprise."
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Scala Business Solutions is represented in Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands by Scala Africa, which provides sales, consulting and implementation skills to a customer base of 70 companies in SA and a further 300 in the rest of Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. Headquartered in Johannesburg and with offices in countries including Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria, Scala Africa (Pty) Ltd, is a truly pan-African concern that offers integrated, collaborative ERP solutions to businesses across the continent. Visit Scala's Web site at www.scala.co.za for press information including press releases, information and product information.
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