Tracer brings low-cost, mobile CRM to SA market

Sales solutions company Tracer has developed a hosted mobile customer relationship management platform that is Web-based and can be accessed from the Internet via a computer or cellphone browser.

The application, known as Tracer CRM, provides clients with simple and painless remote management of sales, service and technical people. Priced for the small to medium enterprise (SME) market, it's an ideal CRM solution for service-based businesses.

“There is no shortage of CRM solutions, but at the same time, there's a huge market out there for a CRM system that is uncomplicated and easy to use,” says Cobus van Graan, MD of Tracer. “Generally, customers buy a solution and use only a fraction of the functionality available to them, simply because that is all they need. We have looked at the most common requirements and developed a mobile solution that is modularised, so people pay only for the modules they want. And because it's mobile, they can access it anywhere, round-the-clock.”

Tracer CRM comprises four modules:

The core module provides a secure database of client information, which can be company-wide, or limited to the portfolio of each individual user. It stores up-to-the-minute client information that can be updated by the user, a dedicated back-office clerk, or though scheduled synchronisation between the client master and Tracer CRM. It is aimed at salespeople who are on the road and need a current list of client names and contact details.

This lists activities required from the user either on a routine or ad hoc basis. The focus here is on daily tasks and activities and it is particularly useful for managing regular visits and completing a prescribed set of functions. It is suitable for regional inspectors, for example, or for a garden service that has a number of vehicles that need to visit a set number of customers every day. The user receives a list of activities for each day; and each activity is ticked off as it is completed; an outcome can be entered in a text field, and there is also an escalation option.

This module is aimed at the effective control and follow-up of new sales leads. The focus is on sales activities and leads are loaded for the salesperson. The list of leads is imported either manually or automatically. Each lead is allocated to a salesperson by an allocation clerk, a process that is either built into the import process based on certain fields, or manually transferred to the applicable person. The salesperson finds the list on the browser, visits the client, and completes a list of outcomes. Clients can also choose to buy qualified leads from Tracer partner Matrix Marketing, which provides sales prospecting contact information.

This module is aimed at efficient and fast order taking and speeds up the process significantly. The salesperson can capture orders on the phone while at the customer. The order is then instantly available to the ordering department.

“The key words here are 'simple' and 'mobile',” says Van Graan. “The fact is that many salespeople don't use CRM systems because they are too complex and cumbersome. We have developed a solution that is effortless, yet provides all the reports that people need to manage and grow a business.”

The core module costs just R50 per user per month. Because Tracer CRM is hosted, there are no installation costs or licence fees, and backups and security are also taken care of. The application is completely scalable and can be customised to meet specific requirements in a matter of hours.