7 Business Benefits Associated with Cloud-based CRM Services
The role of cloud-based CRM should be taken seriously as a strategic business enabler, and here's why.
By
Laura Abrar
There’s been much debate this year about more firms getting into the “cloud”, and with that, porting customer relationship management systems (CRM).
The impact and the global market for CRM is said to be so strong that the world’s leading technology advisory firm, Gartner, recently stated CRM will be a market worth $36bn by 2017. This prediction also aligns with its analysis of new business scenarios built around what it terms the ‘Nexus of Forces’ – social, mobile, information, and cloud.
CRM is already an essential element which helps organizations, of all sizes, deliver against business objectives, and bridge the gap between sales and marketing teams. The availability and rise of cloud CRM allows firms to think about alternative options to traditional on-site solutions.
The energy and attention devoted to on-site CRM has, up until recently, factored into appraising and installing CRM software. However, with trends moving toward cloud technologies firms no longer have to create a fixed, “physical” IT infrastructure and network.
Put simply, cloud CRM allows all of your company data to be saved, stored, and accessed via the Internet; enabled using a single server or distributed servers.
It’s not as though companies aren’t aware of the route to the cloud as a business model – it’s been around for nearly six years. The cloud is, in fact, going through a second iteration.
A survey by the Poneman Institute for Thales e-Security found “more than 54 per cent of the 4,025 business and IT managers polled were already sending sensitive data to the cloud, and 31% of those from within seven global countries expect to do so in the next two years.” Additionally, a new study on cloud computing, by CompTIA’s Fourth Annual Trends In Cloud Computing, found 90 per cent of firms polled have some presence in the Cloud.
Broad operational benefits from doing business in the cloud are applicable across the board — whether for a startup or small business. Here are just a few advantages of utilizing cloud-based CRM services.
Utilizing cloud-based CRM services can become a business gamechanger. Here are at least seven business advantages which amplify the above-mentioned “umbrella” benefits.
The role of cloud-based CRM should be taken seriously as a strategic business enabler. It’s likely that businesses with an eye on the future will start to look for the right partners which can make cloud CRM happen, and in doing so fuel their competitive edge.
Laura Abrar developed her career in PR and communications for leading global technology brands, as well as in digital marketing for SMEs in the United Kingdom.
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