Have you relied heavily on spreadsheets or Microsoft (News - Alert) Outlook to manage your customer accounts? If so, how has this worked over time as your business has grown? Do you find yourself spending more time managing the system than you do your customers? If this is the case, it may be time to look to a more robust solution. 

This Soffront blog focused on this very issue, highlighting the challenges that can arise when we try to manage our customer relationship management (CRM) platform on our own. And, while it seems like you have control over a simple and easy-to-use solution, it really can’t compare with cloud CRM applications. 

Such platforms take your CRM way beyond contact lists, adding sales process workflows, marketing automation, full sharing capabilities across departments and even more. Cloud CRM applications allow you to further enhance the usability of your customer information so you can drive more sales and increase your profitability. At the same time, since the platform resides in the cloud, you can access it from anywhere. 

Aside from the ease of use and ease of access, cloud CRM applications also answer the question of how many. When you rely on a spreadsheet method to manage your contact lists, it can be a challenge to determine just how many lists you should have – do you limit it to one per department or one per salesperson? Cloud CRM applications provide an easy solution.

The integration provided in cloud CRM solutions ensures you have one system for many users, providing all with access to the appropriate information at any given time. Even better, there is no need for users to email documents back and forth as everything is centrally located and easily accessible across all departments. 

When you leverage cloud CRM applications, you can capture the entire sales process on the platform. You can also have easy access to purchase history and pending issues that affect you or your customers. Cloud CRM applications allow you to store your database along with your integrated sales, marketing and customer service data, all on the provider’s server. You simply need a Web browser to access your secure information.

 It can be an adjustment, making the switch from on-premise solutions to cloud CRM, especially when you are already accustomed to the processes you have in place. By holding fast to these processes, however, you are missing the opportunities that are afforded in cloud CRM. You not only streamline your costs, you also enjoy efficiency and productivity gains. 

And, when you partner with a provider like Soffront, you gain access to intense training so that all team members are ready to adopt the platform so you can see results right away. With so much to gain, it’s time to give cloud CRM applications a try.

Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan’s articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Juliana Kenny