CRM Software

Hewlett Packard is getting ready to draft an extensive deal with CRM provider Salesforce.com that would replace Oracle (News - Alert) Siebel as its customer relationship manager of choice. The deal would add an additional 35,000 to 40,000 seats to Salesforce’s team and will put HP’s management techniques solidly in the cloud.

The move will virtually shut down Oracle Siebel which Trip Chowdhry of the International Business Times said is making the company ,“very furious.”  The move will reportedly save HP 40-50 percent of the cost HP is paying for the current CRM service.  Salesforce.com (News - Alert) is the dominant cloud based network and CRM management software currently available at an enterprise level , and although Siebel has more features and options for its customers it doesn’t have nearly the following.  

The deal may strain already cool ties between HP and Oracle which exchanged words over conduct early this year after HP director Mark Hurd (News - Alert) was sacked and joined Oracle immediately following his departure.

HP released results today from its 4Q which ended October 31st, 2010 indicating $33.3 billion net revenue, 8% larger than the prior-year period.  Salesforce.com is also having a great year, posting positive growth in their 3Q which ended earlier this week.

In a business environment, where monitoring and maintaining every custom interaction is crucial, making the right CRM choice is imperative to relevance. While choosing SalesForce is may break relationships with a venerable IT war-hero like Oracle, HP can rest assured that their decision will if nothing else save them considerable money.

Chris DiMarco is a Web Editor for TMCnet. He holds a master's degree in journalism from Quinnipiac University. Prior to joining TMC (News - Alert) Chris worked with e-commerce provider Suresource as a contact center representative and development analyst. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Chris DiMarco