This week in the customer relationship management space, we considered businesses that still use items such as pen and paper (gasp!) to keep track of customer strategies. And while this reporter thinks that such tools are quite underrated, she understands that we are in 2011, and it’s high time companies, no matter the size, become aware of the solution options for CRM out there.

Susan Campbell recently wrote about this Soffront blog which 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. 

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.

In the auto market, TMC’s (News - Alert) Linda Dobel reported on the latest acquisitions. The announcement this week that E-Drive Autos, which provides effective online wholesaling solutions to auto dealerships, has acquired E-ZDealership.com, which provides dealers with cost-efficient inventory management, website development, and vehicle marketing solutions, opens a new avenue for auto dealers who sorely need these combined services.

E-ZDealership.com says its website is designed to attract serious shoppers and convert visitors into buyers 24/7, 365-days a year. It is a turnkey system that allows auto dealerships to upload and manage their vehicle inventory online, manage vehicle photos, generate sales leads, handle customer inquiries, print vehicle window stickers, generate eBay (News - Alert) and craigslist listing scripts, and add new or edit website pages and content from a control panel that the company says is easy to use.

Juliana Kenny graduated from the University of Connecticut with a double degree in English and French. After managing a small company for two years, she joined TMC as a Web Editor for TMCnet. Juliana currently focuses on the call center and CRM industries, but she also writes about cloud telephony and network gear including softswitches.

Edited by Jennifer Russell