[July 07, 2005] NYC Small Business Services Loves Siebel Tweet The New York City Small Business Services picks Siebel. By DAVID SIMS TMCnet CRM Alert Columnist The New York City Department of Small Business Services has chosen Siebel CRM OnDemand for its hosted CRM, the San Mateo, California software maker is announcing. The decision was the result of a competitive RFP process. Siebel CRM OnDemand will be used to allow the NYC-SBS to track the number and types of interactions with small businesses and the progress and results of different service types. NYC-SBS was developed as part of New York City's ongoing commitment to increase opportunities for local businesses and improve the level and quality of service that the City provides to its business community. The NYC.gov business portal provides easy access to business-related information and services. NYC Business Solutions provides free assistance for doing business in alll parts of New York City, not just Manhattan. By connecting entrepreneurs to capital and incentives, cutting the red tape of navigating government, helping firms compete for contracts, and recruiting and training workers for businesses, NYC Business Solutions staffers essentially serve as free consultants for small entrepreneurs. The agency issues notices such as the one in late May where Commissioner Robert W. Walsh announced that New York City businesses are now eligible for two separate grants to train current employees looking to advance their skill levels, and one highlighting New York City companies listed among the 100 fastest-growing inner city companies in the country. Its home page lists contracting opportunities with the city, offers a welter of printed materials and online resources. Frankly it's hard to see how someone could fail in a small business in the Big Apple with this much help from the city, which is trying to shed its image as a place only for wealthy corporations. "The agency needed one system to track interactions with businesses and provide access to a variety of services through all SBS units that provide direct services to businesses," said Mark Newhouse, Deputy Commissioner, New York City. "Rapid deployment, analytics and reporting, and total cost of ownership were the prime factors contributing to our decision." The NYC-SBS takes service requests a step further by using core constituent data to "cross-sell" and offer additional programs and services. In other words, when a citizen entrepreneur inquires about opening up a new business in Manhattan, the NYC-SBS representative can readily offer additional services, including financing options, resources, and entitlements to energy incentives. New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg created the Department of Small Business Services and its primary initiative, NYC Business Solutions, to serve New York City's more than 200,000 small businesses. It can be accessed by calling 311, logging on to www.nyc.gov/smallbiz, or visiting one of the Business Solutions centers located in each of the City's five boroughs. Its young, ambitious commissioner, Robert W. Walsh, was appointed in early 2002 after making his name in the '90s as Executive Director of the 14th Street/Union Square Business Improvement District and Local Development Corporation, during which time the organization restored the Union Square neighborhood of New York so effectively it's become a national showpiece for civic renewal. ----- David Sims is contributing editor for TMCnet. For more articles by David Sims, please visit: http://www.tmcnet.com/tmcnet/columnists/columnist.aspx?id=100005&nm=David%20 Sims [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]