TMCnews Featured Article
August 03, 2010
BatchBlue Takes Online CRM to the Next Level
By Susan J. Campbell, TMCnet Contributing Editor
Social CRM and mobile applications are a hot area for a number of businesses seeking to advance their positioning in the market. As powerful as such tools are for big business, they also provide significant benefits for the small business user as well. The company set to provide these users with the necessary tools: BatchBlue Software.
BatchBook is one offering from the company that is considered to be at the intersection of the social CRM and mobile application trends. According to BatchBlue President Pamela O’Hara, this solution is now about gathering thousands of followers, but instead focuses on the one-to-one contact. The key is building relationships and using social networks to manage those contacts. A variety of CRM applications are moving to mobile app format and are available at online venues such as Apple’s (News - Alert) App Store and the Google Apps Marketplace. As vendors optimize their applications for mobile use, Social CRM is one the frontline.
For the small business user, BatchBlue and its BatchBook offering focuses on the importance of the mobile user. A contact management system, BatchBook is true to its social origins and has a heavy focus on Twitter, Facebook (News - Alert), Flickr and blog content. When using BatchBook, a user can create a profile in the system based on the social data of an individual on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, a blog or Flickr photos. In addition, the company has partnered with Shoeboxed to offer a feature that will allow people to scan business cards into the app to create or enhance a profile.
A ‘Smart Tag’ feature is also available and is similar to a conventional tagging system. This feature allows a user to tag (News - Alert) a contact as a prospect, customer or supplier Custom fields allow the user to add any other description necessary to the contact, such as color of hair or other features that set the individual apart. BatchBook provides Sync Integrations to deliver more advanced functionality to users and partnerships with other providers such as an e-mail marketing newsletter provider and an invoice provider ensure users have access to the tools they need.
BatchBook also offers tools to monitor what people are posting about a company or a contact. App widgets allow users to follow conversations on Twitter, set Google (News - Alert) alerts, monitor blogs or receive Facebook updates. According to O'Hara, the application is designed to help build a deeper relationship on the individual level. "It collects all kinds of details about a person, from where he used to work to the fact that he is a Yankees fan. It is what social networking used to be -- just helped along electronically."CRM is about more than just gathering information on customers; it is about using that information to build relationships that will drive revenue. BatchBlue understands the importance of this approach with its solutions, taking CRM to the next level.
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
Internet Telephony Magazine
Click here to read latest issue
CUSTOMER 
Cloud Computing Magazine
Click here to read latest issue
IoT EVOLUTION MAGAZINE
