What do you consider to be the top new feature in SalesLogix version 7? Is it the engine for the dashboard, providing you with richer user experience while being easier and cheaper to customize? Perhaps the Project Manager subbing for Architect or maybe the XP skins adding XP-like liveliness and features to tabs, panels and other objects? If there is a particular feature in the new SalesLogix version 7 that gets your blood rushing, then let us know!
As a quick overview of what Sage SalesLogix has in store for you, let’s take a brief, initial look at some of the newest features. As of this version, expect there to be no more legacy! Furthermore, SalesLogix version 7 now supports Crystal Reports XI, greatly enhanced Import Wizard, single click install of remote dbs, HTTP Sync, customizable integrity checker, direct modification of core tables, customizable activities, .NET forms, and massive changes to Architect overall.
It’s exciting to see so many new features being added to the newest version of Sage SalesLogix. Here is a comment one of the SalesLogix users made regarding the new version 7:
I think the biggest feature to me is the fact that a lot of functionality that was built in for years is finally opening up. Activities? Check. Attachments? Check. Integrity checker being customizable is one thing I've also been looking forward to. I've had the idea to do that ever since I first started using it so it's nice to not have to custom code something like that for once. The report screen being customizable is a nice plus, it just "feels" better for some reason. .NET Extensions should be good for those that either have something they don't feel like gutting and retro-fitting into SalesLogix, or have a future project where they make sense. As others have mentioned, no one will be jumping to the .NET wagon just yet but we'll have a nice interim platform to launch from.
I can only imagine what the future will hold considering so much is opening up at once. Hopefully the momentum there will extend to the Architect so we can have more "big boy toys" in the IDE some of us spend the most of our time in.
Jeremy
Now your company has a chance to take CRM to the next level with the major new release of SalesLogix version 7. As you can see, this SalesLogix version has many new features to offer, and here, we provide a hands-on, more in-depth look at the exciting, high impact new features in SalesLogix 7.
The first thing you might notice are the new Interactive Dashboards. Real time interactive dashboards allow you to view and analyze performance metrics such as pipeline status, open opportunities, win rate, diagnose key issues, and identify opportunities; all from a single location! The highly visual graphical interface with intuitive navigation aids in fast and easy tracking of organizational and individual performances, allows a user to discover causes for performance issues or perform ad-hoc analysis by changing criteria instantly.
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Highly visual with intuitive navigation, highly configurable with real-time information allowing you to discover the causes of performance issues and take appropriate actions. |
Allow you to view performance metrics, diagnose key issues and identify opportunities all in one screen. You have the option of displaying only the data important to you, such as top customers and opportunities, pipeline status, open opportunities or the current win rate. |
Quick Analysis is easily achieved by simply changing the filter or group criteria; meanwhile a more detailed analysis can be achieved by exporting the information to Excel. |
Functions as a graphic snapshot of vital customer, prospect, sales and support data crucial to make timely decisions and operate with a higher level of efficiency. |
Secondarily the focus in SalesLogix version 7 is on integrated service and support, featuring full mobile support. In the new version of Sage SalesLogix, SalesLogix support is part of the Windows Client, and the Support features are combined with Customer Service features.
Take the feature Assets for example, once you have sold products they automatically become Assets. Now you are able to specify which Assets you want to include in a Service Contract and view them by Account, making it easy to record and track detailed Asset information including serial numbers, quantity and sales order numbers. Then associate the Assets with Accounts, Tickets, Defects, Contracts or Returns, giving you full visibility into the products you sell across their lifecycle. Furthermore you can track details pertaining to a Return including the RMA number and associate them with an Account or a Ticket.
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Support Features include Assets, Service Contracts, Returns, Standard Problem Resolution, and Defects. |
View Assets by Account. Track and record serial numbers, quantity, sales order numbers. |
Associate Assets with Accounts, Tickets, Defects, Contracts or Returns |
The Standard Problem Resolution feature equips your customer service team with an improved approach to quickly responding to customers’ concerns and frequently asked questions. Common problems and solutions are easily available through a searchable database. |
The Defect Feature underwent some renovations as well, with the expanded defect tracking functionality you are able to track additional details such as the problem type, version in which the problem was found and its source in a particular product you sell. |
Associate Defects with Accounts, Service Tickets, Returns, and Assets, this information can then be used to improve your product and customer service. |
The Returns and Defects lists can be exported to Excel for analysis. |
Last but not least, another key feature in the new SalesLogix version 7 is refined SalesLogix Marketing. This feature becomes extremely useful and valuable when it comes to customizing, refining and targeting your marketing message for appropriate prospects and customers.
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Bring in and Track leads from Web forums, tradeshows, seminars, purchased lists in your SalesLogix
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Easily convert Qualified Leads into New Sales Opportunities.
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Create email campaigns with Mail Merge or EmPulse (integrated marketing service provider)
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Design your company’s templates and upload target lists for distribution via EmPulse. |
Response data from your campaigns is directly transferred to SalesLogix. |
It doesn’t stop there. Sage SalesLogix also offers a wide array of features designed to be customized to your particular business. When it comes to overall functionality of the software, the new version 7 not only supports Windows XP themes for a fresher look and feel consistent across all applications, but also offers many new options such as the Copy Link to Clipboard option, available from the Edit menu, permitting you to copy and paste Contacts or Opportunities in emails. These can then be opened by the recipient with appropriate security access.
Furthermore, you can manage all Activity Reminders and Alarms in one interface, move entire contact records to new accounts and with greatly improved Outlook Integration, your calendar and activity confirmations will update automatically without the need to refresh. That’s a lot of features to get excited about.
Besides new features in Sage SalesLogix version 7, some old ones were also discontinued. Due to the integrated service and support function, SalesLogix Support Client is no longer available and won’t work in version 7. There will be no Support Procedures or Notification Manager, and Ticket and Defect Notifications will only be available at the account level. Additional alerts and notifications are available through Sage Knowledgesync. And finally, when it comes to web reporting, Crystal Reports XI Embedded server will now be used instead of Crystal Enterprise version 8 which supports several reporting users at the same time.
