Making the Right CRM Decision: Commence Corporation Offers
Counsel to Small to Mid-Sized Companies

-Traditional Desktop Solutions Continue to Lose Ground to Popular Software-as-a-Service Implementations-

TINTON FALLS, N.J. (February 18, 2010) - Leveraging its decades of CRM expertise, Commence Corporation, a leading provider of Customer Relationship Management software for small to mid-size enterprises, today offered companies some advice about what to consider when buying a CRM solution.

Commence Corporation's CEO, Larry Caretsky, shared, "For years, Commence Corporation sold desktop-based customer relationship management and sales force automation solutions to small to mid-size businesses. As the software-as-a-software (SaaS) delivery model stabilized, more organizations opted for its convenience and flexibility. Today, 80% of the inquiries we receive are for our Web-based solution and 20% are for our desktop solution; however, it's important to note that every company has different CRM needs."

Desktop solutions can be ideal for small companies with an IT infrastructure, but this approach places the burden of management and maintainability with the customer. By subscribing to the CRM software using the SaaS model, this is elevated. In addition, the inherent collaborative benefits of CRM can be quickly recognized, as all users, such as sales and service reps, can enter and manage their own territory data, projects and marketing campaigns. A SaaS-based implementation also gives managers "anytime, anywhere" access to the system in order to easily identify key business trends and potential problem areas.

Caretsky expressed concern that some companies are still marketing low-end contact management software as if it's CRM software, which only serves to confuse buyers. He said, "Contact management software, like ACT, Avidian and Highrise to name a few - is not CRM. Customer data is an important component to successful CRM, but so are distinguishing benefits like the ability to support unique workflows; integrated lead forms; meaningful reports that generate better business decisions; and the means to execute and assess effective marketing campaigns. A solid CRM solution can do all that and more."

In the case of Commence Corporation, the company markets a desktop solution as well as its popular "on-demand" Web-based software. Caretsky added, "Our SaaS solution is enormously popular as it gives companies the ability to scale up to hundreds of users or down to a few users, as dictated by their business needs. Plus, as one of the longest standing vendors in the CRM sector, we've made significant investments in our hosting infrastructure, which ensures that our clients have the most reliable, state-of-the-art CRM program without a large price-tag."

More information about Commence Corporation, including an informative video, can be accessed at www.commence.com

About Commence Corporation

Founded in 1988, Commence develops and delivers a diverse suite of award-winning CRM products that integrate people, processes and technology. Delivered via the popular software-as-a-service (SaaS) model or implemented as on premised licensed software, Commence CRM solutions are used by thousands of companies to streamline sales and customer service front-end business processes. As a result, Commence clients increase workforce productivity, generate positive customer interactions, and reduce cost. More information about Commence can be accessed at www.commence.com or at 1-877-COMMENCE.

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