| Is Outlook a CRM? | | | | with your business. There are dozens of additional |
| Outlook is not a CRM (Customer Relationship | | | | features available, and they will be easier to |
| Manager) by itself. It is actually a PIM (Personal | | | | review when keeping the above items as a point |
| Information Manager), but it is essentially the | | | | of reference. |
| standard in business today for individual email, | | | | Pitfalls of Outlook CRM |
| contact and scheduling management. It falls a bit | | | | Having all your customer information in Outlook |
| short on providing the advanced functions such as | | | | can be a great advantage. However, there are a |
| customer management, sales management, and | | | | few items to be mindful and cautious of when |
| reporting that most businesses need. Getting to | | | | selecting an Outlook CRM. |
| those features can be easier than many think. | | | | Outlook integration: Yes, this is the primary |
| The best way to get to a true Outlook CRM is to | | | | advantage of this kind of CRM program but if you |
| find an Outlook add on that includes CRM | | | | are not already using Outlook it can reduce many |
| features. | | | | of these advantages. |
| What's in an Outlook CRM | | | | All the data is stored in Outlook: Many Outlook |
| The features available from CRM programs can | | | | CRM programs store all the new data and records |
| be quite extensive. To get the most from an | | | | added to the program right in the Outlook |
| Outlook CRM, there are some primary functions | | | | database. This can create storage issues as the |
| to focus on. | | | | Outlook profile has a storage size limit. Those |
| Outlook integration: A true Outlook CRM is actually | | | | programs that store their unique data in a |
| built into Outlook and utilizes the powerful | | | | separate but linked database can provide more |
| functions already present. Be careful of programs | | | | data storage capacity and a redundant back-up |
| that change or replace the existing Outlook | | | | should your Outlook database have errors. |
| forms; this can add some functionality but at the | | | | Alteration of Outlook forms: One of the big |
| cost of losing integration with the rest of Outlook. | | | | advantages to Outlook CRM is that most people |
| This can also create confusion when working in | | | | are already familiar with the look and feel of |
| the program. | | | | Outlook, making for faster implementation. If the |
| Advanced Contact Management: An Outlook CRM | | | | program changes those forms (contact, email, |
| program needs to offer additional functionality for | | | | appointment, etc.) that are so familiar it can |
| managing contacts as well as companies. Look for | | | | create confusion and take additional time to |
| the ability to track Company accounts and all the | | | | relearn a feature. Look for a program that adds |
| contacts and information associated with them. It | | | | to what Outlook does, but doesn't change what it |
| should also provide additional views for retrieving | | | | is already doing so well. |
| and reviewing your customer information quickly | | | | Why Outlook CRM over other CRM? |
| and easily. | | | | As discussed above, having all your customer |
| Sales Management: This can be one of the most | | | | relationship management information inside a |
| vital aspects of a CRM. The ability to track each | | | | program like Outlook can be a great advantage. |
| sales deal, related it to a client and account, and | | | | Outlook is used so ubiquitously in business that |
| record all communication and activities. This can be | | | | most people already have a good level of |
| a powerful advantage for an Outlook CRM as all | | | | familiarity with it, making training times for |
| this data is in a program people are already | | | | Outlook CRM shorter. This also makes acceptance |
| familiar with, eliminating the need to relearn | | | | of the CRM program higher since the users feel |
| common functions (email, calendar, task, etc.). | | | | like they already know the program. Having |
| Relational Database: Having all your information | | | | access to your CRM and basic office functions |
| available through Outlook would be of no use | | | | (such as email) through the same program makes |
| unless it was all inter-related. Contacts are | | | | users more efficient and can make record |
| associated with Companies, Sales Opportunities | | | | management and storage a more centralized |
| are associated with Contacts and Companies, and | | | | process. While Outlook alone cannot give your |
| all notes, emails, appointments and tasks are | | | | business everything it needs for customer |
| related to the appropriate records. Having all this | | | | relationship management, a good Outlook CRM |
| information available and tied together inside | | | | plug-in can provide the building blocks for a |
| Outlook shows the true power of an Outlook | | | | complete solution that can grow with your |
| CRM. Focusing on the areas above will make it | | | | company. |
| easier to find Outlook CRM software that fits | | | | |