Contact management

[Gordon Miller]

Currently use Outlook for my address book etc., however feel the need for a program that I can enter a prospect to be contacted in 3 month etc.  Being a person who is challenge by all this high tech I would like some help for direction to pursue on this issue. Maybe Outlook is all I need, but just need to learn how to use is more fully.  If not Outlook than what other suggestions do you have.  I plan to use it for Real Estate Auction prospects.  Gordon Miller Auctioneer/Broker

[Richard Romanus AuctionServices.com]

Gordon,

This is an area that we had addressed about 3-4 years ago. We have a product called Groupware. This software is web based and has a lot of very good features such as: Project management, notes, memos, contact management, todo list, email, calendars etc. The best part is everything works together all in one system!

It is great especially if you have people working with you, other offices or working remotely. You can upload documents and issue permissions as to who can access what and download what.

The project management allows you to post auctions and assign tasks to people as well as keep track of all the things makes up each auction. Make sure the marketing is done, signs are up etc. At a glance see what percentage of the auctions tasks have been accomplished and what may be behind.


Very good software and very easy to use. We offered to auctioneers about 3-4 years ago but not many felt they need to be that organized then so it did not sell very well. It seems today that many auctioneers are joining network groups because they have this type of software so I am pulling back off the shelf.

I personally love this software and we have been using it for a long time.

Rick R

[Gordon Miller]

Rick,  How is this  marketed as far as Dollar wise?  Is it a monthly subscription, one time purchase with upgrades?  Gordon Miller, Auctioneer/Broker 

[Richard Romanus AuctionServices.com]

Gordon,

We are still working on the product and have not set the cost in stone yet. It will all depend on how feature packed it is and what resources will be needed to power it properly.

The back office management product will have a small setup cost and a monthly cost. The amount will depend on the feature level that each client wants their system to have. Remember it is all customizable! No matter how small or large your company the system is scalable and there is something for everyone.

We are currently working to add many more features to this product such as email management system like IBEAM, live chat, database features, ad tracking, lead generation etc. The best part of all this is it all runs behind your site! You do not need to dilute or give up your brand just to have cutting edge networking, marketing and management abilities.

Almost everything that auctioneers and many other companies need today to conduct and manage their business will be all in one spot with easy access and permission levels. Users will be able to collaborate with others in house or between companies fast and efficiently.

Since this product is so flexible and powerful we may also offer this out as a network. We will tie in marketing products, calendar engine, bidding system etc. for several companies as one networking system. That way they will not need to give up their websites and pay a huge amount of upfront money plus commissions just to take advantage of cutting edge networking opportunities.

The back office system will provide everything that any company will ever need to manage and work efficiently in office, remotely, one person or hundreds anywhere at anytime...

I will keep everyone posted as we progress with this major project but it should be ready to rock and roll around the first of next new year...

Bottom line it is a new product from AuctionServices.com, Inc. and that in itself should assure everyone that it will be very effective and done properly!

Rick R

[Gordon Miller]

Rick, If a business has Auction Services build and host the web site, is groupware a added expense or is it part of the initial Package?   It sure sounds interesting.  I definitely need something for contact management.  Gordon Miller, Auctioneer/Broker

[Richard Romanus AuctionServices.com]

The Groupware is an additional cost to setup and monthly hosting... Setup is $150 and monthly hosting is only $15 per month.

Rick R

[Matt Price]

Is the groupware product licensed by Novell?

[stik]

Is the groupware product licensed by Novell?

I think your thinking of "Groupwise" by Novell and are getting the Groupware and Netware names mixed up, which Netware is a Novell product as well.
Not to steal any of Richards thunder, but it sounds like what is needed is some form of a CRM (customer relation management, like Goldmine), not as much a collaboration suite. What software are you using to run your auctions? Auction Flex has a very simple marketing list part of their program that should achieve what your looking to do. There are also a lot of "freeware" CRM solutions out there, but I have never used nor do I endorse any of them...there are a lot of nifty open source freeware out there for the taking, but there is usually a learning curve with them. For simple  and well documented instructions sake, I would stick to the pay to play programs. Just do a google search for CRM and give a look at whats out there.

[Richard Romanus AuctionServices.com]

In house we have been using Highraise for our CRM product. http://www.highrisehq.com/tour

It works very well and has corrected many issues we had over the years with other CRM products. They were always to convoluted, confusing and very time consuming that I could never get my staff to use them regularly. But we had to get something in place so we could all work from the same plate with the same client base and add new clients regularly.

We found the free version of Highraise to be OK but w needed more so we went to the $50 per month version. This was a very good move for us because in the last 20 months we have had very little slip through the cracks. All conversations and or emails are attached and any staff member can jump right in where one left off when the client calls for status etc.

It has many very nice features but most of all very easy to learn and use!

We also use their project management program as well. This helps a great deal with all projects and for me being able to always see where they stand and what the designer maybe waiting on for the project. I know what needs a fire set under and what is running according to plan. That is just from my perspective as the top honcho for the project managers and designers it goes much deeper than that...

I much more prefer a product like this to be online. I can be where ever at anytime and always be up to speed on everything...

Richard Romanus
AuctionServices.com

[stik]

In house we have been using Highraise for our CRM product. http://www.highrisehq.com/tour

It works very well and has corrected many issues we had over the years with other CRM products. They were always to convoluted, confusing and very time consuming that I could never get my staff to use them regularly. But we had to get something in place so we could all work from the same plate with the same client base and add new clients regularly.

We found the free version of Highraise to be OK but w needed more so we went to the $50 per month version. This was a very good move for us because in the last 20 months we have had very little slip through the cracks. All conversations and or emails are attached and any staff member can jump right in where one left off when the client calls for status etc.

It has many very nice features but most of all very easy to learn and use!



We also use their project management program as well. This helps a great deal with all projects and for me being able to always see where they stand and what the designer maybe waiting on for the project. I know what needs a fire set under and what is running according to plan. That is just from my perspective as the top honcho for the project managers and designers it goes much deeper than that...

I much more prefer a product like this to be online. I can be where ever at anytime and always be up to speed on everything...

Richard Romanus
AuctionServices.com

I agree that too many of the CRM products out there are far too complicated and convoluted. Our auto dealership uses a CRM made by our dealership management program folks, and it has a big learning curve, which is not good for the fast paced world of auto sales. Not to mention that many of the users are older less tech savvy folks who get easily intimidated by things that are outwardly not user friendly. The CRM is so intimidating that many of our folks simply won't use it, which they must do in order to complete the sale process.
Before they can even approach a sales manager for approval on a deal, they have to enter the information in the CRM and print out the form to take to the manager..."no ticky, no laundry".
And I can attest to your claim that "not much slips through the cracks", being a customer that was handed off to another account rep seamlessly. Which by the way, Xan has been great...I can be a real pest and stickler and she has been very gracious and forthcoming in all respects...you got a keeper in her!

[Richard Romanus AuctionServices.com]

Xan has been great...I can be a real pest and stickler and she has been very gracious and forthcoming in all respects...you got a keeper in her!

Gordon I agree she is a keeper! I knew you would like her...

I am really glad that we found a CRM product that everyone is comfortable using. CRM should work for you not cause you more work...