CRM Solutions: Sage CRM SalesLogix Helps Build Big Return On Investment For Architectural Systems, Inc.
International Distributor of Interior Finishes Uses Sales Opportunity Management and Process Automation to Help Drive 75% Sales Growth Over Three Year Period
Sage Software announced today that Architectural Systems, Inc. of New York, a leading international distributor of interior finishes, has used Sage CRM SalesLogix since 2003 to help it achieve approximately 75% sales growth. Architectural Systems has 22 employees using the CRM system to manage nearly 500 U.S. and international design projects at a time. The company works with its Sage CRM Solutions business partner, Castle CRM, also located in New York, to customize and expand its system as business challenges require.
"We have grown from a half-million dollar basement-office company seventeen years ago into a nearly $20 million business today," said Ronald Jackson, Architectural Systems CEO. "We expect to double our business in the next 36 months, which we believe is very achievable with the aid of Sage CRM SalesLogix and Castle CRM. Sage CRM SalesLogix is a well structured system that enables us to manage the many precise details of our business. We couldn't be where we are today without it."
Architectural Systems previously used ACT! by Sage to successfully manage its business, and migrated three years ago to Sage CRM SalesLogix to enable expanded industry-specific customizations and material tracking capabilities.
"We need to be very detail oriented," adds Jackson. "There are so many players in the process before we ultimately make the sale. ACT! took us far and Sage CRM SalesLogix has been the natural progression to continue driving our business. Data in the system allows us to achieve instant credibility with customers, and manage the many variables involved with samples, materials and partners efficiently."
Employees have access to 55,000 contact records within Sage CRM SalesLogix using an account management structure. Sales opportunity management is the most heavily used capability, along with Outlook® email integration and notes/history features to track the intricate level of customer correspondence. Reports are generated on a weekly basis and are customized as needed by Castle CRM.
"Ron's team has hundreds of projects going on at any given time," noted Tony Castle, founder and CEO of Castle CRM. "There can be hundreds of design details and material samples involved with each account. The company's time savings with sales opportunity management is huge. They landed a large bank project to roll out nationally based on their ability to produce samples more rapidly than its competitors. That's because they can react immediately using Sage CRM SalesLogix."
Going Forward
Architectural Systems is working with Castle CRM to evaluate remote access options, which Jackson envisions as a combination of laptop synchronization and BlackBerry® use via Sage CRM SalesLogix Mobile for his field staff and independent agents.
Integration with accounting and inventory control systems is also being evaluated to help Architectural Systems capitalize on its Web presence of over one million visitors per month. The company is transitioning from a marketing Web site to a transactional site based on the use of Sage CRM SalesLogix as its operational system of record.
"We initially had a series of departmental meetings with Castle CRM to detail what we've done, where we were and where we wanted to go," explained Jackson. "They created a roadmap to fit our precise budget and timeline. Their overall knowledge of Sage CRM SalesLogix really impressed us. I had explained our situation before to other consultants but nobody really listened, nor implemented our ideas. We have found a strong, strategic partner with Castle CRM."
Sage CRM SalesLogix
Sage CRM SalesLogix is the CRM leader for small to medium-sized businesses. Sage CRM SalesLogix delivers easy-to-use and integrated sales, marketing, customer service and support automation solutions that can be tailored to an organization's unique customer acquisition, retention and development processes.
Sage CRM SalesLogix is part of Sage CRM Solutions, the only family of CRM products designed specifically for the needs of small and medium-sized businesses that also includes ACT! by Sage, Sage CRM and SageCRM.com. For more details, visit www.sagecrmsolutions.com or call 800-643-6400.
About Architectural Systems, Inc.
Founded in 1990, Architectural Systems, Inc. has become known for its fresh, innovative solutions for commercial interiors. Today Architectural Systems' distinctive brand-name collections are a primary source for design industry professionals. The company's products are confidently specified by the foremost architecture and design firms and installed globally in major retail, entertainment, hospitality, corporate, healthcare, education and institutional projects. For more information, please visit www.archsystems.com or call (800) 793-0224.
About Castle CRM
Castle CRM is a customer relationship management consulting company and Sage CRM Solutions business partner serving mid-size to large businesses. Castle CRM specializes in systems integration, application management and consultative services and has developed a reputation for delivering customer-tailored solutions that generate increased sales for its clients among new and existing customers. Castle CRM has offices in the United States and Spain. For more information, please visit www.acastle.com or call (888) 804-8079.
About Sage Software
Sage Software supports the needs, challenges and dreams of more than 2.6 million small and mid-sized business customers in North America through easy-to-use, scalable and customizable software and services. Our products support accounting, operations, customer relationship management, human resources, time tracking, merchant services and the specialized needs of accounting practices and the construction, distribution, manufacturing, nonprofit and real estate industries. Sage Software is a subsidiary of The Sage Group plc, a leading international supplier of accounting and business management software solutions and related products and services for small to mid-sized businesses. Formed in 1981, Sage was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989 and the Group now has 5.0 million customers and employs over 10,500 people worldwide. For more information, please visit the Web site at www.sagesoftware.com/moreinfo or call (866) 308-2378.