Sage CRM

We have a client who sells Medical Wash Stations which require filters. After they sell a filter the enter the information into a separate Access database to keep track of the item so that when it is time to purchase a new filter they remind the customer. This client uses Sage 100 and Sage CRM. We are looking to replace the Access database with one of the two however we are not sure the best route to go. I don't see any way I could really accomplish this in 100 and think that it may be better tracking this information in CRM but I don't know enough about CRM and the standard Sage 100 integration to really say what we could do here. Anyone have any thoughts?

Wouldn't Knowledgesync work in this situation????

I concur with @JeffSchwenk but would add this too, don't know what version of Sage 100 the clients on but his information is available in invoice history and item sales history by customers at least. A simple KS would handle this as long as the email address is on the AR records. Or snail mail would work too. You could also write a report that would list all the sales anniversary dates in the form of mailing labels and put them on post cards to mail out.

While I agree with @JeffSchwenk and @MoiraGoggin , if the client wants to use CRM, all they would need to do is to set up an appointment for the Company/Person in CRM as a scheduled call at a specific date in the future.

Just what I needed! Just needed some perspectives and ideas. I think I know a way to handle this now. Thanks again for the input. Sometimes when you sit for too long with a client discussing processes things get muddled.

IF you do go with KnowledgeSync, give some thought using Access PTQ's instead of those dreaded KLF linked tables...... PTQ's are so easy to use and set up. You only need to set up tables for queries you actually need to use (instead of ALL tables) and they refresh dynamically if you add a UDF or two. Plus I have found that the predefined alerts that come with are poorly written and rarely work out of the box......... To use Access, just ask for the Access link, not the Sage link. AND as an added benefit, with the use of PTQ's, you can run alerts on multiple databases without paying extra...

I'm biased towards CRM. With that said ... How big is their sales team? How do they currently manage sales? Marketing? Are they using Sage CRM for other functions currently? Are there other benefits to using Sage CRM that they could receive? I'm ignorant about Knowledgesync - do they have to pay for it? If so, I would weigh the costs and benefits of CRM and KS.

No Peter, KS is NOT like the FREE user license of CRM. You do have to pay for it and you do have to be knowledgeable in it. That said, like a skillful CRM person, KS can hum a very nice tune when configured properly......

Thanks Jeff - I wasn't sure if it was thrown in for free as part of the ever growing annual M&S fees. ;) Is KS = Sage Alerts now?

@PeterWolf KS = Sage Alerts and Workflows

Thanks Lloyd!

Soooo hard to keep up with all the superficial branding changes..... Having the name Sage as part of the branding also builds expectations that the various products work seamlessly together...............

Wait Jeff suggested Access PTQ's????

Yes, @NicoleRonchetti go figure. A simple cure to so many woes..... Like taking aspirin to prevent heart attacks....

sad but true! KS works so much better with a straight SQL database