Sage Software Announces New CRM, Accounting Solutions

In an attempt to strengthen its market position with small and medium businesses, Sage Software is planning to add Web 2.0 features to its CRM products. The company has also updated its accounting package, intended for the same market.The key elements in the new CRM solutions, which will be available on both a software-as-a-service (SaaS) and standalone basis, are interoperability and mobility. The software will be able to take in information from Web sources such as LinkedIn, plus work with Enterprise Resource Planning packages from Sage and others.

Sage also plans to enable customers to access their information from mobile devices. "We've found mobility is an increasingly important consideration for customers when it comes to their business-software purchasing decisions," said Mike Lorge, Sage ANZ business solutions managing director. "The key to competitive advantage in CRM is the ability to deliver a consistent user experience on the customer's tool of choice, regardless of where and when they are using it." The new features will be rolled out between now and 2010.

Sage has also upgraded its SMB-oriented BusinessVision 50 Accounting package with updated purchase order and order entry modules, improved inventory management, and fixed asset management integration. The package starts as $3,595 for one user.CNET News, WebCPA