Oracle Pushes CRM App Into The Field

Oracle has made one of its CRM applications available for use on the BlackBerry smartphone, with the aim of getting sales and inventory data in the hands of itinerant business users.

Oracle said the new Mobile Sales Assistant software is part of its CRM On Demand portfolio. It's designed to be a simple, intuitive application to aid in collaboration with colleagues and customers, complete frequent tasks while on the road, and close deals more quickly, Oracle said in a statement.

Mobile Sales Assistant helps field reps handle frequently executed tasks like managing appointments, collaborating with sales team members, and connecting with customer contacts, the vendor added.

Oracle is making the Mobile Sales Assistant available for $30 per user per month. Mobile Sales Assistant is available on BlackBerry's OS 4.2 for its 8800, 8820, 8830, 8300, 8310, 8700, 8703e, and 8707 devices. In using the software-as-a-service model, "there are low-predictable costs without set-up fees or administrative overhead, and it is easy to deploy and manage because synchronization is not required," Oracle said.

With a single click, users can view account team information and customer contact information; communicate with the team through a call, e-mail, or text message; and get driving directions. Automated prompts remind users to follow up or enter notes at the end of a conversation. The information can be stored locally on their smartphone or saved to the Oracle CRM On Demand in real time.

In contrast to other browser-based mobilized CRM apps currently available, Mobile Sales Assistant is a Java-based rich client that also supports offline usage, Oracle claimed.