Ask anyone who has been developing software applications for a few years and they will tell you that they expend a tremendous amount of time writing code to do the same things. Things like form design, data entry, user logins and reports. Modern CRM platforms from Microsoft and Salesforce.com can easily be expanded to replace almost any existing line-of-business application. Using these tools, programmers (and non-programmers) can develop and maintain completely new software applications in a fraction of the time that it used to take to do this. The use of CRM for non-CRM applications has become known as eXtended Relationship Management (or XRM).

Many companies start to use CRM for traditional purposes (such as sales, marketing and customer service). After their initial implementation, they begin to discover that CRM is such a flexible platform, that they can easily extend it to handle other related tasks (like project management, equipment tracking, distributor portals and expense reporting).

Some IT departments are beginning to discover that CRM can be used in their businesses to deliver completely new applications that do not utilize the traditional aspects of CRM. These IT managers have lowered the costs of running their business, enhanced business productivity and implemented a platform that is easier for them to maintain. Customer Connect has deployed XRM applications in the human resources, banking, real estate, telecommunications and association/non-profit sectors.

While there are a multitude of CRM products on the market today, only two of those products provide a foundation that can be easily expanded into “XRM” applications: Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Salesforce.com.

Combining these tools with other technologies such as the AppExchange, DotNetNuke, SharePoint, and Outlook accelerates the capabilities of XRM even more. Now businesses can handle document management, accounting integration, customer surveying and more – all within the same familiar program that they use to manage their customer relationships.

Ask anyone who has been developing software applications for a few years and they will tell you that they expend a tremendous amount of time writing code to do the same things. Things like form design, data entry, user logins and reports. Modern CRM platforms from Microsoft and Salesforce.com can easily be expanded to replace almost any existing line-of-business application. Using these tools, programmers (and non-programmers) can develop and maintain completely new software applications in a fraction of the time that it used to take to do this. The use of CRM for non-CRM applications has become known as eXtended Relationship Management (or XRM).

Many companies start to use CRM for traditional purposes (such as sales, marketing and customer service). After their initial implementation, they begin to discover that CRM is such a flexible platform, that they can easily extend it to handle other related tasks (like project management, equipment tracking, distributor portals and expense reporting).

Some IT departments are beginning to discover that CRM can be used in their businesses to deliver completely new applications that do not utilize the traditional aspects of CRM. These IT managers have lowered the costs of running their business, enhanced business productivity and implemented a platform that is easier for them to maintain. Customer Connect has deployed XRM applications in the human resources, banking, real estate, telecommunications and association/non-profit sectors.

While there are a multitude of CRM products on the market today, only two of those products provide a foundation that can be easily expanded into “XRM” applications: Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Salesforce.com.

Combining these tools with other technologies such as the AppExchange, DotNetNuke, SharePoint, and Outlook accelerates the capabilities of XRM even more. Now businesses can handle document management, accounting integration, customer surveying and more – all within the same familiar program that they use to manage their customer relationships.