SME production management extends to CRM

So-called corporate relationship management (effectively extended CRM) is being added to Manusoft’s real-time production management system to link it further into the front office and supply chain, and to improve information access via wireless technologies. The firm is partnering with CRM software developer ProspectSoft, so that real-time information on suppliers, contacts, quotations and accounts, as well as production information, will be seamlessly visible to all authorised users, with workflow and the rest. Hitherto, Manusoft’s system didn’t enable this level of access, being instead aimed squarely at improving profitability through better shop floor and manufacturing management, continuous improvement and the rest. Managing director Alan Matthewman says there will be total transparency. “There will be no more segmented knowledge… We’ll have easy, logical communications so that action can be taken by the right people in real time.” And that extends to mobile sales forces and partner companies. ProspectSoft brings database synchronisation and wireless technologies so that, for example, production can interact with sales and vice versa anywhere, any device, any time. Matthewman: “The eXtreme mobility aspects of the ProspectSoft package fit ideally into the Manusoft commitment to provide real-time data to key executives and clients through remote access to the system.” Initial work on the integration will be complete during the first quarter of 2004. The agreement covers development of both systems, and ProspectSoft CRM will be supplied by Manusoft’s sales team both as a stand-alone option, and as additional modules to the Manusoft package.