Salesforce

1.) How is Salesforce.com suite of CRM products different from other CRM and ERP providers or competitors?

Saleforce.com was originally targeting small companies to help them to manage their sales pipeline. A feature that separated Saleforce.com from other CRM and ERP or competitors was the web-centric design. Traditional CRM software would require software for the customer to use their service. Saleforce.com product was available on-line through the web. The design lowered the cost of the product as customers do not require buying specific software; they just need to have the internet. Moreover, no technical resources were required to implement or maintain the product. Customers can use it immediately after they sign up, it was quick and easy.

2.) Recommend a new growth market strategy for the product Back Office Operations.

The best way or best growth market strategy for the product back office operations is to increase sales in the existing market. Salesforce.com can use this strategy as they have implemented in the previous eight years. They must have all information about their customers and their purchase history in detail. If they concentrate more on individual history rather then industrial history then it would work better.

They can even try other strategies such as offering their customers other programs or software related to their business or software related to billings, they can offer these products in a same way like www.overstock.com or www.dell.com does. If they market these products properly then they can build up customer loyalty which can increase their sales as well. For example, if sales force starts selling their product Back Office Operations to companies which deal with national and international commodities and stock markets, it can also offer them other products like a back-up software, which can help the company save all of the trades they have done in the session. Salesforce.com can also offer companies a program which automatically sends all of the deals of their clients directly via email.

Target market for the sales force could be any company engaged in systematic business activities regardless of company size. Salesforce.com can charge them according to their need and company size.

Looking at the Salesforce.com's customer profile in 2001, we can say that they should even market their products to software companies like Infosys and Wipro, warehouses and trading companies.

Marketing mix for Back office Operations:-

Product Ð'- A) Brand Name Ð'- Salesforce.com

B) Functionality Ð'- helping clients in keeping up their billing records.

C) Safety Ð'- No data loss or data damage, comes with built-in Anti-virus.

D) Warranty Ð'- Periodic, basically depends on plan you purchase.

E) Repairs Ð'- It can be repaired from the server no need to go to the clients place.

F) Help, Support Ð'-