Oracle Releases New CRM Software

Brainsur writes "Oracle on Monday debuted a release of its customer relationship management software that offers sales reps tools for developing proposals and quotes, improving channel management, and aligning a company's sales and marketing staff. The 11i.10 applications also provide built-in analysis capabilities that sales reps use to analyze sales opportunities and report sales-pipeline status."

Not much hope

[dmayle]

I must admit, I don't have much hope for this... I've worked with quite a few CRM packages, and what most of the large players don't realize is that companies just want something that works.

The standard business model for CRM software is to sell the software from anywhere between $100 Grand and a million (depending on size of installation), spend between six months and a year customizing it to the customer's need (at anywhere from 30% to 50% again in labor), and then charge 15% on top of all that for maintenance every year.

The large CRM packages are all so customizable, they can match any business needs. The downside is that they're so customizable, that they have to be customized before they'll be able to suit any business needs.

This, I must admit, is one place where Microsoft's tools shine through. They targeted at the medium sized business to start. These customers don't want to send six months to a year getting their tools in place, they just want something that works, now, and can be updated later when the need arises.

Given the history of Oracle, and their products (mostly geared toward the insanely expensive crowd), I can't imagine this will be of any real use. At least, at first. It'll be purchased mostly by companies who are already huge Oracle shops to save on integration issues.

BTW - isn't this what they wanted to buy Peoplesoft for? (Or was that a sales tool?)

Re:Not much hope

[Marxist Hacker 42]

They bought Peoplesoft because they were going to be the major competitor for this new offering. Simple case of elimination of competition.

Re:Not much hope

[kayen_telva]

This, I must admit, is one place where Microsoft's tools shine through.

Obviously you have never used Microsoft CRM. What a total piece of crap.

CRM...

[daeley]

Is it just me or does the phrase "customer relationship management" give anybody else the heebie-jeebies?

In related news

[prostoalex]

Ford is dumping the online ordering system they bought from Oracle [techdirt.com], quoting high integration costs and the fact that the old system just worked better.

Good timing

[Marxist Hacker 42]

Considering that Microsoft broke their own CRM add-on to Outlook with Service Pack 2.

Isn't the CRM 114 from "Dr. Strangelove"?

[Anonymous Coward]

I always cringe when I hear "CRM" because I think Da Bomba is going to get dropped.