Choosing sales automation software that is the right fit for your business can be confusing. Here are 8 key features that simplify the sales management process and increase sales team productivity.
We’ve recognized the important role the right field sales software plays in simplifying field sales management for our customers. Outside sales teams’ ability to visit customers regularly and improve their sales ‒ even while many health and safety regulations are at play ‒ shows the difference the right technology makes.
Sadly, we also continue to encounter the opposite: outside sales teams opting for manual data capturing and reporting because they’re expected to do their job using software developed for finance teams or inside sales teams. Using the wrong software can be incredibly frustrating, and end up being more of a hindrance than a help.
Kris Oldland, Editor-in-Chief of Field Service News, in an interview with Koenig & Bauer’s Digitalization Project Engineer after their recent business digitalization, concluded that: “Digitalization is all about taking away unnecessary complexity and facilitating better decision-making by making the processes we undertake simpler and more effective.”
It’s when we see outside sales teams using software that hampers their productivity that we’re tempted to tell business owners and sales managers: “If it’s not simplifying field sales management, it’s better not to go digital.”
Choosing the right field sales software
Here are eight key features we believe makes for ‘right’ field sales automation software, that we continue to develop as central to our Skynamo field sales platform:
1. Data analytics
Data is fast becoming a fundamental part of every business process. Similarly, within the sales process, customer data needs to be analyzed in order to understand their needs, intent and any future opportunities.
2. Sales activity reporting
Sales activity history and reports should be easily accessible to help the business and sales representatives keep track of past sales and easily reconcile accounts.
3. Order and invoice processing
From order placing through delivery to payment, sales software should be able to manage every interaction with customers right from when they place an order or inquire about channel products, to delivery and payment.
4. Inventory management
The ability to manage and update inventory as products are being sold is a very important feature of sales software. This will help sales representatives to reduce shortage costs, time and out-of-stock administration.
5. Integration with other software
The true power of Skynamo really comes alive when integrated with your other business management software like finance packages and CRM platforms. This harmonious connection does away with duplicate data input and errors caused by manual processes, which are time-consuming to use – and to correct.
Also read: Benefits of ERP-sales software integration
6. Data security
When dealing with sensitive customer and business data, the last thing you want is a data leak. That’s why Skynamo has gone for the maximum data security levels available and is proud of its ISO 27001:2013 standard for information security management systems certification.
7. Customized form management
You need sales software with the flexibility of a library of pre-designed, templated forms, plus the ability for you to build an unlimited cluster of your own forms – such as health and safety requirements, contracts and signing, and industry insights. This will help you to create personalized sales approaches towards your customers. Sales representatives want to understand customers in an in-depth manner, and Skynamo helps them to achieve this.
8. Ease of use
It is imperative that the sales software is easy to use. It’s about easily accessed data, at the right place and time, for the sales conversation to be strong and confident.
Digitalization is about simplifying field sales management and helping your outside sales team be more productive. Make sure you choose field sales automation software developed for outside sales teams.
