
Designed to reduce tedious aspects of a contact center agent's job, contact center automation might include prerecorded audio that assists in customer problem-solving and information dissemination. Sales force automation tools track customer interactions and automate certain business functions of the sales cycle that are necessary to follow leads, obtain new customers and build customer loyalty. For example, as sales prospects come into the system, it might automatically send email marketing content, with the goal of turning a sales lead into a full-fledged customer. CRM tools with marketing automation capabilities can automate repetitive tasks to enhance marketing efforts at different points in the lifecycle for lead generation. Some of these functions include recording various customer interactions over email, phone, social media or other channels depending on system capabilities, automating various workflow automation processes, such as tasks, calendars and alerts and giving managers the ability to track performance and productivity based on information logged within the system. Over time, many additional functions have been added to CRM systems to make them more useful.


The use of CRM systems can benefit organizations ranging from small businesses to large corporations, through: CRM systems can also give customer-facing staff members detailed information on customers' personal information, purchase history, buying preferences and concerns. CRM systems compile customer data across different channels, or points of contact, between the customer and the company, which could include the company's website, telephone, live chat, direct mail, marketing materials and social networks.

The goal is to improve customer service relationships and assist in customer retention and drive sales growth.

Customer relationship management (CRM) is the combination of practices, strategies and technologies that companies use to manage and analyze customer interactions and data throughout the customer lifecycle.
