Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Word of the Day: sales force automation (SFA)

Word of the Day WhatIs.com
Daily updates on the latest technology terms | November 28, 2018
sales force automation (SFA)

Sales force automation (SFA) software is programming that streamlines the collection, analysis and distribution of data in a sales pipeline.

The goal of SFA software is to get the right data to the right people at the right time, and reduce the number of administrative tasks that sales representatives and their managers have to perform manually. For example, sales reps can use SFA softwareto set up push notifications when a sales qualified lead visits the company's website and an email nurturing campaign to move the lead through the sales funnel. Managers can use SFA software to monitor sales people's activity and productivity, and use that information to produce marketing plans and sales forecasts.

 

Depending upon the size and needs of the sales team in question, SFA software may be purchased as a stand-alone app, a cloud service, or a component of a larger customer relationship management (CRM) software suite. Enterprise-level software is usually designed to integrate with core financial applications and includes sales functions such as contact management, territory management and opportunity management.

 

SFA software can be developed specifically for a vertical industry's needs, or it can be selected from among the increasing number of sales automation software products, such as Zendesk Sell or Shuttle, a lead collection, tracking and distribution software designed by Lunar. No matter what the delivery model, SFA packages usually include a Web-ready database, an e-mail package and customizable templates. A three-tiered architecture is typically used to separate the database, server, and application to reduce programming demands on clients. A module-based design is generally used, to allow users to customize the package to suit their needs.

Quote of the Day

 
"Sales force automation (SFA) handles the basics of sales execution programs, like managing accounts, deals, forecasts, sales activity recording and lead management." - Bridget Botelho

Learning Center

 

Zendesk CRM moves beyond customer service into CX
Signaling a substantial transition from exclusively customer service, Zendesk CRM is the customer service vendor's answer to users' demand for a CX suite that extends to third-party tools.

AI sales technology trends for 2019 and beyond
Learn how emerging AI automation in sales technology will take the guesswork out of processes by using customer data to prescribe next best actions, qualify leads and make reliable sales forecasts.

How to pick the right mobile sales force automation app
Companies shouldn't rush into buying mobile sales force automation apps, but rather base the purchase on how teams really work -- and on business goals.

Smart contracts on blockchain the next wave of CRM automation
Smart contracts on blockchain are an emerging option for the automation of goods and services delivery as companies seek to reduce paperwork and manual processes.

This is the year CRM AI remakes sales automation
The hype behind CRM AI for improving sales automation has been very noisy. Next year will be the payoff, as AI-driven processes become part of everyday workflows.

Quiz Yourself

 
The question on everyone's _____ is how to improve customer experience and cut costs at the same time.
a. minds
b. mind

Answer

Stay in Touch

 
For feedback about any of our definitions or to suggest a new definition, please contact me at: mrouse@techtarget.com

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