Marketing Information

Sage Software today announced the release of Sage PFW ERP 5.5, the newest version of the company's award-winning financial and process manufacturing solution. Sage PFW 5.5 includes new features that improve usability and maximize productivity throughout core business functions, as well as enhanced functionality to increase accuracy and help protect key data for process manufacturing operations. Designed especially for small to midsized companies transacting business throughout the global marketplace, Sage PFW 5.5 is a complete financial and operations management system that provides extensive capabilities for handling international transactions plus comprehensive, fully integrated modules for process manufacturers.

"Sage Software remains one of the few vendors providing specialized industry solutions that address the needs of process and discrete manufacturers, as well as general purpose solutions for small and midsized businesses," said Jim Portner, Sage Software vice president an...

Small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) have significant opportunities to use CRM to obtain the best value from their business at an exit, succession or transition according to a new Sage Software Business Minds survey conducted by Vanson Bourne, an independent research company, on behalf of Sage Software. With a large number of SMBs looking to exit in the next few years, Sage warns these businesses need to find ways to compete more effectively and to differentiate themselves in a buyer's market.

Having customer data in a single CRM system is a tangible asset according to 70 percent of respondents with such exit strategies. However, only 35 percent use a CRM solution to help advise on their business strategy. This problem is further accentuated by poor planning with 65 percent of SMBs not having or unsure about their exit strategy. The findings by Sage were part of a global study exploring the relationship between the use of customer data, business strategies and performance.

Sag...

The Ohio Business Development Coalition (OBDC) won top honors for its "Why Ohio?" campaign during an awards ceremony at the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Annual Conference in New York City in September. The annual awards program recognizes excellence in the economic development profession.

"To be recognized by the IEDC is a real honor," said Ed Burghard, executive director of the OBDC. "This organization knows that the competition for capital investment is fierce and targeted, quality economic development efforts are absolutely critical," he said.

Taking first place in the category of Paid Publication Advertising Campaign by organizations serving areas with populations exceeding 200,000, the "Why Ohio?" campaign targets top executives nationwide and promotes Ohio's new, improved business climate including a reform of Ohio taxes.

Created by Columbus, Ohio-based...

Two retail businesses that make outstanding community involvement an integral part of their operations were honored today as 2006 Michigan Retailer of the Year.

Receiving honors at the ninth annual awards luncheon were: "The Retailer of the Year Awards provide the opportunity to honor the best of the best," said Larry Meyer, chairman and CEO of the Michigan Retailers Association, which founded the awards program and co-sponsors it with the Michigan Press Association. "The award recipients represent the thousands of retailers across the state who make a difference in their communities through their countless charitable and volunteer activities."

Recipients are selected by an independent panel of community leaders: Nancy Barker, retired vice president, Northwood University; Rick Blanchard, assistant business editor, The Detroit News; Jan Hayhow, former board chair of Michigan Retailers Association; Sandra Katt, Grand Haven manager of community affairs; Michael MacLaren, executiv...

Sage Software and Lexmark International today announced a joint marketing program to provide value-added productivity solutions for small and medium business (SMB) customers.

From October 1st through December 2nd 2006, Sage Software will offer eligible new purchasers of the ACT! by Sage contact and customer management solution a free* Lexmark X7350 Office All-in-One printer ($129.99 MSRP) or X8350 Office All-in-One Plus Photo printer ($149.99 MSRP) via a mail-in rebate.

"We are excited to work with Sage on these compelling productivity solutions for SMB customers through the U.S. retail channel," said Najib Bahous, Lexmark vice president and president of its Consumer Printer Division. "Lexmark's all-in-one printers are ideal for helping ACT! users achieve professional, high-quality print output to further leverage their customer data and increase overall productivity."

Authorized retailers participating in the above ACT! and Lexmark printer promotion include: Buy.com, CDW, ...

Five prominent life insurance companies have qualified to renew their membership in the Insurance Marketplace Standards Association (IMSA), the premier standards-setting organization for the life insurance marketplace.

IMSA President & CEO Brian Atchinson congratulated the following companies for successfully completing the rigorous, independent review of their marketing, sales and compliance practices required every three years to qualify for renewed IMSA membership: "IMSA qualification is a tangible demonstration of a company's continuing dedication to ethical business practices and fair and honest service to customers," Atchinson said. "We applaud these companies and their commitment to IMSA's high standards and quality business practices that safeguard the consumer."

IMSA is the premier standards-setting organization for the life insurance marketplace. Companies that qualify for membership in this nonprofit, independent organization commit to maintaining high ethical s...

Sage Software today announced that LEGOLAND California, a 128-acre interactive children's theme park, has successfully used Sage CRM SalesLogix to increase its consignment contract and prepaid sales accounts nearly threefold, growing from 250 to 725 accounts, since implementing the solution in 2002. LEGOLAND attributes its growth to prioritized sales activities that employees identify using customized Sage CRM SalesLogix account management capabilities.

"With Sage CRM SalesLogix, our salespeople know exactly where to direct their attention," said Colin Ross, sales manager for LEGOLAND California. "We can generate reports that clearly identify prime targets, enabling our team to be proactive and more efficient in servicing our customers. Our account growth is directly related to our use of Sage CRM SalesLogix."

Customized CRM And Employee Adoption Revitalizes Sales Strategy

LEGOLAND California primarily sells theme park admission tickets on consignment, a practice that diffe...

Sage Software today announced that Heather Burton, product marketing manager for its Nonprofit Solutions, will facilitate two panels on donor retention techniques at the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy's (AHP) 40th Annual International Educational Conference, to be held September 27-October 1 at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

Titled, "Be Your Donor's Favorite Charity: Donor Retention Tips and Techniques," and scheduled for Thursday, September 28 at 3:45 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., the panel sessions will discuss donor retention tips and techniques, with an emphasis on technology used to implement retention strategies. Sage Software will also exhibit its Sage Fundraising 50 and Sage MIP Fund Accounting solutions in Booth #111 at the conference.

"Coming from the nonprofit industry, I understand the importance of donor retention," said Burton. "It takes valuable time, money, and effort to attract new donors, and competition for p...

EVENT: Twenty-eight teen entrepreneurs from around the country, all top finishers of the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) regional high school business plan competitions, will vie for financial awards in the first Smith Barney/NFTE National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge. The first of its kind national youth entrepreneurship challenge will be held on October 26, 2006 in New York City. Competitors will present during the day to be selected as semi-finalists and, ultimately, the three finalists will present their plans that evening before a panel of judges. Participating students represent schools in districts in California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington, D.C.

JUDGES: Master of ceremonies, Jack Lew, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, Citigroup Global Wealth Management, and former director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Bill Clin...

Sage Software today announced that Vendere Partners, Inc., a Dallas-based sales consulting and lead generation management company, has used SageCRM.com to successfully automate workflow for 24 employees as well as manage its sales outsourcing services. SageCRM.com reporting capabilities have also helped Vendere create an additional revenue stream by providing a system to more effectively collect and package industry marketing intelligence for its clients. New revenues combined with the organization's increased efficiencies using SageCRM.com have resulted in a $150,000 return on Vendere's first-year CRM investment.

Vendere began providing sales force outsourcing and lead generation services for technology companies in 2003. With its continued growth, the company found it needed a CRM solution that could provide visibility into employee activities and enable detailed lead and opportunity management for its clients. Historically, during the course of its business activities, Vendere w...