REDMOND, Wash. — Oct. 30, 2007 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that Logos Bible Software, the world’s most renowned developer and distributor of Bible software in multiple languages, has selected Microsoft Dynamics CRM to replace its aging customer relationship management (CRM) system with easy-to-learn technology that integrates all customer data, slashes costs and grows with the business.
Logos, a $15 million company based in Bellingham, Wash., offers software used by members of the clergy, seminary students, missionaries and lay leaders in more than 180 countries. Its electronic Bibles, theological works, pastoral resources and other texts are available in numerous languages, including Greek, Hebrew and Latin.
The company chose Microsoft Dynamics CRM to gain comprehensive new efficiencies not available with its previous CRM system, which required customer service representatives to navigate a number of unconnected databases to retrieve information. With the earlier system, agents had to call customers back because they needed to look for answers to questions in several different places. Microsoft Dynamics CRM technology will allow the service staff to collect all its customer information in one system for fast access.
“This customized system empowers us to take charge of the growth of our business,” said Andrew Skipton, chief financial officer at Logos.
Logos worked with Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Madrona Solutions Group to implement Microsoft Dynamics CRM and integrate it with the company’s existing Microsoft Dynamics GP system.
“Logos ultimately chose the Microsoft Dynamics CRM solution because the Microsoft products work well together,” said Brian Paulen, managing director at Madrona Solutions Group. “The integration with Microsoft Dynamics GP, an application with which the staff was already familiar, made it easy for them to learn to use the new system.”
Logos anticipates that the capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics CRM will offer the following benefits on a major scale:
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Faster, less-expensive training. The CRM provider that Logos used for its old system required all administrators to be trained outside the state. Microsoft Dynamics CRM uses a familiar Microsoft interface, so training can be carried out rapidly in-house with training costs expected to tumble as much as 75 percent.
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Improved customer service. With real-time access to data, service times are cut dramatically. Moreover, the company for the first time can track information and create reports, and up-selling customers on software products will become more effective.
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Rapid launch of sales initiatives. Sales staffs can be hired and deployed to the field in record time because training consumes so much less time with Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Sales teams also can quickly process and fulfill orders through wireless laptops right at the customer’s office.
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More effective marketing. Microsoft Dynamics CRM allows marketing staff members to run systemwide queries to market to specific groups of customers about opportunities for upgrades and enhancements. They also can more easily identify conferences around which they should focus campaigns.
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Savings on licensing. Licenses for the previous system were so expensive that only a limited number of employees had access to the application. For Microsoft Dynamics CRM, licensing costs will be 40 percent less than those of the other system.
“Not only will Microsoft Dynamics CRM bring immediate productivity benefits to Logos, but it will allow the company to grow its customer base by many magnitudes without changing systems again,” said Michael Park, corporate vice president for the U.S. Dynamics business at Microsoft. “Microsoft Dynamics CRM’s integration of customer data and its friendly Microsoft interface help generate fast, effective service, affording a substantial competitive edge to businesses using Microsoft technology.”
About Logos Bible Software
Logos Bible Software, a privately held corporation located in Bellingham, Wash., is the leading publisher of high-end, award-winning, multilingual Bible software. The company serves church, academic and lay markets, striving to bring the best in software innovation to Christians worldwide. See www.logos.com.
About Madrona Solutions Group
Madrona Solutions Group is a Seattle based, Microsoft Gold Certified consulting company founded to help Northwest businesses use technology to boost their productivity and effectiveness. Key practice areas include full lifecycle customer relationship management services, focused on the Microsoft Dynamics CRM product, business intelligence solutions including executive dashboards and scorecards, and technology project management. For more information about Madrona Solutions Group, visit the company website at www.madronasg.com.
About Microsoft Dynamics
Microsoft Dynamics is a line of financial, customer relationship and supply chain management solutions that helps businesses work more effectively. Delivered through a network of channel partners providing specialized services, these integrated, adaptable business management solutions work like and with familiar Microsoft software to streamline processes across an entire business.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
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