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Frost & Sullivan Recognizes Microsoft for Excellence in the Asia Pacific Operational CRM Software Market

Posted on: Wednesday, 2 November 2005, 18:00 CST

SINGAPORE, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan's recent research on the Asia Pacific Operational Customer Relationship Management (OCRM) market named Microsoft Corporation as the recipient of the Frost & Sullivan 2005 Market Penetration Leadership Award in the Asia Pacific OCRM Software market.

This prestigious Award was conferred by Frost & Sullivan in recognition of Microsoft's outstanding performance in securing a commendable market presence in 2004. Despite its recent entry into the OCRM software segment, Microsoft successfully created a strong footprint in a market that has long been dominated by other players in the region.

Microsoft demonstrated excellence in product innovation, and sales and marketing strategies, resulting in the largest gain in market share as evident from its success in securing close to 300 new customers across Asia Pacific in just a short span of one year.

"Microsoft is thrilled and excited to have received this CRM recognition from Frost & Sullivan," said Ruth Connolly, General Manager, Microsoft Dynamics, Microsoft Asia Pacific and Greater China. "Our CRM business in the region has seen phenomenal growth over the past year and is a testimony to the customer success we have been able to achieve. With its familiar Outlook interface, ease of use and integration with Microsoft's platform technologies, Microsoft undoubtedly offers a superior CRM solution that companies can affordably adopt. However, this success would not have been possible without our partners, who are leveraging Microsoft's technology and tools to build vertical CRM applications in many industries, including financial services, public sector, healthcare, distribution and others."

Commented Noel English, Business Development Manager, Kalassay Group, "The general look, feel and ease of use of the solution are just phenomenal. I would recommend Microsoft CRM to others because it is customizable, affordable and easy to implement."

Focusing on small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) as well as divisions of large enterprises, Microsoft CRM extends value-based offerings to customers. Coupled with its strong infrastructure, collaborative functionalities and desktop productivity tools, Microsoft's CRM solution has gained a high level of confidence and acceptance both with the SMB segment as well as enterprises.

"Microsoft CRM offers integrated business applications that satisfy key criteria such as high business need adaptability, strong functionality, and value for money, in influencing the purchase decisions of customers. The collaborative functionality, that facilitates centralized sales management and enhances customer relationships, has spurred the adoption of Microsoft's CRM solution by medium sized enterprises in Asia Pacific," said Monica Deveshwar, industry manager, ICT Practice, Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific.

Microsoft CRM is an integrated application built on existing Microsoft Outlook and Office productivity tools which presents a suite of solutions for sales automation, field service management, customer service, call center and marketing automation.

Said Andrew Flint, Chief Operating Officer, First Samuel, "Microsoft CRM's workflow capabilities will enable us to schedule our legally required client reviews and compliance activities in a structured and efficient manner. We are excited about the opportunities presented by CRM to efficiently provide our clients with a highly individualized wealth management service."

A spokesperson at Professional Advantage -- a Microsoft channel partner -- Brad Tattersall, agrees: "Microsoft CRM's familiar, easy-to-use Outlook interface has significantly improved user adoption for our CRM implementations. While every business is different and changing, ease of software customization is key during implementation. The solution offers rapid and hassle-free customization to suit user needs without requiring extensive development."

Another Microsoft partner, Prakash Rajen, marketing manager of Emerio Corporation, said, "Marketing analysis, sales forecasting and service fulfillment remain the key functions in any customer centric operation -- Microsoft CRM fits in as the perfect solution for any mid-sized organization that is looking at automating its entire customer interactions."

Through its strategic alliances with independent software vendors and channel partners, Microsoft has established a significant network and presence in markets such as Australasia, Singapore, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Thailand and Taiwan.

"Customer requirements are addressed through Microsoft's extensive network of channel partners, providing specialized services and local support in ensuring quicker return on investments," added Deveshwar.

In determining the recipient of this Award, Frost & Sullivan conducted rigorous and extensive primary and secondary research with all market participants and end-users across China, Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, India and Thailand. Companies were then benchmarked against a specific set of qualitative and quantitative measurement parameters which included market share gains, revenue growth, product innovation, sales and marketing strategy, brand awareness and competitiveness.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit http://www.frost.com/ .

Media Contacts: Jennifer Duraisingam Corporate Communications ICT Practice Frost & Sullivan +603 6204 5869 jennifer.d@frost.com Amelia Agrawal Microsoft Asia Pacific Tel: +65 6882 8687 Email: ameliaa@microsoft.com

Frost & Sullivan

CONTACT: Jennifer Duraisingam, Corporate Communications, ICT Practice ofFrost & Sullivan, +603-6204-5869, or jennifer.d@frost.com ; or Amelia Agrawalof Microsoft Asia Pacific, +65-6882-8687, or ameliaa@microsoft.com

Web site: http://www.frost.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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