Technology now exists so companies no longer have to be held back by the old ways of doing things. Manufacturers can replace legacy tools and siloed spreadsheets so sales teams can better serve customer needs and compete in the current landscape. An independent survey by Confirmit found organizations that adopted a CRM solution saw a 39 percent improvement in forecast accuracy, a 32 percent boost in sales productivity, and an overall 23% increase in sales. 

Cloud CRM

A cloud customer relationship management (CRM) solution allows sales reps to create deeper, more meaningful relationships with each and every customer. Real-time information and interactions can be carefully tracked, so quick decisions can be made and reps are better equipped to close deals.

Integration with ERP

An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) locked in a legacy back office system does little good when it comes to driving efficiency. The right integration tool unlocks and connects back office ERP to front office systems, so manufacturers can better manage distribution and supply chains and meet product demand. This access is also key to building a rich customer profile.

Data & Analytics

In manufacturing, sales teams not only need customer data to be accurate, but they also need to be able to successfully interpret it so they can make better decisions. Adopting an analytics tool can help reps uncover new opportunities and better sell to customers.

Related: Watch the on-demand webinar for manufacturers: Harnessing Data & Automation to Drive Sales Performance. 

Sales Benefits for Manufacturers

Once the old, outdated process and systems are out and the new ones are in place, manufacturers can expect numerous benefits. In fact, companies that adopt cloud technology to coordinate and collaborate with their sales teams, and across their organizations, enjoy a big advantage as a result.

Improved Relationships

Salespeople have better relationships with customers due to a 360-degree view of their history and needs, leading to more opportunities. Salespeople have access to clean data and are able to ensure supply is in place to meet demand for additional orders. It’s also a great way to stay ahead of customer expectations.

Better Efficiency

Reps waste less time on non-productive, manual tasks, are more efficient, and can spend more of their efforts improving the bottom line. Employee frustration from working in complex systems is minimized. This helps manufacturers retain staff longer, with less turnover, particularly key during this time when talent is especially needed.

Increased Sales

When it comes to Salesforce CRM specifically, a 2014 independent third-party survey by Confirmit found organizations that adopted the solution saw a 39 percent improvement in forecast accuracy, a 32 percent boost in sales productivity, and an overall 23 percent increase in sales.

Related: Watch a complimentary on-demand manufacturing focused webinar today. 

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