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LexisNexis Interface Software Rolls Out Advanced PIM Integration Between InterAction and GroupWise
InterAction now the only CRM solution to fully integrate with all major personal information managers
OAK BROOK, IL, March 14, 2005 - LexisNexis Interface Software announced today the rollout of a new, completely redeveloped integration between InterAction and Novell GroupWise®. As a result, InterAction is now the only CRM solution to offer full, server-based, bi-directional integration with all of the leading personal information managers (PIMs).
"We understand that busy professionals are most comfortable working within their PIMs, and therefore are much more likely to adopt CRM if they can contribute to, and access Relationship Intelligence from, InterAction via their PIMs," said Barry Solomon, Interface Software’s executive vice president. "By seamlessly and transparently integrating InterAction with Microsoft Outlook®, IBM Lotus Notes® and now, Novell GroupWise, we are demonstrating our commitment to maximizing user uptake and deployment success by integrating InterAction into the PIMs professionals already use."
InterAction combines three levels of PIM integration that are essential for maximizing user adoption of CRM technology. First it allows organizations to seamlessly tie individual users' PIM contacts to InterAction's centralized CRM repository, using a fully automated, server-based synchronization process. Thus professionals can share their contacts with the centralized repository and access contact updates automatically, without having to manually initiate a process. "Executive-level users will not use the CRM system if they are required to do anything to share their contact information," commented Solomon. "InterAction does synchronization in the background, thus overcoming one of the single greatest obstacles to populating the central repository with user-contributed data."
The second level of PIM integration empowers users to directly access InterAction’s CRM functionality from the PIM without having to learn a new user interface. So, for instance, a professional can instantly access client profiles, relationships, marketing lists and other Relationship Intelligence simply by clicking icons located on the PIM’s toolbar. "By imbedding high-level CRM functionality directly into the PIM, InterAction delivers all the benefits of CRM to the professional without requiring them to learn a new application environment and user interface," said Solomon. "In fact, some users are taking advantage of InterAction without even knowing they’re using it."
Finally, InterAction’s PIM integration offers data quality, management and control mechanisms that help ensure an accurate and clean centralized repository and that give professional users maximum control over their cherished contacts. For example, an "intelligent" synchronization engine provides tools and workflow processes to minimize the risk of bad data flowing from the user’s PIM into the CRM system. "We understand that users don’t always keep their address books in pristine condition, so InterAction’s workflow processes help minimize bad data flowing into the system," said Solomon.
Moreover, InterAction’s unique PIM synchronization functionality enables users to protect their privacy by telling the system which contacts should not be shared with the central repository. And if updates to contacts occur in the central repository, users can also tell the system to notify them before taking action – giving them the power to decide whether or not to accept the updates in their personal address books. "If professionals don’t have control over their own data or confidence in the CRM system’s data – they will not participate," said Solomon. "Interface Software understands these cultural impediments to user adoption better than anyone, and we have innovated market-leading PIM integration tools that accommodate the unique requirements of professionals."
About LexisNexis and LexisNexis Interface Software
LexisNexis® (www.lexisnexis.com) is a leader in comprehensive and authoritative legal, news and business information and tailored applications. A member of Reed Elsevier Group plc [NYSE: ENL; NYSE: RUK] (www.reedelsevier.com), the company does business in 100 countries with 13,000 employees worldwide. In addition to its flagship Web-based Lexis® and Nexis® research services, the company includes some of the world’s most respected legal publishers such as Martindale-Hubbell, Matthew Bender, Butterworths, JurisClasseur, Abeledo-Perrot and Orac.
LexisNexis Interface Software is the leading provider of CRM solutions enabling professional services firms and similar relationship-based organizations to create the Relationship Intelligence they need to generate new business and enhance client service. Its flagship product, LexisNexis InterAction, is a flexible and uniquely designed platform that delivers this Relationship Intelligence throughout the organization, quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively. Relationship Intelligence is a firm-wide asset that reveals the unique and complex connections between people, companies, relationships, experience and expertise, empowering professionals to leverage who and what they know to uncover new revenue opportunities, differentiate themselves from the competition and enhance client service. InterAction is internet-enabled, allowing professionals to view information however they choose—through knowledge management platforms, corporate portals, intranets, extranets and wireless devices. InterAction supports the LexisNexis mission to provide a breadth of client development tools that enable professional services firms to find, win and keep clients. For more information please visit our Web site at www.interfacesoftware.com.
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