Enhanced Integration with Microsoft Outlook Enables Users to Access Firm-Wide CRM Data without Need to Launch and Learn Separate Application

December 15, 2010 — NEW YORK – LexisNexis, a leading global provider of content-enabled workflow solutions, today announced the launch of InterAction® 6.0 with enhanced Microsoft Outlook integration. LexisNexis® InterAction 6.0 software embeds features and functions of InterAction®, a leading Customer Relationship Management (CRM) application for professional services, directly within Microsoft Outlook. This integration enables users to view, access and leverage firm-wide CRM data all from within one’s individual Outlook application – making it easier for lawyers and other professional services firms to build stronger client relationships and drive business development efforts.

“At Blank Rome we have 1,150 InterAction users, and CRM drives marketing, business development and more throughout the firm. We’re always pushing for newer, improved functionality to keep adoption high while simplifying usability,” said Brad Miller, director of marketing technology with Blank Rome, LLP. “Being invited to preview InterAction 6.0 and contribute our firm’s needs in advance of its release fits our definition of a technology partner. We’re eager to upgrade and reap the benefits firm-wide of a simplified InterAction interface within Microsoft Outlook.”

“InterAction 6.0 is the result of exhaustive customer research and feedback indicating the need for a CRM system that is easier to use and doesn’t interrupt the normal workflow of executives,” said Brad Sidwell, vice president and general manager, LexisNexis. “InterAction 6.0 accomplishes this by delivering the tools and benefits of the world’s most powerful CRM system directly into a popular desktop application that professionals already know and use daily.”

In addition to collecting customer feedback, LexisNexis also conducted a survey of 80 senior IT professionals at the 2010 International Legal Technology Association (ILTA) conference earlier this year. A full 94 percent of those surveyed said that integrating specialized CRM capabilities directly within e-mail and contact management applications would enable efficient information capture and increase usage of CRM data.

Benefits of InterAction 6.0
Users will have easier access to their firm’s InterAction CRM data directly within the e-mail, calendar and contact functions of Microsoft Outlook. Key benefits include:

  • More complete understanding of client interactions. The “Add Activities” feature allows users to log contact “events” (emails, notes, calendar items etc.) directly from within Outlook to the InterAction database where that information can be seen and accessed by colleagues via their own Microsoft Outlook account. This feature gives others in the firm a more complete and up-to-date understanding of firm-wide interactions with a given contact to ensure coordination of efforts and help avoid potentially embarrassing situations.
  • Time savings. An InterAction toolbar will appear inside a new panel displayed within Outlook that enables users to hover their mouse over a toolbar to surface contact information, identify mutual relationships, see upcoming meetings or activities, view organization or information changes and browse notes summarizing previous interactions with any recipients of the e-mail. Because each of these functions is performed within Outlook, users avoid the time consuming need to go back and forth between Outlook and InterAction.
  • Valuable insights. When researching a contact, the “Mutual Connections” feature enables users to see who among their firm already knows and has interacted with that contact before — all from within Outlook. This gives the user valuable insight into who might be able to make an introduction or provide additional background information on the contact.
  • Easy searching. The search field function enables users to quickly search for contact details about clients and prospects shared by others across the firm without leaving one’s e-mail inbox.

About LexisNexis
LexisNexis® (www.lexisnexis.com) is a leading global provider of content-enabled workflow solutions designed specifically for professionals in the legal, risk management, corporate, government, law enforcement, accounting, and academic markets. LexisNexis originally pioneered online information with its Lexis® and Nexis® services. A member of Reed Elsevier [NYSE: ENL; NYSE: RUK] (www.reedelsevier.com), LexisNexis serves customers in more than 100 countries with 15,