Sage CRM v7.1 will include Sage E-marketing for Sage CRM, our fully integrated email marketing solution which includes attention-grabbing e-marketing templates, smart-sending features, automated drip marketing campaigns and the ability to track open, click and bounce rates – all within Sage CRM.  Follow-up call lists can then be based on e-marketing responses, closing the loop between email marketing and telesales.

Another new marketing feature is Sage CRM Total Campaign Management which will enable marketing users to easily create groups from within the marketing area, execute multi-channel marketing campaigns and then clone those campaigns that have worked the best for easy re-use. Sage CRM v7.1 also comes with full marketing campaign workflow so marketers can ensure campaigns are executed accurately every time.

Sage CRM Communications Management features new Exchange server integration in Sage CRM v7.1. Thanks to Sage CRM v7.1’s ability to synchronise with the MS Exchange server, Exchange users will be able to access real-time calendar, task and contact information within Sage CRM on any smartphone, regardless of what email client they are using, so field-based staff can stay on top of their Sage CRM calendar and communications at all times.

We’ve also added exciting new functionality to the Sage CRM Interactive Dashboard including the ability to dynamically link multiple gadgets on a single screen so you can be more productive from one place. Users can also create bespoke company dashboards for their key accounts in Sage CRM v7.1 and take advantage of new flexible gadget sizing. If, like me, you like to personalise what data you see and how it is presented to you, you’ll love the ability to re-size and re-position the gadgets on your Sage CRM Interactive Dashboard in the way that suits you best. Sage CRM v7.1 also comes with new report charts which users can add to their personalised dashboard for graphical analysis at-a-glance.

The new features in Sage CRM v7.1 have been designed with the user in mind and with a view to making it as easy as possible for our customers to get started with Sage CRM and gain a rapid return on their investment. We are committed to making Sage CRM as easy as possible to use, deploy, personalise and access regardless of device or location. Over the coming weeks, we’ll share more details on what the new features in Sage CRM v7.1 look like and what you can expect in Spring 2011 when the Christmas trees are a distant memory and Sage CRM v7.1 is released.