Oracle Software Upgrades Expand Sales Role

The new updates to its Oracle 11i.10 enterprise software suite, which seek to make sales an enterprisewide activity, include a content repository for information that flows between marketing and sales departments.

Oracle Corp. on Monday will unveil upgrades to its CRM (customer relationship management) software that seeks to make sales an enterprisewide activity, rather than simply the occupation of a single department. The Redwood Shores, Calif., companys namesake Sales, Marketing, Partner Relationship Management and e-Commerce applications, which are part of the Oracle 11i.10 enterprise software suite, include new features designed to accomplish this goal, said John Wookey, senior vice president of application development in charge of CRM. Click here to read about other updates to the Oracle 11i.10 enterprise software suite. "With this new release, the theme is that selling is not a single departments activity, it is an enterprise activity," Wookey said. A key new component is Audience Workbench, which acts as a sort of content repository for information that flows between marketing and sales organizations. The Workbench enables marketing staff create marketing campaigns that include sales kits. The Sales Coach feature gives sales representatives information on selling techniques and strategies that follow approved methodologies. A new Partner Dashboard comprises tools that let partners apply for marketing funds, register sales and request special pricing. Oracle is teaching its sales force to play nice. Click here to read more. Some of the Oracle 11i.10 CRM upgrades are available now, and the rest will be available within four to eight weeks, Wookey said. Check out eWEEK.coms Enterprise Applications Center at http://enterpriseapps.eweek.com for the latest news, reviews and analysis about productivity and business solutions.

Be sure to add our eWEEK.com enterprise applications news feed to your RSS newsreader or My Yahoo page