Hosted sales force automation (SFA) services provider Upshot Corp. announced Monday an enhancement to its services that would allow offline sales forecasting.
The .Net-based service, known as Offline Express, allows sales executives to update forecasts and deal information while offline. Changes can then be uploaded to the hosted service when the user is back online.
The new function does not require a new desktop client or a copy of the master database, Upshot officials said, making it much faster to upload and download information.
Offline Express uses XML to move data between UpShot and an Excel client on the users desktop. Instead of synching a copy of the master database, UpShot lets users download information about the deals they are working on, officials said.
The information relating to the deals they specified is then loaded into a custom Excel spreadsheet that retains the look and feel of UpShots online service. After updating information about deals or forecasts, users can upload the information to UpShot.
The technology supports opportunity management, forecast updates and activity management.
Offline Express will be available Nov. 30, Upshot officials said.