Next month Act! is expected to release a new mobile client called APC Mobile for their Act! Premium Cloud Clients. We've been testing it for a while, and it's a slick, fast, and free offering that customers will love (click on the image to the right to see an expanded view of the home screen).

Features aside, people need CRM on their mobile devices for several compelling reasons:

1. Real-Time Access: Mobile CRM provides real-time access to customer data and sales opportunities, allowing businesses to respond quickly to customer needs and market changes, as well as have all the contact details to call, email, and even SMS customers.

2. Increased Productivity: It enables employees to work from anywhere, increasing productivity by allowing them to manage sales, customer interactions, and data entry on the go. With the type of Outlook integration available with Act! Premium Cloud, users can also have all the emails they send customers on the road recorded to their contact record in Act!.

3. Improved Customer Service: With mobile CRM, employees have up-to-date information at their fingertips, which helps them provide better customer service and resolve issues promptly.

4. Collaboration and Flexibility: It promotes a collaborative work environment by providing the same data across all departments, regardless of location, which is especially beneficial for geographically dispersed teams.

5. Efficient Sales Management: Sales representatives can log updates, access information, and even close deals directly from their mobile devices, streamlining the sales process. With Link2quotes, sales reps can create and send quotes from their mobile devices, as well as see when they're viewed and/or accepted.

6. Mapping: geo-plotting your customers on your phone allows you to quickly find directions to your customers and see who's in the vicinity so you can make the most of your time in the area.

In summary, mobile CRM is essential for businesses that want to stay connected with their customers and maintain a competitive edge in today’s fast-paced, mobile-driven world. It’s not just about having access to information; it’s about being able to act on it anytime, anywhere.