PeopleSoft updates CRM offering

Business software maker PeopleSoft has simplified the user interfaces in the latest release of its customer relationship management (CRM) product, aimed at increasing productivity and end-user uptake.

PeopleSoft CRM 8.8 includes 150 new features, with many focusing on making user interfaces more intuitive, and reducing the time spent inputting data. New customers can be created within the application with just three mouse clicks.

"Reducing the time operatives spend inputting data will allow call centres to really improve their productivity," claimed Brad Wilson, vice president of CRM marketing at PeopleSoft.

According to analyst firm AMR Research, user adoption remains a significant barrier to successful CRM implementations.

A report due out on 16 December will detail AMR's survey of implementations at 80 sites referenced from CRM vendors.

PeopleSoft is also introducing products for three new vertical sectors: insurance, energy and high technology.

The packages come with relevant business processes pre-coded into the software, reducing implementation times, according to Charles Grover, European CRM director at PeopleSoft.

"But the overall approach is to introduce a modular system so that any business can take the components it needs to improve their customer service," he said.

PeopleSoft CRM 8.8 will ship at the end of the month.

Rival Siebel Systems has updated its CRM software recently, and Oracle has plans to update its offering early in the new year.