Before the arrival and popularity of the PC, the kind of companies, that might have an early crude version of contact management software, were big. They usually had hugely expensive computer systems like mainframes and minis. Even with the arrival of the PC software for dealing with an organization’s contacts, took quite some time to be developed for widespread uses.
The early PC gained a following from people who were enthusiastic about the very limited application software initially available for them. The applications in question were mainly Word processor software and Spreadsheet software. Because this software justified buying a PC, these were termed “killer software”. It was generally agreed at the time by “those in the know” that there would be no PC sales without such applications.
In fact most people have many of them on their individual PCs. These so called “killer applications” span a very wide range of application types. Possibly one of the most ubiquitous such killer application is the e-mail application. Who could operate today without e-mail? Indeed there are many “killer applications” currently in use that justify that name, because the business might well suffer a near fatal blow if any one of them were suddenly to disappear.
Without having to think too long about it, there are many applications that are in daily use that are almost “missioning critical”. Who can think of an accounts department now that does not use accounting software? Which marketing department operates without the help of some sort of graphics or page layout software, not to mention the widely used presentation packages?
A new killer application arrived, maybe fifteen or twenty years ago. It wasn’t long, in other words, after PCs became popular for use with the original killer applications that it became obvious that there was another area for such application development. Most companies of any reasonable size have a large number of contacts. These fall into the two categories of customers and suppliers. Managing the complex interaction with all of those contacts is the kind of work that is ideal for computer software.
Keeping detail records of each and every contact is one of the main functions of contact management software. It keeps records of basic information such as name, address, telephone numbers, e-mail address. But crucially it keeps detail records of all dealings with the contact, including meetings, emails, letters, and phone calls. This type of software allows users to search back over the history of all this interaction. So it is possible to sift through old conversations, or emails, or meeting details, to verify what happened or was said at the time.
Most contact management software is based on some form of database, usually a relational database. This enables the user to selectively extract information via a user friendly interface. The information extracted can then be compiled into a easily printed report.
Particularly for those having to deal with a large number of contacts on a regular basis, the Reminder feature is indispensable. A predetermined time in advance of the event the software reminds the user. A useful Extension of this feature is that the software can issue e-mail reminders to everyone involved in the future event.
Some would say that by far the most valuable element of contact management software is its mailing list feature. Because of its relational database functionality, the user can tell it to extract a list of contacts, conforming to certain criteria. This could be for example all contacts in a particular area, or all contacts in a particular industry . The user can then instruct the software to send an e-mail, based on the pre-written template to all those people. Possibly less commonly these days it can do the same with the printed letter. Indeed it can also print an envelope in such circumstances.
Efficient Address Book is an elegant contact manager. This handy software can help you manage the information of even thousands of contacts rapidly, better create and keep networking, build customer relationships and always focus on key persons.
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