Expertcity has added sales functionality to its DesktopStreaming technology.
Expertcity has been one of the most aggressive proponents of CRM solutions based on the hosted model with its DesktopStreaming technology, but until now has focused its attentions on external customer support and internal helpdesk support. The addition of 2-Way ScreenSharing adds a one-click connection facility that allows sales and support representatives to give online presentations and demonstrations to customers and prospects.
The addition of functionality to DesktopStreaming should increase the market for Expertcity’s product. It also demonstrates well the growth in demand for remote access, hosted and ASP CRM solutions. Datamonitor predicts that the CRM ASP market in North America will grow to $431 million by 2005. Growth in Western Europe will be even greater, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2000 and 2005 of 164%.
The growth in the CRM ASP market offers small and medium sized firms (SMEs) the first real opportunity to access CRM applications. Traditionally, the CRM market has been dominated by the enterprise sector and the cost of implementing a CRM strategy has been a significant barrier to entry for customers in the SME sector. The ASP channel will disable this barrier, offering key benefits to SMEs such as reduced cost, ease of integration, savings on IT labor, and access to new applications.
