Customer relationship management (CRM) software is essential for every marketing, sales, and customer service department. It allows you to capture your customers’ information and keep a record of their interactions with your business. If you’re new to the concept of CRM, here are some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of it. Always update customer information A CRM system is only effective when the data it provides is current. If the customer’s address, company name, or preferred method of contact has changed, your staff should be recording this information immediately so your sales and marketing teams are always equipped with the right information. Use purchasing history for upselling opportunities It’s easier to sell to existing customers than acquiring new ones. Boost your sales performance by analyzing your existing clients’ purchasing history and designing promotions or events designed just for them. For example, if they recently purchased a razor from your online store, you can program your CRM to recommend related products like shaving cream or aftershave. Not only does this widen your profit margins, it also makes customers’ lives a lot easier and promotes repeat business. Automate processes Take advantage of the workflow automation features in CRM apps to eliminate time-consuming and repetitive tasks. For instance, when a new lead is added to your CRM (via newsletter subscriptions or website visits), the CRM can be programmed to send follow-up emails, offer promotions, and other interactions to keep your business at the forefront of their attention. This saves you from writing the same canned responses while also making sure that you’re engaging your clients throughout the entire sales process. Learn from analytics CRM also makes it possible to analyze customer trends and behavior. If you noticed a spike in demand for certain products and services during the holidays, be more aggressive in pushing them out next year. If certain email campaigns were more successful than others (e.g., higher open rates, click-through-rates, and potential customers), understand what elements were responsible for that success and try to replicate them the next time you send a newsletter. Customer data should also be used to shape sales and marketing tactics. A salesperson that already knows the client’s name, locations, and preferences can deliver more personal sales pitches and has a better chance of closing a deal. The point is this: If you're not learning from your data, your business growth will be limited. Integrate CRM with other business software Tying CRM software to other programs makes it even more powerful. Integration with accounting software combines customer and financial data, eliminating redundant manual data entry and providing more insightful reports. When used alongside a VoIP system, your staff will get relevant customer information from multiple databases displayed on one screen when they’re about to make a call. Get some CRM support Last but not least, work with a CRM provider that offers 24/7 support. Ideally, they should be keeping your data safe, updating your software regularly, and advising you on how to use complex CRM features. This may seem like a lot, but the important thing to remember is that just like every technology investment, CRM requires active participation from executives, managers, and front-line staff. If you need more advice on keeping customers happy or want to know what technologies can add value to your business, call Multi IT on 011 435 0450 today.

You’ve all heard of viruses, spyware, ransomware and trojans. But did you know that they’re all types of malware? They’re all designed to ruin your digital life, but different types of malware put your computer at risk in different ways. Understanding what sets them apart can keep your business guarded. Viruses Once created to annoy users by making small changes to their computers, like altering wallpapers, this type of malware has evolved into a malicious tool used to breach confidential data. Most of the time, viruses work by attaching themselves to .exe files in order to infect computers once the file has been opened. This can result in various issues with your computer’s operating system, at their worst, rendering your computer unusable. To avoid these unfortunate circumstances, you should scan executable files before running them. There are plenty of antivirus software options, but we recommend choosing one that scans in real-time rather than manually. Spyware Unlike viruses, spyware doesn’t harm your computer, but instead, targets you. Spyware attaches itself to executable files and once opened or downloaded, will install itself, often times completely unnoticed. Once running on your computer, it can track everything you type, including passwords and other confidential information. Hackers can then use this information to access your files, emails, bank accounts, or anything else you do on your computer. But don’t panic just yet, you can protect yourself by installing anti-spyware software, sometimes included in all-purpose “anti-malware” software. Note that most reputable antivirus software also come bundled with anti-spyware solutions. Adware Are you redirected to a particular page every time you start your browser? Do you get pop ups when surfing the internet? If either situation sounds familiar, you’re likely dealing with adware. Also known as Potential Unwanted Programs (PUP), adware isn’t designed to steal your data, but to get you to click on fraudulent ads. Whether you click on the ad or not, adware can significantly slow down your computer since they take up valuable bandwidth. Worse still, they’re often attached with other types of malware. Some adware programs come packaged with legitimate software and trick you into accepting their terms of use, which make them especially difficult to remove. To eradicate adware, you’ll need a solution with specialized adware removal protocols. Scareware This type of malware works like adware except that it doesn’t make money by tricking you into clicking on ads, but by scaring you into buying a software you don’t need. An example is a pop up ad that tells you your computer is infected with a virus and you need to buy a certain software to eliminate it. If you fall for one of these tactics and click on the ad, you’ll be redirected to a website where you can buy the fake antivirus software. Scareware acts more like a diversion from the other malware that often comes with it. A good antivirus solution will help scan for scareware too, but you should patch your operating systems regularly just to be safe. Ransomware Ransomware has become increasingly common and hostile. It encrypts your computer files and holds them hostage until you’ve paid a fee for the decryption code. Because ransomware comes with sophisticated encryption, there aren’t many options unless you have backups of your data. There are some tools that can protect against ransomware but we recommend that you backup your data and practice safe web browsing habits. Worms Similar to viruses, worms replicate themselves to widen the scope of their damage. However, worms don’t require human intervention to replicate themselves as they use security flaws to transmit from one computer to the next, making them far more dangerous than your typical virus. They often spread via email, sending emails to everyone in an infected user’s contact list, which was exactly the case with the ILOVEYOU worm that cost businesses approximately $5.5 billion worth of damage. The easiest ways to protect your network from worms is to use a firewall to block external access to your computer network, and to be careful when clicking on unknown links in your email or unknown messages on social media. Trojans Usually downloaded from rogue websites, Trojans create digital backdoors that allow hackers to take control of your computer without your knowledge. They can steal your personal information, your files, or cause your computer to stop working. Sometimes hackers will use your computer as a proxy to conceal their identity or to send out spam. To avoid trojan attacks, you should never open emails or download attachments from unknown senders. If you’re skeptical, use your antivirus software to scan every file first. In order to keep malware at bay, you need to invest in security solutions with real-time protection and apply security best practices within your office. If you have any questions or concerns, or simply need advice on how to strengthen your business’s security, just give Multi IT call on 011 435 0450 and we’ll be happy to help.

When smartphones first outsold PCs in 2010, people no longer have to put up with slow and bulky computers to do business. This comes as no surprise why many stashed their aged PCs away. But there are ways to breathe new life into your ancient laptop and computer, so if you haven’t trashed them, it’s time to plug them in. You might have to do some light upgrades like install more RAM and a bigger hard drive, depending on how old your PC is, but it’ll be worth it. Once you’ve done that, explore these options: Try a lighter OS While you might be tempted to install a new Windows or macOS on your old computer, they won’t work optimally without a fast processor. However, Linux-based operating systems, which come in a variety of options called “distros”, will make your computer feel brand new without exhausting its hardware. Popular distros options like Ubuntu, elementary OS, and PinguyOS, can be easily installed, have similar interfaces as Windows, and come with a ton of software packages. The best part is they only require a minimum of 4GB of RAM, which means you won’t have to invest much at all. Make a NAS server Network-attached storage (NAS) is a server for your home or small business network that allows you to store files that need to be shared with all the PCs on the network. If your old PC has at least 8GB of RAM, you can use it to make your own NAS instead of purchasing one. Simply download FreeNAS, a software accessible from any OS (Windows, MacOS, Linux) that enables you to make a shared backup of your computers. FreeNAS features access permissions and also lets you stream media to mobile OSes, like iOS and Android. However, if you prefer turning your PC into a private cloud for remote access and data backup, Tonido is a great alternative. Compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux, it turns your PC into a storage website so you can access files from anywhere on any device. Tonido offers up to 2GB of file syncing across computers. There’s even Tonido apps for iOS and Android for mobile access. Secure your online privacy Wouldn’t it be great if you could turn your old computer into a dedicated privacy PC so you won’t have to worry about compromising privacy while browsing the web? With The Amnesic Incognito Live System (TAILS), you can. This Linux-based software routes all your internet traffic and requests through TOR Project, a software that makes it extremely difficult for someone to track you online. All of TAILS’ integrated applications like web browser, Office suite, IM client, and email software, are pre-configured for robust security and privacy protection. Take your media up a notch If you’re looking for a way to listen to your music, podcasts, or watch videos on other PCs, or mobile devices, a server software like Kodi can help. What it does is bring all your digital media together into one user-friendly package so you can use your old PC as an audio and video hosting platform. From there, you can play files on other devices via the internet. There are remote control apps for iOS or Android users and even an app for Kodi playback on the Amazon Fire TV. Kodi works on any device running Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and even rooted Android and jailbroken iOS devices. We’re always on the lookout for ways to help our clients make the most out of their technology investments. If you’d like to know more about how to utilize other hardware to your business’s advantage, give Multi IT a call on 011 435 0450.