Eastern Networks: First SME in the Middle East to adopt hosted eCRM

"Using hosted applications helps us concentrate on our deliverables and avoid unnecessary investment in extra hardware, software, security, networking and integration with our back office, not to mention the personnel administration which would be needed for such a project if implemented at our facilities," says Hazem Mulhim, Group Managing Director of Eastern Networks. Along with ACCPAC's Advantage Series, a software that handles accounting and operations needs, Eastern Networks will be the first company in the Middle East to use a hosted eCRM solution. ACCPAC has assigned Raqmiyat, its Emirates-based partner, to handle the project.

"Few companies in the region have adopted the hosted applications model for their software use and even fewer have eCRM capabilities. The project with Eastern Networks sets a precedent in the way small to medium sized businesses in the region are looking at their IT needs today," comments Marc Van der Ven, regional manager for ACCPAC.

To illustrate the benefits of hosted applications in achieving the operational and customer focused objectives of Eastern Networks, Mulhim explains that: "with 14 branches in the Middle East serving the financial sector, our mobile support engineers need to have access at anytime from anywhere to customer files for better decisions so as to optimise their time and effort." He continues:" as well as being used by the support engineers, it will also apply to our sales and marketing teams who will be able to access as well as assess opportunities thanks to the installed base."

Along with the expected efficiency boost and superior customer support, the deal, according to Eastern Networks, allows unmatched cost-cutting features for all aspects of such a project. "The expected long term benefits result in an accessible data base which will allow us to serve our customers throughout the region according to their needs and requirements. Of course, implementing the workflow is a continuous challenge since we wish to incorporate the expected results in such a way as to converge our requirements at a management level. Once the database is in place it will serve marketing, sales and customer support as well as augmenting our revenue stream," says Mulhim.

"To remain competitive, mid-market businesses must harness and leverage the same cutting-edge technology as their larger counterparts. Our ACCPAC Online Hosting Services gives the region's mid-market businesses the tools they need to compete in the new economy," ends Van der Ven.