CRM applications are powerful business suites that have the capability to streamline several enterprise functions into a single integrated process.  Specifically, a CRM application can do customer support and management, marketing designs, and sales generation.  All these are critical front-end business functions.  Profitability and market dominance are principally measured based on these front end business functions.

By using a CRM application, employees can perform several tasks simultaneously.  They can use the CRM application for customer support, sales and inventory automation, create marketing designs, and store important business intelligence.  Because of this integration, employees or the sales force of companies would be more productive, efficient, and effective.  Companies will also be able to lower the cost of software maintenance as well as increase their profit margins.

There are two ways to deploy a CRM solution.  The first is through hosted CRM service.  This type utilizes web functionality to deliver CRM solutions to companies.  Accounts are accessed via web interface.  This is a more flexible CRM solution because the application will be available from anywhere as long as there is an Internet connection.  The other type of CRM deployment is through on-site server side CRM.  The application would be installed in company servers and individual clients deployed on the consoles of employees.  Companies should have sufficient IT support for this type of CRM deployments.  The main advantage however of on-site CRM service is the added security provided by locally hosted application.  Corporate database will always be stored on secured servers which could be controlled effectively.