5th November 2008 – Calyx Group, the leading independent end-to-end provider of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Ireland and the UK, today announced it has teamed up with Eurofound – the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions – to provide an integrated, effective and easy-to-manage Microsoft Dynamics CRM system.
The development and implementation of the CRM system has resulted in the establishment of a centralised contact database, including the addition of extra modules such as a web interface self-correction facility. This enables Eurofound to automatically generate emails to all 15,000 contacts in the database which in turn allows customers to login to the Eurofound website and update their contact information.
Eurofound is a European Union body and one of the first organisations to work in specialised areas of EU policy. Based in Loughlinstown, Dublin, the organisation has 100 staff members who are drawn from a number of EU Member States to provide information, expertise and advice on living and working conditions, industrial relations and managing change in Europe.
Prior to the deployment by Calyx Group, Eurofound had a problem managing contacts, as it had an assortment of databases of customer records which were all maintained in disparate silos from Excel, Access, Outlook and Word. These differing databases restricted integration and effective support. Eurofound needed to find a way to develop an easy-to-manage CRM solution which would enable employees develop improved, fuller pictures of their clients by recording all interactions and building customer profiles.
Following the issue of a detailed open tender invitation for the supply of a new CRM solution together with consultancy, installation, customisation, support and training, Eurofound awarded the contract to Calyx.
Commenting on the contract selection, Jim Halpenny, Head of ICT at Eurofound said, “Calyx and Microsoft Dynamics CRM ticked all of the boxes in the award criteria. The proposed CRM solution technology was excellent as were the additional services and skills on the Calyx side.”
Reflecting on the installations which ensured an efficient system for a centralised database, Jim Halpenny said, “The Calyx engineers were great – always available onsite and their consultancy and customisation services were invaluable.”
With its new Microsoft Dynamics CRM system in place, Eurofound now has one centralised customer list for the first time. It can now use the solution to record all contact with its clients so that a full and detailed picture can be built up for each and every customer. Calyx will provide support, consultancy and training as part of the four year contract it was awarded with Eurofound.
With expectations for efficient CRM ever increasing in Ireland and the UK, Calyx and Microsoft Dynamics CRM is an industry leading solution which has a very familiar interface for the staff, and also integrates with other Microsoft Office applications. Consequently, the new system quickly had very high usage and fast adaption by staff.
According to Jim Halpenny, “We have a 360 degree view of our customers and these profiles are building up all the time to give us more information on each of them. More importantly, this mine of information is accessible by everyone. The ultimate benefit for us is that productivity and efficiency is improved.”
Calyx employs over 500 people across 12 locations in Ireland and the UK. Calyx provides full technical support tailored to suit an organisation’s requirements. With state of the art Network Operating Centre’s (NOCs) and over 300 fully trained Calyx engineers, Calyx has the resources online, on the road and on the phone to keep an organisation running smoothly.
Calyx partners with all of the global industry leaders along with innovative emerging technology companies to provide a diverse portfolio, from which the company can design, build and support solutions. The group has a long list of blue chip clients in Ireland and the UK including AIB, Citi, 02, London Fire Brigade, hospitals and government departments.
ENDS
For further information contact:
Murray Consultants
John McGuinness
01 498 0361
Notes to editor:
About Calyx
Calyx is the number one, independent, single source provider of end to end Information & Communication Technology (ICT) in Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Established in 2002 and under private ownership since 2007, Calyx now employs over 500 staff across twelve different locations with a turnover of over €135 million.
A complete solutions provider, Calyx provides hardware & software products, network services, professional services and support & managed services.
Calyx takes its name from the sepals that provide a flower with an outer protective covering.
FROM IIA MEMBER COMPANY MURRAY CONSULTANTS
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