K3 Business Technology Group plc has been chosen as one of a select group of eight software developers to partner with Microsoft in the launch of its new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software. During January 2004, K3 will be supporting Microsoft in its first venture into the CRM marketplace in the UK. 

Andy Makeham, CEO of K3 commented: "Microsoft has recognized that CRM applications cannot be one size fits all unlike more desktop focused applications. Business applications have to fit the way that individual companies want to run their operations - and that means partnering with industry experts."

K3 has been focused on building and delivering working solutions to the manufacturing sector for over 30 years and has in excess of 1600 customers in the UK. This pedigree, knowledge and ability to deliver solutions is why Microsoft chose K3 as its manufacturing sector CRM launch partner.

Using this industry expertise, K3 has developed a unique CRM proposition for manufacturing and supply chain businesses. Its leading-edge SmartVision business solution has Microsoft CRM embedded within it to transform the relationships businesses have with their customers.

Russell Dorset, Managing Director at K3 commented: "Microsoft is going to take this market by storm. Even prior to its launch we are already starting to see significant interest in Microsoft CRM and without a doubt it will become the defacto standard." Dorset adds: "Microsoft's power in  the  market  means  that just  the mention  of  the words Microsoft CRM has  the  ability to  put  buying   decisions on  hold.  We have a number of opportunities where manufacturers were about to invest in other systems, but now want to go for Microsoft CRM."

Michala Alexander, Microsoft UK CRM product manager explained: "Microsoft CRM will offer mid-market companies in the UK a solution designed specifically for their needs.  The functionality included will enable them to increase sales success, deliver superior customer service, and make informed, agile business decisions." Alexander continues: "Partners are the customer touch-point for our CRM solution. It is vital that we work with partners like K3 who have the skill, industry knowledge and the ability to deploy working solutions on our behalf and understand the business drivers of these markets."

Microsoft CRM records the interactions that take place during the lifetime of a customer or project and, being fully integrated with Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Exchange, it can automatically capture correspondence, quotations and e-mails sent and received.

The web-enabled software allows users access to the system simply by using Microsoft Internet Explorer and can be accessed externally if required, using the Internet. Whether employees or agents work from the office, from home or from an office abroad, they can have real-time access to the system, thus providing timely and accurate information throughout.

K3's software development team has recently visited Microsoft in the US to help develop a future product development strategy to incorporate this new architecture into its own products.

www.k3btg.com