NetLedger launches hosted CRM suite

NetLedger Inc., the independent company that makes Oracle Corp. Small Business Suite, this week announced its first serious foray into customer relationship management with the release of NetCRM.

NetCRM is software delivered over the Web as a service and designed to automate the sales process from lead generation to prospect management to sales order. Aimed at small and midsize businesses, it includes core salesforce automation, marketing and customer support modules.

In addition, the San Mateo, Calif. company's CRM offering includes partner relationship management features. The NetCRM Partner Center allows resellers, manufacturers and other selling partners to view leads, track orders, and submit and review support cases.

NetCRM goes a step further than basic CRM products by including integrated sales order processing features. This lets companies place orders and track product sales through the same system they use to initiate, manage and close sales leads.

NetLedger also offers integration between its existing accounting suite - the Web-based Oracle Small Business Suite - and new CRM modules.

NetCRM will compete with other hosted CRM products from companies including Salesforce.com - which also has integrated CRM and order management capabilities - SalesNet and UpShot.

Aberdeen Group says CRM products sold through an application service provider (ASP) model accounted for about US$61 million in revenue in 2001. The Boston research firm estimates the market for CRM via ASP will grow to $725 million in 2005.

NetCRM will be available in October. Pricing starts at $600 per user, per year.