GRASS VALLEY, Calif., June 6, 2007 -- SierraCRM Inc. has released a next-generation process management engine for SugarCRM, the open-source customer relationship management software. The new engine, designed to help users capture more new business and create a "customer-for-life" environment, is offered in both full-featured and "lite," configurations. The latter, with fewer functions, is available as a free download.

"This new module allows any company utilizing SugarCRM to streamline and automate many daily tasks involved with customer acquisition and management, freeing up time to focus on selling and servicing customers in a more effective and automated manner," said Bill Convis, SierraCRM chief technology officer.

He described the SugarCRM open systems model as the "first true commercial-grade CRM that users can download and set up for free."

With the new module, users "no longer need be burdened with the time- consuming work associated with customer follow-up and transaction-related communications. "The new workflow engine automatically takes care of communications to a new lead, contact, opportunity, or case along with scheduling tasks and follow-up calls," Convis said.

Development of the workflow engine comes in response to requests from many of the more than three million users who have downloaded SugarCRM open source.

Higher regard for customer service

Financial institutions have found it has become a necessity to differentiate their services with higher regard being placed on customer service. According to a survey conducted last year of 35 financial institutions across the United States, 94% said it was critical or extremely important to improve the customer's experience.

SierraCRM's full-featured version of the process manager module, which sells for $499, includes the capability to automatically create and send direct mail lists to any fulfillment house on a scheduled basis, eliminating the need to aggregate customer information and manually communicate this data to a fulfillment house each month.

Additionally, this version also contains the capability to schedule emails, calls or tasks over time. The full featured version of Process Manager combines the best features of a marketing campaigns module with that of a Process Driven module.

Sierra's hosted SugarCRM solutions can be up-and-running in a matter of minutes and include the process manager and marketing campaigns modules. Along with powerful lead management and routing capability for CRM customers who want to maximize their return on purchased leads.

Focusing on the customer as the asset, opposed to just the product, broadens the company's relationship marketing by increasing the communication flow between the two, according to Convis.

"This open communication process between client and firm aids in streamlining decisions to develop strategic CRM that is tailored to particular clients' needs. A good CRM system provides a 360-degree view of your customer. It enables you and your partner to really know the customer," he said.

About the Company:

SierraCRM Inc. was formed in 2004 by Bill Convis a consultant in the CRM industry since 1996 when he joined Clarify, Inc. Convis left Clarify in 1998 and started Sierra Software Solutions, a Clarify Consulting and Implementation company. He has been instrumental in bringing the benefits of CRM to companies worldwide. SierraCRM Inc. hosts numerous vertical solutions based on the SugarCRM Open Systems Platform, including LenderCRM, a CRM solution for mortgage loan originators.