PRINCETON, N.J.--update CRM Inc., the US subsidiary of update software AG, one of the most respected innovators of CRM solutions in Europe, has launched its new update.revolution CRM suite, an advanced cloud-based enterprise managed CRM service, to North America. Designed specifically for sales organizations of all sizes in the life sciences market, including biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device industries, update.revolution gives companies a platform from which to manage their sales force on a long-term basis, while providing the flexibility to adapt to ongoing organizational changes.

“CRM is a journey, not a destination, particularly in organizations and markets that have unique dynamics, such as in life sciences”

Launched in Europe earlier this year, update.revolution is a comprehensive CRM solution for life sciences organizations built on update software’s 22 years of CRM expertise. The suite is an advanced customer relationship management technology deployed through a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model and implemented with update software’s unique strategic revolution methodology which, at no extra cost, provides each customer ongoing industry expertise.

update.revolution also includes a strategic business process that drives productivity for the life of the solution. Many companies invest millions in CRM solutions that fit a particular time in their organization’s development, only to find that the system doesn’t grow with them, or grows a step behind, negating the promised productivity benefits. update.revolution evolves with a given organization, driving long-term productivity.

“CRM is a journey, not a destination, particularly in organizations and markets that have unique dynamics, such as in life sciences,” said update software CEO Thomas Deutschmann. “We understand this and that is why we have created not just a CRM platform that will help companies optimize their sales organizations, but have paired that with a methodology that makes the implementation very flexible and very easy, from the initial assessment through the ensuing years. That is why our customers are more successful.”

While the launch marks the first time update.revolution will be generally available in North America, the local divisions of several companies, including global pharmaceutical company ALK-Abelló, have employed update.revolution in their U.S. operations.

Michael Stoffers, Head of the International Competence Center, CRM for ALK-Abelló said of his company’s use of the update solution: “We chose update’s CRM solution because it featured a broad variety of already existing industry-specific functionalities that didn’t have to be programmed in a time-consuming process. (With update) all inquiries are now documented. This means that updated and comprehensive information is readily available, even when customer advisors change or when medical aspects must be taken over by other employees.”

Powerful CRM from the Cloud

update.revolution is a powerful SaaS-based CRM solution spawned by more than 20 years of experience developing user-friendly sales management systems. Hosted on the IBM cloud, update.revolution provides life sciences companies with a cost-effective, hosted platform for managing the core of their revenue generation – sales. It requires no up-front investment and provides an all-inclusive ongoing development and consulting methodology that provides long-term cost predictability.

The Revolution Methodology

The update.revolution methodology begins with an in-depth assessment phase through which the update CRM Principal determines the customer's goals using a proprietary computer-supported analytics system and specifies which industry processes and modular functions are required. This assessment is done with respect for simplicity, ensuring better results in adoption and compliance in the near term and protecting the evolution of the platform in the long term as users get comfortable and information requirements grow. In the subsequent set-up phase, the professionals at update CRM and the customer jointly work out the detailed requirements for processes and interfaces and implement the individual solution. In the course of the subsequent and ongoing enhancement phase, there are regular reviews to determine if the customer is getting the most from the solution and implement any enhancements, if desired.

“update.revolution reshapes the economics of CRM, allowing customers to walk before they run, presenting no up-front cost, eliminating the risk of long-term engagements and providing the cost predictability every organization needs to lower their bottom line and grow their top line,” added update software CEO Deutschmann.

update CRM's SaaS model is available in three service levels: 90°, 180°, and 360°. Among other things, the service level selected influences the degree of customization and the frequency of the adaptation cycles in the ongoing enhancement. update CRM customers are not charged for costs associated with operation, maintenance, and support.

Typical provisioning results in a functional system up and running within 20 days, with additional functionality, modules and customizations made on an ongoing basis.

About update software AG

update software AG (www.update.com) was established in Vienna in 1988. With more than 160,000 users in more than 1,400 companies, update is the leading European producer of premium CRM systems. update has subsidiaries in the USA ,Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, France, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland. update software AG is listed on the German stock exchange in Frankfurt am Main. With approximately 290 employees, update achieved sales of EUR 36.6 million in 2008.

update’s customers include, among others, ALK Abelló, Paul Hartmann AG, Boehringher- Ingelheim, Daiichi-Sankyo, Canon and DuPont. update maintains strategic partnerships with companies such as Hewlett-Packard, and hosting partner IBM.