CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background Of Study
Customer relationship management (CRM) is a term that refers to practices, strategies and technologies that companies use to manage and analyze customer interactions and data throughout the customer lifestyle, with the goal of improving business relationships with customers, assisting in customer retention and driving sales growth, (Raghu Ramakridhnan, 2005).
CRM designed to compiled information on customers across different channels or points of contact between the customer and the company, which could include the company’s website, telephone, live chat, marketing material, direct mail and social media. CRM systems can also give customer-facing staff detailed information on customers’ personal information, purchase history, buying preferences and concerns.
If a sales person wants to know about what issues are outstanding with customer service for a particular customer, then they have to make contact with the holders of that information and wait for a response. If the salesperson is chasing the customer, then the customer also has to wait. So, although many companies are information rich, the information is compartmentalized. It is not corporate knowledge and the ability to access information and to deliver it rapidly to customers is low – High quality customer service is compromised.
CRM enables companies to make the move towards being a customer centered organization by putting the customer at the centre of all the information that relates to them and allowing authorized people with the organization to access the information.
In a customer centered organization, sales people would have access to all information that affects their relationship with their customer. The conversations, the emails, the complaints, the complaint resolutions, all the information that has been sent to the customer, who else in the company had spoken to everything that affects their ability to service the customer and sell more product or service to them, (Lucy P. Roberts, 2004 – 2005).
CRM software consolidates customer information and documents into a single CRM database so business users can more easily access and manage it. The other main functions of this software include recording various customer interactions (over email, phone calls, social media or other channels depending on system capabilities) automating various workflow processes such as task, calendars and alerts, and giving managers the ability to track performance and productivity based on information logged within the system. Customers of a customer centered organization feel more valued. Their requests are dealt with more rapidly and accurately because all the information required to service the request is in one place. Customer centered organizations may have a higher customer retention rates than competitors organized along traditional lines because of this.
1.2 Statement Of Problem
Customer Data Management (CDM) is a solution mechanism in which an organization’s customer data is collected, managed and analyzed. CDM is geared toward resolving customer requirements and issues while enhancing customer retention and satisfaction, allowing an organization to convert customer data into Customer Intelligence (CI). Businesses need a thorough understanding of their customers’ needs if they are to retain and increase their customer base. There are problem faced by some companies like Nigeria port authority (NPA) that uses files and store information in cabinet. NPA also uses oracle database which also have the disadvantages like
Cost
The Oracle product can cost 9-10x as much as a comparable SQL server database solution for a mid-range solution. CRM final cost compared to the retail price for one license of Oracle Enterprise Edition (N14250000) retail though nobody pays full retail price.
Complexity
You don’t just “install Oracle” and be done with it. It is an incredibly complex engine and usually requires specialized skills to install and maintain. For example, for a device that needs an embedded database to store sensor data, the main disadvantage would be that Oracle requires a certain amount of resources that is usually not available in small devices. For a small company or non-profit organization the main disadvantage could be the price, since Oracle license is very expensive.
Depending on the human resources available, one disadvantage could be the level of knowledge/experience needed for someone to administer it correctly. (Hobby, J., 1999)
1.3 Aims And Objectives Of The Study
The objectives which the research work aims to achieve are as follows:
1.4 Scope Of The Study
This study answer subsequent design of the computer software is limited to Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) which includes:
Details of customers, customers complaint log.
This project proffers solution to the problem generated by the existing management system.
1.5 Research Questions
This work looks to provide answers to the following questions.
1.6. Research Hypothesis
The following hypotheses are drawn out of the research questions above.
1.7 Limitation Of Study
While carrying out this project, some problems where encountered. They include;
1.8 SignificanceOf The Study
This project will help to promote sales and service to make the move towards being a customer centered organization by putting the customer at the centre of all the information that relates to them and allowing authorized people within the organization to access the information
1.9 Definition Of Terms