Mobile CRM is basically the same old CRM except that you can execute CRM functions and access data while on the move. To state further, mobile CRM enables better communication between employees behind the desk and those in the field. Field operatives can view contacts, customer information, reports, and forecasting data and thus take appropriate decisions. They can also accept work assignments and keep the executives in the support office up-to-date with the latest data.

Deploying a mobile CRM is a strategic decision that you need to take if you feel that your mobile staff can make use of it to deliver their revenue targets and deliver better customer service. Being connected to remote CRM databases while on field duty means faster and smoother resolution to customer issues as well as a better chance of selling a service or a product to a prospect.

The information flow is two-way. Salespersons can access databases and at the same time the information that they captured is relayed back to the central database which gets updated and stays current. Mobile CRM is web-based and with its browser-based interface it can be run on a number of devices such as PDAs, pocket PCs, mobile phones, etc as well as different operating platforms.

Sales productivity is one of the key business aspects that experiences a positive impact when mobile CRM is deployed. Simply put, field personnel can execute routine reporting activities faster and make use of the time thus gained to focus on the requirements of the high-profile customers. Mobile CRM helps dissolve the layers between sales reps and their managers in the HQ. Bi-directional flow of information boosts sales force productivity and empowers the field executives to take independent decisions by virtue of access to crucial customer information.

Companies that have deployed mobile CRM report a reduction in paperwork and redundant data entries; however there are issues that are preventing mobile CRM from truly taking off. Broadband is still not ubiquitous although Wifi, WiMax, and VoWLAN are helping to overcome the connectivity problem. Another challenge is getting employees to successfully navigating the learning curve associated with any new technology. Security is another issue. Data encryption, strong passwords, placing the mobile CRM server on separate virtual LANs, etc are some of the things that need to be done to ensure data protection; however these should not come at the cost of productivity or speed of execution of an activity.

So if you intend to deploy mobile CRM, look for a solution that

1. Allows you to work offline as well as online

2. Can run on multiple platforms and is not device-dependent

3. Short learning cycle, ease of use and intuitive navigation

4. Uncluttered and sieved data, access only that which is relevant

5. Upgrades are easy

6. Integrates with existing CRM databases and legacy devices

Piyush Bakshi is a full-time content provider working with Gate58 which owns http://www.vendordemo.com

Cheap, affordable package deals are always readily available for a short trip to Kuala Lumpur (KL), and I've already made several trips there, my highest record being thrice in a year.

Both Singapore and KL are very similar, in terms of the booming economy and skyscrapers dominating the city area. But there are a few places still worth a visit here in Malaysia's capital city, albeit a little touristy.

Petronas Twin Towers

First and foremost is the Petronas Twin Towers, which was once the tallest building in the world, until Taiwan came up with their own 1O1, and now Dubai also in the picture with their still-under-construction tower building. Here, long queues are always forming from 8.30am onwards for the free passes up the tower viewing gallery. But be warned that they would only issue around 800 free passes per day for the guided tour, so make sure to reach there early. The guided tour will take visitors all the way up to the sky bridge on the 41st floor.

I was there early queuing in the morning but the timing for my guided tour was scheduled in the afternoon due to the high demand for the free passes. So a good way would be to shop at the mega Suria KLCC shopping mall just next to it while waiting for your scheduled timing up the tower. You can pay a visit to the Petrosains over there, a discovery centre about petroleum manufacturing. At Petrosains, visitors will start with a ride in the dark which covers details on oil manufacture and the science of it.

At a dizzying height of 458 meters, Petronas Twin Towers, a pair of 88-storey buildings, is the best place to take in the view of Kuala Lumpur. There is also the Philharmonic Theater, which surrounds one with wonderful music from the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra.

Menara Kuala Lumpur

Another icon representative of KL is the Kuala Lumpur Tower (Menara Kuala Lumpur). Located on a hill called Bukit Nanas, this tower has an observatory platform which is easily accessible by high speed lifts. Taking the lifts up clocks less than a minute, and the view from the observatory tower is spectacular. You can get a bird's eye view of the Twin Tower and other magnificent buildings nearby. There's also a very cosy, revolving restaurant at the top of the tower, offering excellent buffet and great service for a reasonable price. Live music, excellent food, splendid views of the city, this is the place to be in. You might even be able to see Genting Highlands on a fine day!

Sunway Lagoon

Sunway Lagoon is probably one the best integrated resorts in Malaysia. Within the holiday resort itself is a shopping complex with over 300 shops, an amazingly large lagoon, an Extreme park, Zoo, archery range, bowling alley and a water theme park. Alongside the shopping mall and the resort is a first-class hotel. Several restaurants offer excellent cuisine as well. It's self sufficient, and indeed a well-worth trip to make.

Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque

In Shah Alam (about 45 minutes from KL) lies one of the largest mosques in South-east Asia, the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque (In Malay: Masjid Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz). This impressive building is often nicknamed the "Blue Mosque", for its blue aluminum dome covered with verses from the Quran. It is huge and magnificent, and surrounded by the great lake of Shah Alam in the center of Shah Alam town. It incorporates modern architectural style with Malay architecture in its design.

Batu Caves

About 13 km north of KL is the Batu Caves, a place of worship for the Hindus. Large and imposing, it consists of three main caves and a number of smaller ones. The caves are made of limestone and discovered in 1892. You've got to climb up a long fairly steep flight of stairs to enter the caves. A comfortable pair of shoes will work wonders. The surreal carvings and paintings on the walls of the caves will impart a sense of spiritual feel to all who enters.

Merdeka Square, Central Market and Chinatown

Back to KL city centre, the Merdeka Square houses the tallest flagpole and has an ancient fountain. It is always crowded with tourists and a visit at night would be much cooler. The Merdeka Square is between the majestic Court House and the Selangor Club. The Central Market and Chinatown are also a mere 10 minutes walk away. Chinatown, also known as Petaling Street is one of Kuala Lumpur's most popular tourist destinations. In the evenings, a beehive of stalls comes alive on the streets.

You can easily find a large variety of food ranging from roadside stalls to restaurants in Chinatown, offering plentiful choices from dumpling noodles, claypot chicken rice, bbq chicken wing, seafood to steamboat and more. Though it might get a little difficult to move around due to the crowds, the historical shop houses add to the ambience. This is also the place to get cheap t-shirts, souvenirs and almost any other things, but prices haven risen considerably in recent years due to the tourism effect. Bargaining is highly recommended.

Hotels are considered cheap in this modern city, and good hotel deals can be found almost any time of the year. A holiday trip to this city can be a wonderful experience, not mentioning easy on the pockets.

To get more information on cheap travel and airfares, head on to http://www.getcheapholidays.com

One could say that the phrases "Tier I" and "backbone provider" are a bit redundant; others might say that they comfortably go together (like "ice cold Coke"). the functional contrast should be between a Tier I provider (e.g. AT&T, MCI, Sprint, Savvis/C&W, Global Crossing, Qwest, Level 3) and companies that are not Tier I providers -- who themselves have to buy bandwidth from Tier I providers.

Best example would be a local Internet provider offering T1 or DS3 service in a regional area: they might have their own facilities interconnecting different serving offices in a region, but they would have to send the traffic to a Tier I provider if the traffic goes outside their region. The Tier II provider makes money by buying a fixed amount of bandwidth, and selling it to many subscribers. The company must decide on what level of contention their customers must be exposed to. If you take a look at the W(wireless) ISP forum in BBR Reports you will see several threads from time to time discussing something like "how many customers will fit on a T1." Different providers will have different philosophies about how much to oversubscribe their network. What is true in the WISP world is also true in the cable internet world, and is also in the Tier II world. Think of it this way: if a local Tier II provider like "X-Com" (made up name) sells a T1 service to a new customer, will they add incrementally to their wholesale bandwidth purchase? No. But if Sprint sells a T1, their customer will get a dedicated port onto Sprint's backbone network at full speed with no contention.

Generally, there will be a price advantage of using a Tier II provider compared to a Tier I provider, as Tier II providers undercut the Tier I pricing and can afford to do so as they are oversubscribing their network facilities.

Tier II providers can be excellent source of inexpensive bandwidth if your network needs can absorb occasional delays or added latency (I'm not talking outages) -- if it's not mission critical or real time stuff, or if you're not yourself reselling the bandwidth.

Others might have other thoughts....

Bottom line is don't shop just on price. There's more to making a good business decision than dollars and cents. You need to make sure you get exactly what you need no matter what the cost.

Michael is the owner of FreedomFire Communications....including DS3-Bandwidth.com and Business-VoIP-Solution.com. Michael also authors Broadband Nation where you're always welcome to drop in and catch up on the latest BroadBand news, tips, insights, and ramblings for the masses.