Customers want to get a top-notch service, so service providers should make an effort to give them what they need. Companies in agriculture are not an exception. There are lots of software solutions intended to make it easier for customers to purchase stuff in the agricultural sphere.
CRM systems are a new way for service providers to create strong relationships with their clients. So, why not to take a look at what benefits a CRM system can bring to your business? Let’s start.
Automate your agriculture business using CRM
The main goal of any CRM system is to help businesses in building good relationships with clients and provide good management of your client base along with a variety of other agricultural processes.
If to dispose of the CRM system in the right way, you will be able to improve the quality of your service and concentrate on the preference of your clients. For instance, in case a customer order the same fertilizers every time, it’s a good idea to offer him or her additives that fit best to them. So, you should dispose of the data about your customers wisely. In other case, you may lose a piece of your profit.
New technologies vs old tools
If you’re the only person in the company, then a simple notepad and pen can be enough for you. However, if the company has a big team and it grows rapidly, you should think about more advanced ways to keep your information in order. If you want to compete with other companies in your field, you have to look forward and think through the automation of some business processes including the efficient information management and instant access to it.
Fortunately, the IT market offers tons of solutions that can handle this and many other tasks in a variety of spheres including agriculture.
Automation with the help of CRM
By using CRM in your agricultural business, you can deal with suppliers, customers and so on. To be precise, it is capable of storing contacts, adding information about deals, getting the access to price history and more.
Generally, CRM systems are intended to reduce expenses and risks (related to the human factor). Talking about what exactly they automate, here is an example of their capabilities:
- Show you the best purchase offers
- Keep track of how effective your managers are
- Give an opportunity to work remotely
- Allow users to access only the information they supposed to see
Respectively, you can manage your business using these and many other features that can differ depending on a CRM provider you use.
How does CRM can facilitate your workflow in agriculture?
It should be noted that any sphere has its own peculiarities and CRM you choose should meet them in order to facilitate some business processes, not complicate them.
Furthermore, each company in agriculture needs to select an appropriate software. That’s because, except for the work with customers, CRM should be able to process some physical assets. So, CRM for such field as agriculture should be chosen or developed based on the needs of the concrete area.
Tasks that your CRM for agriculture should perform
CRM for such field as agribusiness is able to keep track of equipment along with machinery, and the total number of livestock. Besides, it is able to track the growth of a variety of animals and plants. Companies that build CRM for agribusiness constantly analyze the needs and preferences of their customer in order to provide them with the most essential features. For example, some of them are able on the following:
- Plan a tasklist that is based on natural cycles
- Keep a record of a warehouse and other physical assets
- Keep finances under control
- Manage documentation
- Control of employees’ working efficiency
CRM software for agriculture
There are several CRM software services that can come in handy to entrepreneurs involved in the business connected with agriculture. Respectively, entrepreneurs involved in agriculture should choose the CRM for this sphere more carefully.
Agrivi
This service was created to cover the needs of farm management. It is focused on growers, so Agrivi can be used to manage expenses and sales, conduct analysis, control the database of customers etc. The service comes with the trial version, so you can test it before purchasing.
FarmLogics
This CRM solution was developed by the company based in India and specialized on the creation of software for agribusiness. The company offers its customers to use their software on mobile devices or web. This CRM has many features among which we should point out the inventory feature and livestock control. Moreover, you can customize this software according to your preferences and needs.
Dynamics 365 for Livestock
Such giant as Microsoft did not ignore the sphere of agriculture as well. The company integrated the tool intended to manage livestock to its software called Dynamics 365. Respectively, this solution was created especially for farmers who are involved in the breeding of animals.
What to consider if you decided to develop the CRM software?
In case none of the existing on the market solutions cannot meet the needs of your business, there is nothing to do but develop a custom solution on your own. There are several main points you should follow:
Define why you need the CRM
If you decided to develop your own custom CRM for agriculture that will meet the needs of your business, you have to define what features can help you to cover that needs. In terms of agriculture, these features can be focused on building long-term customer relationships, providing customers with a value, increasing their loyalty to your business, as well as making the process of interacting with your product easier.
Data
Information is the priceless asset. Your custom CRM can help you to learn more about your customers and their needs. With the help of the CRM, you can segregate your customers based on their value and other parameters. This way, you will be able to build a well-thought-out marketing strategy.
Contact management
Such a feature is intended to help you in dealing with your contacts. For example, you can segregate your contacts into groups in order to systematize the contact list and reach the person you need quite fast.
Monitoring of the equipment state
In order to avoid any sudden breakdowns of your machinery and equipment, you can add this feature to check their state, as well as service life whenever you need.
