The market is full of gossip – Siebel CRM myths
Theme: CRM systems
Industry: Universal Solutions
Author: The increase in the number of Oracle Siebel CRM implementation projects has invariably led to the fact that the work of this CRM System is increasingly «growing» in rumors and speculation, which are the product of the oral creativity of «great specialists» in our market. Since I’m frankly tired of listening to the same thing year after year, I would like to devote the next record of my CRM blog to the most common myths about Siebel CRM.
So, having decided to approach the issue constructively, my colleagues and I studied what they write about Oracle Siebel CRM in the Russian-language segment of the Internet. Based on the information received, I will try to refute or confirm (the «big specialists» are generally hard to convince) the most common myths.
Myth 1: Oracle Stops the developing of Siebel CRM
This myth is one of the most common and arose myth after the purchase in 2006 by Oracle Corporation of a developer of this CRM System. With the advent of the Oracle Fusion Applications product line, this myth has gained new life. Now «big experts» claim that Oracle is stopping the development of Siebel CRM and is redirecting investments in favor of its new Oracle Fusion CRM product.
Being among the first representatives in the CIS countries to open a practice on Fusion CRM, and having a staff of certified specialists in this product, we can safely say – Fusion CRM is not a replacement for Siebel CRM, but only complements Oracle’s portfolio of customer relationship management solutions.
In order not to have to conclude only based on our opinion, I suggest that you familiarize yourself with official information from the manufacturer.
Myth 2: Siebel CRM has an awkward interface and works only in Internet Explorer
Critical statements regarding the usability of the Siebel CRM GUI and maintenance of functionality only in Internet Explorer is not difficult to find. Indeed, until recently, this CRM-System worked based on ActiveX technology, supported only in a browser from Microsoft.
Today, for more than two years now, the Siebel Open UI add-on has been developed based on HTML5 and that Siebel CRM works correctly in all popular browsers.
Talking about the «beauty of the picture» and the convenience of the interface is a thankless task. This question is too subjective. But for clarity, I still want to give a few screenshots demonstrating the «untouched» interface of Oracle Siebel CRM without any redesigns or improvements.
Myth 3: In Oracle Siebel CRM absent mobile solutions
In fact, mobile solutions in Siebel CRM appeared even earlier than some CRM Systems marketed today, or rather, since 2003. But in truth, at that time they were designed for the so-called «handhelds».
At the stage of active development of modern mobile platforms, Siebel CRM did not for some time have adapted solutions for iOS, Android and Windows Mobile, but today this issue has long been no relevant.
A few illustrations of the mobile version of Oracle Siebel CRM for confirmation.
Myth 4: The high cost of Siebel CRM in the implementation and further support
Here, of course, you can discuss a lot, but it is better to take and request a quotation. I’ll just say that it’s unpleasant to admit it :), but we have several clients who chose us in the tender because we were the «cheapest» ones. And we competed with solution providers who position their CRM Systems in a completely different price segment.
In the near future, we will describe the features of Oracle Siebel CRM support and administration separately, but I can assure you that the cost is quite competitive here.
Myth 5: Shortage of good specialists in implementation Oracle Siebel CRM
Indeed, this deficit was in 2006-2007. Now only in our company, there are more than 120 such employees and we are not the only ones who deal with this system. Besides, many of our customers have their own Siebel CRM competency centers.
The easiest way to refute this myth is to search for «Siebel» on a specialized job search site. The results will help to verify whether there are specialists and how much they cost.
I hope this material will help dispel some of the doubts. Of course, there are still quite a lot of opinions and various kinds of «expert opinions» about Oracle Siebel CRM on the Internet. I prefer a substantive comparison of CRM Systems, so I don’t comment on clearly far-fetched arguments designed to advertise alternative solutions, as well as «arguments» such as «heaviness», «ugliness», «inflexibility», etc.
I would be grateful if you write in the comments any further concerns or weaknesses of Siebel CRM. If the request is constructive, I will try to answer reasonably.
