Epicor Ships .NET Customer Support App

Epicor Software is among the very first wave of CRM software developers to start shipping a revamped and updated version of its application that exploits Microsoft's .NET architecture. Built on .NET, Epicor Clientele Customer Support 8.0, which is available immediately, has been rebuilt as a native Web service. It includes a smart client interface to run on a desktop just like a regular Windows-based application, and it "talks" to Web services over the Internet, according to Greg Horton, director of product marketing for Epicor's Clientele group. Clientele, first released more than 10 years ago and aimed at small to medium-size companies, is the first application in the Clientele CRM .NET Suite to have .NET support. The rest of the applications in the suite, which include a self-service portal, workflow process automation tools, and sales and marketing functionality, are being rolled out over the next 12 months, Horton says. Version 8.0 of the customer support application uses .NET and XML to streamline integration to external applications, allowing companies better interaction with partners, customers, and suppliers. Users can also customize the application to meet business practices and requirements using Microsoft Visual Studio .NET. The system administrator can automatically deploy those adjustments. Horton says Clientele Customer Support 8.0 lowers total cost of ownership because of its scalability and modular structure. Michael Boyd, IT technical project manager with Fujitsu PC of Memphis, Tenn., a Clientele beta tester, says there are advantages of the native XML Web services built into Clientele Customer Support 8.0. "Clientele's new .NET architecture will allow us to better integrate with our back-office solutions, and will help us offer more enhanced B2B solutions to our customers," Boyd says. Clientele Customer Support 8.0 is available immediately to existing customers on maintenance for no charge. New-user pricing starts at $1,500 per user, with volume discounts available.