KarenSoft Launches Software For Customer Relations, SunBiz, Monday, May 22, 2000

KarenSoft Launches Software For Customer Relations

SunBiz, Monday, May 22, 2000


Penang: KarenSoft Solutions Sdn Bhd is counting on its new software, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) 2000, to help secure "solid" business deals for its clients.

The company's founder and chief executive officer, Chee Chong Hwa, said CRM 2000, which has been tailored for the local business environment, would enable the business community to disseminate clear-cut information to clients.

"Quite often, a customer's query is passed from one person to another because no one has an answer. In the end, the information given may be incorrect. But with CRM 2000, a customer can be assured of on-the-spot answers at just one point of contact," Chee, said when launching the software during a seminar at the Equatorial Hotel here last week.

He said the locally-designed software is the first of its kind in Malaysia.

"Similar software available in the local market today are designed in other countries and thus may not be applicable in the local context. Thus we are confident that we will win local support for this product," Chee added.

KarenSoft is also vying for a Mesdaq listing next year and, eventually, Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) status.

"If you can satisfy one customer, you'll have 10 more at your doorstep. Besides, the technology will enable companies to benchmark their products against that of their competitors," said Chee who is also a public accountant.

Chee said the company had invested RM1.5 million in the centralised technology which co-ordinates per-sales, marketing, distributing and post-sales activities. In addition, the software is expected to enable companies to shorten the training period of sales personnel.

Meanwhile, the company recorded overall sales of almost RM1 million last year and the figure is expected to soar up to RM3 million this year and RM9 million in 2001.

The company will invest RM500,000 to set up KarenSoft Institute of Technology (KIT) in Petaling Jaya by the end of this year to train its business partners, customers and trainers in the central and southern parts of the peninsula.

KarenSoft is also looking into offering scholarships to IT students who will then have to serve the company for two years upon completion of their studies.

On a related development, the company will provide women-friendly content and e-commerce opportunities to Asian women through its i-asianwomen.com

"We realise that the Internet is too male centric and the western orientation in the existing women sites is too evident. So, we need something suitable for our Asian women," Chee said.