Concentrix Wins Major Public Sector Contract for Microsoft Dynamics CRM
20th Oct 2009
Concentrix has been awarded a contract to develop a CRM system for the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) - the body charged with accelerating and supporting the drive for excellence and innovation in the further education sector in England. The contract involves combining separate CRM systems which were used by two separate sector bodies, to improve productivity, procedures and processes throughout the organisation.
Concentrix has an excellent track record of successfully delivering major CRM projects and has been awarded several high-profile contracts in the past. However, the new LSIS system, which will use Microsoft Dynamics CRM, is the company's largest so far in the public sector. The project will include merging data, re-engineering business processes, and realigning the system to a new set of objectives.
John Odell, Senior CRM Consultant at Concentrix, commented “We're really excited about the LSIS project. It's not just about implementing a new CRM system; we're combining two Microsoft Dynamics CRM systems where the original aims, the way they were set up and the way they currently work are very different.”
Asked why he believed Concentrix was chosen to deliver this ambitious project, Odell replies “Concentrix is very good at the technical stuff, but on top of this, and I think what sets us apart, are our soft-skills and partnership approach. For example, we'll be providing practical support for LSIS at every stage of the project. We'll have Concentrix staff on-site and we'll be taking steps to drive user adoption throughout the deployment.”
The new CRM system is a transformational project for LSIS which will have far-reaching benefits throughout the organisation. As well as realising the full potential of Microsoft Dynamics CRM functionality and their current data, the system will help LSIS become fully responsive to developing and changing requirements, increase productivity through process automation and support ongoing process improvement.
Commenting on the award of the contract to Concentrix, Barry Kruger, LSIS Director, Knowledge & Intelligence said “We had excellent response to the ITT for this work. Concentrix were selected based on their technical expertise in delivering CRM projects across various technologies including Microsoft Dynamics CRM. They have a robust project methodology which I am sure will deliver the project on time and on budget.”
A high number of businesses applied for the tender, including consultancies, solutions manufacturers and resellers. Concentrix won the contract through the strength and depth of their experience, their project management skills (for example, they use their own highly-regarded project methodology), their capabilities, and because they clearly demonstrated that they could provide a solution to fully meet the requirements of the tender.
The contract was awarded following a formal tender process in accordance with EU procurement procedures and regulations, which included publication in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). The total final value of the contract, which was awarded on 17th August, is £109K GBP excluding VAT.
Concentrix will deliver the project in its entirety, and will not be sub-contracting any of the work.
Background Information
About Concentrix
Concentrix is a leading UK independent customer relationship management (CRM) specialist and IT solutions provider. Founded in 1999, Concentrix helps companies increase competitiveness, profitability and customer satisfaction by improving business processes, systems and IT.
Concentrix solutions are based on recognised, 'best-of-breed' software products. As well as providing Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Concentrix also supplies the Sage 200 suite, Sage CRM, Sage SalesLogix, and FrontRange's GoldMine software. Concentrix has also developed a number of complementary, add-on CRM software modules, and has a dedicated team of software programmers and developers.
As well as CRM systems, the company also supplies leading brand hardware, a comprehensive range of support, training, courses, upgrades, advice and consultancy. In other words, Concentrix provides complete IT solutions: software, hardware and supporting services.
Concentrix is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, a fully Accredited Sage Business Partner and a FrontRange Premier Partner.
Concentrix is based in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire and has a satellite office in central London.
About the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS)
The Learning and Skills Improvement Service is the sector owned body supporting the development of excellent and sustainable FE provision across the learning and skills sector. LSIS works in partnership with all parts of the sector to provide vision, leadership, clarity and high quality support; practising and enabling continuous self improvement. Its mission is to accelerate the drive for excellence using the sector's own capacity to design, commission and deliver improvement and strategic change.
For further detail about its strategic ambitions, its support programmes and major streams of activity, visit the LSIS website at www.lsis.org.uk.