Today's wired world has changed the rules of communication, nullifying such long-standing obstacles as geographic distance, time difference and cumbersome information flow. The notion of being closed for business has become unfathomable by current standards. Yet despite the continual infiltration of technology and the accompanying complexity on our lives, it seems more than ever relationships are the foundation of a successful operation.

One of the fundamental misconceptions about 'Customer Relationship Management' (CRM or eCRM in the case of the Internet) is that the term relates to a new breed of IT applications and systems. In reality, CRM is a business philosophy, describing a strategy that places the customer at the heart of an organization's processes, activities and culture. UIM subscribes to this perspective and further asserts that technology has raised expectations through the proliferation of information. This new reality has necessitated the move to developing websites that communicate with users on a more personal level.

UIM has developed a number of Internet tools and strategies that serve to leverage the emerging opportunities of eCRM. From industry-specific solutions as ChurchFront^TM and DealerStop^TM to versatile tools like STRATUS Assess^TM and our content management system, we have a complete arsenal from which to develop an appropriate eCRM for your business.

While nothing can be more personal than a face-to-face conversation, the Internet represents a great opportunity to unobtrusively communicate with users, help them find what they're looking for, and provide extra customer service. Most importantly, it is a cost-effective means to achieve loyalty and secure your core customer base.

As the Internet continues to grow in popularity as a necessary tool for business, the most successful enterprises will be those that consider eCRM as a central component to their operations.