For many businesses, Microsoft Outlook is an indispensable tool for communication. In this article, we’ll show you how to combine the power of Sage CRM with Outlook so you can take control of all tasks, contacts, and appointments no matter which application you use most often.
What Is Classic Outlook Integration?
The Sage CRM Outlook Integration is a plugin that synchronizes contacts, appointments, and tasks between the two applications. It also allows you to file single or multiple email messages in Outlook to one or more records so you have full documentation of all email communication between you and your customers. You can even attach shared documents to Outlook email.
Installing the Plugin
Before using the integration, you must first download and install the plugin. Once the plugin is successfully installed, a CRM ribbon will display in Outlook which provides access to the integration features. The ribbon allows you to file emails, add Outlook contacts to Sage, initiate synchronization, and manage synchronization settings.
Depending on how you configure the integration, you can initiate either a one-way or two-way sync to Outlook.
Using Classic Outlook Integration
The first thing you’ll do is to flag the contacts that you want to synchronize with Outlook. These contacts will then share data between the two applications and be included in all future synchronizations.
Now you’re ready to get started with the following activities that will synchronize for you:
- Scheduling Appointments – create a new appointment in either Sage CRM or Outlook and discover that it’s in your calendar in both applications following the next sync.
- Manage Tasks – creating a new task automatically adds a reminder in Outlook or onscreen notification in Sage CRM.
- File Email – clicking “File Email” in Outlook will attach the message(s) to the “Communications” tab for the contact in Sage CRM.
- Attach Shared Documents – attach documents from the “Shared Documents” tab in Sage CRM to emails sent from Outlook.
Two powerful applications working together to make you more efficient and effective!