Browse Definitions :
Definition

sales force automation (SFA)

Sales force automation (SFA) software is programming that streamlines the collection, analysis and distribution of data in a sales pipeline.

The goal of SFA software is to get the right data to the right people at the right time, and reduce the number of administrative tasks that sales representatives and their managers have to perform manually. For example, sales reps can use SFA software to set up push notifications when a qualified sales lead visits the company's website and an email nurturing campaign to move the lead through the sales funnel.

Managers can use SFA software to monitor sales people's activity and productivity, and use that information to produce marketing plans and sales forecasts.

Depending upon the size and needs of the sales team in question, SFA software may be purchased as a stand-alone app, a cloud service, or a component of a larger customer relationship management (CRM) software suite. Enterprise-level software is usually designed to integrate with core financial applications and includes sales functions such as contact management, territory management and opportunity management.

SFA software can be developed specifically for a vertical industry's needs, or it can be selected from among the increasing number of sales automation software products, such as Zendesk Sell or Shuttle, a lead collection, tracking and distribution software designed by Lunar. No matter what the delivery model, SFA packages usually include a Web-ready database, an e-mail package and customizable templates. A three-tiered architecture is typically used to separate the database, server, and application to reduce programming demands on clients. A module-based design is generally used, to allow users to customize the package to suit their needs.

This was last updated in November 2018
Networking
  • firewall as a service (FWaaS)

    Firewall as a service (FWaaS), also known as a cloud firewall, is a service that provides cloud-based network traffic analysis ...

  • private 5G

    Private 5G is a wireless network technology that delivers 5G cellular connectivity for private network use cases.

  • NFVi (network functions virtualization infrastructure)

    NFVi (network functions virtualization infrastructure) encompasses all of the networking hardware and software needed to support ...

Security
  • virus (computer virus)

    A computer virus is a type of malware that attaches itself to a program or file. A virus can replicate and spread across an ...

  • Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

    Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is an advanced certification that indicates that an individual possesses the ...

  • cryptography

    Cryptography is a method of protecting information and communications using codes, so that only those for whom the information is...

CIO
  • IT project management

    IT project management is the process of planning, organizing and delineating responsibility for the completion of an ...

  • chief financial officer (CFO)

    A chief financial officer (CFO) is the corporate title for the person responsible for managing a company's financial operations ...

  • chief strategy officer (CSO)

    A chief strategy officer (CSO) is a C-level executive charged with helping formulate, facilitate and communicate an ...

HRSoftware
Customer Experience
  • martech (marketing technology)

    Martech (marketing technology) refers to the integration of software tools, platforms, and applications designed to streamline ...

  • transactional marketing

    Transactional marketing is a business strategy that focuses on single, point-of-sale transactions.

  • customer profiling

    Customer profiling is the detailed and systematic process of constructing a clear portrait of a company's ideal customer by ...

Close