As with all software, Maximizer regularly release updates adding new features and fixing issues raised. Previously released to Cloud customers, Maximizer 2023 R1 is now also available for on-premise customers.
So, what’s new in Maximizer 2023 R1?
Firstly, you will instantly notice that Maximizer now has a fresh new look. As well as looking good, the user interface has been updated to be more accessible and inclusive, including bigger icons, bold text and the ability to increase the row height.
Gallery not found or no images in gallery.The theme of “putting people front and centre” can also be seen throughout with photos of Account Managers, Opportunity Owners and Customer Service Owners making companies feel more connected.
Introducing Interactions
The main feature of Maximizer 2023 R1 is the introduction of “Interactions“. So, what are interactions? You may have already correctly guessed, Interactions are communications or exchanges of information between a company representative and an existing customer or prospect. This could be an account review or initial contact following a marketing campaign, such as an exhibition. It could also be an incoming phone call or live chat from your website. Interactions can occur at Address Book, Opportunity, Customer Service Case or Lead level.
As an example, consider the following scenario: A potential customer recorded as an Address Book entry establishes communication via Twitter. This leads to an in-person meeting and then eventually concludes with a sale. With the Interactions feature, every communication instance with the customer is recorded.
By default, the following interactions are included, you can however add custom interactions: and set up categories and results as required.
Interactions are added via the Actions panel of the associated Address Book record, Opportunity or Customer Service Case and should ideally have a subject, category and result.
As you would expect from the Maximizer you know and love, there is also an Interactions tab to collate all the interactions of the associated record in one place – the columns of which can be configured to your personal preference.
Once you’ve diligently entered all your interactions, you can either use the Quick Search bar for simple interaction searches or use Maximizer’s powerful Search feature to run reports such as:
- All In-Person meetings (Type) this week
- All Site Visits (Category) this month by Person A (User)
- All Account Reviews (Category) this quarter
- All Phone calls (Type) raised by Person B (User) that resulted in an appointment being made (Result)
How do I use Interactions in Maximizer 2023 R1?
We have three very useful Hints ; Tips videos to help you learn how to use Maximizer’s Interactions feature:
- How to configure Interactions in Maximizer CRM
- How to use Maximizer CRM’s Interactions Feature
- How to run the Interactions Report in Maximizer CRM
Background
Historically, Maximizer CRM split communications into Notes, Documents (which included emails), Activities and History. Interactions were first released in the Cloud version 2021 R3, however it still needed further work to fully replace the legacy History functionality. The idea behind the new Interactions functionality is as follows:
| Interactions | Notes | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Track and report all types of interactions | Track important notes, for example a customer’s system requirements | Save important files, for example contracts and agreements |
Timeline Tab
The Timeline tab allows you to view a wider range of items. Grouped chronologically by month, you can now see everything you need in one place: notes, documents, emails, phone calls, appointments, tasks, and interactions. You can expand each item to see its full details, filter through activity types and use the search bar to locate specific keywords.
The Timeline tab is also available in the Leads, Hotlist, Opportunities, and Customer Service modules to keep your customer touchpoints organised and more accessible throughout your day.
The Timeline Reports replace the Consolidated Activity Report and Incoming vs Outgoing Call reports. The filter option is available for filtering by user and activity type if needed. Notes, documents, and any interaction will be displayed in the Timeline report so you can easily prepare for your next meeting.
Enhancements to the Leads Module
The powerful Advanced Search feature has been added to the Leads module. If you are not familiar with this fantastic feature, the Advanced Search feature is simple to use. A series of qualifiers, filter operators, and fields can be used in conjunction with Boolean operators to build effective search queries. The experience is like using search engines, thereby making the Advanced Search feature a powerful tool capable of searching through large volumes of data.
Search operations can also be saved using the Save Search option. This way, complex search queries that need to be run frequently do not need to be re-created over and over.
Another nifty feature is the ability to perform a bulk archive of leads that you no longer need – helping you de-clutter your Leads.
Other Enhancements
There are further enhancements included in the Maximizer 2023 R1 update as follows:
- Changes to the Hotlist task and appointment forms
- Opportunity status filter promoted to the Header bar
- Quicker to change stages in the sales process
- Easier to create a new contact
- SmartFill in the Address Book makes data entry a breeze
- Recurring appointments can now be added for multiple days in a week
- The character limit on the Activity field for a task in Action Plan templates has been increased
- Create your own unique campaign e.g. pay-per-click (PPC)
- Choose a default email for your User account
FAQs
What will happen to my existing Phone Notes and Email Notes?
Existing Maximizer customers should ask their Administrator (or Technology Partner) to run the Phone Note and Email Conversion tool. After the conversion has been run, all Phone Notes will appear under the Interactions tab. Emails with attachments will be obvious from the paperclip icon.
What happens if I delete, move, convert or combine entries?
Interactions will be moved when deleting, moving, converting or combining entries.
Will Emails be saved as Interactions?
Yes. Emails will automatically be categorised as Interactions. Any previously saved emails will be displayed in the Interactions tab – they will no longer be available in the Documents tab. Note: you will need to have Document Insert and Modify rights in order to save emails to Maximizer.
Can I set Default settings for Emails?
Yes, you can now set different Default settings for Document and Emails (previously they both used the same default settings).
I use the Outlook and Word Add-Ins – have they changed?
Yes. After upgrading to this release, you will need to install the latest version. It will be available from the Administration – Desktop and Mobile menu. Note: when saving emails from Outlook to Maximizer, you will need to edit the interaction-related fields instead of the document related fields.
I use the Incoming vs Outgoing Call Report. What will happen when I upgrade?
Don’t worry, you can still review your activity. The Incoming vs Outgoing Call Report has been replaced by the Interactions Report. At the time of running the Interactions Report, make sure the Phone Call type is selected and the Duration field is added to the column setup. After you group the interactions, for example by user or Address Book entry, the total duration will be calculated and displayed.
I use the Consolidated Activity Report. What will happen when I upgrade?
Don’t worry, you can still review your activity. The Consolidate Activity Report has been replaced by the Consolidate Timeline Report and Address Book Timeline Report. At the time of running the Interactions Report, make sure the Phone Call type is selected and the Duration field is added to the column setup. After you group the interactions, for example by user or Address Book entry, the total duration will be calculated and displayed.
How does the upgrade effect Phone Notes and Email Notes?
Both Phone Notes and Email Notes have been discontinued and will instead be interactions and therefore visible in the Interactions tab.
What happens to the History tab?
The History tab has been discontinued – you should view the Interactions tab instead.
I used the Phone Log – will this still be available?
No. The Phone Log has been discontinued – you should use the filtering in the Interactions tab instead.
Can I search for text in Documents?
No, you can no longer search for text in Documents.
Is the Phone Log still available?
The Phone Log has been discontinued as Phone Calls are now Interactions. The View > Phone Log option has therefore been removed. You can instead use the Interactions Search or Timeline Reports to retrieve phone calls for your team.
Have any other features been discontinued?
You can no longer import using the XML and Maximizer MXI option, Comma-Separated Values (CSV) (Legacy) option or Tab-Delimited (Legacy) option.
Further information
To find out more about Maximizer 2023 R1 for On-Premise or discuss upgrading to this new version, feel free to contact us.
- Tel: +44 (0)1992 661244
- Email: enquiries@avrion.co.uk
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