Sales professionals are the original road warriors, so it makes sense that they should have mobile tools that will keep them up-to-date on customer info and other knowledge that could help them close sales. Oracle’s new Mobile Sales Assistant may be a valuable weapon for these warriors.

Mobile Sales Assistant gives customers access to Oracle CRM On Demand by leveraging the BlackBerry wireless platform from Research in Motion. The mobile application is designed to allow sales reps to more efficiently manage appointments, collaborate with colleagues, and connect with customers on the road.

The assistant features a simple interface that makes it possible to manage frequent tasks with a loner go such as setting appointments, calling colleagues, text messaging, and even getting driving directions. Automated prompts at the end of calls remind users to enter notes so that fundamental info isn’t lost or forgotten.

Java Client

A Java client rather than a browser-based CRM solution, Oracle says

Mobile Sales Assistant supports offline usage while leveraging the BlackBerry Enterprise Server’s shield and push-based architecture. Since it’s delivered as a service, small and midsize businesses can benefit from predictable costs and ease of deployment and management.

“We connect a sales professional to CRM info and CRM services and additionally connect them to other services in the context of their day,” Anthony Lye, senior vice president of CRM at Oracle, told us. “We connect them to location services, mapping services, PIM [personal knowledge management] input, and use SMS and Vcard standards for social networking.”

Web 2.0 for Sales Pros

The application highlights the growing importance of Web 2.0 to sales professionals. Access to social-networking groups and blogs enables sales professionals to keep up-to-date on news and events that may affect their customers. On its Web site, Oracle calls collaborative applications, social networking, and mobile the “driving forces behind Web…

Orginal post by Top Tech News