Fundraising and Economic Development Firm, Odell, Simms & Associates, Wins Award for Implementation of New CRM Database

Washington, D.C. November 4, 2007
Odell, Simms & Associates, Inc., a fundraising and economic development firm, has implemented a customer relationship management system. The system combines the best of an open-source CRM platform with the insight provided by social network analysis. By consolidating several disparate contact systems into SugarCRM and applying principles of social network analysis, Odell, Simms & Associates can visually map and identify webs of relationships and how they connect. This view of relationships often goes unseen in conventional CRM systems.

Odell, Simms & Associates uses its executive database to raise funds for prestigious and charitable causes, and to attract businesses to development zones around the world. In an industry that relies on access and influence, the social network analysis tool allows Odell, Simms & Associates to graphically chart how individuals and organizations are connected based on shared or common characteristics, even several degrees removed from each other. Network maps, using nodes and links, illustrate the type and strength of relationships based on contacts' activities, affiliations, board memberships, hobbies, schools, and other defined traits.

"The ability to pull together our organization's silos of information not only strengthens the knowledge of our contacts, but we now have an entirely new way of viewing these relationships and how we can develop new contacts and opportunities," said Tony Lynch, Senior Vice President of Odell, Simms & Associates.

Using SugarCRM, Odell, Simms & Associates mapped and migrated multiple databases into a single system, consolidating thousands of contacts residing in ACT, Goldmine, and two internally developed contact management databases. The new CRM system also integrates a social network analysis tool developed by Q-Industries.

The new CRM system incorporating the social networking tool was selected as the "Most Creative Implementation" at this year's SugarCRM Awards.

For more information about Odell, Simms & Associates, Inc. fundraising and economic development services, visit www.odellsimms.com.

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About Odell, Simms & Lynch, Inc.
For more than 30 years, Odell, Simms & Lynch has provided clients with comprehensive marketing and communications services, as well as access to focused research, business intelligence and an extensive network of key decision makers. A global leader in generating and retaining foreign direct investment; securing funding and sponsorship for major projects; managing successful events on behalf of clients; and generating broad-based direct marketing campaigns - Odell, Simms & Lynch works directly with clients to create long-term, customized solutions that yield measurable results. Visit www.odellsimms.com for more information.