Widgets, gadgets, and dashboards have made inroads into small business computing over the past few years. However, most computer users do little more with these tools than check the time, monitor stocks, or watch live webcams of puppies.
Widgets and gadgets can act as tiny windows into larger software applications. Launching a CRM application for every phone call can grind down a professional's workflow. Instead, a time tracking widget can log billable hours throughout the day, saving significant time and reducing errors.
Oracle pleased both users and analysts by unveiling a new set of gadgets to accompany the next versions of its hosted CRM systems under the Siebel CRM brand. With gadgets installed on company desktops, users can review core analytics, such as sales trends and pipeline deals. Users can also access and update contact details without launching a full application, addressing a major concern for sales professionals that think CRM systems will slow them down.
Widgets also allow functionality between separate applications. For instance, a web-based widget serves as middleware between Zendesk's help ticketing tool and the Highrise hosted CRM system from 37signals. While Zendesk is mostly customer-facing, Highrise is meant to be used internally, by small teams. Connecting data from the two can bridge the communication gap between sales and service professionals in a technical organization.
Many customized home pages now incorporate widgets (or "gadgets") that replicate the dashboard experience for mobile professionals or for users who want to check in on shared web kiosks. For some business professionals, home page dashboards provide a less intrusive way to check in on key metrics throughout the day.
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