Tracking/Records Matching Needs

[DeclanGunn]

Is there a way to automate the following process so that as little, if any, human interaction is required?

Over the past few days, I've been looking at companies who provide phone-tracking solutions (i.e. campaign management solutions that will allow us to monitor the efficacy of different ads and various media by the number of phone calls that our salespeople receive). At least two of these companies offer a Caller ID/Name and Address delivery. Just as it sounds, the name and contact information are captured when a call comes in and sent to the salesperson AFTER the call has ended via email or it is also available via download on the Web. There is a gap that ranges from a few seconds to one-full minute between the time the call is ended and the information is delivered or is available on line.

Currently, a salesperson is supposed to enter into Goldmine new contact information or update current contact information as well as cite the source of the call (e.g. magazine, direct mail, etc.) in Goldmine as the call is happening. This does not always happen. As a matter of fact, this happens at a rate of about 60%-70%.

We would like to match-up the records received from the phone tracking company and synchronize it with the information that the salesperson has entered. Is this possible? As you can probably already tell, there are a number of obstacles. For example, if we want to match up the records by name, how would we account for spelling errors committed by the salespeople? Also, would there be an issue matching up new data with contacts who already exist in our database?

Is automating this process possible? If so, how?

Thanks in advance.

 

[M8KWR]

Tough one... Not one way is going to 100% accurate.

there are ways are taking data and matching it against Goldmine(GM). You have issues with matching phone number, because the number that is displayed may be the switch board, but within GM if may be the Direct Dial. But at least there is spaces within GM to capture the switchboard and 2 other phone number (depending on how your system is set up) Then its the spaces between the phones number, people format it different.

This is not an issue really, I do have a process to remove the spaces, and then match it back.

Obviously spelling errors is going to be the big one.

You could always try and match on post code, and the first "x" number of characters of the company name, first name or last name.

I hope some of this helps, and good luck

Merge and Perge may work on this, but to be honest i do not like it...