Accelerator is the integration between Sage CRM and MS Outlook. We use Accelerator in almost all our projects because it has a major impact on user adoption and makes Sage CRM more practical in day-to-day work.
Accelerator supports Sage CRM versions 2019 and above together with Outlook 2016, 2019, and 365 in both 32-bit and 64-bit editions. Review the installation requirements before planning a rollout.
Demonstrations can be provided on request, and the page ends with the reusable resource block for the Accelerator user guide and follow-up calls to action.
Important!
Watching the videos below and reviewing the user guide at the bottom of this page will take about one hour. That one hour typically saves each user many hours every month, and companies that use Accelerator generally end up with much stronger systems.
Table of Contents
Key Features & Benefits
Features
- View or create Sage CRM data without leaving Outlook.
- Easily file inbound and outbound emails against the appropriate CRM record.
- Link appointments and tasks in Outlook to Sage CRM.
- Leverage email templates managed in Sage CRM.
Benefits
- Increases user adoption of your CRM strategy.
- Makes staff faster and more efficient.
- Makes it easier to send consistent company messages.
- Captures more information because the workflow is easier. In practice, companies using Accelerator often create more than four times as many companies and people in Sage CRM.
User Experience
The success of any CRM initiative depends heavily on the user experience, and the page positions Accelerator as one of the strongest ways to make Sage CRM quick and easy to use from Outlook.
Viewing and Creating Records
As users sort through email, the Accelerator panel refreshes to the correct CRM record. From there, they can review the related CRM context without leaving Outlook.
If a record does not exist yet, users can create it directly from Outlook, including companies, people, cases, opportunities, and communications.
Filing inbound Emails
Inbound emails are generally filed manually so users stay in control of where each message belongs.
During filing, users can change the subject line and properly label attached documents for CRM, such as a signed purchase order.
Outbound Email
When sending email, users can choose to file the outbound communication against the correct CRM record.
Accelerator also lets users pull from Sage CRM email templates, which makes responses faster, more consistent, and easier to brand. Templates can include attachments and merge data from CRM.
Tagging Emails
Users can insert tags into emails so a thread stays connected to something specific, such as a customer service issue or an opportunity.
When an outbound email with a tag is filed, it lands against the correct record. When a reply comes back with that tag, Accelerator can display the appropriate record automatically.
Connecting Outlook Calendar Items to Sage CRM records
Appointments created in Outlook can be linked to the correct Sage CRM record.
Once connected, the resulting communication record also appears in Sage CRM under the related person, company, and where relevant the associated case or opportunity.
Accelerator Functions within Sage CRM
Within Sage CRM itself, Accelerator adds practical tools that go beyond Outlook, including the ability to initiate tagged emails, create mail merge documents, and review communications generated through Accelerator.
- Initiate an email with a tag.
- Create a mail merge document.
- See a graphical representation of communications created through Accelerator.
Mail Merge Overview
Accelerator is usually thought of as an Outlook tool, but it also adds practical mail merge functions inside Sage CRM.
The first mail merge example demonstrates merging a document template and an email template at the same time.
Accelerator also lets users edit merged documents on the fly without downloading and re-uploading them.
This works for Word and PDF documents. When saving, users can relabel the document type and name, define the communication action type, add a description, and attach the modified document to an outbound email.
Retrieving Emails from CRM
Sage CRM stores critical emails, but sometimes users need those messages available again in Outlook.
Accelerator provides reply, reply-all, and forward options regardless of the browser used, including support for email attachments, so previously stored messages can be brought back easily.
Customization Options
Common customizations to Accelerator include:
- Modifying the screen layouts to match your desktop CRM.
- Adding new tabs or custom entities.
- Ensuring new cases, opportunities, leads, or similar records connect to your existing workflows.
Fictional Testimonials
I pity the fool who doesn’t use Accelerator in conjunction with Sage CRM!
BA Baracus, CEO
After seeing Accelerator and the accounting integration, I knew this is what our team needed to compete in 2022.
Kyle Lowry, Future Hall of Famer
Adoption soared with Accelerator and proper training from the team at My CRM Manager.
Bob Barker, Cultural Icon
About the Publisher
CRM Together is a leading development partner for Sage CRM. They publish four products used regularly in this practice area: Accelerator, MobileX, Crystal Manager, and 365 for client portals.
