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Interface Software Upgrades InterAction for Lotus Notes

"Intelligent" synchronization promotes high quality data and end user control

OAK BROOK (IL) 10 September, 2004: Interface Software announced today that it has released an upgrade to its InterAction® for Lotus Notes™ synchronization component. Organizations can now seamlessly tie individual users' Lotus Notes address books to InterAction's centralized CRM repository, using a fully automated, server-based synchronization process.

"I am impressed with the functionality and performance of InterAction's enhanced Lotus Notes synchronization," said Stirling Thomas, director of IT at the Boston-based law firm of Gesmer Updegrove LLP. "Interface Software has clearly listened to its customers and has delivered best-of-breed integration between the two systems that will contribute greatly to the continued success of our overall CRM implementation."

InterAction for Lotus Notes allows professionals to contribute their business contacts to the centralized database effortlessly, while maximizing control over sensitive information. Administrators can schedule the server-based synchronization process to occur as frequently as they like, without having to involve end users in the process. Behind the scenes, InterAction's intelligent, rules-based synchronization process identifies potential duplicates and data inconsistencies, routing questionable data to the data administrator, who can take appropriate action to resolve the conflict before saving the information to the database.

"We redesigned our Lotus Notes synchronization component from the ground up using a highly efficient and reliable architecture," said Terry Hamer, Interface Software's vice president of product development. "Busy professionals can continue to store and manage their contacts in Lotus Notes, as they always have, while the system automatically handles the synchronization process in the background."

Because end users' Lotus Notes contacts often are replete with data entry errors and other anomalies, many Lotus Notes synchronization products can replicate bad data to the central repository and, as a result, contaminate the system and threaten the entire CRM implementation. "We understand this issue and therefore have built an intelligent synchronization engine that provides tools and workflow processes to minimize the risk of bad data flowing into the CRM system," said Hamer.

To ensure that business professionals retain control over their sensitive business contacts, InterAction for Lotus Notes provides heightened privacy safeguards, enabling users to pick and choose which contacts are shared with the central repository. Adding further protections for professionals' sensitive fiduciary relationships, the system also permits users to lock down individual fields, such as clients' home phone numbers, keeping that information private while allowing them to share other strategic data with the firm.

In addition, InterAction for Lotus Notes gives professionals complete control as to when and whether changes made to data in the central repository flow back down to their individual Lotus Notes contact lists. Users can set system defaults to accept firm updates to their data automatically, or instead they can choose to be notified of potential changes and decide on a one-off basis whether or not to accept them.

"Interface Software understands that successful synchronization involves more than shuffling data between Lotus Notes and InterAction," commented Hamer. "Professionals will opt out and reject the CRM system unless they have confidence that their Lotus Notes data is secure and protected. InterAction for Lotus Notes strikes that fine balance between control and sharing that is essential for CRM success."

About Interface Software
Interface Software is the leading provider of CRM solutions enabling professional services firms and similar relationship-based organizations to create the Relationship Intelligence they need to generate new business and enhance client service. Its flagship product, InterAction, is a flexible and uniquely designed platform that delivers this Relationship Intelligence throughout the organization, quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively. Relationship Intelligence is a firm-wide asset that reveals the unique and complex connections between people, companies, relationships, experience and expertise, empowering professionals to leverage who and what they know to uncover new revenue opportunities, differentiate themselves from the competition and enhance client service. InterAction is internet-enabled, allowing professionals to view information however they choose—through knowledge management platforms, corporate portals, intranets, extranets and wireless devices. Interface Software has received numerous accolades, including the Inc 500, the Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 50 for Greater Chicagoland, the Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 500 and the Upside Hot 100. For more information please visit Interface Software's website at http://www.interaction.com.

 
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InterAction, InterAction Opportunities, InterAction Matters, InterAction Engagements, Watch List, Who Knows Whom and Relationship Map are trademarks of Interface Software, Inc. and may be registered in certain jurisdictions. All other product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners and are mentioned for identification purposes only.