Member Article

Sporting support for CRM firm

SUNDERLAND software company Orcuma Ltd is calling for all local sporting organisations to increase supporters and athletic participants.

The company, based in Sunderland Software Centre, which has developed its own internet-based CRM (Customer Relationship Management) System called FIRsT (Flexible Information Reporting Tool) has teamed up with a cheerleading organisation, Future Cheer, to customise their system to allow organisations to increase spectator numbers and participation, something that Orcuma believe could be applied to other sports to help them encourage greater involvement.

Having implemented the FIRsT application across their public sector clients, this is the first time that the software has been used in the sporting market. The system allows Future Cheer to access all team and competition information in one quick easy step, and helps them improve understanding of, and so communication with their client database.

Richard Whittaker, Orcuma co-founder, said: “We tailored the system for Future Cheer organisers to help them run the organisation more efficiently. Many small sporting clubs are run by people with full-time jobs and we wanted to make tasks easier for them.

“The system allows clubs to increase supporter numbers through effectively managing their participants and other stakeholders. FIRsT also helps sports organisations to build a complete profile of their players, coaches, officials, administrators and supporters.

“This can be leveraged to increase participation rates, improve efficiency, enhance communications and improve performance levels. FIRsT can be quickly configured to any club or organisation and can allow for a quick return on investment. The system is hosted by Orcuma so no IT staff and hardware is needed.”

FIRsT can be accessed using a PC, laptop, tablet or mobile device and can be set up without the need for IT support. And with sporting club participant numbers declining in the UK, Orcuma is keen to show local clubs how they can generate interest and get the North East active. Orcuma is offering local sporting organisations one free month’s trial to test out the application and see how it can work for their club.

Paul Mitchell, Orcuma co-founder, said: “We would like to see young people and adults in the North East participating more in sporting activities, whether it be football, rugby, netball, ice hockey or cheerleading and gymnastics. Many of us today spend time indoors and are missing out on the opportunities to get fit and get involved in group activities, so we’d love to see the system help other clubs to generate more interest.”

Councillor Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “Software really does make such a big difference to so many types of business, and in Sunderland, we have a large number of businesses that have developed really innovative systems and technology that is putting us on the map nationally and internationally.

“Sport plays such a vital role in community life and the fact that Orcuma’s system can help to boost participation is fantastic.”

Companies keen to try out the software should contact Orcuma on 0191 562 3118 or tweet using the hashtag #OrcumaGetFitNorthEast. The first five companies will be given a free trial for a month.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Andrea Mason .