FranklinCovey has announced that PlanPlus Online is now accessible from any smartphone with a Web browser, such as an iPhone, BlackBerry (News - Alert), Palm or Windows Mobile device.

Developed jointly by FranklinCovey and COMPLETExRM, PlanPlus Online is described by the FranklinCoveyites as a secure Web-based application that provides CRM as well as "planning, sales management, team collaboration and process management for small and medium-sized businesses via the Internet."

Its planner-like interface is based on FranklinCovey's planning and time management methodology which, First Coffee's given to understand, is rather popular in certain circles. The application offers team calendaring and scheduling and an integrated contact manager to track client information, sales opportunities and activities.

FranklinCovey officials say some of the key features are the sales management and CRM features, and that the product can organize daily tasks by using a Quick Prioritize Module. And if you're into the FranklinCovey's planning methods and concepts, well, they're here for your daily or weekly planning help.

There's also a built-in e-mail center which converts e-mails to Tasks, Appointments and the like, as well as standard e-mail features and functionality.

Calling it an "on-line planning, sales management and CRM application," Jeff Anderson, Senior Vice President of Product Management, FranklinCovey said using the product can "save businesses the expense of purchasing a costly corporate server."

The new mobile client support is free and available now for all current and new users of PlanPlus Online, which is available in 87 FranklinCovey retail stores at a suggested retail price of $25 per month. A one-month introductory subscription is available for $9.95.

According to a recent report from Compass Intelligence, businesses in the US will spend roughly $9.0 billion on CRM and other mobile applications by 2011.

This year American businesses are expected to spend an estimated $3.8 billion on mobile applications, which include mobile and wireless-based custom-coded and packaged applications, including productivity, Enterprise Resource Planning, e-mail, CRM, security applications, and more.

This market is poised for double-digit annual growth into 2011 and is primarily targeted to improve productivity and collaboration across businesses. Major trends in this industry include growth in productivity-based applications, growth in sophisticated and business-oriented devices, and a major attraction to service providers to strengthen profit margins.

Compass Intelligence recently released a series of market forecasts and reports on mobile applications in the US, all part of a new subscription services called Applications.

Compass's research also found that the Professional Services and Government industries are expected to be the two largest spenders on US mobile applications, representing 37 and 22 percent respectively in 2007, and the small business segment with 38 percent and enterprise business with 42 percent are expected to be the largest spenders on mobile applications from 2006-2011.

Major mobile applications include e-mail, SMS/Text Messaging, CRM, project management, and collaboration and file sharing.

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David Sims is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To see more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

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