BT is targeting small and medium-sized enterprises after sealing partnerships with on-demand business management software firm NetSuite and customer relationship management vendor SugarCRM.

The deals will see BT Business offer software from the two partners backed up by its own service and support.

Offerings include salesforce automation, sales pipeline monitoring and reporting, as well as performance and marketing campaign measurement.

"The solutions from NetSuite and SugarCRM each offer a range of specialised benefits to help better manage client relationships," BT Business stated.

The company cited recent research which found that 43 per cent of UK SMEs believe client relationships to be the most critical factor to their success.

Bill Murphy, managing director of BT Business, said: "This programme builds on the work we have done to date, and allows us to deliver a tailored approach for customers.

"They get exactly what they need to manage their customer relationships, examine processes, deliver efficiencies and ultimately drive their business."

BT is also looking at a range of other business applications from vendors, and is "set to make further partnership announcements in the near future".