Managing a sales team isn’t easy. There’s always something going on, like calls, follow-ups, reports, and deals that need attention. Without the right tools, it can feel like you’re just trying to keep up instead of making real progress.

That’s where sales management tools come in. They help your team stay organized, track every deal, and focus on the work that leads to results. Instead of bouncing between spreadsheets or digging through old emails, everything is in one place and easy to manage.

In this blog, we’ll walk through real-life examples that show how these tools can help. If you’ve ever lost a lead, missed a follow-up, or just needed more time in your day, this is for you.

What Are Sales Management Tools?

Sales management tools are software platforms that help sales teams manage their day-to-day work, from tracking deals and tasks to measuring performance and forecasting revenue. They bring structure to the sales process and give managers better control over pipeline activities, team performance, and sales planning.

While they often work alongside CRMs, sales management solutions go a step further. CRMs store contact and company information. Sales management software tools focus on what the team is doing with those contacts, like tracking meetings, assigning tasks, setting goals, and measuring sales success.

Robust sales management software can also include reporting dashboards, collaboration features, and automation for repetitive tasks. Think of them as the control center for your sales team.

Why Are Sales Management Tools Important?

Sales teams often work under pressure, chasing leads, updating CRMs, preparing reports, and trying to hit targets. Without the right systems in place, small issues quickly pile up. Sales professionals forget to follow up, managers can’t get a clear picture of the pipeline, and time gets lost to manual updates and miscommunication.

Sales management software solutions solve these everyday challenges by giving teams structure, visibility, and support. Here’s how they help:

• Better sales planning - Set realistic goals, assign tasks, and keep everyone aligned with a shared view of what’s next.

• Improved pipeline visibility - Know exactly where each deal stands and what’s needed to move it forward—no guesswork or digging through notes.

• Real-time reporting and performance tracking - Access dashboards that track sales metrics across daily, weekly, and quarterly views, so you can course-correct early.

• Team collaboration - Keep conversations, updates, and action items in one place. Whether your team is in the office or remote, everyone knows what’s going on.

Let’s break down the most common sales management challenges and the tools that solve them. Each section highlights real tools matched to specific problems sales teams face every day.

Automating Sales Activity Tracking and Follow-Ups

Sales reps often waste hours on time-consuming tasks like logging calls, writing notes, and setting follow-ups. These repetitive tasks don’t just eat into selling time; they also increase the risk of human error. Forgetting a follow-up or missing a key conversation detail can easily derail a deal.

That’s why sales automation in this area is so valuable. It allows teams to stay on top of every lead and interaction without doing everything by hand.

Below are two tools designed to solve this problem: one focuses on intelligent automation, the other on speed and outreach efficiency.

1. Truva

Truva is a modern sales management solution built to eliminate manual work like CRM updates, follow-ups, and meeting summaries. It’s designed for busy sales teams who want to stay focused on selling, not tracking tasks.

The platform automatically captures sales activity from meetings, emails, voice notes, and more. It then extracts structured data like goals, blockers, or next steps and updates your CRM in real time.

Instead of wasting time on repetitive admin work, reps can jump right into the next conversation with everything already logged and organized.

Truva also offers intelligent follow-up suggestions, analytics to track engagement and sentiment, and integrations with your existing tech stack, including Salesforce, HubSpot, Slack, and Zoom.

It’s a flexible tool that adapts to your process, whether you're managing short sales cycles or complex, multi-touch deals.

Teams using Truva have reported up to a 25% increase in sales by cutting down on manual tasks and staying ahead of their pipeline.

Key features

• Automated CRM updates - Captures and logs sales activity like meetings, emails, and notes in real time

• Custom data extraction - Extracts goals, pain points, and other custom fields using your preferred frameworks

• AI-generated follow-ups - Suggests next steps and drafts emails based on conversations

• Meeting summaries and transcripts - Automatically generates summaries and stores full transcripts for future reference

• Sales activity analytics - Analyzes engagement and sentiment to refine your sales approach

• Effortless integrations - Works with Salesforce, HubSpot, Google Calendar, Zoom, Slack, and more

Truva is the smart choice for sales teams who want to boost productivity and spend less time on admin work. Sign up for free or book a demo today!

2. Close

Source: Close.com

Close is a sales-focused CRM designed to help reps move faster and stay on top of every conversation.

With built-in sales engagement tools, it combines calling, emailing, and task management in one place, so teams don’t need to switch between platforms to get their work done. Reps can make a call, send a follow-up email, and log the interaction all within the same dashboard.

It’s a strong option for outbound or inside sales teams that rely heavily on consistent outreach. The platform also includes tools like email templates, call logging, and reminders, making it easier to stick to follow-up schedules.

That said, Close may not be ideal for larger sales orgs that need layered permissions, advanced sales analytics, or deep customization. As teams grow or require more complex reporting, they might run into limitations. But for lean teams focused on outreach speed and rep productivity, Close does the job well.

Key features

• Integrated calling and emailing - Contact leads without leaving the app

• Follow-up reminders - Automatically surfaces leads that need attention

• Email templates and sequences - Speed up outreach with prewritten content

• Communication timeline - Tracks all past activity with each lead

• Searchable activity feed - Easily review rep performance and deal progress

Tracking and Managing Your Sales Pipeline

When your pipeline is hard to see, it’s hard to manage. Without visibility, it’s tough to know where leads are moving inside the sales funnel, which ones are stuck, and what your forecast really looks like. Pipeline tools help bring structure to your sales process, so both reps and managers can work with clarity and stay on track.

Here are two tools that help sales teams manage and track pipelines more easily, each offering a slightly different experience.

3. Pipedrive

Source: Pipedrive.com

Pipedrive is a pipeline management tool that puts visual organization front and center. It's a clean, drag-and-drop kanban board that shows you exactly where each deal stands, so you can keep things moving without digging through spreadsheets.

You can customize deal stages to match your sales process, set activity goals, and get gentle nudges when deals start to stall.

What makes Pipedrive stand out is its simplicity. It’s quick to set up, easy to train on, and doesn’t overwhelm you with features you won’t use. For small to mid-size teams, it offers just enough structure to stay focused without adding complexity.

You can also pull simple sales forecasts based on pipeline data, track performance over time, and use filters to surface deals that need attention.

While it doesn’t offer enterprise-level forecasting or deep analytics, it works well for teams that just want to stay organized and close more deals without distractions.

Key features

• Visual pipeline view - Organize deals with custom columns and move them easily between stages

• Deal rotting alerts - Highlights deals that haven’t been updated in a while

• Sales forecasting - Generates revenue estimates based on pipeline data

• Custom fields and filters - Tailor the pipeline to your sales cycle

• Activity tracking and reminders - Helps reps know what to do next

4. Copper

Source: Copper.com

Copper is a CRM software designed specifically for teams that live inside Google Workspace. If your team already spends most of the day in Gmail or Google Calendar, Copper fits right in.

It automatically logs emails, meetings, and interactions, so you don’t have to bounce between tools or remember to update your customer relationship management manually. Everything stays connected, from first touch to final deal.

The interface is intuitive and minimal, making it a decent choice for teams who want to start quickly without a long learning curve. It’s especially helpful for relationship-driven sales processes, where being able to see a full conversation history in Gmail can save time and context-switching.

However, Copper isn’t designed for heavy customization or advanced analytics. It’s best for smaller sales teams that value speed and ease of use over deep reporting or automation.

Key features

• Gmail and Calendar sync - Links conversations and meetings to the right records automatically

• Visual deal tracking - Shows pipeline status in a board view

• Task automation - Create workflows that assign follow-ups or set deadlines

• Interaction history - Displays all past touchpoints in a scrollable timeline

• Chrome extension and mobile app - Manage your pipeline from anywhere

Monitoring Sales Performance in Real Time

You can’t improve what you can’t see. Sales teams need visibility into activity, goals, and performance—not just at the end of the month, but while deals are still moving. Real-time insights help managers support reps sooner, adjust tactics mid-quarter, and make faster decisions.

These tools give sales departments a clear picture of what’s happening right now and help them understand where the team is headed.

5. Salesforce Sales Cloud

Source: Salesforce.com

Salesforce Sales Cloud is known for its depth and flexibility, making it a go-to choice for large or fast-growing sales teams. It offers customizable dashboards, detailed reports, and real-time tracking across reps, regions, and sales stages.

Managers can keep an eye on key metrics like quota attainment, pipeline movement, and conversion rates, all in one place.

The platform integrates with a wide range of tools and allows for advanced automation, which is helpful for companies managing complex workflows or large sales operations.

However, for smaller teams or those new to CRMs, the setup process and learning curve can be significant.

Key features

• Custom dashboards - Build real-time views of sales activity, progress, and KPIs

• Forecasting tools - Estimate revenue based on current pipeline and historical data

• Sales reports - Generate reports on team performance, deal stages, and win rates

• Activity logging - Automatically tracks emails, calls, and meetings

• App marketplace - Extend functionality with tools from Salesforce AppExchange

6. Zoho CRM

Source: Zoho.com

Zoho CRM offers a well-rounded mix of reporting tools and everyday task management, making it a reliable option for small to midsize businesses.

Teams can build custom dashboards to track sales goals, filter performance by rep or territory, and automate follow-up reminders or deal updates.

It supports multi-channel communication, so reps can connect with leads via email, phone, or chat without leaving the platform.

The interface is user-friendly, and most features are accessible without complex configuration, which makes it easier for teams to get started quickly.

While Zoho CRM doesn't match the deep enterprise customization of platforms like Salesforce, it delivers solid flexibility for most use cases and includes automation tools that help simplify sales workflows.

Key features

• Scheduled reports - Send daily, weekly, or monthly performance updates

• Custom dashboards - Visualize metrics like deal value, rep activity, and lead sources

• Sales signals - Get real-time alerts for contact engagement

• Multi-channel tracking - View interactions across email, phone, and chat

• Gamification tools - Use badges and leaderboards to boost team motivation

Assigning and Routing Leads Effectively

When leads sit in a queue or go to the wrong person, deals slow down or disappear altogether. Assigning leads quickly and fairly is one of the most overlooked parts of sales management. With the right setup, you can reduce response times, distribute work evenly, and make sure every lead gets a timely follow-up.

Here are two tools that help sales teams manage lead assignment with clarity and speed.

7. LeadAngel

Source: LeadAngel.com

LeadAngel is a lead management platform built to give B2B sales teams greater control over lead distribution and routing logic.

It specializes in lead-to-account matching and allows teams to set detailed assignment rules based on geography, buyer role, product interest, company size, or other criteria.

The platform helps reduce duplicate records by automatically connecting new leads to existing accounts, giving reps better visibility and context from the start.

Its drag-and-drop interface and rule builder are designed to make configuration more intuitive without relying on heavy coding.

Still, LeadAngel is best used alongside a CRM, where it fills critical gaps around routing fairness, data consistency, and SDR-to-AE handoffs.

Key features

• Lead-to-account matching - Connects new leads to the right accounts automatically

• Advanced routing rules - Assigns leads based on role, territory, or product

• Round robin distribution - Balances leads across reps or teams

• Calendar scheduling - Helps coordinate SDR to AE handoffs

• CRM integration - Works with Salesforce and other platforms for smooth data sync

8. Freshsales

Source: Freshworks.com

Freshsales is a built-in CRM solution developed by Freshworks, aimed at fast-growing sales teams that need flexibility and speed.

It includes robust lead routing rules, task automation, and AI-powered lead scoring to help reps stay organized and prioritize high-intent prospects.

The platform also offers built-in calling, email, and workflow tools, so teams can handle communication and deal tracking without switching between systems. Its visual pipelines and automation features are especially useful for managing high volumes of leads.

While Freshsales is easy to navigate for beginners, some users may feel the breadth of features requires extra onboarding time to get the most out of the platform.

Key features

• Lead assignment rules - Route leads by region, interest, or source

• AI lead scoring - Prioritize leads based on engagement and fit

• Task tracking and alerts - Remind reps to follow up on time

• Custom workflows - Automate lead assignment and deal creation

• Built-in email and phone - Reach out directly without leaving the CRM

Aligning Sales With Marketing Efforts

Sales and marketing often work toward the same goal but operate in silos. That disconnect can lead to lost leads, unclear handoffs, or duplicated work. Tools that bridge the gap help both teams understand how contacts move from awareness to close, and what needs to happen at each step.

These two tools are built to keep both sides aligned by connecting campaign data, timelines, and shared goals.

9. Insightly

Source: Insightly.com

Insightly is a unified platform that combines sales, marketing, and project management tools, making it easier for teams to manage the full customer journey in one place.

It allows users to launch automated campaigns, log and track contact activity, and assign follow-up tasks without jumping between systems.

The tool is especially helpful for small to midsize businesses looking to streamline operations and connect different departments.

Its built-in project management features also allow teams to continue tracking tasks even after a deal is closed, supporting smoother post-sale execution.

While Insightly covers a wide range of functions, some users may find the layout less intuitive at first. However, once teams are onboarded, it becomes a flexible solution for managing both pre- and post-sale activities.

Key features

• Sales and marketing sync - Share contact records and campaign data across teams

• Lead nurturing workflows - Automate outreach based on behavior or timing

• Opportunity linking - Tie marketing contacts to deals and post-sale tasks

• Project management tools - Assign and track tasks after the deal closes

• Email templates and analytics - Monitor campaign performance inside the CRM

10. HubSpot Sales Hub

Source: HubSpot.com

HubSpot Sales Hub brings your marketing and sales data together in a single workspace. You get a shared timeline for every contact, so you can see which emails they opened, which ads they clicked, and when they booked a meeting, all before they ever entered the sales pipeline.

That context helps reps know exactly what to say next and marketers understand how campaigns feed into revenue.

The interface is clean and easy to learn, with drag-and-drop pipelines and built-in meeting scheduling. You can use sales playbooks to guide reps on best practices and automate simple tasks like follow-up emails.

Keep in mind that some of the more advanced reporting tools and automation sequences live behind paid tiers, so growing teams may need to upgrade to unlock those extras.

Key features

• Shared contact timelines - See marketing and sales activity in one view

• Deal and pipeline tracking - Monitor progress from lead to close

• Sales playbooks - Standardize messaging and outreach across the team

• Email, call, and meeting logging - Keep everything in one record

• Integration with HubSpot Marketing Hub - Align content, campaigns, and lead scoring

Forecasting Revenue and Sales Planning

Accurate forecasting isn’t just about numbers but about confidence. Sales leaders need to know how much revenue is likely to close, where deals are getting stuck, and how to adjust sales operations based on actual sales data, not gut feelings.

That’s where sales forecasting tools help. They track pipeline movement, highlight risks, and bring structure to planning conversations across sales, finance, and leadership.

11. Clari

Source: Clari.com

Clari is designed to make revenue forecasting smarter and more consistent for high-performing sales teams. It pulls in activity from your CRM, emails, calendars, and call logs to give sales leaders a real-time look at pipeline health.

Instead of relying on gut feelings or outdated spreadsheets, Clari highlights trends and risk signals that help teams take action before deals go cold.

You can inspect the pipeline by rep, region, or stage to monitor your sales team's performance, compare forecast changes, and identify coaching opportunities.

It’s especially useful for mid-size to enterprise teams that want to run tight forecasting cadences or need more accurate data for board meetings.

Some smaller teams may find the setup a bit heavy at first, especially if they aren’t yet forecasting at scale, but for growing companies aiming to improve visibility and accountability, Clari makes the process more reliable.

Key features

• Predictive forecasting - Uses deal data and activity trends to project revenue

• Pipeline inspection - Flags stalled or risky deals based on rep behavior

• Historical comparisons - View performance against previous quarters or targets

• Roll-up reporting - Aggregates forecasts by rep, team, or region

• AI-based risk scoring - Identifies closing deals with lower chances of closing

12. Aviso

Source: Aviso.com

Aviso helps sales teams make smarter decisions by using AI to analyze forecasts, deal health, and rep activity.

It connects with your CRM and communication tools to surface real-time insights like which deals are slipping, where the pipeline is strong, and how reps are pacing against targets.

The platform is especially valuable for revenue leaders who need to spot trends early and run “what-if” scenarios during planning. With snapshot comparisons and coaching recommendations, it supports both strategy and execution.

Aviso’s complexity can be a lot for smaller or enterprise sales teams without a dedicated ops function. The learning curve is steeper than some tools, so it tends to be a better fit for mature sales orgs with larger pipelines and layered forecasting needs.

Key features

• AI-driven forecasts - Predict revenue based on deal movement and engagement

• Pipeline snapshots - Compare versions of your forecast across time

• Deal health tracking - Scores opportunities based on activity signals

• Scenario planning - Model different outcomes based on pipeline changes

• Rep coaching insights - Show where reps are getting stuck or falling behind

Post-Sale Relationship Management

Closing a deal is just the start. Keeping customers happy, engaged, and growing over time is key to customer retention and building lasting revenue. Managing these relationships takes more than just handing off accounts. It requires tracking customer health, staying ahead of issues, and finding new opportunities.

These tools support ongoing sales strategies that keep teams connected with existing customers long after the contract is signed.

13. Gainsight

Source: Gainsight.com

Gainsight helps customer success teams stay ahead of churn by combining data from product usage, support tickets, NPS responses, and more into one clear customer health view.

It’s built for proactive engagement, automating check-ins, flagging accounts at risk, and supporting upsell conversations with contextual insights.

It’s particularly useful for SaaS companies managing renewals and long-term customer value. Features like customizable playbooks, timeline views, and sentiment analysis help teams act before problems grow.

The platform does require some investment upfront. Because of its depth and configuration options, onboarding can take longer, and teams without dedicated operations support might find the setup a bit daunting. For smaller CS teams or early-stage businesses, it could feel heavier than needed.

Key features

• Customer health scoring - Tracks usage, engagement, and feedback in one view

• Playbooks and workflows - Automates outreach based on lifecycle stages or risks

• Renewal and upsell tracking - Organizes expansion and renewal opportunities

• 360° customer profiles - Centralizes customer data across systems into one record

• Sentiment analysis - Measures customer satisfaction through surveys and customer interactions

14. ClientSuccess

Source: ClientSuccess.com

ClientSuccess is a post-sale relationship platform built to help teams manage customer relationships, renewals, and account health without the clutter.

It centralizes customer milestones, NPS data, renewal timelines, and contact history into one intuitive dashboard, giving teams a quick snapshot of each customer’s status.

The platform is easy to navigate and doesn’t overwhelm users with excessive options. It’s especially useful for customer success teams that want to act quickly, whether checking in, reviewing engagement levels, or preparing for a renewal call.

However, ClientSuccess is lighter on advanced automation and customization compared to larger platforms like Gainsight. Teams looking for deep integrations or multi-stage workflow logic may find its features a bit limited.

Key features

• Renewal management - Track upcoming renewals and expansion opportunities

• Health score dashboards - Monitor customer engagement and risks

• Account timelines - View historical activity and major milestones in one place

• Customer sentiment tracking - Capture satisfaction insights across touchpoints

• Task and meeting management - Keep post-sale activities organized

Manage Sales Smarter and Faster with Truva!

Managing a sales team is easier when you have the right tools in place. Sales management software helps organize your work, track every deal, and give your team the visibility they need to sell smarter, not harder. Whether you need help with activity tracking, lead routing, forecasting, or post-sale engagement, there are solutions built to match different challenges.

If you're searching for sales productivity tools that reduce manual tasks and keep your CRM updated automatically, Truva is a smart place to start. Teams using Truva have reported up to a 25% increase in sales by focusing less on admin work and more on building customer relationships.

The best approach is to start with the tool that solves your team’s most urgent need. You do not have to overhaul everything at once. Small improvements lead to bigger results over time.

Looking for a smarter way to manage your sales team? Sign up for free or book a demo today!

FAQs About Sales Management Tools

What is the best sales management software?

There’s no one “best” tool for everyone. The right sales management software depends on what your team needs most. If you want help with follow-ups, something like Truva is great. For pipeline tracking, Pipedrive works well. For reporting, Salesforce is strong. Think about what’s slowing your team down, then choose a tool that solves that first.

What is sales management in CRM?

Sales management system in a CRM means using the tool to help reps stay organized, follow up on leads, and track deals. It also helps sales managers see how the team is doing. Some CRMs include sales tools built in, while others work better when you connect a separate tool that handles sales tasks.

What is the most important tool for sales?

The most important tool is the one that helps your team focus. That could be something that reminds reps to follow up, helps you see your pipeline, or gives you a clear view of what’s working. It depends on where your team needs help. A good tool helps your team boost productivity and makes selling easier.

How can sales management features improve day-to-day sales efforts?

Strong sales management features help your team focus on the work that moves deals forward. These include tools for task tracking, follow-up automation, real-time reporting, and pipeline visibility. By using software that supports your sales efforts, like Truva, you reduce manual work and improve decision-making across the board.

What should I look for when comparing other sales tools and software for sales?

When reviewing other sales tools or choosing the right software for sales, focus on ease of use, automation, and how well it supports your process. Check if it includes data entry automation, marketing tools integration, and dashboards to monitor your team’s progress. The best sales team management software simplifies daily work and helps you stay on top of your goals.