Clarify revenue up on new business deals

Front-office software maker Clarify today posted first-quarter earnings that beat Wall Street consensus estimates, driven by new business that helped boost revenue by 75 percent.

The San Jose, California-based firm earned $2.7 million, or 11 cents a share, surpassing analysts' first-quarter estimates of 9 cents, according to First Call. Clarify earned $700,000, or 3 cents a share, for the same quarter a year ago.

Clarify's revenue climbed to $43.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, an increase of 75 percent from revenue of $24.9 million a year ago.

Clarify makes customer relationship management (CRM) software that automates a company's sales, marketing, and call center applications. The company reported record revenues in telecommunications and financial services business for the quarter.

Clarify's results come at the heels of good news for CRM market leader Siebel Systems.

Siebel yesterday posted first-quarter profits that more than doubled to $21.3 million, or 20 cents a share, from $9.7 million, or 10 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Siebel's revenue rose to $134.1 million from $74.2 million.