Cole Real Estate Investments, Inc. Earns Spot On The 2013 InformationWeek 500 List Of Top Technology Innovators Across The U.S.

PHOENIX, Sept. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Cole Real Estate Investments, Inc. (NYSE: COLE), a market-leading net lease REIT, announced today that it made this year's InformationWeek 500 — a list of the top technology innovators in the United States. Cole was recognized for the development and implementation of a strategic sales call management system. This initiative was implemented on behalf of Cole Capital™, the private capital management business for Cole Real Estate Investments.

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The InformationWeek recognition is for the Cole Sales Cockpit, an internal, client-focused productivity platform that significantly improves workflow by making CRM data easily accessible — as well as actionable — for the Cole Capital Internal Sales team. This initiative showcased Cole's team-centric and collaborative approach, identifying the Sales team's needs to enhance productivity and effectiveness, as well as IT's effective implementation.

"Cole has always been committed to utilizing innovative financial services tools, sales support and technology to help us stay ahead of our competition, so we are honored to have been named to the InformationWeek 500 list," said Chong Huan, executive vice president and chief technology officer for Cole. "The Cole Sales Cockpit is both a sales and technology solution. Based on the business needs of our Sales team and the vision of Colin Cosgrove, our head of internal sales, this new platform enabled Cole Capital to refine the distribution and accessibility of updated market intelligence and sales history information, which has substantially helped boost productivity — and results — for our internal sales force. Our technology team was able to bring this concept into reality, and the recognition from InformationWeek validates the success of our business-centric approach."

About Cole Capital's Sales Cockpit:
Developed collaboratively with leaders of the sales team based on their defined needs, the Cole Sales Cockpit provides a competitive advantage that has made it easier to do business with financial advisors.

"Our vision behind the Cole Sales Cockpit solution was to eliminate guesswork from the sales process, and the results have been exceptional across our organization," said Colin Cosgrove, senior vice president and head of internal sales. "Some of the most compelling achievements included a 46% initial increase in call volume, and increased job satisfaction among sales professionals. Meanwhile, sales managers are able to focus on strategy and campaign development instead of list generation, enhancing the overall effectiveness of our sales efforts."

Through the system, Cole's sales representatives are always armed with the most up-to-date information and intelligence at their fingertips. They now have instant access to critical information, delivered in real time and accessible from anywhere through the cloud. These enhancements have resulted in an 18% improvement in closed sales transactions since the firm began using the system. In addition, streamlining the sales process is saving thousands of man-hours annually.

"The theme of this year's InformationWeek 500 is digital business. It's a movement, rooted in data analytics, mobile computing, social networking and other customer‐focused technologies that are turning companies and industries on their ear," said InformationWeek Editor In Chief Rob Preston. "Every enterprise is now a digital business — or needs to become one fast. The organizations in our ranking are leading the way."

InformationWeek identifies and honors the nation's most innovative users of information technology with its annual InformationWeek 500 listing, and also tracks the technology, strategies, investments and administrative practices of some of the best‐known organizations in the country. Past overall winners include Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, PACCAR Inc., The Vanguard Group, CME Group, National Semiconductor, Con‐Way and Principal Financial Group. Unique among corporate rankings, the InformationWeek 500 spotlights the power of innovation in information technology.

Additional details on the InformationWeek 500 can be found online at www.informationweek.com/iw500/.

About Cole Real Estate Investments, Inc.
Cole Real Estate Investments, Inc. (NYSE: COLE) is an industry‐leading net lease REIT that acquires and manages real estate assets leased long‐term to a high‐quality, diversified tenant base. Since 1979, Cole has leveraged its deep relationships, efficiencies of scale and rigorous operational processes to acquire and actively manage retail, office and industrial properties. As of June 30, 2013, Cole Real Estate Investments had total assets of $7.9 billion, which included 1,014 properties representing approximately 44 million square feet of commercial real estate in 48 states. Cole's private capital management business, Cole Capital™, is a leading sponsor of non‐listed REITs. According to industry reports from Robert A. Stanger & Co., Cole is the only non‐listed REIT sponsor to rank in the top three for annual capital raised each of the past five years.

SOURCE Cole Real Estate Investments, Inc.