Questions about CRM, exchange servers, and Outlook

There are different options dependent on your budget.

I think the most widely-used option is SalesForce but there is also a pretty good alternative IMO that is free: Sugar CRM.

I would look into those and see if they fit your needs.

I use Daylite Suite on my MacBook to accomplish everything on your list (though my calendar I keep separate on purpose).

It's a mac only program, but it works great.

Rebecca

CRM is a tough subject for small businesses...

CRM consultants don't really focus on small business due to the cost of their time and the products they sell.

Open source CRM products don't always integrate as smoothly as commercial products - for example sugar's commercial version does have a lot of nice stuff the open source version doesn't. I'd probably look more at vtiger due to what appears to be more OSS integration tools. But remember free software doesn't mean it is free if you need in house servers and a geek to run them. Of course if you like the product and the total package price is right, its a good way to go.

Daylite is impressive if you're using Macs...maybe a good reason to switch.

Hosted services are worth a good look, you have to consider the TCO as sometimes hosted services pay off and sometimes not. Also be sure the product can be used offline or you have a reliable internet connection otherwise you may find yourself without CRM more than you'd like. I know Microsoft's new CRM will have a hosted version and Salesforce is of course a leader.

I hear rumors about a CRM integrated with our favorite server (Nitix) coming later this year...but details are scarce.

I wish I had a simple answer but unfortunately this is a problem that doesn't have an obvious winning solution for small businesses. I would definitely be interested in exploring some options with you.

Hello

I work for a company called Entellium CRM that specializes in a On-Demand solution that is specifically designed for driving your productivity and workflow to new levels of effectiveness. If you need a easy to use solution for pipeline management and all the same functionality as SalesForce.com at about 1/2 the price.

• Amazing affordability?For less than the average cost of cell-phone service, you get all of our powerful features. There are no hidden fees!
• Great value?Our products have won numerous awards for usability, value and customer service.
• The best Service Level Agreement in the industry?We guarantee 99.7% uptime?the most competitive service-level standard in the industry.
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Interested in learning more? Please give me a call if you have any questions or would like additional information, I'll make the time. I can be reached directly at 206.245.2358 or by email at bradm@entellium.com

Thank you!

vTiger with the Outlook Integration all the way! I use it with my Joomla Web Development company as i frequently post on Craigslist. If you need some assitance let me know!

I started out using SalesForce, which if your willing to dig around a little, has a free Personal Edition that still allows integration with Outlook, as well as basic contact and account management.

And once Outlook Business Contact Manager 2003 started flaking out on me after I got on VISTA (DANGER!!!!), I upped for the Group version, which is also available at a relatively small per-person fee (I think around $100/year) now instead of a flat minimum fee for up to five. SalesForce now integrates with GoogleAps and has a useful interface to GoogleAds as well, although I can't really vouch for how well this works yet--still exploring.

Think I should write an article on ACT! and all the things I have ACT! doing for me?

I used to be an ACT! consultant. Kevin is right. It became not profitable. But I'm addicted to using it for my own business.

I use Sugar CRM.

Not perfect, but you're asking the kind of questions that will generate the results you want.

It's good but clunky in my opinion.

Hope that's of some help.

Bill

This is funny, that a 2007 thread was pulled back up. I decided to update with my info too! I've used bigcontacts. Pretty simple interface and cheap.

Here are two articles that have some useful tools.

Mashable- 20 Customer Management Tools

Mashable- 10 Great Tools for Customer Communication

I find SugarCRM usable in the community free version. It does track customers and interactions with them. It does have sales pipeline features I find useful. * It does reminders and scheduling.

It is only the SugarCRM's Enterprise version with Outlook synchronization, collaboration tools that I can really use. For my needs anyways. It sounds like you would require the advanced functionality as well.

I would be remiss if I did not mention that We host SugarCRM giving you the freedom to access your data from any browser.

old pros will tell you, three things about any IT system are available that everyone wants:

1. performance and/or features
2. reliability and/or scalability
3. inexpensive

you can have any two.

you can set yourself up for a little success, if you define for us geeks

1. how many in office, and how many projected over the anticipated lifespan of the CRM implementation?

2. how many years will this implementation stand up for?

3. internal office facing and/or out to the cloud facing?

my recommendations right out of the gate listed in order of preference (mine)

1. Windows Small Business Server.... assuming your office won't go above 25 seats. Exchange part of the package, Outlook integration, MS Branded CRM for integration with all systems and SharePoint as another available tangible (SharePoint may even do away with a CRM need on it's own!). short term, most expensive and difficult to set up. long term, pays for itself many times over (potentially - assuming you get the right geek) and easiest to maintain.... again, right geek initially. This is what I'd do were i to go for a top tier CRM implementation, brand agnostic

2. A simple peer to peer network with a shared file/application/print server. for MAC afficianadoes, this seems to work best. for PC's this isn't optimal, but is workable. splits the difference in implementation and management overhead between options 1 and 3. this is what I'd do were i to go with a freeware or hosted CRM solution

3. a loose collection of single hosts, all talking through the cloud with 3rd party hosted apps and storage. short term, the best deal. long term, harder to justify. with this, i'd only look at a hosted CRM solution. the other options would be a waste of money either for the product, or the support costs in maintenence.

We use a great tool called myDocs which is an add-in for Outlook, that lets us view SharePoint Document Libraries by clicking standard Outlook folders, and drag emails into these folders to upload into SharePoint.

There is more information on this at http://www.nsynergy.com/Products/myDocs/Pages/About_myDocs.aspx or please email to info@nsynergy.com if you want more information.