I use SugarCRM, and synchronize it with Microsoft Outlook. Then I use ActiveSync to link to my HP iPAQ… It works like a dream. I think my IT manager bought software that provides this link (SugarCRM to Outlook).

You’re right on! Mobile access to SugarCRM is not practical, neither is it with Salesforce.com by the way, for it only works with a limited number of standard objects, and does not offer support for custom objects. Your best option there is synchronization, which I achieve by making a TSV export from SugarCRM, followed by an import into Mac OS X’s Address Book, then synchronize with my BlackBerry Pearl over USB (Bluetooth is not supported to date). Cumbersome, but it works. One tiny detail: when doing so, you need to manually clean the TSV file up, by removing the double brackets that surround company names having more than one word. I cannot comment on what is required for Microsoft Windows or any other contact manager though.

Regarding the Project module in SugarCRM, I found ways to make it work, as described in this past article. The article was written for Salesforce.com, for which I built a Goal custom object, but the workflow I’m describing there is almost identical to the one I have now within SugarCRM.

As far as building a GTD module for SugarCRM, this is something that I am seriously considering. I might very well do it myself if I’m still using SugarCRM as my primary platform two or three months from now. If I do, I won’t be able to call it GTD though, for the acronym is a registered trademark, but the concepts will be the same.

Best regards
 -Ismael

I’ve been a long time user of SugarCRM (Open Source on my personal server), and a long time GTD’er. I’ve tried to get SugarCRM into my GTD flow, but I’ve found two restrictive aspects to that approach:

1. Mobile access to SugarCRM is a challenge. When I’m on the go, I really need to be able to access my contact lists on my PDA, whether it be through a synchronization mechanism or (preferrably) over the air using an EV-DO powered Treo.

2. The project module seems a bit heavy to use for GTD. I could be wrong, or over complicating things, but that’s been my impression.

I’d love to hear about your impressions on both, mobility with SugarCRM and the heaviness aspect of SugarCRM for GTD. As you explain it above, it makes sense, but a little more details would be appreciated.

By the way, with the ability to custom build modules inside SugarCRM, I think it would be really wonderful if someone could develop a nice GTD module for SugarCRM…

I find the BlackBerry Pearl to be close to this ideal device you’re talking about. Synchronization is fairly easy with it, and it gets online in no time (compared to a laptop). Also, because it does not have a full keyboard, I find myself not using it that much to type emails, which is a good thing if you want to preserve this work|life balance.

Best regards
 -Ismael

I am using Sugar On-Demand, which will be upgraded to Sugar 4.5h very soon. I am very impressed by the functionality offered by the product, and I have just scratched the surface at this point.

Best regards
 -Ismael

The downside to the PDA for me is the inability to synchronize with more than one email tool or calendar.

Perhaps someone from these Web 2.0 companies could work some magic and contrive to break this selfish Microsoft habit. That way we could share meeting and event information with others through Web 2.0, as well as email.

I’d like to selectively grab emails from my work email and personal email accounts, so that I have near instant access all the time. No more printing out travel confirmation emails with booking codes and the like. Perhaps I could be sent a code in a message that I could Bluetooth to the check-in machines!

The one thing (desire) that would pull me into Web 2.0, more quickly than it is now, would be a small PC that could connect anywhere and be instantly on. But then the work|life balance would tip further towards work! Then my wish (plan) to meet with one very busy Ismael might be easier to arrange!

Cheers
 -Bob

I’m just curious, but which version of SugarCRM do you use? There a quite a few. I am debating moving from my existing CRM solution over to the Open Source SugarCRM (I like to keep my data on my server).

I have an infallible method of succeeding on all my New Year resolutions, I don’t have any! I should introduce my wife to the concepts that you outlined. No sooner have I started a project she then demands when I’ll be finishing the one after next, “Oh, and can you just do this and that please?”

Over the years I’ve tried many systems, but it really depends on the nature of my role at any one time. I’d carry my Filofax around with plans and to do lists when I was running projects. Then I’d start a new role that required little planning and then get out of the habit, when planning was more appropriate and start all over again with the latest approach.

The pace of change and availability of so many of these tools, with various access restrictions, makes choosing them complicated. In the end I have defaulted to my PDA. I can create lists, read documents (if I remember to sync.), have my contact list and so on. Best of all. I can set it to make a noise when my wedding anniversary is due!

Cheers

-Bob