Comments on: CRM Roundup http://itredux.com/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/ New Rules for a New IT World Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:04:00 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Donna http://itredux.com/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/comment-page-1/#comment-1170612 Donna Mon, 08 Mar 2010 01:42:55 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/#comment-1170612 The post on February 7th, 2007 stated an update would be done about the omitted CRMs. It's been over three years; this still in the works? The post on February 7th, 2007 stated an update would be done about the omitted CRMs. It’s been over three years; this still in the works?

]]> By: Tim http://itredux.com/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/comment-page-1/#comment-69238 Tim Thu, 19 Apr 2007 12:27:29 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/#comment-69238 My dilemna is trying to find a small-biz solution that directly integrates a web-based email client, but still synchronizes or has a mobile solution for my Treo. Do any of these have that capability? Are any heading in that direction? My dilemna is trying to find a small-biz solution that directly integrates a web-based email client, but still synchronizes or has a mobile solution for my Treo. Do any of these have that capability? Are any heading in that direction?

]]> By: Ismael Ghalimi http://itredux.com/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/comment-page-1/#comment-67510 Ismael Ghalimi Wed, 11 Apr 2007 22:36:04 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/#comment-67510 Chris, I did not know about them. I <a href="http://o20db.com/db/insidesalescom/" rel="nofollow">added</a> them to the Office 2.0 Database. Best regards -Ismael Chris,

I did not know about them. I added them to the Office 2.0 Database.

Best regards
 -Ismael

]]> By: Cris http://itredux.com/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/comment-page-1/#comment-67326 Cris Wed, 11 Apr 2007 08:20:09 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/#comment-67326 What about <a href="http://www.insidesales.com/">insidesales.com</a>? Do you know it? And what do you think about it? What about insidesales.com? Do you know it? And what do you think about it?

]]> By: Ismael Ghalimi http://itredux.com/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/comment-page-1/#comment-61908 Ismael Ghalimi Fri, 30 Mar 2007 02:08:23 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/#comment-61908 Tom, Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated. Best regards -Ismael Tom,

Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated.

Best regards
 -Ismael

]]> By: Online CRM Guide http://itredux.com/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/comment-page-1/#comment-61906 Online CRM Guide Fri, 30 Mar 2007 02:04:35 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/#comment-61906 Unbelievable! This is one of the best comparisons I have ever seen. Although some companies on this list should not be here for lack of features, such as Free CRM! Unbelievable! This is one of the best comparisons I have ever seen. Although some companies on this list should not be here for lack of features, such as Free CRM!

]]> By: mad dog in the fog http://itredux.com/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/comment-page-1/#comment-55332 mad dog in the fog Sun, 11 Mar 2007 16:57:16 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/#comment-55332 [...] CRM Roundup [...] […] CRM Roundup […]

]]> By: IT|Redux http://itredux.com/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/comment-page-1/#comment-53954 IT|Redux Wed, 07 Mar 2007 23:27:08 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/#comment-53954 [...] Ease of Migration Migrating from an offline email client to an online alternative is virtually impossible if you want to preserve your email archives, unless you have been using IMAP. If all your emails came from a POP account and were removed from the server once downloaded to your email client, you’re pretty much out of luck. Other than that, migrating is fairly straightforward, especially if your online email client supports third-party IMAP and POP accounts. Migration of contacts is usually pretty simple, and can be achieved by exporting contacts into CSV or vCard formats from your offline email client, then importing them into your online account. Nevertheless, most online email applications offer a limited set of data fields for managing contacts, and most fields provided by offline applications such as Microsoft Outlook will be lost. The best solution would consist in using a third-party Contact Manager or a CRM application, but none of the applications we reviewed supported such a level of integration at the time of writing. [...] […] Ease of Migration Migrating from an offline email client to an online alternative is virtually impossible if you want to preserve your email archives, unless you have been using IMAP. If all your emails came from a POP account and were removed from the server once downloaded to your email client, you’re pretty much out of luck. Other than that, migrating is fairly straightforward, especially if your online email client supports third-party IMAP and POP accounts. Migration of contacts is usually pretty simple, and can be achieved by exporting contacts into CSV or vCard formats from your offline email client, then importing them into your online account. Nevertheless, most online email applications offer a limited set of data fields for managing contacts, and most fields provided by offline applications such as Microsoft Outlook will be lost. The best solution would consist in using a third-party Contact Manager or a CRM application, but none of the applications we reviewed supported such a level of integration at the time of writing. […]

]]> By: IT|Redux http://itredux.com/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/comment-page-1/#comment-52413 IT|Redux Fri, 02 Mar 2007 18:10:49 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/#comment-52413 [...] Alternatives The main alternative to a storage-centric document management application is an online file manager. One would go for the former rather than the later in order to get better indexing and searching, pre-viewing and editing, as well as integration with a CRM system such as Salesforce.com. Finding alternatives to workflow-centric document management applications is a little bit more difficult. One could use online faxing applications for example, but it is not clear that there would be any benefits in doing so. More often than not, the alternative is to carry ad hoc workflow processes by attaching documents to emails, which is about as inefficient as it gets. [...] […] Alternatives The main alternative to a storage-centric document management application is an online file manager. One would go for the former rather than the later in order to get better indexing and searching, pre-viewing and editing, as well as integration with a CRM system such as Salesforce.com. Finding alternatives to workflow-centric document management applications is a little bit more difficult. One could use online faxing applications for example, but it is not clear that there would be any benefits in doing so. More often than not, the alternative is to carry ad hoc workflow processes by attaching documents to emails, which is about as inefficient as it gets. […]

]]> By: IT|Redux http://itredux.com/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/comment-page-1/#comment-49170 IT|Redux Wed, 21 Feb 2007 04:21:49 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/#comment-49170 [...] Alternatives The most basic alternative to an online desktop is simply to use browser tabs, which allows you to open multiple applications all at once. Now that tabs are supported by Internet Explorer, this alternative is available to almost everybody. Another approach is to use what some call a web operating system, suchy as goowy or Zoho Virtual Office. Yet another is to use an online CRM application. As suggested in this previous article, a good CRM application such as Salesforce.com is a very powerful platform that can be used to integrate multiple online services in a data-oriented and workflow-driven way. Finally, if you’re looking for a simple way to aggregate multiple types of content, such as emails and feeds, a simple configuration of your email reader might do the trick—many Gmail users read their feeds directly from Gmail, instead of using a feed reader like Google Reader. [...] […] Alternatives The most basic alternative to an online desktop is simply to use browser tabs, which allows you to open multiple applications all at once. Now that tabs are supported by Internet Explorer, this alternative is available to almost everybody. Another approach is to use what some call a web operating system, suchy as goowy or Zoho Virtual Office. Yet another is to use an online CRM application. As suggested in this previous article, a good CRM application such as Salesforce.com is a very powerful platform that can be used to integrate multiple online services in a data-oriented and workflow-driven way. Finally, if you’re looking for a simple way to aggregate multiple types of content, such as emails and feeds, a simple configuration of your email reader might do the trick—many Gmail users read their feeds directly from Gmail, instead of using a feed reader like Google Reader. […]

]]> By: IT|Redux http://itredux.com/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/comment-page-1/#comment-47122 IT|Redux Fri, 16 Feb 2007 02:13:33 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/#comment-47122 [...] Three months ago, I made the transition from Salesforce.com to SugarCRM, mainly as a way to learn what was available out there. I was extremely impressed by this open-source alternative, and described what I liked about it in details in last week’s CRM Roundup. Nevertheless, I decided to revert back to Salesforce.com, and completed my reverse migration today. Here is why. [...] […] Three months ago, I made the transition from Salesforce.com to SugarCRM, mainly as a way to learn what was available out there. I was extremely impressed by this open-source alternative, and described what I liked about it in details in last week’s CRM Roundup. Nevertheless, I decided to revert back to Salesforce.com, and completed my reverse migration today. Here is why. […]

]]> By: Ismael Ghalimi http://itredux.com/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/comment-page-1/#comment-47086 Ismael Ghalimi Fri, 16 Feb 2007 00:59:07 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/#comment-47086 Doug, Thanks for the tip. I added SalesJunction to the <a href="http://itredux.com/office-20/database/?family=CRM" rel="nofollow">database</a>. Best regards -Ismael Doug,

Thanks for the tip. I added SalesJunction to the database.

Best regards
 -Ismael

]]> By: Doug Aird http://itredux.com/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/comment-page-1/#comment-47080 Doug Aird Fri, 16 Feb 2007 00:49:57 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/#comment-47080 Last year we tried Salesboom—it was by far the worst experience I have had in nearly 30 years in the software business. Still trying to get them to refund our fee. How this company can call themselves a CRM vendor is beyond me. They absolutely refuse to return calls, e-mails, and letters. Will be posting complete details of our experience shortly on a web site, and will post a link here when its ready. But if anyone is interested, please <a href="mailto:daird@acsco.com">e-mail me</a> directly. Please beware of Salesboom—the person writing the review up top has really swallowed there promo pitch—the delivery was shocking. Also, we evaluated Salesforce.com, but ended up with a product called <a href="http://www.salesjunction.com/">SalesJunction</a>, a small outfit but excellent value, strong features, and decent support that responds promptly. They do not seem to promote themselves too much, but they are worth a look if you are looking for a CRM solution. By the way, the new version of Skype looks like it will integrate with any CRM—get the Internet Explorer add on for Skype 3.0—outstanding time saver. Last year we tried Salesboom—it was by far the worst experience I have had in nearly 30 years in the software business. Still trying to get them to refund our fee. How this company can call themselves a CRM vendor is beyond me. They absolutely refuse to return calls, e-mails, and letters. Will be posting complete details of our experience shortly on a web site, and will post a link here when its ready. But if anyone is interested, please e-mail me directly. Please beware of Salesboom—the person writing the review up top has really swallowed there promo pitch—the delivery was shocking.

Also, we evaluated Salesforce.com, but ended up with a product called SalesJunction, a small outfit but excellent value, strong features, and decent support that responds promptly. They do not seem to promote themselves too much, but they are worth a look if you are looking for a CRM solution.

By the way, the new version of Skype looks like it will integrate with any CRM—get the Internet Explorer add on for Skype 3.0—outstanding time saver.

]]> By: Ismael Ghalimi http://itredux.com/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/comment-page-1/#comment-46676 Ismael Ghalimi Wed, 14 Feb 2007 19:32:23 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/#comment-46676 Scott, Thanks for the links. I added them to the <a href="http://itredux.com/office-20/database/?family=CRM" rel="nofollow">database</a>. Best regards -Ismael Scott,

Thanks for the links. I added them to the database.

Best regards
 -Ismael

]]> By: Scott Ganyo http://itredux.com/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/comment-page-1/#comment-46604 Scott Ganyo Wed, 14 Feb 2007 14:40:38 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/#comment-46604 I would point out that there are a couple of great CRM options that are just slightly more vertically focused, but could be used in general business: 1. <a href="http://www.etapestry.com/">eTapestry</a> eTapestry is focused on not-for-profit organizations, and offers an impressive range of services for these organizations. A non-profit isn't that different than a for-profit in many ways, however. 2. <a href="http://www.creative-manager.com/">Creative Manager</a> Creative Manager is focused on advertising agencies, but is very good for general purposes as well—in fact, I currently use it to help run a consulting company. -Scott I would point out that there are a couple of great CRM options that are just slightly more vertically focused, but could be used in general business:

1. eTapestry

eTapestry is focused on not-for-profit organizations, and offers an impressive range of services for these organizations. A non-profit isn’t that different than a for-profit in many ways, however.

2. Creative Manager

Creative Manager is focused on advertising agencies, but is very good for general purposes as well—in fact, I currently use it to help run a consulting company.

-Scott

]]> By: IT|Redux http://itredux.com/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/comment-page-1/#comment-46402 IT|Redux Wed, 14 Feb 2007 01:59:35 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/#comment-46402 [...] 1. Salesforce.com (42 votes out of 68) [Roundup] [...] […] 1. Salesforce.com (42 votes out of 68) [Roundup] […]

]]> By: IT|Redux http://itredux.com/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/comment-page-1/#comment-46368 IT|Redux Wed, 14 Feb 2007 00:37:53 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/#comment-46368 [...] From a functionality standpoint, the range of solutions currently available is fairly broad, from the simplest record keeping applications, to the most advanced application development environments. Some applications, such as QuickBase for example, also provide complete business solutions for project management, issue management, and sales management. Nevertheless, we will focus this article on core database features. Users interested by business solutions should consider the use of a CRM application as an alternative to an online database. When comparing online databases to their offline counterparts, such as Microsoft Access or FileMaker, the most significant feature gap is around development tools for building highly-customized forms and reports. This is an area where some progress needs to be made, even through Zoho Creator, with its proprietary scripting language, or QuickBase, with its advanced reporting capabilities, are demonstrating some very impressive capabilities. [...] […] From a functionality standpoint, the range of solutions currently available is fairly broad, from the simplest record keeping applications, to the most advanced application development environments. Some applications, such as QuickBase for example, also provide complete business solutions for project management, issue management, and sales management. Nevertheless, we will focus this article on core database features. Users interested by business solutions should consider the use of a CRM application as an alternative to an online database. When comparing online databases to their offline counterparts, such as Microsoft Access or FileMaker, the most significant feature gap is around development tools for building highly-customized forms and reports. This is an area where some progress needs to be made, even through Zoho Creator, with its proprietary scripting language, or QuickBase, with its advanced reporting capabilities, are demonstrating some very impressive capabilities. […]

]]> By: Anjali Sikka http://itredux.com/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/comment-page-1/#comment-44586 Anjali Sikka Fri, 09 Feb 2007 22:01:06 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/#comment-44586 Give <a href="http://www.bconnections.com/">bConnections</a> a try. It is the latest one to join the product family. Let me know what you think. Give bConnections a try. It is the latest one to join the product family.

Let me know what you think.

]]> By: Ismael Ghalimi http://itredux.com/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/comment-page-1/#comment-44169 Ismael Ghalimi Thu, 08 Feb 2007 21:57:00 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/#comment-44169 Nitin, I agree with you, mobile access is usually fairly poor. Best regards -Ismael Nitin,

I agree with you, mobile access is usually fairly poor.

Best regards
 -Ismael

]]> By: Nitin Badjatia http://itredux.com/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/comment-page-1/#comment-44160 Nitin Badjatia Thu, 08 Feb 2007 21:26:55 +0000 http://itredux.com/blog/2007/02/05/crm-roundup/#comment-44160 Ismael, Great writeup. I think another key item in the "what's missing" section is remote access. Having been in the CRM space for years myself, it is the one feature that has been overlooked by most of the big guys, as well as the new comers. When I say remote access, I mean the ability to get to critical parts of the CRM application via a smartphone or some over-the-air device. Many of the players you've mentioned have some sort of PIM synchronization, but that requires connectivity through a PC. I'm a big fan of SugarCRM, and have noticed several attempts to deal with this over the years. Sugar's own lite PDA browser interface seems ok, but unfortunately they do not provide it for users of the open-source version. SugarForge also has several projects that are developing solutions for BlackBerry users, but I'm a Palm Treo user. I don't think this is technically that difficult to do, so I remain hopeful that we'll see a workable solution some time soon. Ismael,

Great writeup. I think another key item in the “what’s missing” section is remote access. Having been in the CRM space for years myself, it is the one feature that has been overlooked by most of the big guys, as well as the new comers. When I say remote access, I mean the ability to get to critical parts of the CRM application via a smartphone or some over-the-air device. Many of the players you’ve mentioned have some sort of PIM synchronization, but that requires connectivity through a PC.

I’m a big fan of SugarCRM, and have noticed several attempts to deal with this over the years. Sugar’s own lite PDA browser interface seems ok, but unfortunately they do not provide it for users of the open-source version. SugarForge also has several projects that are developing solutions for BlackBerry users, but I’m a Palm Treo user. I don’t think this is technically that difficult to do, so I remain hopeful that we’ll see a workable solution some time soon.

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