Looking for a developer

[SJo]

Hi,

We are exploring the option of implementing Apex27 as our new CRM system. I am looking for recommendations for a developer with prior experience in integrating Apex27, ideally someone who has worked on similar projects before. Can anyone suggest a suitable developer?

Thanks,

SJo

 

[WebDesires]

Worked with many estate agents and built/maintained some systems but never heard of Apex27...

This system looks proprietary, I dont see any information on what language this system is built on or anything about developer access.

I believe you should talk to Apex27 first and get some information, then provide that here.

 

[antropy]

We are exploring the option of implementing Apex27 as our new CRM system.

Never heard of it.

It doesn't look very developer friendly from a quick Google, and it looks like they set it up for you?

It doesn't look like it can be downloaded or hosted yourself.

Paul.

 

[SJo]

Never heard of it.

It doesn't look very developer friendly from a quick Google, and it looks like they set it up for you?

It doesn't look like it can be downloaded or hosted yourself.

Paul.

That is a good assessment. We had a long demo with them yesterday. Although, as you alluded, it does meet many of our requirements out of the box, I would like to explore a secondary option as well. This will allow us to compare and ensure we are selecting the best option for our business model.

I'll keep this post updated.

 

[antropy]

Although, as you alluded, it does meet many of our requirements out of the box, I would like to explore a secondary option as well.

It looks like if you chose it you'd get locked in to using them and would be at their mercy.

There are plenty of open source CRMs that you could host yourself and work with a developer to customise if needed.

What secondary option are you looking at?

Paul.

 

[SJo]

It looks like if you chose it you'd get locked in to using them and would be at their mercy.

There are plenty of open source CRMs that you could host yourself and work with a developer to customise if needed.

What secondary option are you looking at?

Paul.

I'm still looking and open to suggestions.

 

[antropy]

I'm still looking and open to suggestions.

Could you give a bit of background on what you want the CRM for?

Paul.

 

[SJo]

Could you give a bit of background on what you want the CRM for?

Paul.

We're looking for a CRM primarily for Sales and Marketing purposes. We need it for following leads, contact and portfolio management, as well as workflow management, to integrate social media, own website also. It would be added bonus if it could integrate with Xero and MS 365, too.

 

[antropy]

We're looking for a CRM primarily for Sales and Marketing purposes. We need it for following leads, contact and portfolio management, as well as workflow management, to integrate social media, own website also. It would be added bonus if it could integrate with Xero and MS 365, too.

That's not the best description i.e. what's "portfolio management"? What's "workflow management"? What work do you manage? What do you want to do with social media? "own website also"? So you want it to also be the software that powers your website? That's a bad idea if so. Integrating with Xero makes sense for a CRM, but what do you want it to do with MS 365? It's not that clear what you want from this system from the above, but there's a good list here:

Softaculous

I'd suggest looking at Zurmo, but I would suggest you think about using different tools for different things rather than one piece of software that does everything, as per the Unix Philosophy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unix_philosophy

Paul.

 

[WebDesires]

Hello, the estate agents we have worked with in the past and have developed sites for we have used WordPress as the core for the site (opensource php) with a plugin called WP Property Hive, which has huge amounts of configerability and plugins that can be used - as well of course the ability for custom development if needed.

 

[Elie]

We're looking for a CRM primarily for Sales and Marketing purposes. We need it for following leads, contact and portfolio management, as well as workflow management, to integrate social media, own website also. It would be added bonus if it could integrate with Xero and MS 365, too.

Hi SJo, I'm a software engineer by trade (25 years). Given the high level requirements you've described here it sounds like Hubspot or Dynamics 365 (microsoft) might be a good place to start. They both have Xero integration and obviously, if you choose to go with Dynamics, it's within the MS 365 ecosystem already so no integration needed.

If you want more options to add to the list, Pipedrive and Zoho might be good options.

The cost per seat might be a deciding factor, the ability to develop custom software around your CRM might be another, the ease of integration, etc.

Shout if you need some assistance with picking the right CRM for your use case and best of luck.

Elie