CRM Recommendations

[wdltd]

I hope this is the right forum to post in - I was torn between here and IT & Internet.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a simple CRM? I really don't need all the bloat that most of them have, just a way to track enquiries & quotations, with reminders sent when I should be doing something (e.g. sending proposal, follow up call etc.).

Ideally it would be something networkable or internet based. I've searched high & low for something that fits the bill with no luck. I'm on the verge of writing a simple web app to do exactly what I want - but truthfully I don't really have the time or motivation.

Can anyone help?

 

[Bruceflea]

hi,

take a look at www.qsstms.com and see what you think. if you want more info i'll PM you the guys details and he can arrange a demo. we had one recently and were very impressed with the system

 

[matt.chatterley]

We use Capsule CRM - although I'm not certain if it can mail you reminders, it does have a fairly simple 'tasks' feature amongst other bits. Plus it's free to try upto a reasonable # of contacts, etc.

 

[wdltd]

Thanks guys.

I've had a quick look at both. Gsstms looks like it's call centre oriented - which isn't really what I need it for... does it also have CRM facilities - I couldn't get much from their site?

I've come across Capsule before, and dismissed it because I'm not keen on hosted services - but I'm going to take a close look as you recommend it. I like the sound of the Outlook integration... although it sounds like you have to manually send each email into Capsule. Do you use that?

 

[Bruceflea]

Thanks guys.

I've had a quick look at both. Gsstms looks like it's call centre oriented - which isn't really what I need it for... does it also have CRM facilities - I couldn't get much from their site?

it can be used for call centres but that is not their market. we do not have a call centre and we are looking to use this product. it does have CRM facilities and also the emails/ quotes can be incorporated into the system.

if you want more info, call 01249 700230, ask for Michael Copestake and tell him Aaron at Market Simplicity gave you his details.

 

[matt.chatterley]

I've come across Capsule before, and dismissed it because I'm not keen on hosted services - but I'm going to take a close look as you recommend it. I like the sound of the Outlook integration... although it sounds like you have to manually send each email into Capsule. Do you use that?

Yeah - we always bcc the 'drop box' - it's a really handy feature because it will auto-create contacts (we use lists of tagged contacts to manage our processes, so any who are untagged come up as 'for review' - v. handy).

Obviously it gives you a track history of documents, messages sent, etc too.

FWIW, we weren't keen on using a hosted service either, but we're glad we did now!

 

[Heart Communications]

Hi,

We use FLG which is Internet based and really user friendly!

It's great for logging and tracking leads.

 

[Deleted member 76523]

We use vTiger it is open source meaning it is free, it has multiple users and is fully configurable to your needs (will need someone who understands PHP for a major reconfig)

Honestly worth checking out!

 

[RedEvo]

Another vote for Capsule and the Kashflow integration makes is a no brainer for us. Also hooks into MailChimp.

d

 

[british steve]

We use sugar, best of all is that they do a free version!

 

[amarath]

the best ive come across is salesforce by far. its not free but the platform is excellent and completely customisable.

for a free service, id reccomend zoho (google it). Zoho have a variety of different CRM modules all of which are free for up to 5 users I think.

Nice and easy with an option to upgrade too. The thing to check is that you can export data if you decide to port over to another CRM in the future (and if so what costs are involved).

 

[Spiritas]

http://www.freecrm.com looks interesting, rather sugar like and free for 3 users I think.

 

[wdltd]

Thank you everybody for your suggestions.

I've ended up getting a bit creative and making a CRM out of a tool that we're already using for support and project management - Feng Office - formerly Open Goo. It's a bit of a mashup - but it's something that all of us are already familiar with, it's free, and we can host it ourselves.

If that fails, I'm trialling capsule, and we've got an install of Sugar that I've been playing with for quite a while. I liked the look of FLG as well, but the pricing put me off a bit - because we'd need 10 seats.

 

[which_08]

Sage ACT

I cant beleive no one has mentioned it lol

Anyway i Love it without it we wouldnt be a business we would be existing.

 

[wdltd]

I did consider ACT - mainly because we run Sage Line 50 - so there would be good integration. The problem I have with it, and any desktop application, is that I can't access it anywhere else. I'm sad, and I loke to work in the evenings...

 

[amphis software]

we would, of course, recommend our very own Amphis Customer software. please feel free to download a Free 30 day trial.

we welcome any feedback especially any ideas for improving our software. email support and future upgrades are free.

thanks

Tom

 

[mickspenbob]

A service like iTMS will give you all the Call management functionality you want and at the same time provide the crm functionality you want

 

[garyk]

Dont know why when anyone mentions they want a 'simple' CRM that vtiger and sugar crm get mentioned, feature rich yes, simple no, please listen to what people actually ask for.

 

[wdltd]

You're right Gary, neither Sugar nor vTiger are simple! We used Sugar for a while, but had to give up on it because the majority of people in the office couldn't get on with it - therefore didn't use it. A CRM can only be successful if you get buy in from everyone in the organisation, and therefore it needs to be straightforward!

If I was the only one using it, then Sugar would be fine, but having a system that isn't adopted company-wide defeats the whole object.

 

[Newbus]

I am an advocate for salesforce.com. I started using it some 6 years ago, long before it became the huge and 1st choice for most mid size companies.

It has added huge value to our business controlling the contacts, marketing campaigns, opportunities and excellent reporting. I have also recently integrated salesforce into my i phone.

 

[wdltd]

The problem I have with Salesforce is that it's a subscription based hosted service. I like to own and control my software, and not be tied into a monthly fee to access my data. I think the whole SAAS thing has it's merits, but so far, i haven't been convinced to go with anything based on that model. my opinion is probably based on misconceptions.... so please correct me if I'm wrong!

 

[james Minion]

I use Capsule for my non telemarketing stuff. I appreciate the Hosted model may not be for you but I have found it excellent. £8 per user per month as well is very reasonable. As I understand they are also working on a mobile version and as soon as this is ready it will be brilliant.

i have used Salesforce and it is exellent but can quickly become expensive for a Micro Biz or very small SME. It is obviously modular but we ended up paying £85 a month per user to get the functionality we required at the time. This was a touch much for us - hence the change.

 

[mickspenbob]

James
You dont mention what you changed to?

 

[james Minion]

Capsule. Sorry if I was not clear. We used Saleforce for a year. I then started to search for an alternative and tried a load of hosted solutions and settled on Capsule.

the reasons I choose it were because it was simple and easily intergrated with Kashflow (accounting) and Mailchimp (e-marketing). It also looks very pretty (shallow I know).

 

[mickspenbob]

You mention Capsule for non telemarketing stuff. Do you have any preference for systems to use for managing your telemarketing stuff?