CRM ???

[Sanke]

Hi all
Currently I produce my invoices using word, email via.vistaprint & my CRM system is my phone !

As I am looking to grow my business I need to improve all three to a better system. Is there a way to incorporate them all into one system ?

 

[Philip Hoyle]

Most decent accounting/book-keeping software includes a database of customers, sales invoices, debtor tracking, etc these days. Some have a stock item or product database from which to issue the sales invoices. Some allow you to record costs and/or time against jobs to recharge as sales invoices. To a varying extent, they are CRM databases, some have lots of user-definable fields, some have good reporting history, i.e. value of orders to date, source of order, reporting by area or product/service type etc. The good thing with this kind of sales/customer database being part of the book-keeping package is that it automatically updates your "ledgers" for profit reporting, VAT returns etc., so you don't need to create invoices in one system and then re-key or import them into another for the book-keeping. Only if your sales/crm needs are unusual or complicated would you need a special CRM system on it's own - the decent book-keeping packages will be adequate for the majority of businesses with relatively simple/normal sales/customer/crm needs.

 

[Sanke]

Thanks Philip for your quick reply. You are avoiding the X Factor as well. We are a property services company & will also be starting a Lettings Agency shortly. Any recommendations of software to trial ?
Thanks
Steve

 

[chardyzulu]

Hi Steve,
Kashflow and Xero would be a good starting point for managing quotes, invoices, receipts, customers etc etc, but if you want to manage customer relationships (for example, remind yourself automatically that it's been 9 months since you spoke to someone and they might be looking for a new rental) it would be worth looking at Zoho CRM. It's affordable for small business, and integrates nicely with their other business products, Zoho Books (which does accounts etc) for example.

We currently use Kashflow - I hate it! I'm considering a move to Xero or Zoho Books in the new year.

We don't currently use Zoho software, but I'm evaluating lots and they are looking like a very good match for us. Good luck and Happy New Year!

 

[Carl Barlow]

A friend of mine has a small business CRM system that does everything that you've mentioned called Spin Less Plates. Might be worth having a look at the free trial?