System

SugarCRM has just announced the release of their latest version, Sugar 6. With the release of this version, SugarCRM tries to make the CRM system easier and more flexible for their users. In fact, many users do not understand how to operate this system. The main reason lies in the complexity and the least experience of the users themselves. This release will give priority to enhancing the user experience by offering a cleaner system, equipped with new larger buttons and symbols that allow users to more operate this system easier and obtain the required information. Basically, this release is more aimed for CRM to be more flexible and comfortable fit with the needs of users than if the user spends a lot of time to understand the complexity of UI and everything in it. They have achieved this by focusing on a menu option that is easier to use. This new release also enables Sugar users can easily access the information through such social networking site Twitter, LindkedIn and other data sources through CRM. This makes SugarCRM more social than ever before. According to Clint Oram, deputy assistant director of production and the founder of SugarCRM, the focus of Sugar 6 located on the experience of its users. Among the changes to the latest version, there is a simpler design where the menu has been moved to the top. Menus located at the top of the page including a frequently used, and specific to SugarCRM Professional and Enterprise versions are supported by AJAX, that provides the user with a drop-down menu interface. All this reduces the number of clicks or keystrokes on Sugar 6. For example, in the previous version of Sugar 5.5, which was launched last year, doing a search is a complicated process. Now, Oram said, rather than bringing users to a separate screen as a whole, the system contained in the Global Search Sugar 6 offers an overlay with the search results. With this system, users can remain on screen that they're doing, and still can do a search to see other information without having to get out of the navigation system. The performance of search systems have also been optimized by Sugar 6 so that search results can be displayed more quickly.

Although Open Source CRM (Customer Relationship Management) has existed since a few years ago, but still many companies are hesitant to try to use them. This is mostly due to the wrong perception of open source, such as that the open source systems are less powerful or less reliable than proprietary systems, also that open source does not provide support to the users. But Martin Schneider, Senior Director SugarCRM (one of Open Source CRM service provider) give different perspective, open source CRM now, is as reliable as proprietary systems, and price could be less expensive and give better results.

So what are the considerations for your company to use open source CRM? Here are some reasons.

Do More with Less . We exclude Community Edition from our , including SugarCRM Community Edition. Paid editions of Such as Professional SugarCRM and Enterprise Edition when compared to proprietary systems like Salesforce.com, SugarCRM Enterprise Edition is still less expensive significantly. Price $ 600 per user/year compared to $ 1,500 per user/year. With the same features, functions and support.

Professional Service Support. Commercial open source CRM, has the same support compared to proprietary systems, both online and by phone, depending on which services who you buy. There are also many online forums and message board where users can obtain free help and advice. For open source CRM Community Edition, there many vendors who provide support services.

Control and Modification. Because the open source CRM solutions using open standard, where the program code can be obtained by anyone, of course it'seasier to modify than proprietary CRM program. You can do the modifications by yourself without having to pay to another party.

User Friendly. Generally, internet users say that open source CRM is easier to use, this was due to more familiar interface. Open source CRM is generally put on a web-based interface, while proprietary use non web-based interface. The learning process will be faster and less time for training.

Better Integration. In general, the commercial open source CRM, can be integrates with Microsoft Outlook and other applications.

Highly Scalable. Unlike the proprietary solutions, you change scale/number of users in commercial open source CRM easily. Suppose we want to increase the number of users into several hundred more users will be more effective if we use open source CRM. To be more specific if this application operate in the cloud-based environment, where the cloud-based general use open source so the change/increase in scale to some degree canbe carried out without adding significant cost, because the price of hardware and storage media is relatively cheap and the software infrastructure is basically Free.

Run on any platform. Basically, open-source can work on platform or any application, meaning no hardware investment required nor new software.

Run on any devices. open source CRM solution can be accessed via PC, laptops or other mobile device with a connection to the internet. Freedom device usage is important, because it means the company can access their CRM programs on any device, without additional hardware or restrict usage only to multiple types of devices, Schneider reviewed.

Mobility Support. While in general CRM applications can be run on mobile devices, SugarCRM mobility with a higher priority launched the "Sugar 6" this summer. Sugar mobile applications can be obtained free for iPhone, Blackberry, Android, Microsoft Windows Mobile, even for any type of mobile phone. Why is this so important? Say for example you're a small businessman who has eight salesmen, eg Salesman A wearing the iPhone, B and C use the Blackberry, and others use HTC or even Motorola, with open source CRM they can remain use the same application with the same functionality, can access same database, without needing to change anything on their mobile phones. This means that employers do not need to purchase additional costs new cellular phone device, Ugrade programs, services or otherwise.

Rapid Fix and Patch . Provider of open source solutions in general can be more quickly in providing updates/patches from proprietary software company. So that error correction program and new features, can be more quickly released, and updates system can be done through the web simultaneously without disturbing the business process.

Reference: http://www.ecrmguide.com/article.php/3886511

We are pleased to announce that Rabobank, have become our clients. Rabobank need a CRM system to improve services and relations with the Customer, and their choice fell on SugarCRM and we elected to become Rabobank vendor through selection process with several other vendors. SugarCRM for Rabobank requires a business process that is quite unique. CRM System, in this case : SugarCRM, originally designed for Business to Business (B2B). In B2B, their customers are companies or organizations, not individuals. While bank is B2B and B2C company. Through a long brainstorming session, we succeeded in formulating business processes to these needs, CRM System : SugarCRM for B2B and B2C.