CRM Software

[crackers]

Hey, what do you think about it? what do you use?
Im using Excel, but I have over 400 rows now, so its hard to manage.

Had a look around, and CRM Software On Demand, Online CRM Solutions - salesforce.com (http://www.salesforce.com) is really good. Its a little expensive for me just yet.

Currently starting to try vTiger CRM. Its nice. Its also Free!

Lets see how it goes.

[Carl Taylor]

I've used SugarCRM and Microsoft CRM 3.0 (version 4 is now out haven't investigated yet)

CRM's are great but can be expensive to get configured exactly how you want your business to work.

I've never heard of vTiger!!

I've never used but my searching a little while ago did throw up
openCRX - Enterprise Open Source CRM (http://www.opencrx.org/)

If anyone here has used it, i'm interested in your comments.

[crackers]

vTiger is built ontop of sugar crm I believe.

Its not to bad.

[Slade]

How good are you with MS Access? If you are building a start up company, you are probably still unsure of what you really need to capture and if you already have data in an excel spreadsheet you could probably convert it to ms access and then develop it with your business.

Then you will have a good framework to be able to migrate to a proper crm.

[Brendan]

I recently stumbled across Simple small business software, collaboration, CRM: 37signals (http://www.37signals.com/) who have developed a number of online applications that are aimed at small businesses, they have developed a CRM package that might suit what you are after - Contact Manager, Web Based CRM, Address Book for Small Business: Highrise (http://www.highrisehq.com/?source=37s+home)

They also have a number of other fantastic tools that you might find useful;

- Project management, collaboration, and task software: Basecamp (http://www.basecamphq.com/?source=37s+home)
- Intranet, Group Calendar, Small Business Organizer: Backpack (http://www.backpackit.com/?source=37s+home)
- Business group chat, file sharing, group decision making: Campfire (http://www.campfirenow.com/?source=37s+home)

I think I'll be looking into using some of these in the near future.

[gerryonline]

That software from 37signals seems great think I might have to look at one or two of the products

[Cass1]

You may also be interested with what a few of my friends recommend: SugarCRM and Act!

Though I haven't used it, it might be something worth to try. Other alternatives can be found in this blog (http://www.timedoctor.com/blog/2011/02/02/43-project-management-software-alternatives). You can check out the comparison table in the spreadsheet for a detailed comparison of the features and prices.

[NeilD]

I've heard some good reports about Sugar. I have also seen some big companies spend many many months trying to get CRM systems installed.

[PhillipDyhrHobbs]

Yes 37 Signals is the best :)