CRM Software Buying Tips

Due to it's importance to the success of your business, you need to
consider your choice of CRM software carefully. Here are few buying tips
for CRM software systems:

1) Application integration - make sure the CRM software can interface
with your current software applications such as Microsoft Outlook and
any contact management software.

2) Import and export features - you need to be able to both import
existing client contact information from a database as well as export
information out of the CRM software system.

3) Mobile connectivity - the salesforce of today is more mobile than
ever, so your sales team needs to be able to connect to CRM software via
cell phone, PDA and other wireless electronic devices.

4) Robust reporting - you need to be able to generate custom reports that
are meaningful to your specific business. The CRM software should allow
you lots of flexibility in this regard - this is important.

5) User interface - the CRM software should be pretty intuitive to use
and not require hours of specialized training from the software vendor.
If it's not logical or easy to use, it won't be used by your sales force.

6) Remotely vs. locally hosted software - Both solutions have their
advantages and disadvantages so make sure you select the right choice
for your current and anticipated future business needs. One solution
isn't inherently better than the other.

7) Technical support costs - some CRM software packages are deceptively
inexpensive but make up for it in ongoing support costs. Make sure you
understand what you are purchasing before you commit on the dotted line.

For more information check out a great CRM Software Resource called comparecrm.com.

Comments

[Seema]

contact acg infotech limited for web crm http://www.acgil.com/

[vgp-bpl2 battery]

Hello All,

Check out this CRM beta adaptation with telephony interface. We are the OEM of website and all the telephony interface added like: SMS, Fax and buzz Recording. Let me apperceive what all you can dream of... we would try to body your dream into reality.

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[li-10c charger]

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[hiwrt]

Their PDA sync also known as "One Sync," imports as well as exports all your information and merges it from one place to the next. The sync which always takes less than 30 seconds to complete, ranges from Outlook Sync, Gmail Sync, Hotmail Sync, and more. You are provided with custom searchs and fields to fit your companies needs, in addition to other capabilities such as

[CRM]

CRM .The Easy CRM Software for Outlook. Prophet simplifies contact management software, contact manager, small business Sales CRM Software. Prophet is the easiest CRM software because it is built INTO Outlook vs simply synching with Outlook.

[Intelestream Inc]

Great, informative article. We also have other in-depth coverage of CRM, including whitepapers and webinars at the Intelestream University found on www.intelestream.net/university
Best!

[wholesale electronics]

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[rafrqleet]

I like your article & enjoy reading your posts!

[CRM for small business]

Nice tips. I strongly believe that usability is very much needed for CRM. The success of CRM lies in customized CRM reports, integration and access of these reports to various forms. When it comes for integration, CRM must integrate with mobile, next trend is mobile CRM. once again enlightening blog post on CRM.

[Trakeze]

Another important factor is the size of your business. If you are a small business you need to find both a scalable solution for your future growth and an affordable solution for your current budgetary constraints.

Therefore, if you are a small business, it's better to look for a CRM system that is tailored to these two elements.

Check out trakeze.com.

[Florea]

Very good info ! Thank You for sharing ! See more about CRM on http://hubpages.com/hub/Crm-Software-Solutions

[Ankur Jain]

Hello All,
Check out this CRM beta version with telephony interface. We are the OEM of website and all the telephony interface added like: SMS, Fax and phone Recording. Let me know what all you can dream of... we would try to build your dream into reality.

Your inputs would be appreciated.

Regards,
Ankur Jain
[email protected]

[Ankur Jain]

Use CRM with telephony interface for free! www.ensembler.com

Hello All,
Check out this CRM beta version with telephony interface. We are the OEM of website and all the telephony interface added like: SMS, Fax and phone Recording. Let me know what all you can dream of... we would try to build your dream into reality.

Your inputs would be appreciated.

Regards,
Ankur Jain
ankur.jain[at]alliance-infotech.com

[Martin]

Great article. The next step is to build a CRM sales strategy and choose the best CRM platform that fits your needs.

A recent 2009 list of the top 40 CRM providers can be found here:
http://mjstewart.blogspot.com/2009/03/top-40-crm-service-providers.html

[Mark Antill]

All valid points but I agree with Doug. Every CRM package is going to have strengths/weaknesses. It's best to get a hands on demo or a walkthrough by an experienced sales person. Most CRMs can meet the 7 criteria listed but how it works for you should be the main focal point.

Mark

[Business Software Solutions]

I can see that you are putting a lot of time and effort into your blog and detailed articles! I am deeply in love with every single piece of information you post here. Will be back often to read more updates! I most certainly enjoyed reading this post.It was a very informative.

[Cheryl Curtis]

Great tips. Check out this article to see what questions you should be asking your CRM vendor - watch out for the hidden costs.

http://www.salesnexus.com/hidden_cost_of_crm.php?ref=lp-hidden_costs

[Josh Aronowitz]

Looking at this list of tips it's kind of hard for me not to make a recommendation. There is a new FREE (yes I said FREE) CRM system which incorporates a business social network as well, called OctopusCity.com. Their PDA sync also known as "One Sync," imports as well as exports all your information and merges it from one place to the next. The sync which always takes less than 30 seconds to complete, ranges from Outlook Sync, Gmail Sync, Hotmail Sync, and more. You are provided with custom searchs and fields to fit your companies needs, in addition to other capabilities such as teleconferencing and video-web conferencing. Unlike companies like SalesForce, OctopusCity.com offers an easy to use, intuitive software, with 24/7 customer support absolutely FREE!!! So yeah again, no added costs for customer support. Like I said it's hard for me not to recommend this software to others. You should check it out yourselves.

[Marcus Graves]

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[Doug Klein]

As a former VP of Sales for an equipment company, and saleman. I worked with alot of different CRM platforms and solutions. With eSalesTrack not only is it very user friendly, the unique reporting features made it easy for my managers to give me forcast that were realistic. The ROI really made the whole platform come together.

I believed in the product so much I am now the Business Development Manager for eSalesTrack.

Our customers have found eSalesTrack to be unique, because it was developed by sales people for sales people. It enables your sales reps to better utilize their time, increase productivity and provide better customer service.

It enables your sales leadership on any level, more accurate forecasting and better communications with the entire sales team. Which in turn helps them provide better coaching

Here is the website:

http://www.esalestrack.com

You can do the free trial but I recommend you look at getting a Live Demo with a CRM specialist.

As with any CRM it is only as good as the information you put in it.

[TPI CRM]

The cost and ROI are important factors for most businesses (especially SMB) to choose CRM. It should be easy to use as an out-of-box package, while flexible to adapt to business requirement. As most SMBs tend to use hosted solution, the security and reliability has to be in high standard.

Check this CRM solution: TPI CRM. http://www.infowarelab.com (it has 30-day free trial and a free portal site). It has all the tips mentioned above and very affordable. It will help business more productive, effective, make better plan, and grow.

[Alex Patterson]

This is a good article, but I think we are missing one of the biggest features and that is ease of use. If it is too complexed and not user friendly, then it will not be used by the sales or customer service teams.
Making sure you are able to manage your leads and ensure that you have the ability to contact then as quick as possible is another tip that I would add.

[SyncoData]

SyncoData is an enterprise ready CRM Web Based collaboration software for your business. SyncoData enables you to manage contacts, appointments, to-dos and many more for your whole business.

SyncoData is a robust CRM software package. It comes with a web-interface which allows to access your data from any platform all over the planet. Moreover you also have the choice to access the SyncoData server with your favorite Email client (Kontact, Evolution, Outlook) and also with your mobile or PDA or Palm.

SyncoData is platform independent. This system will run on Linux, Mac, Windows and many more other operating systems. On the client side, all you need is a internet browser such as Firefox, Konqueror, Internet Explorer and many more.

FREE 30 Day Trial
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[James Morris]

I made my decision to use the SFDC product after seeing this. . ,Pretty good stuff.

[Laurent Farci]

And in order to help you to choose the right CRM for you, the use of www.chooseyourcrm.com could be a good idea.

[Steve]

Support and training are essential to the implementation process. I would recommend going with a hosted solution. They always provide better service. Plus, if anything goes down in the system, you have someone to blame.

[Troy Bingham]

This is a good article. I would add a couple of things that are important (depending on the type of sales organization you have) that I would add.

1. Integration with telephony tools. Real time integration with dialers allows a salesrep to prioritize prospecting activites and handle realtime webleads as they come in.

2. Lead Nurturing. While there are a lot of seperate nurturing solutions, if a CRM facilitates the nuturing activites, marketing departments are able to retain control of the leads while giving access to the sales team for the qualification and sales processes.

3. Extras. It is important to compare training, support, customization and other services that are provided by the CRM vendor.

[Rob]

While all these things are important and valid tips, I feel that before considering these you should consider broader business growth drivers. This could be to increase your business growth by 50% over 4 years, for example. Once you are clear on what you want your CRM system to help you achieve you can then look at the more functional things like accounts integration, syncronization/replication etc.

It's psychological; if you buy a CRM system to help you grow your business by 50%, you will get much greater return than if you buy it simply because you can easily import your current data, or because it effectively automates your paper based system.

Rob