Unlike most CRM systems, I commend SugarCRM for offering an Open Source free version of their software. In the spirit of Open Source, SugarCRM has released its Community version of its software which allows businesses to utilize a scaled-down version of their software for free. With our economic climate in such a difficult state, small and large businesses alike need to find ways to cut cost without sacrificing efficient practices. Enter Open Source. Open Source software technically means that the source code is available to the public, but generally it also means that you can implement it for little or no cost.
So how can Open Source software systems help your business?
If your business is paying hundreds of dollars each month for commercial enterprise software... your paying to much. I have implemented the Community edition of SugarCRM on a number of my client's websites and recommend it to anyone in need of a cost effective CRM solution. This system can even be integrated into your website to capture leads and feed them directly into your CRM. Personally, I work with the Joomla CMS which can be quickly bridged with SugarCRM and the popular Open Source shopping cart Virtuemart. For my clients this means I can provide them with a complete Ecommerce solution with a built-in CRM system for a few thousand dollars.
What can you do with SugarCRM?
Tracking software is crucial to any business serious about increasing their sales, and SugarCRM is an excellent option. SugarCRM offers a comprehensive client management solution that will surely assist you sales team to increase their sales conversions. After a lead is captured from you website it is fed into the CRM where your sales team can track their interaction with the potential client. One of the great sales idioms proclaims, Always follow up, never give up. SugarCRM provides the ability to set reminders so your sales team is alerted when a lead has been sitting for a specified period of time. As a salesmen, I use SugarCRM specifically for this function and it has been crucial in reviving dead leads.
The SugarCRM software package has been downloaded over three million times and is used by industry giants such as Starbucks Corp. and Honeywell International.
Kevin Rice is a founding partner at Hathway Tech, where he is responsible for project management, training, and overall business strategy. He is a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, a South Park enthusiast, and a true scholar of Joomla! and web development in general.
