Handheld Contact only offers subscription based, CompanionLink offers it as an option and Sage are looking at their own solution (ACT! Mobile Live) As most ACT! users (other than Prem for Web) not having the systems and/or skills, those PDA links doing this are using the cloud and charging for the service. The options for that either require the user to have web infrastructure or use an externally hosted sync server. With most ACT! users who have modern Smartphones/PDAs now wanting wireless updates. So I thought it would be a good topic to discuss There has been a lot of discussion about "cloud computing" or SaaS (Software as a Service) – even some by Sage management on the ACT! Community Leadership Blog. You really want to know “What’s the best CRM solution for YOU?” Anyone who makes a recommendation without knowing or asking these questions can’t possibly be answering that. You need to do your own research if you are comparing products.
When speaking to vendors, and even many consultants, remember their competitive info isn't always accurate.
Here is an article that I did on picking a CRM consultant: How to pick the right CRM Consultant Often the best way to to it right is to speak to a consultant in the field to provide some advice. Remember that your customer database can be one of your most valuable assets and equipping your business with the right tools to mine that asset can produce valuable returns – especially when financial times are perceived to be tough. if the users find it to complex to use or un-helpful to them, they won't enter good data. One common issue is looking at management needs (administration and reporting) over usability.
Would you be prepared to invest in improving this? What sort of infrastructure do you have – operating systems, hardware, network.What sort of security is important to you? Eg should all users be able to see/edit all records?.If so, do you have reliable internet connectivity? Do you want remote access – remote offices, laptop users, smart phones?.Do you want to integrate with new technologies – social media, Twitter, LinkedIN, etc?.Do you want to integrate with legacy systems – accounting, ERP or other software?.You need to involve internal users at different levels (sales, marketing, management) What do you want to do with the data? Reports, email merges, news letters, etc.Where is your data sourced from (initial setup and on-going leads)?įor example: your web site, external companies, social media, Excel, paper entry.How many records (contacts and/or companies)? Also now and over next 12-18 months.How many users are you expecting to have? Now and over the next 12-18 months.
This is especially important in the SME market where there is a greater range of options available than in the Enterprise space.Īny recommendations without this info would be like asking for the best car or religion, and any suggestions would be akin to the adage "If the only tool you have is a hammer, all problems look like nails" I often get asked or see on-line posts asking this question and people seem surprised when I, as an ACT! Evangelist, tell then that it can’t be answered without more detailed information.