CRM Software questions

Chadcs · 08-01-2008, 03:21 PM

Do any of you use CRM applications such as ACT! or SalesForc.com, entellium, etc?

If so, what are your experiences and why did you choose one over the other? I'm trying to figure out which one I want to use.

Thanks

al3 · 08-01-2008, 03:30 PM

Ooooh, oooh, oooh... can I answer this? Pick me! Choose me! Please? It's been a long, long time since our last CRM food fight. C'mon guys. Let me answer. Pretty please? Let's get back down in the mud and mix it up!! It'll be fun!

The Jackass
(who uses Sugar CRM)

patch36 · 08-01-2008, 03:40 PM

ACT! here.

Charpress · 08-01-2008, 03:59 PM

I've looked at everything --in great detail.

I decided to just go with Outlook with Business Contact Manager.

Here's the thing: the business contact manager (which is pretty impressive) is cobbled together with Outlook which is a problem. Believe it or not, you end up with two separate contact managers, the BCM portion of which is database driven. It can be shared, but the calendar cannot.

So here are the lengths I'm going to at this point: I am using Google Calendar because it has a sync utility that lets it update the Outlook calendar. That is how I am able to share the calendar with a secretary. The regular Outlook contact manager cannot be shared over a regular Vista/XP workgroup. So, you always have to double check whether you are in "regular" Outlook contact manager or "BCM" contact manager since one can share and one cannot.

I've looked at Act! and all the other and they all have their own problems. Some that seem really good require annual licensing fees which run across my grain. So, I have come to the conclusion that there is nothing out there for my particular needs that does not have serious drawbacks.

Chadcs · 08-01-2008, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by al3

Ooooh, oooh, oooh... can I answer this? Pick me! Choose me! Please? It's been a long, long time since our last CRM food fight. C'mon guys. Let me answer. Pretty please? Let's get back down in the mud and mix it up!! It'll be fun!

The Jackass
(who uses Sugar CRM)

Okay, Al, you can answer this one.

Chadcs · 08-01-2008, 04:16 PM

entellium looks like it might be a good one...

Bob_The_Insurance_Guy · 08-01-2008, 04:25 PM

Been using FREECRM.com for three years now, with no problems. Download the user's guide and go from there.

al3 · 08-01-2008, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob_The_Insurance_Guy

Been using FREECRM.com for three years now, with no problems. Download the user's guide and go from there.

I love Freecrm. I recommend it to everyone. I started with it for a few months to see if I liked it. But then I found Sugar CRM which is also free. And since I own my own server at Pair Networks in Pittsburgh, PA. I just loaded Sugar on it and it's been terrific for me the past year or so.

Sugar takes a bit more of a learning curve to install but often your ISP will help you with it. I like Sugar because I'm still a geek... but most folks will be fine with Freecrm. There are tons and tons of others out there.

Here is a good site to read up on some of the CRMs (and there is a new one out every day!)

Small Business CRM Resource Centre - Your Free Guide To CRM Help

Now can we discuss the the advantages of CRM over desktop programs? Someone must want to know? Please ask!! Make my day!!!!

The Jackass

Chadcs · 08-01-2008, 05:16 PM

Okay, Al, what are the advantages of CRM over desktop programs?

I also own my top of the line server and have a great programmer - does that make a big difference?

retread · 08-01-2008, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chadcs

Okay, Al, what are the advantages of CRM over desktop programs?

I also own my top of the line server and have a great programmer - does that make a big difference?

You just threw him a T-bone steak!!

I'm going to jump in here and mention that CRM can be either desktop OR web-based.

I like desktop CRM because I like the original concept of Personal computers.... that is, it is under MY control at all times.

Web-based CRM programs are versatile because you can access them from mobile locations. However, you are at the mercy of the website provider. There may be monthly fees, unexpected outages, out of area access problems, etc.

With a desktop CRM, you can take it with you on your laptop and web access is not an issue, unless you want to upload realtime. In that case, you will need a wireless card, just like you would with a web-based CRM. The advantage of course, is that you can always synch the program back at your home office if you can't get online on location.

A desktop CRM can be very expensive, and so can web-based CRM. You pay for what features you must have. A moderately priced desktop CRM is sold by one of our forum members called YIO (Your Insurance Office). Do a search on this forum and you will find plenty of posts.

In your case, to buy a server edition of a web-based CRM may make sense. You can get whatever you want at Al-ice's Restaurant!

Paradigm · 08-01-2008, 07:37 PM

what abou avidian prophet?

DM77 · 08-01-2008, 08:50 PM

My offices now uses Redtail (www.redtailtechnology.com). It's more for investment reps but it's web based and has a lot of different capabilities. We recently converted our whole database to it and I'm now going through the cleanup work. We used Bill Good before. We switched to Redtail because of how they can integrate into our other programs. Though about all of you aren't investment reps, that's not a selling point. But those few who are, Redtail works with Albridge Solutions, MarketingLibrary.net and LaserApp.

loudee · 08-01-2008, 10:59 PM

IDA Assistant here.
I.D.A. - Home

Lou

Paradigm · 08-01-2008, 11:01 PM

is IDA better than prophet

al3 · 08-02-2008, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retread

You just threw him a T-bone steak!!

I'm going to jump in here and mention that CRM can be either desktop OR web-based.

I like desktop CRM because I like the original concept of Personal computers.... that is, it is under MY control at all times.

I understand. Yes, web-based CRM lets you access your data anywhere in the world. (And that has bailed me out so many times you would not believe.)

But it is true that sometimes you can't get web access. Thus, you want your data local. Well I agree. I have Sugar CRM installed on my web server. BUT, I also have it installed on my local laptop machine in case the web goes down or perhaps I can't get a connection.

With SugarCRM it's not all that difficult to install it on your web server (i.e. where you have your web site) as well as on your local computer... laptop. With Sugar you can download "a stack" installer which will put all the "stuff" you need on your local laptop.

OK.... so how do you keep them both in sync? Not a problem... but just a wee bit of complexity. On your web server you install a free program called PhpMyAdmin which will make it easy for you to create what is called an SQL Dump of your data. You do this "dump" each night and then simply replace the data on your local computer. It is not all that difficult.

If you can grasp the technology (not all that hard) you can easily create a "script" that will download a "dump" file and "feed" it to the local database and replace it each night.

OK, I admit it takes a little bit of technological acumen to get this done, but if you are up to it, it is slam-dunk easy... well almost.

On the other hand if you don't want to go though this stuff you can just keep everything local with YIO and give up on having web access.

No wrong answer here... but for my money spending half a day...(or worst case a full day) learning the ins and outs of Sugar CRM and how to host it on your ISP and have a local copy is worth the time and trouble.

That said, if you have the money and only need a local copy of your data... well YIO or any similar desktop program is all you need.

I don't like YIO because I have issues with its stability and security... but I'm the only one in this venue who feels that way so you have to discount (probably to zero) what I write here. Of course I'm probably the only agent you will come across who has some 30 years in the computer industry (see JAYA123,) but I only know what I know and many, many, many people here think I'm full of s--t and simply love YIO. So as always, YMMV.

The Jackass

2112Greg · 08-02-2008, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paradigm

what abou avidian prophet?

I've been evaluating various CRM packages for what seems like months, mainly because it HAS been months. The Avidian product is hands-down the PERFECT solution for me.

- a one man shop
- ties in with Outlook beautifully since I use Outlook for contacts, tasks, appt's, etc.
- flexible and not a resource hog (like MSFT BCM)

Overall an outstanding solution for those, like me, who use Outlook and do NOT want a hosted solution.

I don't get anything from this, but my salesguy there is Tom Bedenis. Give him a call and he can hook you up with a 30 day trial. I'm going to buy it in the next couple of weeks...all the other Outlook-based ones were POSs, IMO.

And all the free ones were, too. Klunky, obnoxious garbage...waste of time.

I don't get anything from this, but my salesguy there is Tom Bedenis. Give him a call and he can hook you up with a 30 day trial. I'm going to buy it in the next couple of weeks...all the other Outlook-based ones were POSs, IMO.

BTW, Al, this is the first I've heard of you not liking YIO. Please, could you write another 14 pages about why it isn't the right solution for you? I've got a few hours to kill and need something to read...

JSF · 08-02-2008, 01:35 AM

SageCRM is absolutely beautiful to look at. It has awesome capabilities and is web-based. But with the capabilities comes a lot of screens and things you have to go thru to get something done. There is a monthly fee.

Entellium is also beautiful. AND it is web-based AND local AND automatically syncs! However, the two interfaces are completely different (local is Entellium Rave) and with both you have to go thru alot of screens and clicking to get things done. But it also has great capability and unique features. There is a monthly fee.

SugarCRM is also very nice to look at (since you may have to be looking at this thing off and on all day for the rest of your working life

). There is the web-based version and the local version, as described by Al. The local desktop "Community" version is free and easy to install. You still have "clicks and screens" to manipulate and the free version has limited reports and graphs.

FreeCRM is in the same mode as SugarCRM. I did not get a chance to use it that much. Same with ZohoCRM; all in the same vein.

I-Relay is really nice looking and well laid out for what it does. It's strength is recording your book of policies. The CRM part is still alot of clicking back and forth between different screens similar to the programs above. I'm just used to calendar based stuff. It is also web based and there is an ongoing fee.

YIO is an out-of-the-box local standalone program designed for insurance agents. It is easy to use and has GREAT support (Frank). It will do contact management as well as policy maintenance and alot more.

ACT! is my longtime favorite since the early 90's. You can keep info on a contact all in one place, everything is "drag and drop" via the calendar. It is a desktop program and takes alot of resources and is now owned by Sage.

Outlook is not real pretty but it is pretty simple. The power is in the categories and views. You can simulate a "