Flexible Options With Sugar CRM

Sugar CRM is a popular open source CRM which is free to install. It generally runs on a server and is a good solution if you have an office in one location with between ten and twenty users.

The software is easy to use and provides excellent value for small to medium sized businesses who wish to use open source software and need a solid customer management program in place.

Web based forms make it easy to track leads and contacts and integrate them into other systems.

Sugar CRM also has developers all over the world creating customised solutions. Because it is open source, these developments are available for any user to access – at a cost. Similarly, you can access a hosted version of the software, but this is not free, it will incur a cost per user.

There are also a number of Sugar CRM vendors who will create multi site and web based installations. It is worth researching these closely as use and functionality will depend on your needs, especially in regards to integration with other systems.

Sugar CRM snapshot:

• Comprehensive customer management capabilities including customer tracking and email marketing
• Uses PHP coding
• Free to install (free version)
• Easy to use interface
• Cost incurred for customisation and support
• Large range of 3rd party plug ins that can be integrated
• Fully customisable – according to your needs (at a cost)
• Can be used across all operating systems
• Choose between free version, fully licensed commercial and hosted service

Are there drawbacks to Sugar CRM?

The free version of Sugar CRM is best for businesses that need CRM and SFA for fewer than 50 users. Larger commercial enterprises would be better off investing in the commercial version of the software.

You cannot manage social networks with Sugar CRM. In fact this aspect of customer relation management is still taking place throughout many of the leading CRM software packages. It is no doubt an area that will pick up development speed in the near future.

For any questions about Sugar CRM and the best use you can make of the software if you are interested in using it, please get in touch for a consultation that will include all of your digital priorities.

If CRM is important to your business then this is definitely a service that is worth considering. We can discuss all aspects of Salesforce integration with you to ensure it is the best fit for your business.