CRMs for Snall Business

DiscoPistol

Damn my fat fingers. Small Business. CRM's for Small Business!


Hi all,

I was just wondering what your small (and indeed medium) sized businesses used for Customer Relationship Management Database solutions, or indeed if you think a CRM is necessary at all.

Also, what is it that you would want a CRM to do? Just be a records of customers? Track customer orders/interests? Be used as a marketing tool? Data mining? Reporting facilities?

Its just professional interest really (although hopefully other people will get some ideas) as I built a friend a cheap and cheerful Access Database recently after I caught him about to pay for a bespoke and expensive solution.

Do people know that with a copy of Excel and a free SQL database you can have a perfectly adequate CRM.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

paddyrg

Ahhh - CRM's and ERP's - probably not suitable for small businesses where a spreadsheet can keep client lists perfectly well.

Access is a pretty valid Excel equivalent as far as most people go, but a talented designer (and I mean using inner joins for DRI, etc) can make very decent small apps with it.

But why bother redeveloping the wheel - 12 years ago maybe, but now there are so many great freeware, tried and trusted apps available that anyone who needs a CRM can get one at the right price.

bengalknights

One of the best opensource ERP/CRM softwares in my opinion is postbooks which suits businesses of any sizes.

fguk

highrisehq + others I cant think of at the mo are major players. That said, something carefully crafted using the proper technologies can work just as well and be totally bespoked to your needs.