Book Image

Implementing SugarCRM 5.x

Book Image

Implementing SugarCRM 5.x

Overview of this book

SugarCRM is a popular customer relationship management system. It is an ideal way for small-medium business to try out a CRM system without committing large sums of money. Although SugarCRM is carefully designed for ease of use, attaining measurable business gains requires careful planning and research. This book will give you all the information you need to start using this powerful CRM system. It is the definitive guide to implementing SugarCRM. Whether you are wondering exactly what benefits CRM can bring or you have already learned about CRM systems but have yet to implement one or you're working with SugarCRM already, this book will show you how to get maximum benefit from this exciting product. It demonstrates how to install SugarCRM and also how to get the most out of it by customizing it and integrating CRM into your organization as per your needs. Focused on the needs of the enterprise, this book provides a solution-driven approach for both business and IT specialists to get the most from this powerful and popular Open Source application. It begins with a general discussion about CRM. You will then learn the benefits of such systems, and then explore SugarCRM and its unique value. You will then go through the guidelines for installing and making deployment selections that are set out alongside information for identifying, planning, and applying customizations. Training guidelines and ongoing administrative tasks will be discussed as you progress further into the book. A brief overview of SugarCRM 6.0 is provided at the end of the book.
Table of Contents (19 chapters)
Implementing SugarCRM 5.x
Credits
About the Authors
About the Reviewer
Preface

Summary


In this chapter, we analyzed the process of managing and delivering a CRM implementation. Some of the key topics that we studied include the following:

  • The makeup of a CRM implementation team

  • The key steps to a successful CRM implementation

  • How to plan your CRM implementation

  • Some common pitfalls to avoid in your CRM implementation

  • The importance of genuine team involvement

  • How to set CRM implementation project goals and specifications

  • How to select a CRM development partner

  • Managing your data import process

  • The CRM training process, for both management and staff

  • CRM training materials—suggested content for a CRM training slideshow was provided

  • Stepwise introduction of your CRM system as a key to a successful initial CRM implementation and overall long-term CRM program

  • Continuous user and customer feedback resulting in improvement of the CRM system as key to keeping your business operating at its competitive best

In the following chapter, we will go on to study more advanced CRM topics that increasingly...