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 have covered two key techniques for linking your CRM to the outside world, and more specifically to your current and potential customers.

Lead-capture applications are simple to set up, and have immediate impact on the bottom line in terms of both creating revenue, and cutting administration costs.

Developing customer self-service portals is a key technique to maximize the return from your CRM investment. They keep your customers better informed and happier, while improving efficiency and reducing costs in the customer service and support areas.

From here, the sky is the limit. The future will hold many new developments in the CRM field. One widely anticipated trend is that CRM systems act as their own portal—offering carefully controlled and regulated direct access to the CRM for customers and suppliers. This will allow them to see only that information and navigation capability that the system is set up to allow them.

At the current speed of evolution and development...