Book Image

Implementing SugarCRM

By : Michael Whitehead
Book Image

Implementing SugarCRM

By: Michael Whitehead

Overview of this book

<p>SugarCRM is a popular customer relationship management system. It is available in both free open source and commercial versions, making it 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 distils hard won SugarCRM experienced into an easy to follow guide to implementing the full power of SugarCRM. SugarCRM is an extensive PHP/MySQL based application but with its rich administration interfaces no programming is required to get the most of it.</p> <p>This book will give you all the information you need to start using this powerful, free CRM system. Written by veteran SugarCRM expert and experienced documentation author, Michael J. Whitehead, this book 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 of this exciting product.</p>
Table of Contents (18 chapters)
Implementing SugarCRM
Credits
About the Author
About the Reviewer
Preface
Index

CRM Processes and Terminology


At its fundamentals, a CRM is a system that first needs to be taught all there is to know in terms of the static information about your accounts and the contacts you have at those accounts. Once the CRM gains that knowledge, it leverages that knowledge by using it to organize and retain information about all your daily business activities as they relate to those accounts and contacts.

After just a few weeks of regular use, a quick look at the CRM can remind you about the history of successful and unsuccessful sales opportunities in your accounts, what each account’s service history has been like, and what new sales opportunities are coming up in each account.

Let us take a quick look at SugarCRM to get an initial feel of the powerful organizational and managerial boost it will give your business.

Accessing the SugarCRM System

Before you begin using the system, ensure that you have the appropriate software installed and configured on your system. All you will...