Why Open Source CRM?

Open Source Cloud Based Marketing and Support Engines

• Full control over your own data, forever
• Full control over how you need to use your CRM (no user limit for example)
• Flexibility (no vendor lock in!)
• Continued innovation (from vTiger and SuiteCRM community)
• Reliability

Key attributes of Open Source CRM which differentiate from competitive systems… and illustrate why it is such a valuable resource for any business, large or small.

1. Open Source.  vTiger/Suite CRM are an open source software product (which means that the software’s source code is available and that any user can read, re-use, modify it
2. Use just for Yourself or for the Whole Company. vTiger/SuiteCRM are in the cloud and multi-user; which means that you or your colleagues can access it from anywhere in the world at any time.  One user updates a record or schedule in Seattle and another user can see those updates instantly from accessing the system in Tokyo.
3. vTiger, SuiteCRM and WordPress, are FREE. The code can be freely downloaded from the developer websites along with a whole series of utilities including plugins to synchronize data, emails, contacts, schedules, tasks and appointments with Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird and more…
4. Trusted and Rock Solid Database.  Built on MySQL, and developed in PHP, vTiger is strong, stable and secure.  In fact these products can run on Windows, Linux and Mac OS although most commonly it is run on Linux.
5. Cloud (Web) based.  Being Cloud (or Web) based solution; these products can be accessed from any device that has a browser and an Internet connection.  Gone are the days when your CRM solution had to be Windows or Mac but never both at the same time.  vTiger/SuiteCRM and WordPress can be accessed and updated, enhanced and exploited on any system you choose; whether it be a Windows Laptop, Desktop or Windows Phone, an iPad, iMac or iPhone, an Android Tablet or Google Chromebook.
6. Phone Apps for Mobile Data.  These products are all mobile responsive as well as having various Android and iPhone Apps
7. Client Server.  vTiger/SuiteCRM are client/server solutions which means that while you are accessing information, compiling statistics, reading reports, developing email campaigns and the like on your iPad or laptop, the processing is being done on the server somewhere on the web.  All the hassle of the server side is being done for you without distracting you from your primary task of developing and supporting your customers or developing materials for marketing and growing your business.  It also means that many users can also be doing the same thing at the same time from their iPads, PCs, laptops etc.  The server does the hard work and the clients (the iPads, Laptops etc) get the results.
8. Intuitive.  Both vTiger and SuiteCRM are highly intuitive (much like WordPress) and are extremely well designed.  Functions, Modules, Reports and Administration services are just where you would expect to find them and the system looks great.
9. Power is there when you need it. Both vTiger and SuiteCRM are packed with features but you only need to use those that serve your purpose or business.  Just because there are over 20 Modules it shouldn’t intimidate you.  Just use those features you need when you need them, and then as you get to know the system better, so those additional features are there to serve your needs.
10. CRM Essentials.  Both vTiger and SuiteCRM include powerful key features that include Accounts (main records that would include companies and organizations, departments etc), Contacts (individuals or employees of the companies or departments), Multi User Calendar (each user has their own events calendar, scheduler and to do list), Webmail.
11. Customizable Modules.  vTiger and SuiteCRM feature Enhanced Modules include a full Campaign Manager, Quotation System, Sales and Purchase Orders, Invoicing, Trouble Ticket Support System, Lead Management and Tracking (all linked to a PDF generator and the email system) and a full functioning Customer Portal; which personalizes your interactions and support with your customers. And everything in both products is fully customizable.
12. Report Writer.  vTiger and SuiteCRM feature highly flexible Report Writers which allows you to access and manage the mass of related data in the system.
13. Easy to use and easy to learn.  One of the problems I experienced in testing various other systems was that they were hard to learn, hard to install and hard to upgrade.  Not so with vTiger or SuiteCRM.  They are both a pleasure to work with and highly reliable, fast and very secure.  There are thousands of businesses and individuals around the world using and ‘abusing’ vTiger and SuiteCRM.
14. Constant upgrades.  There are open source development teams acting user feedback.  Both teams regularly provide software upgrades and enhancements based on that feedback. And there are lots of consultants and trainers like us to provide an easy transition from the mayhem of many paper or computer based systems (or non systems) into vTiger.

CRM systems offer:

• Sales automation (customizable product entries, inventory management, quotations, billing, and trouble ticketing)
• Customer support & service functions, including a customer self-service portal
• Marketing automation (lead generation, campaign support, knowledge bases)
• Inventory Management
• Analysis and reporting

User interaction features include:

• Integration with corporate E-mail systems (plugin for Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird extension)
• Support of the Asterisk PBX phone system
• Calendaring
• Tag cloud functionality
• RSS feed subscription
• PDF document generation via the TCPDF library

Incorporating Customer Relationship Management into your business will improve customer satisfaction, customer loyalty, business efficiency and profitability.  It can and did cost a lot of money to incorporate such a system, but not anymore.  With SuiteCRM and vTiger CRM everything has changed.  The world of Customer Relationship Management will never be the same again.