Can Sugar manage a 'Products Sold' or 'Inventory' list under contacts module?

[chameleon]

After browsing the website and using the demo I'm unclear if Sugar is capable of the following. Please assist.

I'm looking to manage contacts (which will be my customers). I will provide services to the customers which after doing so I will need to document in a database and keep a record of (arranged by date). In addition I will be selling occasional products to the customers which I would also like to keep track of.

It would be the easiest if I could just click on the customer's name in the contact list and see what I did when I was on-site with the customer and what I sold them; I'd like all the information in the same place. Similar to Activities and History once you click on someone's name, however, Activities and History don't have the fields I'm looking for.

Is there a way to create a custom section under the contacts module or is there another solution for me?

Thank you for your time.

[roblaus]

Hi,

There is a basic question that you have to answer first: where do you manage your sales activities? If it is an ERP product you might want to use a product like Jitterbit or Biztalk in order to make your sales activities visible in Sugar. Traditionally CRM stops at the quote.

If not (assuming you write your invoices with a word processor) you can use Sugar Professional that gives you the opportunity to record products and quotes.

If I were you and I was using Sugar OS I'd have a closer look at the projects module - add some fields there and see how far you can go. Another option would be to adjust the cases module and see whether it serves your purpose.

If nothing helps you can always ask guys like kbrill, pblag or ruchida for help - they know how to add some custom code.

rgds
rl

[chameleon]

Thank you for your help. I took a look at the programs you suggested but honestly they are a bit too much for what I need.

I looked at the Projects module and I think I can make it work for what I need, but I'm not sure yet. Ideally I'd like to be able to edit the Activities and History, etc. modules under a Contact name just like I can the Contacts (ie. layout, custom fields, etc.). I tried editing the projects module and the changes didn't appear properly. Is this just because I'm using the online demo?

Most importantly when a client call me and I'm in front of the computer, I can just click their name and below their contact information I see what products I sold them and what type of work I did on-site at their location. So if I create a Project, can I have that Project only appear under particular contacts?

Thank you again.

[roblaus]

Hi,

I am sorry, the first question I can't answer, I never used the online demo. I recommend to download the Windows Bitrock installer (assuming that you are more familiar with Windows) and you have a test version running in 5 minutes. It can be uninstalled without a trace.

For the second question: Yes, if you want to use projects to summarize what you did with a client then you will see the project(s) in a subpanel under the contact. If you add more contacts to a project then this project will appear under each contact but nowhere else

You should also have a look at the professional demo, there you will find products. You can also have a look into Sugar Forge or Sugar Exchange - there you'll find excellent solutions for little or no money.

rgds
rl