Looking for a CRM app is Sugar for me?

[jato]

I currently am looking for a CRM application and just stumbled on Sugar. I am a salesperson who is use to using ACT on my workplace computer. I am currently moving into a home office and going to be an independent sales person. I will no longer be tied to a workplace computer.
I want to set up my home office computer with a CRM but before I go and spend the money on ACT I wanted to check out other options. I guess I just have some basic questions. Is there a free version of Sugar? I really just need a program to track contact info, notes on conversations with contact, and scheduler for meetings and phone calls. Is Sugar over kill for this kind of need?

[kuske]

The free version of sugar can be installed in about 20 minutes.
All you need is an XAMPP environment in which you copy the Sugar directory tree form a zip-file.
As single worker you do not need any team functions which are available in the non-free-version.
Reporting is not available too, but you can create reports directly on the database bye Excel or Access.

Instead of an ACT installation you have a running Apache Webserver on your system.
And if you want to spent some money you can rent a webserver at an external ISP where you can hold your date available in the internet.

Backup is simple (mySQL backup and backup of one dircetory).

So all in all the onliest solution for a good CRM system :-)

hk

[Angel]

I currently am looking for a CRM application and just stumbled on Sugar. I am a salesperson who is use to using ACT on my workplace computer. I am currently moving into a home office and going to be an independent sales person. I will no longer be tied to a workplace computer.
I want to set up my home office computer with a CRM but before I go and spend the money on ACT I wanted to check out other options. I guess I just have some basic questions. Is there a free version of Sugar? I really just need a program to track contact info, notes on conversations with contact, and scheduler for meetings and phone calls. Is Sugar over kill for this kind of need?

To echo Kuske's comments, there is a free version, it is commonly referred to as the Community Edition. See here for further details: http://www.sugarcrm.com/crm/products/50-roadmap.html

You can even test drive it from there if you want...

I have a slightly different take on the rest of the comments though..

My first question would be, why are you wanting to move from ACT!? Based on your description of what you need to do, I don't understand why ACT! is no longer the right fit for you.

It is not so much that Sugar is overkill, but what is the point of going through the hassle of investing all the required time to migrate your data, as well as learn the new system, if you aren't going to get any added benefit?

Is there a fundamental problem with your usage of ACT!?

Just my opinion, but it doesn't seem as though a reason for switching has been provided.

[jato]

Thanks so much for both your comments. Angel I have no problem sticking with ACT. I was just trying to see if there is anything else worth looking at. As far as moving data I have none or I should say I will be starting from scratch. I will not have access to my old database so will have to fill in the blanks myself even if I go with ACT. I am just not up to speed with what is out there now. A few years ago ACT and Goldmine were the only game in town. I was just wondering if there was something better now. This will be strictly used for my own use and will not need to use any group feature now or in the future. I just need to keep myself organized.

[andrewb]

Sugar is simple. Sometimes this is very important when you want to focus on your main task and not spend time reading manuals on how to use software.

[Angel]

Thanks so much for both your comments. Angel I have no problem sticking with ACT. I was just trying to see if there is anything else worth looking at. As far as moving data I have none or I should say I will be starting from scratch. I will not have access to my old database so will have to fill in the blanks myself even if I go with ACT. I am just not up to speed with what is out there now. A few years ago ACT and Goldmine were the only game in town. I was just wondering if there was something better now. This will be strictly used for my own use and will not need to use any group feature now or in the future. I just need to keep myself organized.

I have a long history with GoldMine, so I know exactly where you are coming from. A number of products have come and gone since the days of GoldMine and ACT for DOS, etc.

For your environment, (single user, etc), ACT! is the dominant player. I've known people that have tried using Outlook BCM to fill the same role, but frankly speaking, I don't know anyone who hasn't been aggravated by it. I've used it myself and it is not GoldMine or ACT!. It is just Outlook with some customizations that attempt to make it be an ACT! or GoldMine.

GoldMine is still around, but not in the single user mode. It might be worthwhile for you to take a look at Maximizer, as they are still around, and then there is a newer product (Highrise) for that end of the market which looks interesting and you might be willing to consider: http://www.highrisehq.com/

Hope that helps.