Is it possible to map Accounts (by UK postcode)???

[Envogen]

Hi all, the SME i work for is now looking to develop its sales team and i've been asked to look in to a system in which to use. The key features we need are:

1. A powerful CRM with good customisation that will allow us to store imformation on customers (accounts) and eventually link it in to our current database when its moved over to mySQL.

2. A mapping tool so that we can plan our mobile teams routes and include current customers in to these routes so that we can collect/deliver goods whilst also seeing new customers in the area's they're visiting, thus making the sales force more efficient in time and of course money.

SugarCRM seem to fillI the first requirement perfectly and we would like to use it, so i need to know, is there a program out there that could work with or along-side sugarCRM to give me the functionality i require for point number 2???

The key restraints on this project are as always time and money.

Any suggestions will be much appreciated, thanks.

Nick

[mikeryan]

2. A mapping tool so that we can plan our mobile teams routes and include current customers in to these routes so that we can collect/deliver goods whilst also seeing new customers in the area's they're visiting, thus making the sales force more efficient in time and of course money.

Hi Nick,

Google maps should be able to do most of what you need. I don't believe the API supports routing yet, however you can create markers on the map and manually create routes - this may or may not be a viable option depending on your specific requirements.

By converting a postcode to long/lat, you could work out the distance between customers and display this information in the map.

Google maps API Documentation

HTH,

Mike

[frb]

google maps does support directions... the sugarmaps extension is rather basic/simple but even without the API already does a lot :-)