Re: SugarCRM?

Adam Tauno Williams wrote:

>>I haven't yet put the thought into how these things could be accomplished 
>>within OGo, but I will and then I'll send some more information.
>>    
>>
>
>I don't know if I would call it 'integration' but each OGo Enterprise
>has a project where you can store any data you like, or a link to an
>external page with ERP derived information. - A task runs, generates a
>report, and attaches it to the related Enterprise contact.  User looks
>up enterprise, navigates to the documents section, clicks on the related
>report, it opens in acroread / excel / whatever.  Maybe it is crude, but
>it works.
>  
>
Almost correct..:) A CRM package is mostly a sales tool used by sales 
staff. Data in the db is then also processed for other informational 
purposes. While OGo can replicate most of the functions in a CRM package 
it requires extensive manual intervention by the user to customize the 
system. This could probably be automated via the OGo template system, 
perhaps not, would require a seperate skin and probably changes to the 
db as well.  These are extensive invasive changes. SugerCRM or vTigerCRM 
(Indian knockoff available from sourceforge) provide all these functions 
out of the box and more, installs seemlessly on Windows boxes (more work 
on linux servers) and is a fully functional groupware-type application.

Additional features not found in OGo;

1. unigue data sorting and links/relationships
2. visual output of pre set data types
3. very simple installation (almost seemless)
4. forms can be changed and or created on line by users with rights
5. integrated discussion forums.
6. using mysql a wide collection of replication technology is available 
(comming soon for postgresql)
7. can be setup for distrubuted and/or clustered configuration 
requirements (comming soon to postgresql but perhaps not for OGo due to 
design issues)
8. Preconfigured workflow for specific data types
9. Relationships between data groups is specific to sales/customer 
relationship management functions.
10. vTiger makes the Outlook connector available at no cost. 
Functionality not tested but allows for syncronization between specific 
outlook features (tasks etc) similar to a palm sync.

>Honestly something like SugarCRM seems odd to me;  a company already has
>databases, directories, and gobs of data - an application needs to be
>able to use THAT data to learn about customers, otherwise you just
>created yet-another database you need to shove data into.
>
>  
>
Think of it as a point of entry by first line personal in an 
organization, ie: sales types.

/ch


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