Looking for CRM Options for Multi-Entity Firm

Jer
Member

posted 01-Feb-2005 02:57 PM
I work for a 300+ person professional services firm that has many entities under one umbrella (Tax, Healthcare, Investments, etc...) I want to centralize the client information.

Wish List

Focus is on a Central repository for client information

Service Oriented—Do not need a strong sales or inventory tool

Handle referrals—would also include linking relationships with current clients, referrals and prospects

Inhouse MS SQL DB- w/good base client table structure

Web Based GUI

Access to backend data

Possible extract/synch tools

Outlook/Exchange Integration

Create simple marketing campaigns

Any input and guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks, Jer
p.s. Tried ACT and Prophet, too restrictive.
p.s.s.—Have Goldmine but this product seems to be more aligned for use as a separate repository, not an integration oriented tool

Paul Sweeney
Member

Posted 10-Feb-2005 06:50 AM
ACCPAC CRM looks like it would be a good fit for your needs.

Sunny
Member
Picture of Sunny

Posted 10-Feb-2005 12:54 PM
Looks like a features and benefits list of Microsoft CRM, to me. We offer Microsoft CRM as a 'hosted' service, however.

Wendy Collett
Member

Posted 10-Feb-2005 12:55 PM
Hi,

If you are already using GoldMine, then it would be best to discuss your requirements with your Solution Provider.

GoldMine can do everything you have listed in your requirements.

I say this with a few provisos on the fact that I personally haven't investigated your site for indepth details or your exact requirements.

I do not understand your statement of 'but this product seems to be more aligned for use as a separate repository, not an integration orientation tool.'

GoldMine is intricately linked around the concept of an integration between database tables for the purposes of contact/client management, and relationship building. Internally in and of itself, it is already integrated with itself for all the things you list. This isn't to say that in some instances you may use additional 3rd party programs for additional functionality, but you haven't exactly listed specifics indicating this necessity yet, or any integration required with outside programs or other databases. This isn't also probably the correct forum for it either.

You are right that ACT! and Prophet will not meet your requirements, I can tell that just from your user numbers etc, without anything else.

GoldMine should be meeting your requirements at this point in time, although you should be aware that your user numbers, if concurrent, may be approaching the limits of practical user numbers for a single GoldMine install (multi-sites are different). Then you may be looking at upgrading to another CRM package in future if numbers of concurrent users expand a lot more.

I am sure your GoldMine provider would be happy to discuss these requirements with you, but if you would like independent advice from the GoldMine community, or from other CRM program people, try the forum:

www.contactreview.com/mb

and select the GoldMine 6.x forum, or other program forum (eg ACCPAC CRM) as you like. You will find it very helpful.

Hope this helps, Smile

Wendy