'A step-by-step guide to using this powerful Open Source application in your business.'
Assess your business's CRM requirements, and start using SugarCRM effectively straight away
Covers both the free and commercial versions of SugarCRM - get maximum benefit from the free version before paying for add ons
Your complete guide to SugarCRM implementation - assess your needs, install the software, start using it, train users, integrate with existing systemsA step-by-step guide to planning, implementing, and using SugarCRM in your business. Focused on the needs of the enterprise, this book provides solution-driven approach for both business and IT specialists to get the most from this powerful and popular Open Source application.
'SugarCRM is one of the most exciting open source products around today, and Michael Whitehead has created the definitive guide to it. Michael packs the book with his experience as the premier independent SugarCRM consultant. It's not just a powerful guide to SugarCRM, it's a practical, hands on introduction to CRM as a whole. If you want to harness technology to enhance your customer relationships then read this book. You'll be glad you did.' Bernard Golden, author, 'Succeeding with Open Source'
Read Chapter 2: 'One Size Does Not Fit All - CRM Your Way' (PDF - 153KB)
In Detail
Do you want to introduce the benefits of world-class customer relationship management to your business? This book will give you all the information you need to start using this powerful, free CRM system right away!
Written by a veteran SugarCRM expert and experienced documentation author (not to mention official SugarCRM Rock Star!), this book is the definitive guide to implementing SugarCRM. Whether you are still wondering exactly what benefits CRM can bring, or you have already learned about CRM systems but have yet to implement one, or you're working with SugarCRM already... this book will show you how to get maximum benefit of this exciting product.
SugarCRM is a popular customer relationship management system. It is available in both free open source and commercial versions, making it an ideal way for small-medium business to try out a CRM system without committing large sums of money. Although SugarCRM is carefully designed for ease of use, attaining measurable business gains requires careful planning and research. This book distils hard won SugarCRM experienced into an easy to follow guide to implementing the full power of SugarCRM. SugarCRM is an extensive PHP/MySQL based application but with its rich administration interfaces no programming is required to get the most of it.
What you will learn from this book
Here are just some of the knowledge and skills you will gain when you read this book:
Learn specific ways in which SugarCRM can increase your profits through richer customer relationships
The author will help you assess your own companies needs, and plan a SugarCRM implementation tailored specifically to you - it's like having a SugarCRM consultant in the book!
Decide how to deploy SugarCRM so that it meets your requirements best, and step by step instructions for installing the software
A complete step-by-step tutorial in using the standard, every day features of SugarCRM
A look at the various free and commercial add ons available for SugarCRM, as well as advice on when they are useful and how to find more
Introducing SugarCRM across the business - how to train your staff and get your users enthused about what SugarCRM can do for them
Essential admin tasks such as data importing, back up, and maintenance
Integrating SugarCRM with your web site... and tips for other forms of integration too! Includes particular coverage of integration with Mambo...
Covers installing and using SugarCRM, as well as tips for training and getting employee support
Table of Contents Summary:
Chapter 1 Doing Business - Better
Chapter 2 One Size Does Not Fit All: CRM Your Way
Chapter 3 CRM Deployment Options: Which One Is Right for You?
Chapter 4 CRM Basics
Chapter 5 Extending Your CRM's Business Role
Chapter 6 Commercial and Open Source Add-ons for SugarCRM
Chapter 7 Managing Your CRM Implementation
Chapter 9 Linking SugarCRM with Your Customers
Appendix A Installing SugarCRM on Linux
Appendix B Installing SugarCRM on Windows Server
Appendix C Importing Your Data
Appendix D The System Administrator Role
Approach
Using a unique checklist approach the book works from the SugarCRM basics right up to advanced features in a clear, friendly way. It is carefully designed to distil hard-won SugarCRM wisdom from a recognized expert into a clear, readable, practical guide. By helping you clarify your business goals the book enables you to build a CRM system to support your business needs, and shows SugarCRM in a realistic business setting through an Extended case study.
Who this book is written for
Small-medium business owners/managers with reasonable IT skills, who want to implement SugarCRM for themselves as either a first CRM or as a replacement for existing solutions.
IT staff tasked with implementing, maintaining, or upgrading a SugarCRM installation
Existing SugarCRM users who want to broaden their understanding of the topic
No programming knowledge is required to use this book to implement, customise and use SugarCRM
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Author(s)
Michael J.R. Whitehead
Michael Whitehead is a leading authority on the design and implementation of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems. Michael's experience and expertise spans a thirty year career in software architecture, design and development as well as business management and ownership of multiple technology organizations. Among many other accomplishments Michael is the contributing author of the SugarCRM Open Source User Guide.
Michael has authored this book for entrepreneurs and small/medium business leaders, like himself, to help propel the success of their businesses through the disciplined application of CRM best practices. More than just a practical guide for the implementation of SugarCRM, this book explores and explains the business implications-and benefits-of customer relationship management for the small/medium business.
Michael is currently the founder and President of The Long Reach Corporation (www.thelongreach.com). Long Reach blends real world CRM expertise with commercial open source technologies to develop and deliver cost effective CRM solutions for small/medium business and divisions of large enterprises. Long Reach offers a full range of SugarCRM implementation, customization and training services. Long Reach is also the developer of Info At Hand, a complete, commercial-grade, customer-centric business management solution built on SugarCRM Open Source.
