Open source CRM software allows businesses to manage customer relationships efficiently. Open source code can be modified to meet specific needs, increasing program effectiveness. Concerns about product quality and safety have been addressed. When choosing open source CRM, consider necessary features, installation assistance, and long-term support.
Open source CRM is a group of software products that provide business users with the tools they need to manage their customers. Customer relationship management (CRM) software has seen a huge increase in demand as more and more businesses begin to realize the increased efficiencies available with this tool. Open source software is developed through a collaborative effort. The difference between open source and commercial software is the ability to access the source code.
The open source movement has experienced phenomenal growth over the past few years and is expected to continue to expand for the next 10-20 years. The main advantage of open source code is the ability for programmers and developers to modify existing code to meet specific needs or to create new software products that access the main program. This is much easier to do when the code is provided, increasing the quality and effectiveness of the program.
Initially, many companies stayed away from open source CRM products due to a concern for product quality, safety, and sustainability. However, these issues have been addressed through a combination of changes to product standards and the need for companies to remain competitive. Open source CRM products aren’t free, but are often available at significantly less cost than commercial software, due to differences in licensing agreements.
When looking for an open source CRM product, be sure to objectively examine the different features of the product. The best method of doing this is to make a list of all the features you must have and another list of all the features you wish you had. For example, a large company with a call center will want users to be able to click on a customer’s phone number and place the call, which is routed through the user’s headset and tracked in the software. Other businesses may need to be able to store detailed sales history to work best with their customers.
Think about installation assistance and long-term support. Look at the language the program is written in and find out what operating systems it is designed to work with. Investigate the cost of local skills with this language and compare these costs with other software products. Most of the costs associated with implementing any system are consulting services. If the skill set is hard to come by, the costs will be much higher than in well-known, widely supported programs.
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