Question

Topic: Strategy

Best Small Business Database Software

Posted by Anonymous on 10/26/2004 at 1:07 PM ET 125 Points
This is really a CRM or Database question. In general, I need some recomendations for small business database software. I use ACCESS and ACT in my office and am a little familiar with salesforce.com. But for a small business client that may need to tie their software into other programs like accounting what would anyone suggest?

The primary application would be the management and use of the data for marketing applications such as direct mail, customer response and possibly e-mail. My clients don't have any programming knowledge and don't want to learn.

So any applications that would need custom programming would be out of pocket expenses. I could use some cost estimates for programmers as well.

My clients I am researching this for operate in the retail clothing, construction/home remodeling and restaurant industries.

I am recommending that they acquire a target market database based on geography and demographics for direct marketing purposes but we need some way of managing and using that data once it is aquired.

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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Carl Crawford on 10/27/2004 at 2:26 AM Member
    hi maxxtdog,,

    i am just a student and have no experiance in the real world, but i agree with most of the comments about MyQSL. Have a look at this site for more info and a open sourse crm package, www.engine.com

    have a nice day

    Carl Crawford
  • Posted by SRyan ;] on 10/27/2004 at 3:16 AM Accepted
    I'm a big fan of salesforce.com, but after a year of subscribing, it just frustrated our sales people.

    A couple of months ago we looked at other online CRM tools, and now we are Dovarri customers (mentioned by Randall above). It lets you align neatly with your sales qualification process on the backend, and the interface is fairly intuitive for even the dumbest sales star. (Tongue in cheek, ya'll!!)

    I learned of Dovarri through the Houston Technology Center because we're both HTC client companies. Why do I mention that? It means that Dovarri is also a relatively new business, and they're still working out the kinks in their customer support. Worth a look, regardless.

    - Shelley
  • Posted by telemoxie on 10/27/2004 at 7:54 AM Accepted
    How important is the need to tie into accounting? Will the company be making lots of little sales, so that manual entry of customer data will be truly unbearable? Or, will they make a few large sales, and is the accounting department just sticking their nose in where it does not belong?

    You do not mention a potentially bigger issue - the integration of a CRM system with your web site. Do you want to capture online visitors in your CRM system? Will web site visitors be placing orders, requiring integration with eCommerce and inventory packages?

    I realize the benefit to you from selecting a single package - but is there value to your customers to have a product which is suited to the retail clothing and construction industry and the restaurant industry?

    I have been involved to some degree with SFA / CRM for close to 20 years - I know quite a few folks who have specialized in this area, none are making lots of money. There are many, many solutions, there are complicated technical and integration and cultural issues. There are many products ideally suited to one industry (e.g. retail, or restaurants) and poorly suited to others. I'm sorry to say that you can not learn all that you need to know with a posting on a board such as this one.

    If I were in your situation, I would broaden my vision and pursue a strategic business relationship with someone who has 20+ years experience in CRM / SFA and has had successful implementations in multiple industries.

  • Posted on 10/27/2004 at 11:02 AM Author
    Hi all and thanks for the responses.

    You brought up some interesting points particularly about using the database outside of my initial application. On the retail store and restaurant side I really hadn't put much thought into integration into accounting and such. I was just thinking along the lines of "would you like to be added to our mailing list" kind of thing. That along with the standard direct marketing database where we would mail out special promotions announcements etc. to Bob Smith or "current resident"

    I know for almost every vertical market there are probably numerous specific software programs specifically designed for that market. My guess is that they are realtively expensive for a small business to invest in. Also, as 'm sure many of you know, most small business owners have no time to learn a system nor do they have the financial resources to hire programers for customized applications.

    Sorry to all of you who are trying to push (albeit softly and tactfully) specific services or programs. My thinking is we need to do 4 basic things with the database.

    1. plan campaigns
    2. record activity
    3. analyze results
    4. keep a record of contacts

    that said, the only other criteria would be the ease of managing and updating the system. A hosted solution doesn't appear to hold any benefit for a small business with a geographically limited target market.

    And a multifuntion and highly scaleable system my thinking is would be too expensive and complicated.

    telemoxie brought up the point about integrating with the websites, which at this point are non-existent but in the plans. being able to capture names and addresses , for example, "please send me information about your..." or
    "please ad me to your mailing list.." will be important.

    So my follow up here would be asking two additional questions.

    1. based on what I said above, am I missing something or would a simple solution like an ACT (which by the way I find a little limiting) be OK for these type of applications.

    2. That said, would that type of solution limit us six months down the road when we go online and want to begin to communicate with customers?

    Thanks.
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