Customer relationship management together with cloud computing technology
The business world today is moving towards the Cloud. What does cloud based CRM software mean and how does it work? Cloud CRM stands for “Cloud Customer Relationship Management”. These are web-based solutions or online solutions. The technology does not live on an IT-based environment or server, accessible on your desktop only. The system is delivered to end-users via the Internet.
It is also referred to as SaaS – Software as a Service. For example, Gmail, Yahoo of Hotmail are all cloud software solutions for Email- you manage your emails on the servers of the provider and the provider is responsible for maintaining and operating the Email system; sending your Emails to the right recipient, backup your emails, deliver the right attachment, manage your contacts etc. The Email cloud solution is free for private users, but there is the option to rent.
CRM Software may also be managed online and can be based on a cloud solution. One may also refer to it as online small business CRM solution or CRM on demand.
In this case you are not required to purchase software and will not have to install the system on your servers. Instead you will pay an agreed fee per month or other agreed period for license to access and use the system on the net.
And in return each user gets a username and a password. It has its advantages and its disadvantages. The market Cloud CRM software is booming with different solutions or systems from free to $300 per user.
One of the advantages is the free trail. This allows you to test how the system works before implementing the cloud system for the whole organization or company. Most vendors offer a free trial that enables you to feel and sense the system.
More advantages are rapid deployment, easy upgrades, reduced costs and security safeguards. Worth mentioning is the availability; business who want to expand into new territories or have sales people that travel frequently or work virtually would like to have an easy online organizational solution.
But the costs are not definitive to be lower. There are certain cases that SaaS CRM will be chipper but each case must be measured on its own. Please refer to my article regarding SaaS pricing model and total owner costs.
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