CRM, Projects, Timesheets and Invoicing system?
I am looking for a single solution that does CRM, Projects, Timesheets and Invoicing system and is software that I can download and host on my own servers.
I have tried online systems and looked into things like Sales Force and Dynamics but I need something that I can use as a very small business just starting up.
I want it to be fairly intuitive and cheap, any suggestions?
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Dec 10, 2014
Please Try Acer CRM at acercrm.com from Infoglaze Inc. Main features, Project (Work orders and tasks)+ Timesheet with option to automatically record time when the task is being attended, Product request-Quote-Order, Work request-quote-order,invoicing, shipping manager, Quicken compatible billing, vendor and payment, customer and invoicing, role based access manager for employees, HR job portal and resume database, in house manufacturing, raw material manager, inventory manager, web order integration. This is not just a CRM but an ERP itself. Where it can be customized based on the type of business. For example if you are a retailer, you can disable manufacturing, raw material manager, work order etc. Or if you are an auto service company with part sale just enable all that functionality. If you are just a consulting company like IT business, just enable the Project manager with timesheet and billing. IT is highly scalable.
Thanks
Said
Mar 30, 2014
A good PM tool is qdPM. It can be extended via Extra Fields to build out a CRM. qdPM Extended V4 coming out in a few months will have an inbuilt extendable CRM.
Both handle timesheets but do not do invoicing. However you can export task data that has actual time recorded against it for invoicing. I export to and copy and paste into an Excel Invoice Template.
Feb 20, 2014
As a first phase cost effective solution I recommend using SharePoint, for a free trial of Office 365 that includes SharePoint use this link:
https://portal.microsoftonline.com/partner/partnersignup.aspx?type=Trial&id=6ce7de07-77dc-4dc7-818c-5422bcfe2b78&msppid=3137902
SharePoint can also be purchased standalone and has apps for use with managing projects, timesheet, sharing project documents - even with external stakeholders such as clients - who do not require a licence. Costs from US$4 a month a licenced user.
If you are looking for a great solution to collaborate and use whilst on the road and have access to great reporting then consider using Microsoft CRM Online. It is very flexible and is intended to be tailored to support your exact business process - not just to provide contact and activity management like many of the low entry solutions. It can be integrated with your Accounting solution as well as Outlook and even web forms for lead capture automatically within CRM For free trial of Microsoft CRM online use this link https://portal.microsoftonline.com/partner/partnersignup.aspx?type=Trial&id=73db82df-c32b-4bd4-b3df-9bc69e2fdf40&msppid=3137902
Free trial support offered for SharePoint, CRM online and Office 365 via www.cloud9insight.com. Telephone UK +441273921520
Feb 19, 2014
Check out Engaged CRM: www.engagedcrm.com
Product will be live in about 2 months. It is a web-based program though.
Feb 13, 2014
I'd ask the same question as Patrick...why do you want to host it? Owing data or making sure your data is secure would be one of the reasons. But most systems are now very secure and have redundancies built in.
Check our Sugar.com and Zoho as good options for small business. Basecamp has an interesting offer as well.
Feb 13, 2014
Hi Chris, I've several years' experience in this space and have to say I don't know of any good system that does all of these well.
I'd suggest a couple of options though:
1. CRM - Nimble CRM is fantastic for small business. After using SalesForce for years I now recommend www.nimble.com (Nimble CRM) to my small business clients. It costs £15 pcm per user. It's completely intuitive. Try their free trial and see for yourself. I don't know whether or not it does invoicing.
It's a cloud service though. I would not recommend any small business to host these tools as You'll need IT and other resource to manage it. Big headache
2. For projects and time sheets - I've just started using www.projectmanager.com and I love it. It's easy to use. Costs £25 per month. If you want to manage projects properly with Gantt and cost management etc., this is a great tool.
3. I also use PODIO.com a lot these days for online collaboration. If you're after managing smaller projects and just keeping things central - it's free up to 5 users.
Hope this is helpful
Feb 13, 2014
I've tried several CRM's and i would recommend this: http://norada.com/demo/
Feb 13, 2014
This technology area is still fragmented and a "best of breed". Companies that do-it-all are a) super-expensive, or b) the best of no worlds.
I just finished a project with a very cool company in this space. Visit 10000ft.com - they provide time tracking and business management - view into your projects, who is allocated to them, what's on budget vs. running "hot", and revenue pipeline and analytics. Many 10000ft customers use it in combination with QuickBooks and their preferred CRM. They even upload almost-closed opportunities into 10000ft to see how future projects would impact resource availability and revenue. Time tracking can be done online or mobile, and consultants just "accept" their hours as they were planned, or modify them before confirming.
Even if you're still looking for it all-in-one, then check out 10000ft capabilities and make sure that the company you're evaluating provides this functionality.
Best of luck!
Feb 12, 2014
I recommend checking out EB Suite. It's customizable, works well to transition workflow from project to invoicing and crm, and relatively inexpensive. Note that I often recommend other systems, but this seems like a good fit based on what you're requesting.
Feb 12, 2014
Hi,
In the case I study your requirement I think that the tool that I have been using can be the best choice for you, its Replicon. They come with different modules like time tracking, task management, project management, web schedules, expense management. Here is the link for your reference - http://www.replicon.com/
Robert
Feb 12, 2014
The functionality you are looking for is combining core business functions in one system. Most small business solutions are typically not this robust. There are hundreds of different solutions in the CRM/PM space typically with accounting add-ons. You don't mention the industry you are in, but mention it's for a very small business (aka start up).
Most of the tools today have shifted to a cloud based platform. There are very few that are standalone simply because the commerce model is going mobile, which is something you might consider as you start up!
I would recommend coachesconsole.com as an option since you are just starting out. It has the core features you need and has the functionality to grow over time.
Best of luck!
Tara
Feb 11, 2014
Hi Chris,
CRM solutions as an industry are heading to the cloud for countless reasons and I am personally a big fan of Salesforce.com; however, there are two tools I would recommend you explore for on-premise hosting.
Have you looked at SalesLogix? Swiftpage's SalesLogix has been around for a very longtime and there is a fairly extensive network of SalesLogix partners that can support your initiatives (including: www.doextra.com) for a company wide integrated solution for CRM, PM, Time-sheets and Invoicing.
Another option, depending on your line of business may be ConnectWise. It is traditionally an IT help desk tool, but has components that manage the other areas you want packaged.
Hope this helps!
Jessica Tinordi
Director of Business Development
Light Industries, IT Support Team
Feb 10, 2014
Chris: There are only a few products that integrate all these tasks into a single packaged platform. Since, you can go deep into the functionality in each of CRM, Project management, invoicing etc I am not sure if a single platform can deliver all this value with a low cost.
I have come across one product Work[etc] - that does a good job of packaging CRM, Project, Invoicing & Support. See link below
http://www.worketc.com/seeitinaction/
Feb 20, 2014
Hi Suresh, agreed what you said..but have a look at www.fairlink.it and let me know what you dont find over here...it has everything and working on Zoho Creator...as I said, its all about finding the right developer...
Feb 10, 2014
I would use Quickbooks online, simple, allows you to get rid of the servers, integrates to salesforce.com, has a very easy payroll module. Has many apps that are tailored to specific needs. Is scaleable and inexpensive to start. Only thing it doesn't due is sit on your servers.
Feb 9, 2014
As many others have suggested, I use Zoho (www.zoho.com) for all those functions (CRM, Projects, Timesheets, Invoicing) as well as many other business functions (email, accounting, document management, etc.). I'm not sure if they provide an option to install the software on your own servers, but it's worth checking out. I have been using the Zoho suite of products for many years for several of my companies and have been very pleased.
Feb 8, 2014
There are quite a few CRM and invoicing packages available to the small business owner. I like to go to Softonic.com and search for different application. The security at softonic is much better than other free sw sites.
Feb 8, 2014
BlueCamroo.com is an affordable solution that you might want to look at. It is priced on a tier basis as opposed for each individual user. QuickBase from Intuit is another option however I would suggest you look at BlueCamroo as it seems to be made to what you are looking for. I use Freshbooks as well however you would have to buy a separate CRM or use Zoho or something.
This is a Cloud based solution as opposed to something you would put on your own servers however as others have said running your own servers is more expensive and labor intensive than Cloud solutions. I would also agree that Sugar CRM is great too however I don't think they do invoicing and time and billing. BlueCamroo pricing is http://www.bluecamroo.com/bluecamroo-plans-pricing and they have a free trial period as does Sugar.
Feb 8, 2014
Frankly I'm not sure this is the best of solutions. I once worked for a company that was bound and determined to do something similar. What they found was a huge dependency on one tool so as it aged and lost favor in the industry it became an impediment to growth.
The ether thing to keep in mind is that you're mixing different business functions into one tool. CRM should be within the Sale/Marketing organization. Projects and Timesheets in your Products/Services part of your business and invoicing in your Administrative functions. Mixing engineering, admin and marketing in once place may not be the best solution.
I think you need a solid tool for each and company processes that fill in the gaps between each. So you receive a prospect and it converts to a client. You have a process that moves them safely into engineering. Engineering then works under process with Administrative to get work invoiced. So you can see you want good segregation and processes to fill in the void.
Also, I found their support team very accessible, which should be an important consideration if you're doing this for the first time.