Am I asking too much? CRM options

[PR Tech]

I currently use ServiceCEO - the locally installed version, not the newer and very expensive web based version as my Service Management Software. A couple of problems exist. Buying a second license so my employees can access the software costs $1,250. Yes, ServiceCEO is on crack. I have found a bit too late that this software is really not affordable for a small, but growing tech company. The single user license has been fine and did not break the bank, but as my company grows, I have been locked into expensive multi-user options. Then ServiceCEO will nickel and dime you to death with "extras" like Google Maps add-ons and Outlook add-ons.

This is what I need. Am I asking too much here?
- Software that creates tickets/jobs for my techs with a dispatch board so I can monitor where my techs need to be.
- I need for employees to be able to access the software from a computer or smart phone so they can update the ticket and and create an invoice for the customer.
- Take payment from the customer in the form of a check (easy) or debit/credit card (not so easy it seems).
- I also need for the software to have some type of inventory module.

What is everyone using? I do not have the time to create my own custom software nor the desire. Our shop is growing rapidly and I feel like I spend too much time updating the tickets myself with notes from my techs. I would like for the onsite or in-shop tech that is working on the job to be able to update it themselves. The inventory module is a must as we carry quite a few products. I am using Paypal for credit card transactions, but I find this cumbersome.

 

[MrUnknown]

Look into Autotask or ConnectWise, both are around $30/mo/user.

Not sure about ConnectWise, but once you get past 5 users with Autotask Go, you will be required to move to their more expensive options.

 

[DavidMorisseau]

I currently use ServiceCEO - the locally installed version, not the newer and very expensive web based version as my Service Management Software. A couple of problems exist. Buying a second license so my employees can access the software costs $1,250. Yes, ServiceCEO is on crack. I have found a bit too late that this software is really not affordable for a small, but growing tech company. The single user license has been fine and did not break the bank, but as my company grows, I have been locked into expensive multi-user options. Then ServiceCEO will nickel and dime you to death with "extras" like Google Maps add-ons and Outlook add-ons.

This is what I need. Am I asking too much here?
- Software that creates tickets/jobs for my techs with a dispatch board so I can monitor where my techs need to be.
- I need for employees to be able to access the software from a computer or smart phone so they can update the ticket and and create an invoice for the customer.
- Take payment from the customer in the form of a check (easy) or debit/credit card (not so easy it seems).
- I also need for the software to have some type of inventory module.

What is everyone using? I do not have the time to create my own custom software nor the desire. Our shop is growing rapidly and I feel like I spend too much time updating the tickets myself with notes from my techs. I would like for the onsite or in-shop tech that is working on the job to be able to update it themselves. The inventory module is a must as we carry quite a few products. I am using Paypal for credit card transactions, but I find this cumbersome.

PR Tech, you're not asking too much.

My attempt at translating your CRM needs:

- task/to-do list creation via the software, with the ability to collaborate on these and have anyone set them
- A SaaS (Software as a Service), aka a web based subscription application.
- Multiple payment options
- Some form of an inventory module

First of all, you need give your business growing room. Setting unnecessary limitations (by getting limited software) is one of the worst things you can do. My suggestion is to go all-in-one and get a total business management system that combines CRM with project management and application. You already suggested that you wanted elements of project management combined into your CRM, and most CRM systems are limited to customer related things. One example of an all in one system is WORKetc. WORKetc combines CRM with project management and billing, so you have a complete business management platform under one system.

This allows you to collaborate on all aspects of work, from customer leads and customer profiles to tasks and to-do lists, calendar events, etc. It's a SaaS, has a product catalog, and many different payment options. Having a total business management system is necessary for allowing growing room for your business. Many companies start with CRM, then move on to project management applications, then billing applications... and before they know it they have a labyrinth of applications with add-ons and half the staff don't know how to use half of them, and if they do they often integrate terribly. If you want a more detailed feature comparison of WORKetc versus some other top competitors, check out the ''compare'' section on the WORKetc website. Google it.

David

 

[MrUnknown]

David,

Please read the forum rules you agreed to when you signed up to the website.

No Advertising
You cannot post advertisements of any sort in any forum. This includes products, services or websites that you would directly or indirectly benefit from in any way.

Exceptions to this rule (may be objected to which is at the discretion of the moderators):

* Signatures - If you are posting a useful response, you may include your own website in the signature of your message.
* Unaffiliated Announcements - If you spot a great deal on a site, post it in the "Computer Deals" forum. You may only do this if you are completely unaffiliated with that deal.


Any tricks to circumvent this (such as getting a friend to advertise for you in order to bypass the "unaffiliated" rule) will be dealt with at the discretion of the moderators

If you want to advertise your business to your target customers, you should purchase advertising on this site.

Your post has been reported.

 

[K007]

The title says "Do I want too much..."
I believe you do want too much of a software for the price you are prepared to pay.
Service CEO is if not the best out there, then one of the best.
Now, you have fallen into their trap, you want that, and that and that, and they are the ones who can give it to you (for a price)
Moreover, their user interface is what you are accostumed to.

My 25 cents, for what you want you will not get for peanuts. You got to fork out the money. The most expensive bit that you want is the inventory module.
So far I haven't seen an inventory module linked to CRM and Service Module that will cost peanuts.

 

[DavidMorisseau]

David,

Please read the forum rules you agreed to when you signed up to the website.



If you want to advertise your business to your target customers, you should purchase advertising on this site.

Your post has been reported.

My apologies, I was fearing I would come off as a salesmen.

In theory I thought a good idea for helping PR Tech would be to try and suit his needs and then recommend a product that fits those specific needs. Disregarding all comments made about the software I recommended, I was trying to translate PR Tech's needs to not only help summarize what he wants in CRM speak, but also help other forum members who are trying to help him.

Even despite the apparent advertisement, I stand by what I said. I am giving PR Tech genuine advice. After all, these types of software are based on fitting that companies specific needs. If it doesn't fit the needs of that company, the company is going to get rid of it and find something that does. Taking a free trial for a product shows the user what its about and if he or she wants it, this isn't the type of business someone can trick people into sales.

If this classifies as against forum rules then I completely understand the removal of the post, but if you reported my post 3 days ago and there's still no action regarding it, maybe the moderators see otherwise.

 

[MrUnknown]

They may, and that is their problem to figure out. They aren't hard-nose or strictly enforce the rules with no questions or concerns addressed and they may have seen value in your post when I didn't. Then again, if I told you that my computer repair service is the best value you can get anywhere on the plant and could benefit WORKetc enormously, you might think I am a little biased. I would also get in trouble if I constantly posted that I would do managed services for other members of this forum for a fee as I directly benefit from it (I don't offer this service).

However, you are representing your company and directly benefit by posting about it on these forums. Specifically telling other members they should sign up for it because of X reasons.

Would you be willing to say that you don't "directly or indirectly benefit from in any way" by the contents of your posts on this forum when you specifically recommend a piece of software that the company you work for produces? I don't think you can.

I have no issue with companies posting on these forums, but if the only thing they post about is how their software can benefit someone, it is annoying as you aren't posting to just simply help the other members of this forum, you post just to sell your software. Bryce offers many methods for your company to reach the members of this forum including paid reviews written by someone whom many members of this forum respect the opinion of.

I am also not saying your company's software is bad as it actually looks pretty nice.

As you brought up salesman, your introduction post doesn't mention it and your name doesn't match up with the founder of WORKetc Pty Ltd., what is the title of your position that you hold there?

edit: You're getting pretty popular on Google also:
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&safe=o...=f&aqi=m1&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&fp=4c41350175d378
All done in the last month. I have a feeling your title is "salesman"