COMMIT CRM - anyone using it?

[SOHO-NZ]

I'm seriously considering buying this at the moment. I was going to buy myself some mass mailing software, so I can email all my clients, but since Commit can do this for not much more cost. It's looking like a win win to me.

I tried it out about 2 years ago, and can to the conclusion that it was a little too complex for my workflow. On my second look, I think I can make it work for me.

Is anyone else out there actually using this full time for their business?

PS I also looked at TS Man, but it seems to be very focused on in-house work - and most of my work is onsite.

 

[greggh]

I looked at this and next time I have to reimplement things from the ground up or upgrade, this is the tool. It has the features I want and the integration I want. Web based portal for both techs and customers, and of course quickbooks integration.

Just not anything I can do right now.

 

[ESIT251]

indispensable

Commit CRM --> Outlook Sync --> Google Contacts / Calendar Sync --> Iphone Sync via Google Exchange

 

[chrisaroz]

I'm testing it now, looking to probably buy soon. My only issue is the price. $250 seems great, but then all the add-ons kill you. Not a huge fan of the interface, seems very clunky and non-intuitive. However, it has everything I need.

 

[SOHO-NZ]

Commit CRM --> Outlook Sync --> Google Contacts / Calendar Sync --> Iphone Sync via Google Exchange

Haha nice.

Mine would be
Commit -> Outlook -> Exchange 2003 Server -> Windows Mobile PDA

 

[SOHO-NZ]

I'm testing it now, looking to probably buy soon. My only issue is the price. $250 seems great, but then all the add-ons kill you. Not a huge fan of the interface, seems very clunky and non-intuitive. However, it has everything I need.

Agree about the add-ons. There's some nice features there, but it gets pricey if you take them all.

I'm starting to fell a bit better about the interface now. First impressions weren't so good.

 

[markr]

I've been using it for a few years now and I love it. It might take some time to get used to the interface but once you get it you'll probably find it very useful.

 

[iptech]

I'm testing it now, looking to probably buy soon. My only issue is the price. $250 seems great, but then all the add-ons kill you. Not a huge fan of the interface, seems very clunky and non-intuitive. However, it has everything I need.

That's why I didn't go with Commit, the price of the add-on is ridiculous. In the end I went with vTiger which is true open source, offers pretty much everything & more that Commit does - it takes a bit more initial configuration but it's working well. Add-in such as Outlook link, Microsoft Office link and OpenOffice link are all free to download & use as well. The only downside is that I have to use an IE based browser to use the MS Office merge as it relies upon an ActiveX control, although I'm looking to add the OpenOffice merge as this works with any browser.

The money I was going to spend on Commit is now going to be used to build a dedicated vTiger server.

http://vtiger.com/products/crm/customer-support.html

 

[K007]

That's why I didn't go with Commit, the price of the add-on is ridiculous.

http://vtiger.com/products/crm/customer-support.html

CommitCRM + 1 user: $249.00
Outlook Sync: $149.00 ???? this is crazy.
QuickBooks Sync: $149.00
Web Inteface (both): $399.00
Total: $946.00

Who in the right mind would get sucked into this?

Not to mention that every 3 months you have to pay for upgrades?????
If there is a bug that has been fixed but you have a version older than 3 months you have to pay to get the fixed bug.
I will definitevly not pay for bug fixes.
And latest version 5.1 is full of bugs (read the forum)

Forget it guys.
If you want to spend money, then have a look at Eclipse Service Management. http://www.eclipseservice.com/
If you don't want to spend a lot of money then have a look at TS Man. http://www.blanchesoft.com

P.S.
The company that develops Commit is based in Israel.
Now let me ask you a question:
What are the salaries and all the expenses summed up in Israel compared to let's say US (Eclipse) to justify the practice of such high prices?????

 

[chrisaroz]

Forgive me, but how can you complain about the price and add-on business structure, and then turn around and recommend a similar product with the same add-on structure that cost 3x as much?

I am a bit concerned about the upgrade plan, I don't know why they don't offer 1 year of upgrades or something similar.

As far as TS Man, I really wanted something that was an all-in-one solution as far as customer management, email marketing, QuickBooks integration, etc...

I don't get your question about Israel, they're one of the hottest spots for tech - have been for years.

 

[RemoteGeek]

Take a look at Ayanova

http://ayanova.com

 

[K007]

I don't get your question about Israel, they're one of the hottest spots for tech - have been for years.

I don't question the skills. But the local prices to pay for those skills.
What a US based programer gets as in salary is way more than the same programmer would get in salary if it were to live and work in Israel

 

[ESIT251]

One more point

I agree that after the add-ons the price got very high but I expected to pay that much for all of that functionality.

Having the ability to log into a web interface while onsite and update ticket resolutions, charges, create new tickets, schedule, and provide for clients professional prints outs with charges and problem/resolution descriptions has really impressed my clients. It definitely helps to separate your business from an amateur who leaves without providing any documentation for the client.

Geek Squad uses a system they call "FMS" for their field techs. It is essentially the same thing. Commit CRM provides identical functionality.

 

[K007]

Take a look at Ayanova

http://ayanova.com

Yeah, I knew about it but forgot to mention.

Here you have a middle way (Ayanova) between the expensive and not expensive.

 

[K007]

I agree that after the add-ons the price got very high but I expected to pay that much for all of that functionality.

Having the ability to log into a web interface while onsite and update ticket resolutions, charges, create new tickets, schedule, and provide for clients professional prints outs with charges and problem/resolution descriptions has really impressed my clients. It definitely helps to separate your business from an amateur who leaves without providing any documentation for the client.

Geek Squad uses a system they call "FMS" for their field techs. It is essentially the same thing. Commit CRM provides identical functionality.

And how much do you pay per year (including the first 12 months after purchase) for quarterly upgrades/updates ?
And that is only for the main CommitCRM interface.
Add to this the upgrade/update fees for the add-ons...
you get my point.

Cost Of Ownership = astronomical.

 

[markr]

K007 - I'm not sure where you take your information from - As I mentioned before, I've been using CommitCRM for years, their support is great (and free) and their upgrade pricing is very attractive (and it does cover all modules and all add-ons).

Cost Of Ownership = Attractive.

 

[scoop818]

For you guys that do use commit, how many techs in your shop. I am a 1 person shop and found that, while being a very capable program, its a bit overkill for a single tech.

Im not as worried about the cost, my belief is if the program is an essentual asset to my company then its worth purchasing.

 

[K007]

K007 - I'm not sure where you take your information from - As I mentioned before, I've been using CommitCRM for years, their support is great (and free) and their upgrade pricing is very attractive (and it does cover all modules and all add-ons).

Cost Of Ownership = Attractive.

Got it wrong with the add-on's maybe..
But don't get me wrong.
I pay for the initial software $249.00
And within 3 months I have a choice:
1) Pay additional 189 for single upgrade
2) Pay additional 149 for one year upgrade plan.

Most software companies price their upgrades to 50% or less of the full price of the new version.
Do the maths and you will see that Commit charges about 75% of the full price fo the new version for upgrades.

For the first year you pay 249 + 189 = 438
Then every year after you pay 189.
For what, bug fixes and forum or email support within the same major version?
No way Jose!

But wait, if you cannot afford to pay $189 per year, then you may scrap your pockets for $149 upgrade price for one off upgrade. In 3 moths time you will have to pay for upgrade again.

Check out their competition and you will see that by far, CommitCRM is the most pricy compared with the initial purchase price, and also by far is not the best.

And that's it. No more gossip from me.

P.S.
"Friendly support".... I dont need "Friendly" I need "Proficient" support to solve my queries. And that goes for any software I decide to buy.

 

[ESIT251]

I haven't paid anything other than the initial purchase and my software is up to date so...No I do not get your point.

And how much do you pay per year (including the first 12 months after purchase) for quarterly upgrades/updates ?
And that is only for the main CommitCRM interface.
Add to this the upgrade/update fees for the add-ons...
you get my point.

Cost Of Ownership = astronomical.

 

[greggh]

K007 doesnt seem to understand that good integrated software. Something that will do what you need it to and integrate with everything you need it to is going to cost you money or lots of time. Your choice. You can pay (and around $1000 is VERY cheap for software with those features,) or you can pay with your time to configure and learn something like vTiger (which is great software btw.)

Most good software in this field that is in heavy use around the world is way more expensive than CommitCRM. I was/am actually interested in CommitCRM because it costs so much less than the alternatives. Software like ServiceCEO is a good example. Its a great peice of software but you can do everything for 1/4th the cost in Commit.