12 Open Source CRM Options
Talk about customer relationship management (CRM) software and you'll probably be thinking about on-premise software packages or software-as-a-service (SaaS) offerings from big companies like Salesforce.com, SAP, Oracle or Microsoft.
But there are plenty of viable open source CRM software options in addition to these commercial CRM offerings.
Like other variants of open source software, many open source CRM software applications come in free “community” editions as well as commercial open source editions that include additional features and support.
Specialist third party consultants also offer paid support and help with open source CRM software implementation. They can also customize the open source code to match your organization's requirements.
Given that most CRM systems – proprietary or open source – include many of the same key features, the value of open source CRM software comes from the fact that it can easily be customized because the source code is freely available, according to Greg Soper, managing director of SalesAgility, a consultancy that specializes in providing services for the popular SugarCRM open source product.
Rather than trying to choose a commercial CRM product that offers most of the features you need, it makes more sense to pay a consultancy such as his to add the precise features you need to open source CRM software, Soper contends.
“Why not get the open source software that you plan to use for free, and then use the money that you would otherwise have spent on proprietary license fees to modify the open source software to meet your needs more closely?” he asks. “Why pay for software that is the same for all users when you can pay to have something that is unique?”
Here are 12 open source CRM software applications worth a closer look.
Paul Ferrill has been writing for over 15 years about computers and network technology. He holds a BS in Electrical Engineering as well as a MS in Electrical Engineering. He is a regular contributor to the computer trade press. He has a specialization in complex data analysis and storage. He has written hundreds of articles and two books for various outlets over the years. His articles have appeared in Enterprise Apps Today and InfoWorld, Network World, PC Magazine, Forbes, and many other publications.
