Sage CRM

I get a lot of questions about this so I want to clarify it for interested parties: Yes - we (Azamba) do a lot of projects integrated with MAS (and with Accpac). Most of our work is accounting system integrated projects. There you go. Now you know.

The more you know...."" (obscure reference to NBC PSA commercials)...so kinda a Peter Wolf PSA, right?

You should create a post listing some of your more useful projects so that we can get an idea of the 'crm' applications beyond the obvious SFA we are all familiar with.

+1 to what @MarkChinsky said - we need to know what we are mining for...

Gee let's just gang up on the poor man having marital difficulties. But while you are at it, can you demo the CRM software with the MAS links active. I think that would seal the deal with my clients.....................

I thought it was his friend having marital difficulties?

A thin veil! How often have you heard from a friend that their friend was having problems? Happens to me ALL the time. My clients want free advice and now my FRIENDS want free advice! Perhaps I should start serving the poor and destitute....

I plan on setting CRM up on each of the 4.50 upgrades as I do them and going through an overview as part of the ""what's new"" review.

Regarding setting up CRM with 4.5 upgrades, I think it's a great idea. One thing that hasn't seemed to work (from a historic perspective on the Accpac side with the exact same free server / first user deal) is installing it and then discussing it. Your best bet is to have ""The Talk"" before you spend a minute installing it in their environment. ""The Talk"" essentially consists of something like the following with your accounting contact: ""Hey Sage has got this whiz-bang CRM tool that can help give everyone the information they need to do their jobs. For you, the benefit is that the sales guys won't need to be knocking on your door asking about credit limits, outstanding invoices, order status, etc. [tailor that to the customer's particular hot buttons]. And they give you the server and first user free of charge now. Would you mind introducing me to your head of sales [or CEO, or President or VP of Customer Service or ... ] and I can run by some features with them and you?"" If you are already dealing with the right contact, feel free to disregard. The next step is to talk about their pains and figure out what CRM can actually do for them. CRM is like a swiss army knife. If you start throwing features at people, it can shut them down really quickly and they won't be able to relate it to how it will help them get from where they are to where they want to be. Some comnpanies don't even know where they want to be. Finally, I advise this approach before spending time installing because ... not everyone is ready for CRM. Note: I didn't say they didn't need it. I think most companies do need it. But if they aren't far enough along or aren't willing to do what it takes to make CRM successful, you will end up spending time banging your head against the wall and wind up with nothing or - WORSE - you will sell them software that they don't use and they feel that they got sold a bill of goods by you. Your reputation will be dinged. I hope the above helps a bit. @PhilMcIntosh - I know you already have some decent Sage CRM experience so this probably doesn't apply to you and a few of the others in the group that are doing Sage CRM already.

TLDR

Setup a series of monthly webinars where you demo Sage CRM and MAS. Sooner the better. I sense the freight train is coming so I would get out ahead of it and offer this session to my customers/email list. If we need a webinar account maybe the group can spring for a GotoWebinar mutual account that could be group shared.

;tldr I don't think it's a good strategy to indiscriminately set up the free server and user. You'll end up wasting a bunch of time. Go in with a gameplan before installing and save yourself the headaches. (I created this as a separate thread for replies)

I agree with you about not setting up the freebie - I think our own demo is a good idea vs Sage calling in and roping a customer.

Speaking from experience with Peter, he is 100% correct. We have backed off several installs because the client was gun ho in the beginning but we talked them out of it because they just weren't ready to fully commit.

+1 on @PeterWolf 's comment. I have talked customers out of CRM because they didn't have fully staff or management commitment. I even had one of my past Sage Reps try to convince a customer or mine behind my back that they needed CRM when I knew most of the staff, including the owner, wouldn't buy into it.