As customer relationship management continues to play a significant role in successful business operations, the delivery of these contact management solutions becomes an important factor for businesses of all sizes to consider.
With both hosted and local CRM software solutions to choose from, it is important that businesses become aware of what each solution offers and which best fits their needs.
While both on-demand and on-premises solutions offer different, but significant benefits, making the right choice depends on factors unique to each business.
Offering an in-depth look at both these options is VendorGuru.com columnist, Clare Kaufman in the article, "CRM Options Offer Contact Management Flexibility"
Kaufman explains that in order to make a decision between the two, companies should consider such factors as Total Cost of Ownership, Ease of Installation and Maintenance, Customization Options, Remote Access and Scalability, before making their CRM software decision.
TCO
plays an important role for businesses looking to save on initial costs. With Hosted CRM solutions, the cost of on-premise hardware and software is eliminated and replaced by subscription based pricing, however on-premise systems are also appealing as they are know to paying for themselves after only three years.
Also important to consider is how great an investment in technical support is needed. Choosing a local CRM product can take two to four months to complete, while hosted CRM typically goes live almost immediately. Hosted CRM is also an important option for businesses concerned with scalability, as it can easily scale to meet businesses growing needs.
Finally, Kaufman points out in her article that businesses looking for flexibility and advanced functionality must consider the customization options available with each solution, while those looking to offer connections to remote offices and mobile employees should be aware of the remote access offered with the system along with all other pros and cons to make the best decision for their business.
Stefania Viscusi is an established writer and avid reader. To see more of her articles, please visit Stefania Viscusi’s columnist page.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) | X |
This is a case study of TCO issues. Each organization must decide for itself what values to assign to the TCO equation....more |