In a bid to help users and developers accessing their open source CRM software solutions to more easily create and manage their specific CRM experiences, SugarCRM (News - Alert) has announced the beta release of Sugar 5.5.

 

This latest offering includes an all new Web services framework as well as new platform improvements and enhanced mobile features.

 

Because no one CRM solution is a one size fits all for each company’s specific needs, the ability to create customized solutions that meet the demands of each business is vital.

 

“This new release delivers the features companies require to more effectively manage the entire customer experience,” said Clint Oram, co-founder and vice president of product management of SugarCRM.

 

Included as part of the latest announcement are new application features that help better manage SugarCRM in the mobile environment. With the new Mobile Studio Editor, users and developers have pre-built layouts and fields for the wireless client within the Sugar studio and can design purpose built mobile views.

 

For agents in the field, this means the ability to more quickly and easily manage customer information and provide services more quickly.

 

In addition, it also includes the ability to better “assemble teams to collaborate on projects.” With the new “Dynamic Teams” feature, it’s possible to add a number of individuals and teams to a CRM record. This means individuals working in different departments can all be assigned an account, and all get the necessary updates on specific changes for that account.

 

New platform capabilities also announced with this latest release include an enhanced Web services framework that makes it possible to better streamline Web service calls and also allows for “complex interactions between Sugar and services such as e-commerce systems, billing services and social networks.”

Also, thanks to a new themes framework, it is now easier to create and manage pre-built and custom themes to meet specific needs and without the need for any special coding.

 

To improve password management, the new release also allows users to set password strengths, reset their own passwords and set them to expire or lock out users for too many failed login attempts.

 

These new features and capabilities will allow developers and users to create all new offerings that are customized to meet their needs and that extend functionalities to mobile users.

 

The beta release of Sugar 5.5 is available for download currently at the SugarForge Web site, while general availability it expected for this summer.