While many individuals practice a “learn by doing” type of approach, others find digesting information through various “how-to” literature as the best approach to comprehending and learning about new technology systems.

That being said, open source customer relationship management, or “CRM,” provider, SugarCRM (News - Alert) has an extensive library of online documentation on the company’s forums that offer any information a user needs to learn to implement a SugarCRM system. 

According to Sander Van Hooft, a blogger familiar with the SugarCRM literature, not all books are the right choice for all user types and offers his opinions based on experience with the CRM how-to must reads.

Hooft said that, for newbies to the SugarCRM system – along with end-users – reading “SugarCRM for Dummies,” will offer a simple, yet informative introduction to the company’s products. 

“A typical end user working with a not too much modified SugarCRM installation will find all he or she needs to know,” Hooft said. “For people working a while with SugarCRM it may be a convenient reference book.”

Published in 2008, the text offers up-to-date information for first time users of the software, creating an easier adaption process for new and potential customers. 

For users needing a little more in depth operational system information, such as manager, consultants and system trainers, a guide like “Implementing SugarCRM: a Step by Step Approach,” includes more detailed steps on how to enhance an organization’s business. 

“Implementing a CRM system in an existing organization will always lead to organizational change,” Hooft said, adding that the text, dated to 2006, is less technically oriented and focuses more on the managerial side of the open source CRM world.

The “SugarCRM Developer’s Manual,” according to Hooft, is the most beneficial choice for users looking to perfect and expand on modules, vardefs and logic hooks. 

While many of these books offer a wealth of information that lends itself to a wide array of users, Hooft said that – to date – there has yet to be a specific text catered to the SugarCRM administrator base. 

“A reason for this may be that the administrator’s responsibilities within the system are a bit vague: you can develop and customize SugarCRM’s functionalities to a certain degree using the administrator’s interface, but for much of the customization this interface will simply not do,” Hooft said. “At that point, the line between administrating and developing is very thin.”