Thoughts on open source CRM
What do you think of the various open source applications entering the market (i.e. SugarCRM) and how do they work exactly?

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There's no mystery with open source software. The same old rules apply:
  • define your requirements
  • compare features & functions
  • verify facts with current users

    • You need to understand why open source is important to your requirements -- is it price, access to source code, unique features and functions, ability to customize? Open source programs are technically free, yet there's no such thing as a free lunch (have you heard that before?). You need to consider training, documentation, enhancements, bug fixes, and the entire infrastructure required to develop/test/run the system -- all the usual stuff that goes along with most software projects. Regarding "how they work" I recommend you read the brief article about open source software.

    For more information, browse our Learning Guide for Open Source CRM.

    This was first published in June 2005