Ten years ago, there were a few dozen CRM Systems available from ACT (for Small Businesses) to Siebel (for Large Enterprises). In the past, you bought the software once, paid for the implementation and then paid an annual support fee...forever.
Read moreSalesforce Admin & User Self-Paced Training
Top Salesforce Training for Administrators, Managers and Users
Over the last five years, Salesforce.com has become very complex to successfully implement and manage.
However, the CRM System is still very easy to just turn on with their standard configuration and start working. It's quick, not too painful and many companies just do that. They really need some training basics before they start using it.
Read moreLow-Cost Way to Share Files on the Web in a Small Business
Question from a Manager
I was looking to store some company files (powerpoint presentations, excel workbooks, etc) in the cloud securely and inexpensively. That way my other managers and partners can access them and upload updates. Sort of like a Microsoft Share-point without the overhead. Any suggestions? ....keep reading for the answer!
Answer
One of our favorite Small and Midsize Business (SMB) File Sharing, Storing & Backup Solutions is Dropbox.com. They have a single user and a business version of their product. "Dropbox.com for Business" is ideal for a Small and Midsize Businesses. The service is secure, very easy to setup and use. You download a small app to your Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android Smartphone or Tablet and you're ready to start sharing files. You can share a folder or a file with your team members.
Dropbox.com works in 175+ countries and is available in English, French, Japanese, German and Spanish.
Dropbox for Business is affordable, and at a discount compared to buying personal Dropbox accounts individually.
List of Top 8 File Sharing and Storing Files on the Web
Here is a list of the top solutions for sharing & storing files on the web for a Small Business:
- Dropbox - Our favorite easy-to-use way of sharing & Storing files these days. 2GB free/user. Also a team version (see above).
- Box - Leading product you can use to share files
- Google Drive- File Sharing and Storage and Office Apps with 8GB per person free or 25GB per person for $50 /yr/per person
- Microsoft OneDrive - Great if you prefer Microsoft Solutions $6-$27 per user /month
- Salesforce.com - Salesforce allows you to store files on your system 1GB maximum. You can buy more space as needed.
- Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service)- More complex to implement & use. You will need IT Help. Check for prices
- Google+ - Business Version Launched in 2011 - very good for photo sharing and storage
- Apple iCloud - If you prefer Apple Solutions, iCloud may be a good solution - 5GB of Free Storage with Apple IOS - Launched in Fall 2011
Please share any other suggestions, experiences or tips for low-cost sharing, storing and backing up files in a Small Business. Thanks!
photo credit: freedigitalimages.net by nokhoog buchachon
CRM Magazine Announces Winners of 2009 CRM Market Awards
CRM Magazine published a list of the top CRM vendors in June 2009. This is the 8th year of their survey. CRM magazine "honors the vendors, consultants, and end-user companies that focus on customer relationships and the customer experience through the sophisticated integration of people, processes, and technologies. In each of 10 categories, the magazine named one Market Winner, denoting the highest score compared to its peers. Each category also produced four Market Leader awards and One to Watch."
Click on the link below to find the best CRM vendors in the industry. Keep in mind that the "best" can also be very expensive to implement and maintain.
2009 CRM Magazine Announces Winners of 2009 CRM Market Awards
2008 CRM Magazine Announces Winners of the 2008 CRM Market Awards
Note: CRM = "Customer Relationship Management"