Implementing SugarCRM 5.x

SugarCRM is a popular customer relationship management system. It is an ideal way for small-medium business to try out a CRM system without committing large sums of money. Although SugarCRM is carefully designed for ease of use, attaining measurable business gains requires careful planning and research.

This book will give you all the information you need to start using this powerful CRM system. It is the definitive guide to implementing SugarCRM. Whether you are wondering exactly what benefits CRM can bring or you have already learned about CRM systems but have yet to implement one or you're working with SugarCRM already, this book will show you how to get maximum benefit from this exciting product. It demonstrates how to install SugarCRM and also how to get the most out of it by customizing it and integrating CRM into your organization as per your needs.

Focused on the needs of the enterprise, this book provides a solution-driven approach for both business and IT specialists to get the most from this powerful and popular Open Source application. It begins with a general discussion about CRM. You will then learn the benefits of such systems, and then explore SugarCRM and its unique value. You will then go through the guidelines for installing and making deployment selections that are set out alongside information for identifying, planning, and applying customizations. Training guidelines and ongoing administrative tasks will be discussed as you progress further into the book. A brief overview of SugarCRM 6.0 is provided at the end of the book.

A complete guide to implementing SugarCRM including needs assessment, installing and using the software, training users, integrating with existing systems, and more

What you will learn from this book :

• Install a CentOS LAMP stack for use by SugarCRM
• Perform a needs analysis for your business and learn to match those needs to functional areas of SugarCRM
• Learn system navigation and the use of various features such as the Opportunity Manager
• Deploy an instance on a Linux or Windows-based server
• Learn one of SugarCRM’s most popular features – the e-mail marketing campaign feature
• Extend SugarCRM to allow third-party access to add to or view the data it contains
• Use the SugarCRM data import tool and learn some common problems one may encounter when using it
• Explore the SugarCRM framework and get information on extending and applying advanced customizations

Approach
The book works from the SugarCRM basics right up to advanced features in a clear and friendly way. It follows a combination of theoretical discussions relating to varying business needs and the manner in which CRM technology can address them. By helping you clarify your business goals the book enables you to build a CRM system to support your business needs. 

Who this book is written for
If you are a small-medium business owner/manager with reasonable IT skills, a system implementer, or a system administrator who wants to implement SugarCRM for yourself either as a first CRM or as a replacement for existing solutions, this book is for you.

Existing SugarCRM users who want to broaden their understanding of the topic will find this book valuable too. No programming knowledge is required to use this book to implement, customize, and use SugarCRM.

About the Author
Based in Los Angeles, California, Angel Magana currently works as a CRM consultant helping businesses of all sizes realize the benefits of SugarCRM. He is a seasoned veteran of the technology world, initially getting his start in the CRM industry back in 1996 with GoldMine Software (now FrontRange Solutions). During his years at GoldMine he authored numerous technical documents, and contributed heavily to development and product management efforts that helped make GoldMine a leading and award-winning solution.