FREE CRM Software? For Real?
The company CRM ASP Inc. has created a hosted software solution for customer relationship management and sales force automation (SFA). It is a relatively young company, founded in 2003(!). They have developed two versions:
- Free CRM software: web based CRM and SFA solution with 5MB data limit and advertisement at no charge. For this low charge they naturally cannot offer support.
- CRM Professional: same as the free software, but with 100MB data limit, no ads, and live support. Charge $9,95/Mo per user.
System Requirements
- Internet Explorer -or-
- Netscape (it's hosted)
My Impressions
I have tested FreeCRM against the following areas, where I grade them with stars, 1 thru 5 (more is better):
- Functionality: I look for useful functions rather than a lot
- Customizability: If you need to align your tool to your business, you'll probably need to customize the tool
- Ease of use: A helpdesk tool must aid, not hinder, the support process
- Speed: Any customer service rep that had to wait on a system while talking to a customer, understands the "need for speed" :-)
- Reliability: You need a tool you can trust, with data integrity, and that works when you need to
Score
FunctionalityFor a free CRM software tool, FreeCRM.com delivers a broad range of functions: keep tabs on companies, contacts, calls (with call scripts) and cases. Handle e-mail and document management. Keep track of events, resources and sales targets. Phew... There's a lot that I didn't mention here. ***** 5 stars.
Customizability
You can extend fields for appointments, clients and contacts, but not for cases, unfortunately. However, you have plenty possibilities to change selection fields, which will fit the bill for most businesses. No fancy setting up of your own screens however. **** 4 stars.
Ease of Use
The software looks easy enough to work with, it has a clean interface which I like a lot. However, at times I was a little confused by it. For instance, when editing a case, you can either "Make Call" or "New Call", but only the first takes the call data and links it to the call. But overall, the learning curve is not very steep. **** 4 stars.
Speed
The system worked fast and secure. But as it is a hosted tool, the speed may be impacted by the speed of your connection. ***** 5 stars.
Reliability
Tough call. There is little information available on the security of the system, and frequency of backup and such. Also, the company is a bit too young for my taste (2003 remember?). For me, they would have to prove themselves first, free CRM software or not. *** 3 stars.
Conclusion
I liked the clean and crisp look of the system, it worked fast and secure. This free CRM software is easy to learn, although it had me confused at times. I'm unsure about the reliability of the system, though, in part of the lack on information on data security, and the young age of the company (2003).**** I give FreeCRM 4 stars out of 5.
