software or database to manage customers?

[ViviTheMage]

We currently use a very large CSV document to manage information ... server names associated with URLs, and versions, etc. It's getting really clunky and not very viable, what do you guys use that is possibly opensource for stuff like that?

 

[Cerb]

I don't do any of that specifically, but know a couple people (very small businesses ) using vtiger (SugarCRM fork) for a CRM, including keeping track of that kind of info, and love it. I've used it some for actual support tickets, and it works well. IE, bring up a ticket that you have access to, and you can easily (well, after getting used to the UI a little ) get info on the customer, what they're running, their whole ticket history, etc.. It's supposed to also have all the features you seem to be looking for, but I've only used it for keeping track of support tickets.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I'll give it a shot, we only want it for tracking that information I listed, we're already invested in other support ticket systems and the like.

The other huge thing is it HAS to have the ability to import from a csv so I do not have to redo these thousands of entries by hand.

 

[Cerb]

It's kind of driving a tack with a sledgehammer, but the other options I'm aware of would be a custom CRUD program, and/or spending as much, if not more, time making a major CMS work, unless somebody knows of something else that amounts to a multi-client Access DB system . It definitely does support CSV import and export, including with custom fields.

It could be done with a CMS like Drupal, FI, but external data importing tends to be a pain, IME, and you'd likely end up spending hours in Views to massage it to your liking, after you use feeds to import it--and that's assuming you won't have the learning curve of just getting Drupal and up and working. OTOH, more blog/gallery-oriented CMSes like WP or Joomla, you'd have to spend your time elsewhere, to make it not so annoying to use.

Ready to go VM, to at least see if it's easy enough for such limited use:
http://www.turnkeylinux.org/vtiger

 

[ViviTheMage]

I'll see if I can't make something work outta it, thanks

 

[Berryracer]

we use Salesforce at the current company that I work for and my previous company also

IT is a cloud based CRM system and you can try the demo for free for 30 days

 

[EagleKeeper]

Import your CSV into MySQL and develop a simple GUI for it; Access/Open Source or roll your own

 

[Emulex]

The only decent office integrated is Dynamics CRM, it is a badass RAD tool as well.

 

[ViviTheMage]

This is for work, so I am still looking ... I have not had time to actually demo anything either, but i'll get around to it.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Do you have SharePoint? If not, you could load the free Foundation version and accomplish what you need with standard SharePoint lists. If you wanted to get really fancy, you could build a slick front-end with InfoPath too.

 

[KentState]

Been responsible for many different types of CRM systems in my career. SugarCRM isn't too bad for open source software and can support a good size business. SalesForce may be overkill and is a pricey solution. Even something like MS Dynamics would be rather pricey.

I like the idea of Sharepoint, plus it is easy to import/export out of. If you have SQL Server, there are connectors for SSIS which make reading/writing very easy.

If you do go with something like SugarCRM, Synology offers it in their application store and you can get a small, self contained NAS to run the entire product. The configuration is very minimal so you could be up an running in a short amount of time.

 

[ViviTheMage]

we do use sharepoint right now, with a displayed xls basically, and it sucks.

this is just for our internal use to take existing data and make it easier to view/query.

what does sugarcrm need to run exactly?