C is for CRM

23rd September 2022 :: Author: Andrew Cope, Managing Director, Evergreen

C is for CRM and coincidentally so are the advantages of a custom CRM system over an off-the-shelf solution. In this blog we outline 7 distinct advantages that a custom CRM system will bring to your business.

COST: saving you money.

Every person that uses the off-the-shelf CRM will need a licence to use it. These licences can cost up to £50 per person, per month. What’s more, you're also paying for features regardless of whether you use them or not.

With a custom CRM solution, you own the software meaning there are NO LICENCE FEES for your staff, and the system is only as complicated and feature-rich as you need it to be.

COVERAGE: covering all aspects of your business.

An off-the-shelf CRM system caters for the masses. Rather like those all-you-can-eat 'restaurants' that has every type of cuisine available. It does what it sets out to do and it tastes okay, but I doubt you will want everything from the massive menu, and it will leave you feeling a little underwhelmed.

A custom CRM system can cater for your exact needs. It can go further and automate all your processes and procedures that other businesses don't have.

COPYRIGHT: Who owns your software?

With an off-the-shelf CRM, the software provider owns the product. You have no control over how the software operates. For example, the provider could decide that to ‘help’ all their subscribers (remember, you are a small fish in their big pond), they need to remove or add functions which could have a knock-on effect to your business.

A custom CRM system is unique to your business, giving you a distinct advantage over any competitor using off the shelf software. If you want functions added or removed, no problem, we can do that.
 
Another plus to owning your own software is that it is a valuable asset to your business, not just now but into the future.

CAPITAL: a return on your investment

The problem with an off-the-shelf CRM, is that a return on investment can take time as there will be more expense down the line. Monthly licences for each user, upgrade costs and, most importantly, implementation and support may not be included. It is not ‘plug and play’.

You will need to hire IT experts in your business, or costly third-party consultants, to make the system work for you.
 
With our custom CRM systems, we are there to implement the software, train your staff and support your business with any help and/or additional functions you may require. Your return on investment will start paying back from day one, as your staff will be familiar with software that's based on how they work already, and you'll no longer have to pay for per-seat licences.

COMPATIBLE: integration with your current systems

Just because you need custom software doesn't mean you have to stop using your accounting package, or vehicle tracking software, or other software that is still a perfect fit for your organisation.

That's the power and beauty of custom-written software is that it can use secure interfaces to share data and allow these disparate systems to talk to each other, and for them to continue to be the best.

CONTINUITY: keeping your business moving.

With our custom CRM systems, implementation of the new system is seamless, we won’t force you to change the way you work. We won’t interrupt your day-to-day operations. We won’t make you spend days transferring data.
 
We will integrate your CRM with your existing software apps. We will install your software. We can even run a program to migrate your data to the CRM.

CLEVER: there's no point re-inventing the wheel

With an off-the-shelf CRM system, the generic approach is pre-built for a wider audience which means you will have to adapt your process to the software. This is far from ideal as it will not be intuitive to use, it will have functions you do not want, it will not fit your business 100%.
 
With a custom CRM if you want small and niche, we can do that. If you want all singing all dancing, we can also do that. The point here is, your CRM should fit seamlessly into your day-to-day business operations with the processes you have in place.
 
A CRM is a valuable resource for any business, they work beautifully if they are aligned to your business model.
 
We are not trying to reinvent the purpose of a CRM. We are here to make it work for you, not against you.

From a simple yet sophisticated CRM system to customised database software development, Evergreen's team of developers can help make your business processes more efficient.

Call us today on 01454 269 087 to find out more about taking the next step towards a solution that works for you.