Define what your want your CRM implantation to accomplish

The success of any CRM integration is clearly defined business requirements. You have to know what you want to accomplish or how will the vendor know what it is that you want? Your business may want a very basic CRM implementation or a very complex one involving many different departments.

I recommend: Smaller businesses and organizations should consider looking into Microsoft Outlook as a basic CRM solution. Email, contacts, meetings, notes can all be synchronized and accessed via the web. A complex CRM installation involving cross functional areas will require a comprehensive CRM solution. Check out the customizable solutions offered by Salesboom.com and Entellium.

Decide whether your business CRM integration solutions will be hosted or on site

Choosing a CRM solution that is hosted is very cost effective, however it may be more difficult later on if your business needs to expands its CRM functionality.

I recommend: SageCRM provides both on site an hosting CRM solutions. They also have a free 30 day trial so check out the Sage CRM website. Hosting CRM solutions can be provided by NetOffice.

Consider using a CRM application integration vendor who specializes in mid-sized businesses

There are plenty of CRM solution providers out there, but if you have a mid-sized business, why not use a vendor who can cater to your needs? The vendors who primarily sell to large scale companies may not be able to give you the individual attention that you deserve.

I recommend: For CRM products easily customized, try ADAPT or Soffront.