People often ask us which Contact Management system is the best? That depends on your needs.
We try to stay objective on this, but the main thing is that you enjoy your
new software. We suggest you download the demos from
http://ACT.com
http://Goldmine.com
http://Maximizer.com
which seem to be the top 3
http://Microsoft.com/CRM is one to watch
for too.
There are online ones, such as
http://Salesforce.com
http://OracleSmallBusiness.com and
http://NetLedger.com
It depends on how you want to access your database, how many users, and whether you have many people per organization, or a few, in your database.
Here are some miscellaneous Cons and Pros on the ones we know (listed alphabetically)
Contact Manager |
Cons |
Pros |
| ACT! | Handles companies with a few individuals but has no "Company Table". | Best selling Easy to learn Many AddOns and education resources Flexible screen layouts |
| Goldmine | A bit harder to learn Many features may be overwhelming Screen is not as flexible |
Has many features Integrates both Incoming and Outgoing email (most others only store Outgoing email with the contact) |
| Maximizer | Basically "list" oriented, with a small, inflexible screen form. | Works like a spreadsheet Many features |
| Microsoft Access | It can take months to create your own system, while ready made options exist | But it will be exactly what you want, if you have special needs |
| Microsoft CRM | (not ready to make a comment) Expensive |
(not ready to make a comment) |
| Microsoft Outlook | Not really a contact manager as it does not link the contact with the calendar and task list | Widely used, comes with Microsoft Office |
| Salesforce.com | $65/month What if you can't get online? |
Access your database from the web |
| Oracle Small Business Netledger |
$50/month for CRM $90/month for CRM and Accounting What if you can't get online? |
Puts it all together, from cold call, through sales, through support, with one system and no duplicate entry |
| Sharkware | Out of business, no more support | Easy to use, many features |
| TeleMagic | About to be discontinued | Easy to use, many features |
| Others | We recommend going with a major brand that will be around |