Sage, the UK SME software supplier, launched a hosted version of its CRM package on Tuesday.
SageCRM will cost £50 per month and is available in a number of versions, including a "Rent to Own" version that lets customers own the package after a set period.
SageCRM is based on the company's Mid-Market Edition. Uniquely, the hosted version is supported by the large network of local partners in the UK that Sage has built up, while other hosted systems such as the one supplied by Salesforce.com have no such network.
In an attack on Salesforce.com, Sage maintains that it is giving customers greater freedom of choice by "freeing companies from the 'no software' model" by giving them "a way back from a hosted package to an onsite system". With Sage's Rent to Own package, businesses can review their priorities and, as they change, move to an in-house system if it makes more sense for the business.
Salesforce.com only offers a hosted service, but argues that this allows it to introduce more frequent improvements to their system without charging the customer.
According to Richard Bee, director of CRM for Sage UK: "Some customers, particularly smaller businesses, are suited to a hosted CRM solution, others who are perhaps larger with more complex integration and customisation needs require an on-premises version".
SageCRM is available from Tuesday as the Rent to Own version; a Self-Starter Pack which is recommended for users with some familiarity of CRM systems who "just want to get going with minimum fuss"; and the Expert Advice Package, which is recommended for users new to CRM.
Talkback
It appears that Sage were incorrect and they are not the first in the UK to offer a Hosted CRM system. Have a look at iTechnologies software offering - poweredsales.com
They offer a hosted service for just £16.99 per month - and its good - really good. We used salesforce.com before, but being a small business were very cost aware - we switched to poweredsales, because it did what it said on the tin and was a lot cheaper - and any requests for changes were made to suit us - very quickly!
Almost all Sage product announcements are reactive. Hosted CRM, Line 1000 etc.
Since virtually none of the Sage products integrate either properly or at all with each other, and are failing more and more to address what the market requires, at a price it is prepared to pay. Buying a Sage product today guarantees you will be years behing in technology terms, face a cost of ownership issue and not move your business ahead one jot. The product line is either as old as the hills or a poor implementation of newer technology - what is the point of developing MMS for example in .NET if you do not use the technology in .NET or observe best practise. In my opinion Sage are abusing its branding by selling 2nd rate solutions to users. They are in for a hiding over the next two years if they fail to change.
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