CRM systems

CRM or Constituent Management Systems are integrated database solutions that can manage and record your interactions with constituents, clients, contacts or members. CRM are not 'out of the box' solutions, they will need crafting and customising to fit your needs and work flows. However, once this is done a CRM can reduce the workload of running your organisation, make it simpler and make it more efficient... big returns on the work of setting one up.

There are two main CRM systems used by 'not for profit' organisations, CiviCRM and Salesforce.

CiviCRM

If you are thinking of using CiviCRM, if you are seriously planning and preparing to use CiviCRM or if you are already using CiviCRM and want to develop further Visimpscot can help you, contact us to discuss how.

What is CiviCRM?

Salesforce is a cloud based Contact Relationship Management software, that is developed by and created for the 'not for profit' sector. CiviCRM is a flexible suite of applications that can be used to meet a wide range of tasks that are central to most non-profit organisations including membership, fund raising, volunteer management and event management.

Why you might use CiviCRM

CiviCRM can be installed on your own intranet / network but deploying it as a cloud based service releases the full potential of CiviCRM.

CiviCRM has a large worldwide user base (https://civicrm.org/).

A CiviCRM cloud based deployment will need hosting, if you are a 'not for profit' organisation then there are no or low cost options that you can explore.

Why you should not use CiviCRM

If you have poor, expensive or unreliable Internet connections then any cloud based software solution is not for you. Do not forget that Internet connectivity can improve, so do not rule out using a CRM in the future. CiviCRM can be deployed on a local network or intranet, although such deployments cannot exploit the full potential of a CRM system.

If you are a campaigning organisation you may not be eligible for free or discounted Salesforce subscriptions.

If have ethical concerns, do not worry CiviCRM is an ope source application with deep roots in the 'not for profit' sector.

Next Steps

If you are new to CiviCRM take a look at their website to get an idea of what it can do.

To use CiviCRM effectively you need a thorough understanding of your business model and processes.Taking the time to gain and refine this understanding will be crucial to successfully exploiting the power of CiviCRM..

If you want help at this stage or later on contact Visimpscot to see how we can help.

Salesforce

If you are thinking of using Salesforce, if you are seriously planning and preparing to use Salesforce or if you are already using Salesforce and want to develop further Visimpscot can help you, contact us to discuss how.

What is Salesforce?

Salesforce is a cloud based Contact Relationship Management software, that is owned by Salesforce.com. Although it has clear roots in a commercial sales based environment Salesforce is a flexible suite of applications that can be used to meet a wide range of tasks that are central to most non-profit organisations including fund raising, volunteer management and event management.

Why you might use Salesforce

Using a cloud based service means that your data is hosted remotely by Salesforce which means that you do not have to worry about data back up and software or hardware upgrades. It also gives you access to advanced technology at low cost.

Salesforce has a large worldwide user base that includes many not for profit organisations and are serious about supporting them. Check out the not for profit section of the Salesforce website (http://www.salesforce.org/nonprofit/).

Not for profit organisations can get ten free Salesforce subscriptions and a large discount on any more that you might need. Deciding to use Salesforce for a large part of your IT needs is a major step and will involve at the least spending time but the free and discounted subscriptions help to show the comitment of Salesforce to the not for profit sector.

Why you should not use Salesforce

If you have poor, expensive or unreliable Internet connections then any cloud based software solution is not for you. Do not forget that Internet connectivity can improve, so do not rule out using Salesforce in the future.

If you are a campaigning organisation you may not be eligible for free or discounted Salesforce subscriptions.

You might have ethical concerns about using services provided by a large commercial multi-national corporation. Such concerns are not without merit but do not forget that you need to deliver the core purpose of your organisation and this could be the best way to do it.

Next Steps

If you are new to Salsforce take a look at their website to get an idea of what it can do.

To use Salesforce effectively you need a thorough understanding of your business model and processes.Taking the time to gain and refine this understanding will be crucial to successfully exploiting the power of Salesforce.

If you want help at this stage or later on contact Visimpscot to see how we can help.