Three Cheers for 37 Signals
This is more of a business-related post than anything else, and I can’t lie; it’s a stop-gap between entries of my copywriting series, the next part of which is fairly large in scope, so it’s been sitting in the hopper as a draft that I revisit whenever I get time.
Instead, I just wanted to sing the praises of 37 Signals, who provide an excellent selection of business management software. On Nathaniel’s (NSHB) reccomendation, I started using Backpack a few months back, and it has been great. But recently I took on a client where I’m working as a third party contractor, and they’re using the full version of Basecamp.
The Project Manager, myself and the client have been back and forth several times daily, with all of our conversations neatly organized in one place, with different topics, etc. As the copywriter, I’ve made great use of the writeboards feature to upload drafts of my work. I have to say, I love Basecamp. If you’re using an archaic system for CRM, especially if that system is offline (what are you thinking?), then definitely check it out. I’ll be buying an implementing it for my needs in no time.
They offer free services if you want to ‘test the water’ first, so to speak, so you can check them out risk and investment free. Not a bad deal. If you’ve used any of these products, or something that you think is superior, let’s hear from you in the comments. I have yet to commit to a complete CRM solution, and I’m open to suggestions. (I’m not paid to evangelize 37 Signals, for what it’s worth)
Update: Eerily enough, Darren references Basecamp today too, just with a more critical eye, and a raises a good question:
What obligations do web-based applications like Basecamp have in terms of their customer data? Should they store it indefinitely or delete it when I stop paying them?
That should cause a fairly lively debate. Your thoughts?
Comments
Powered by Facebook Comments
October 26th, 2006 at 4:55 pm
I’ve been researching into CRM’s lately. I’ve also heard good things about basecamp but haven’t tried it out yet. I wonder if you’ve heard about SugarCRM and what your thoughts on it might be? As that has also been presented as an option.
October 26th, 2006 at 6:09 pm
That’s a very good question, Lisa. I’m going to have to give it a look and get back to you.
I have trialed a service called ZohoCRM, Zoho makes a whole slieu of web apps for business too. The features of it are seemingly limitless, which for me was too much! I prefer things to be on the simpler side, and Basecamp offers simplicity, where Zoho was a riduculous number of tabs/options to choose from.
I’ll have to see how SugarCRM stacks up. Cheers!