Implementing SugarCRM: 'A step-by-step guide to using this powerful Open Source application in your business.' [Paperback]

Michael J.R. Whitehead (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 24, 2006

A step-by-step guide to planning, implementing, and using SugarCRM in your business. Focused on the needs of the enterprise, this book provides solution-driven approach for both business and IT specialists to get the most from this powerful and popular Open Source application. Small-medium business owners/managers with reasonable IT skills, who want to implement SugarCRM for themselves as either a first CRM or as a replacement for existing solutions. IT staff tasked with implementing, maintaining, or upgrading a SugarCRM installation. Existing SugarCRM users who want to broaden their understanding of the topic. No programming knowledge is required to use this book to implement, customise and use SugarCRM.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael Whitehead is a leading authority on the design and implementation of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems. Michael's experience and expertise spans a thirty year career in software architecture, design and development as well as business management and ownership of multiple technology organizations. Among many other accomplishments Michael is the contributing author of the SugarCRM Open Source User Guide. Michael has authored this book for entrepreneurs and small/medium business leaders, like himself, to help propel the success of their businesses through the disciplined application of CRM best practices. More than just a practical guide for the implementation of SugarCRM, this book explores and explains the business implications-and benefits-of customer relationship management for the small/medium business. Michael is currently the founder and President of The Long Reach Corporation (www.thelongreach.com). Long Reach blends real world CRM expertise with commercial open source technologies to develop and deliver cost effective CRM solutions for small/medium business and divisions of large enterprises. Long Reach offers a full range of SugarCRM implementation, customization and training services. Long Reach is also the developer of Info At Hand¿, a complete, commercial-grade, customer-centric business management solution built on SugarCRM Open Source.

Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: Packt Publishing (February 24, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 190481168X
• ISBN-13: 978-1904811688
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #258,144 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars You will find much more substance in the Sugar documentation, December 16, 2006

By 

aj0408 "aj0408" (US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Implementing SugarCRM: 'A step-by-step guide to using this powerful Open Source application in your business.' (Paperback)

OK, I generally do not write reviews when I like a product. I let others do that (since there are plenty of people who do write positive reviews). But I take it upon myself to let others know when the product sucks. This is one of those occasions.

I am very disappointed with this book for the following reasons:

1. With all the great reviews, I had thought that this would solve world hunger and then some. It went through this book in exactly 40 minutes, scanning over each chapter looking for something that I already did not know. I could not find anything. NOTHING. Nothing at all.
2. It has precious little information about installing, customizing and troubleshooting the application for your specific business needs, which will occur if you are doing anything useful with the application.
3. The documentation pdfs that the sugar folks have put together are much more involved and detailed, not to mention concise and free.
4. The price of this book suggests that it would be a detailed work. The author actually did no research/make any contribution to what already exists in public domain. I felt cheated. Looks like someones idea of making a quick buck. Disgusting.

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not what I was expecting, March 28, 2006

By 

Marc D. Behr (NH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Implementing SugarCRM: 'A step-by-step guide to using this powerful Open Source application in your business.' (Paperback)

If you are looking for a book that describes what a CRM is, why you would want one, how you can use one and how SugarCRM may be right for you, then this is a great reference.

But, if you know what a CRM is and why you need/want one and are hoping to learn how to add features/functions to SugarCRM to meet your specific business needs, then this is not your book, especially because of its price.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rare book, October 16, 2006

By 

Armen Khrimian (Yerevan, Armenia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Implementing SugarCRM: 'A step-by-step guide to using this powerful Open Source application in your business.' (Paperback)

I rate this book with 5 stars because:

1. It presents clear, very clear explanation what a CRM for a small- mid-size business is.
2. The author has background as small- mid-size business manager/owner so he speaks not from technology geek point of view but from business owner/manager point of view. All goals are first of all business goals, not some technological gains.
3. Very clear explanation of open-source SugarCRM.
4. Interconnection of all items (CRM, SMB needs, SugarCRM abilities) together under excellent examples of imaginary small business implementing SugarCRM.

Overall very rare book in these days which speaks about business first of all and speaks with authority of "been there done that". As SugarCRM user myself I find this book extremely useful.