Your organization is expanding, and you’ve decided it’s time to implement a customer relationship management (CRM) system. Implementing a customer relationship management (CRM) system to manage customer data/information and interactions is a huge step in the right direction. So, how can you figure out which CRM solution is best for your company?
To choose a CRM System for your organization, there are two main options to pick from, i.e. on-premise and cloud-based. Here is a quick to help you in deciding which will work best for you.
On-Premise CRM
An on-premise CRM is housed at the place of business that uses it. This means the CRM is kept in a dedicated server room, or a closet. Generally, an on-premise solution requires the business to buy either a server or a computer that can act as a server upon which the CRM software can be installed.
On-Premise Pros
• In-house IT teams have greater control over equipment, security, and data.
• It may meet the needs of smaller businesses for the time being.
On-Premise Cons
• Outages can cause major delays in using the system.
• Upfront costs for setup and installation are prohibitive.
• IT staff required to keep system running.
• It can be difficult to scale, and upgrades can be costly.
Cloud-Based CRM
A cloud-based CRM system is managed digitally via the Internet by an offsite team of experts. This solution is also referred to as software as a service (SaaS), because it does not require a software installation or an IT department for management purposes.
A cloud-based CRM can be accessed anywhere and anytime via laptops, or mobile devices, provided have been approved to or given access to use it.
Cloud-Based Pros
• Accessible 24/7 by anyone approved within the organization.
• Accessible on the road via mobile devices.
• Minimum investment needed.
• It doesn’t require server maintenance, and upgrades are often automatic.
• Scalable and secure to keep up with business growth.
Cloud-Based Cons
• Cloud-based system rely on Internet connection. If your Internet service goes down, you may experience downtime.