Sugar CRM is opening its platform for better third-party web integration with LinkedIn, Jigsaw and Hoovers.The service is part of a broad upgrade launched today that includes features similar to Salesforce.com’s newest offerings.
New features include social feeds that provide statuses, alerts and notifications similar to the functionality found in social networks such as Facebook. An improved mobile service gives users a more streamlined experience when out on the road.
Sugar CRM is a competitor to Salesforce.com, which launched Salesforce Chatter last month. Salesforce Chatter is a real-time, social network for the enterprise that integrates with third-party applications.
The new features in Sugar CRM 5.5 are by no means groundbreaking, as a number of companies offer varying flavors of real-time technologies and third-party integrations. But Sugar’s features do offer a comprehensive upgrade that give it more leverage in the market.
Cloud Connectors may be the most significant upgrade. It uses web services to connect third-party services such as LinkedIn, which allows users to receive the most up-to-date account and lead information. It reminds us of the new cloud service launched by MindTouch, which stitches data together from multiple sources.
Social Feeds is an activity stream that provides statuses, alerts and notifications similar to the functionality in social networks. Users may exchange information and collaborate with team members. They can also receive alerts on key changes in customer information and updates on recent team activity.
More New Features
Mobile Studio: Views are now customizable, which allows Sugar administrators to create a more streamlined mobile experience for users. Administrators may also remove or move default fields and add or delete modules depending on the needs of the user.
Dynamic Teams: Users may add multiple individuals to a CRM record, which improves their ability to collaborate on complex projects. For example, sales and support can be added to the same record.
My Portal Dashlet: This allows users to view information from external web sites and applications within the SugarCRM instance. According to Sugar, product and news updates about SugarCRM can be integrated into the homepage. They can be changed, minimized or shared across users, teams and roles. This is another example of a dashboard environment that gives the user deeper views across varying data points.
Summary
Dashboards and real-time technologies represent the new CRM environment. The new offerings from Sugar CRM put it in line with Salesforce.com’s capabilities. Salesforce.com may still have an edge with its Force.com platform, but third-party integrations put Sugar CRM in step with the market, especially with clients that prefer an open-source platform.
