CRM Package for small but growing business

[The Iceman]

Lads I am researching CRM packages for a business venture that is small right now but definitely growing and could have up to c.5000 contacts in the future.
Does anyone have any experience with any good CRM packages? What are the strengths and weaknesses? I am looking at packages in the mid-low price range.

Appreciate any advice.......

[Doogie Browser]

I know Sage is accounts based but there are plenty of versions that allow for customer details to be assimilated and can be of benefit. MS Access is basically a free one that can be limited but is a decent database and could do a job for you so don't rule it out if you want to keep it simplistic.

Oracle would be one to look at but is expensive and will need a lot of training.

Be careful when you choose one as a lot of companies out there develop their own programmes and they have you by the wotsits if you need additional training and or support, they will charge you a fortune.

If you are in the North and a relatively new company INVEST NI can pay for up to 50% of the costs.

[Orior]

You're a lazy bollix Iceman, however I like your style.

There's vast amount of stuff on the web about this. But where to start eh?

Locally there's a few companies that specialise e.g. Kainos, Lagan etc. and some based in Derry too hi.

And of course the big guns like SAP and Oracle. You can also do a lot with (hoike, spit) Microsoft just through Outlook

But first you gotta focus on what your requirement is. Avoid bringing in a tech solution and then finding the problem.

[The Iceman]

You can do all the research on the Net, yes, but I think 50% of it is fabricated by the companies themselves and you never know who to trust or listen to.
I figured I would get no bull shit straight answers on here.  Have been looking at Salesforce.com and Sugar CRM, also Goldmine and Outlook Professional - hard to know what to do.
Found a great guy in Lurgan who create company logos and letterheads and all the jazz.
Looking now into a good website - will probably go with Tibus as used them before at a previous company.

Any IT heads recommend a good VOIP set up or is Skype the handiest one out there?

[Katchit]

We use Zoho CRM - www.crm.zoho.com and have no complaints thus far.