A traditional CRM system that consists of bulky 
hardware or network infrastructure is becoming
a thing of the past.
Many small businesses are making the switch to
getting their CRM from the cloud, and are
making their life a lot easier by doing so.
It’s important to have a CRM system that can
organize all of your business’s contacts in a clear
and efficient manner, and switching to cloud CRM allows
your business to do that.
With a more efficient means of sharing information
you maximize the impact of your business relationships.
Cost Effective
One of the most influential ways that cloud CRM systems benefit small business owners is in their cost-effectiveness.
Traditional CRM systems can be expensive, so is budget is a concern, cloud CRM might be a better fit for you.
- Instead of writing out a large check to pay for a bulky system upfront, many cloud
CRM options run on a rental system where your business can make payments on a monthly or annual basis. - Cloud CRM also lets your business pay for each user who has access to the database.
This makes it easier to add or remove users to the system, and the sum of the costs per
individual is often significantly less than the cost of traditional CRM. - Like any new system or software, there will be costs associated with implementation and setup.
Be ready to train your staff on how to use the new system,
or hire a consultant to assist in converting data from you old system.
Environmental Impact
Operating on an internet server made for heavy data-lifting helps save a lot of energy.
Running CRM on an office server can require a huge amount of energy,
which many small businesses might be able to support financially.
Traditional systems also used to require full computers to host only CRM data and applications.
By not having to buy separate computers to house your data, you can cut down dramatically
on the amount of energy required to produce hardware and the computers themselves.
Cloud CRM applications also automatically shut down when they are not being used.
Third party Service Provider
Having your cloud CRM hosted by a third party vendor can save your business the maintenance headache.
The third party host will keep your CRM applications running smoothly in a number of
ways including: installation, integration, testing, maintenance, and manage all application data.
When buying your system from a third party vendor, be sure to assess the provider for information security.
Be clear with your business’s expectations and backup plans, understand how data is stored,
and what expectations are in case of an emergency or loss of data.
Better Accessibility
The thing that really sets apart new cloud CRM software from its traditional roots is that it has a wider range of accessibility.
The only thing that users need to access the database of information is a relatively high-speed internet
connection, which is not a hard thing to find these days.
- If all workers are not in the same office or department, they can still access information.
- Employees can also access the database from the field using their mobile devices.
- If multiple branches of your business operate in the same city, they can
also have access to the cloud and your CRM database.
If your business is already using a traditional CRM system, then you are likely aware of your business’s CRM needs.
However, you might not know that by implementing cloud software, you’ll have access to all of the same
CRM tools and applications, but in a more efficient and cost effective manner.
Kate Webster writes for lead generation resource, ResourceNation.com.
She focuses on a variety of topics including cloud-based software.