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	Issue TOC Print full article Print this page Download as PDF E-Mail this URL Discuss this article Flame the author     In this article Introduction Integration & Customization ACCPAC CRM 5.5 Epicor Clientele 8.1 Microsoft Business Solutions CRM 1.0 Soffront CRM 8.0 FrontRange GoldMine 6.0 Executive Summary | How We Tested | Outsourcing CRM Report Card

In moving to version 8.0, Soffront began offering a browser-based client along with its traditional fat client. The fat client's cluttered and confusing interface initially made us skeptical about Soffront's browser access. However, we admit we were wrong. The browser component is highly customizable and, even though it's not usable "out of the box" without defining data formats and forms, the program's flexibility gives Soffront CRM an advantage over its more rigid competitors. We recommend you use the browser-based client and just forget the fat client exists.

Installing Soffront CRM 8.0 is a remote procedure akin to those for WebEx, VNC and pcAnywhere. We initiated the installation, which required no configuration changes to the server or firewall. After installation, the product provided only administrative functionality. No end-user data or forms were created--only those that let an administrator configure and customize the system.

Since forms, their layouts and, by extension, the database, must be designed, the administrator has complete control. We appreciated being able to duplicate our DB2 database schema within Soffront. Upon creating a form, the system automatically makes an associated table in the database. Likewise, each field we added to the form resulted in the appropriate column being added to the table. While ACCPAC and Microsoft offer some flexibility in positioning of fields, neither can compete with Soffront's completely configurable form design. If the system's administrator understands the company's business process, it should be easy to create forms that mirror that process. We did so and found that navigation of the browser-based client was superb. We were also pleased with the ability to access reports from specific areas. After defining areas for customer and product, we could create sub-menus for specific functions within each area, such as customized reports, screens and links to other areas.