Hi Pierre,
At this stage I wonder if we should not begin by providing clear requirements
using stories as it's done at
http://docs.ofbiz.org/display/OFBREQDES/Universal+Business+Process+Library+Index.
At least having a look there should not hurt...
On the other hand, a simpler way would be to simply mimic SugarCRM UI. I have
done a quick analysis for such a work, it seems not
hard to do. IIRW, the only really missing things are the ticket feature and graphics. Most of the work is about linking things
together.
For instance tasks (workefforts), other accounts associated to an account (we have already related contacts). Or tasks, contacts
relates to an opportunity (we have already lead but only one it seems), etc.
Of course with its daslet feature SugarCRM is a bit easier to use than our
portlets, but it's not so far.
Also SugarCRM has some convenient lookups and actions on each screen. For instance I found their information icon showing address,
telephone number, etc. on each line of a lookup result, interesting...
My 2 cts
Jacques
From: "Pierre Smits" <pierre.sm...@gmail.com>
Hi Jacques,
You are on the money there. I think that the ecommerce solution in OfBIZ can
be regarded as Best in Class. And with a little effort the CRM/SFA module
can be the same. Most of the functionalities, as you pointed out, are
already in place. It is just bringing it together. Having that it will drive
the acceptance of a good CRM/SFA solution for customers and can/will lead to
having a better acceptance of OfBIZ as a whole (both from customer and
developer (SI) point of view).
Therefore I would also advice to split up the Marketing module in a MARCOM
application (which is more about marketing and communication - with their
own business processes) and a CRM application (which is by most perceived as
SFA).
In my opinion the CRM/SFA should be the starting point for getting all the
info of an account/prospect/customer regarding:
Opportunities,
Request
Orders
Contacts
etc.
When the page of an account is shown the focus should also be on how to
contact the account (contact mechs) and the associated contacts (showing
phone and email contact mechs).
The SFA officials should be able to create, read, update and delete from
there.
But also security solutions should be up to specs.
I also think that the starterpage of SFA should have some charts showing the
pipeline of all account opportunities (maybe that is some BI-functionality).
This functionality could then also be shown on the profile of the account.,
including showing total value of sales of YtD, and last year.
It's the simple things that make it (life also) better to bear.
Regards,
Pierre
PS Could you (and others) also comment on my email regarding Market Segment
& Sales Segment?
2009/10/20 Jacques Le Roux <jacques.le.r...@les7arts.com>
Hi Pierre,
Yes it sounds like a reasonnable requirement to me. Some of the problems we
get when trying to convince prospects to use OFBiz is
that they want something like SugarCRM. Almost all is there, but not as
easy as in SugarCRM...
I guess that's why Opentaps was created in the 1st place, because Si
quickly identified the need and filled it. BTW, I think we miss
after sales features in OFBiz (like tokens in SugarCRM). This could
certainly be implemented using what exists already in OFBiz (ie
we don't need much changes in the data model if any, using workeffort for
instance) but has still to be done at the UI level.
A prospective customer (French international enterprise of middle size)
told me recently that he would prefer to have an easier to use
SFA/CRM than an accounting module, because he has already his own accouting
system and do not want to change.
Also he wondered how much changes would be implied if ever he would like to
change, because he think the accouting module is
formated to US practices. I don't think so (I think it's general enough and
may be quickly adapted) but as I have not worked much
with the OFBiz accouting system yet, I had not much arguments to expose,
and was not even quite sure of them. So I ask accouting specialists : what
is your point of view on this aspect ?
My 2cts
Jacques
From: "Pierre Smits" <pierre.sm...@gmail.com>
Hi All,
Shouldn't requests, quotes and the like be visible from the SFA Manager?
And
should users be also able to create new requests, quotes e.a. from there?
Regards,
Pierre
