[...] we are planning to do, he has written a great article (the first in their new beta section) on the @bar website about Tactile CRM. Check out the app and what he has to [...]

@ first glance, this seems like something that would be a nice fit for smaller-mid size shops … definitely worth a closer look

Chris – did you talk with them about who they view as their competition? ACT!? Salesforce.com? home-grown access databases and excel spreadsheets?

Yes, that is their aim small business who can’t afford the larger CRM packges like ACT or SalesForce.com right now the main competition would be homegrown databases or companies that are using nothing at all.

I personally see the competition as Highrise by 37signals. Except Highrise isn’t your normal CRM like this app, it is different take on CRM and I think most aren’t understanding that.

I could seeing it as a stepping stone into one of the big boys if your company grew. They are planning other additions or apps that will go right along with this one like project management and HR app.

Hi Dave,

ACT! and Sage CRM would be competitors, Highrise is [a competitor] to a certain extent but we are focussing more on things like sales optimisation and pipelines (on top of the obvious contact management) and the full realtime integration with the other applications we are working on. This is something that HR doesn’t do (and from the forums isn’t something that is planned).

I suppose it is a fine line but our focus is on easy to use rather than simple to use applications so reporting etc. is key to what we do.

There is also a migration path from Tactile et al to our EGS product as people grow.

Thanks

Jake

Hi Jake

Thanks so much for the additional comments.

While going through the screenshots on the site (I haven’t taken the official tour yet), I can see what you mean about easy to use vs. simple to use. Simple, in my opinion, equates to lacking in functionality. Based on the screenshots, the app appears to be feature-rich, but laid out in a way that is intuitive and easy to use. It actually reminds me of the application that I use for my time tracking and invoicing (Freshbooks).

Best of luck w/ the beta and continued development efforts.

Dave

It does have the features but not too many features like SugarCRM you get confused and don’t want to use it. I think with a better user interface and more ajax functions to save time this could be a very helpful application.

Another review of Tactile over on Web Worker Daily

http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/01/25/tactile-starter-crm-market/

Thanks Dave, I’ll go have a look.

I’m checking out Highrise right now with the free trial as I am a 37 Signals guy running a few of their products.

I’d like to take a look at Tactile and compare the two once have time to get going in Highrise.

Thanks for the discussion.

Well Tactile CRM isn’t a 37Signals product, interface isn’t there. And there is a huge difference where Highrise takes CRm and turns it on it’s head where it is more of a contact manager. Tactile is your more traditional CRM, but a lot simpler than the complicated ones like SugarCRM or salesforce.com. Maybe you can help them out with the interface, cause I really think the UI is one of the things that need work.

I like sugar crm, installs with WAMP (or my preffered MAMP) and also has feature set in par with salesforce.com.

err, as you already know. :)

Yea, I agree. I like it too. I think the customization of it to do what you want it to do is really nice. I think it can be too much though for my needs, but everyone is different.

I’ve been developing applications for a long time and have to say Tactile is a great app. It’s needs a few more features, but it’s easy to use and by far the best I’ve seen.