What's the Best CRM Software?

I'm trying to figure out what the best software for CRM is? Should I be looking at web solutions with monthly subscriptions? What are the best features to have for a sales rep?

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Mike's Response:

Wow. After reading my home page you asked me that? I may need to rewrite it!

Beginning a CRM initiative by searching for software features is totally backwards. It's not possible to implement software "features" and drive backwards to a CRM strategy that has measurable bottom line results for your company? Tell me, how would you measure the success of a "feature"? The answer is that you can't.

My suggestion to you is to read a bit more on this website, or drop by www.customerthink.com and read some of their blogs and articles. You should come away with the understanding that there is no "best CRM software". In fact, the dirty little secret is that most of the CRM software out there have feature parity.

What you need to do, ultimately, is define a strategy, realign cross-functional workflows to support it, work processes to support the flow, and then tell your software vendor what they have to do instead of letting them tell you how to run your business.

I hope that makes sense.

Mike Boysen - Effective CRM