Open Source SugarCRM vs. Salesforce.com: The value of Open Source Extendibility

Corra Technology, Inc., (CorraTech), a global software services and open source consulting firm, today announces a new cost comparison calculator. The calculator compares the cost of Salesforce.com, a closed source, hosted CRM system to the Sugar Suite by SugarCRM, Inc., the new commercial open source solution. CorraTech developed this calculator as a means to evaluate the difference in Total-Cost-of-Ownership (TCO) between the two systems.

Montclair, NJ (PRWEB) September 12, 2005

Corra Technology, Inc., (CorraTech), a global software services and open source consulting firm, today announces a new cost comparison calculator.

The calculator compares the cost of Salesforce.com, a closed source, hosted CRM system to the Sugar Suite by SugarCRM, Inc., the new commercial open source solution. CorraTech developed this calculator as a means to evaluate the difference in Total-Cost-of-Ownership (TCO) between the two systems.

The cost comparison calculator is accessed via CorraTech’s website at http://www.corratech.com/savingscalc.asp. Visitors can input the number of users and customization cost estimates to calculate their three year savings. The result is displayed on the Website. For visitors who want a more in-depth analysis, they can complete the short contact information form below the results. Within 24 hours, CorraTech’s Sugar experts and business analysts will send via email a more detailed TCO report with additional calculations, a full conversion case study, product brochures and other useful information.

The purpose of the calculator is to enlighten CRM customers of the opportunity to achieve real savings by choosing open source solutions for business applications. But, there is more to open source than just cost savings. RJ Bongo, CEO and president at CorraTech says, “When comparing the TCO of Saleforce.com to the Sugar Suite the savings is dramatic, but what the market has yet to acknowledge is the tremendous value one can extract from the flexibility and extendibility of open source applications. In a mature industry segment like CRM, product functionality can become commoditized, especially in a rented solution. The Sugar Suite’s open architecture allows customers to find strategic advantage by integrating with internal systems or building in proprietary business process with unprecedented ease.”

SugarCRM Inc. believes in providing the best CRM solution for an affordable price. “The Sugar Suite is a remarkable solution that increases the performance within customer facing sales, marketing and service departments,” states Jeff Campbell, Director of Alliances for SugarCRM. “The CorraTech TCO calculator is a great opportunity for companies who are deciding on a CRM solution to understand how expensive a proprietary, closed source CRM application can be.”

Early adopters are investing in open source solutions not only for the cost savings but because of how far and how easily they can be extended. Large companies always require customization. Now instead of spending a large portion of their CRM budgets on commercial software license fees, they are able to invest in areas the can deliver greater value to the business.

The cost comparison calculator is meant as a tool for companies evaluating CRM for the first time, or companies curious about reducing their TCO. It is a first step meant to create awareness. The second step for CorraTech is to help CIO’s get a clear understanding of the business value the Sugar Suite can provide their organizations. The calculator is a means by which to educate the market place towards a better CRM, a better ROI, and a better use of resources.

About Corra Technology, Inc.:

CorraTech is a global software services and open source consulting firm headquartered in Montclair, New Jersey. Using a hybrid service delivery model combined with open source technology; CorraTech reduces clients' IT total-cost-of-ownership. CorraTech's services include custom development, software integration, implementation and customization. For more information, please visit http://www.corratech.com.

About SugarCRM:

SugarCRM provides commercial open source customer relationship management applications for companies of all sizes worldwide. SugarCRM was founded in 2004 by three Silicon Valley CRM professionals with over twenty years of experience spanning marketing, application design and engineering. The company is headquartered in Cupertino, California and can be reached by visiting http://www.sugarcrm.com.

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