Selecting a CRM software solution for your business can be a daunting exercise and while there are a myriad of CRM solutions to choose from, two of the most popular ones are Commence CRM and Salesforce.com. Let’s take a look at these two companies side by side and point out some of the key differences.

It is important to note that both of these firms are highly regarded leaders in the CRM sector. Both have been in business for more than a decade and offer a quality product and an exceptional level of service. There are, however, several key differences that may impact your decision when comparing one versus the other.

1) Functionality: Both products offer a comprehensive suite of CRM application software that is simply not available from other CRM competitors, with the exception of Oracle and SAP. Both Commence CRM and Salesforce.com include: account and contact management, e-mail integration, group calendaring, activity management, lead management, lead qualification, sales automation, marketing campaign management, a document library, customer service and help desk with frequently asked questions (FAQ) and knowledge base, web forms, mobile support, accounting integration, CRM dashboards, reporting and analytics. Commence also offers an integrated Project Management solution, an account scoring feature and an automated Organization Chart.

Advantage: None

2) Ease of Use: One of the most important aspects of any CRM system is the learning curve and how easy the product is to use. Commence CRM gets the edge here as customers have indicated that the product’s user interface is easier to navigate and use than Salesforce.com. Commence has incorporated a number of repetitive daily tasks right within the product’s home page or CRM dashboard. This enables the user to quickly read and compose email, schedule follow-up activities, manage leads and sales opportunities, review projects, even add service tickets without leaving the home page. Users comment that Salesforce.com is much more complex and cumbersome to use.

Advantage: Commence CRM

3) Cost: Salesforce.com offers five specific product versions in what appears to be an attempt to offer a solution to every size customer and every budget. The offerings vary significantly and change throughout the year. They range from just a few dollars per user to more than $250 per user per month. Each edition offers a fixed level of functionality for a fixed price with virtually no flexibility for change. In addition, the lower cost offerings not only limit the functionality you get, but also limit the number of users you may have. The entry level versions for example only support a maximum of (5) users. If you wish to add an additional user, you must then upgrade to the next higher version for all users. This often represents a greater than 100% price increase to simply add a user.

Commence CRM allows the customer to select only the functionality they require from a comprehensive list of applications and there is no limitation on the number of users. Commence price points start as low as $20 per user per month and range up to $65 dollars. All versions also include e-mail and telephone support which is additional with Salesforce.com. Both companies require a one year subscription agreement. If cost is a factor in your decision process Commence CRM will provide similar functionality at a significantly lower cost.

Advantage: Commence CRM

4) Product Platform: Salesforce.com has been designed for enterprise level companies. Its platform has proven to support a large number of users with very good performance. It also offers multi-language and multi-currency support that id often required for multi-national corporations. Commence CRM is designed and targeted at mid-size and smaller enterprises. Its java based architecture is highly scalable and capable of supporting large number of users. The company however does not support multiple languages at this time.

Enterprise corporations tend to favor Salesforce.com while mid-size companies and smaller enterprises are more comfortable with the ease of use of Commence CRM.

Advantage None: Depends on company size and requirements

5) System Deployment: Certain businesses are either legally precluded from hosting their data outside their own “four walls” or simply are not comfortable doing so. Many larger companies also have the IT infrastructure and resources to host a CRM system on-premise and would prefer this deployment model. Commence CRM may be deployed as an on premise CRM solution or hosted via the company’s cloud base environment. On premise deployment is not an option with Salesforce.com.

Advantage: Commence CRM

6) Data Security: One of the most important aspects of engaging a provider of cloud based CRM solutions is the comfort of knowing that your data is properly secured and protected. Both firms offer a hosting service that is “best in class” and far superior to many lower cost solutions whose price points simply do not allow for this level of service. Commence CRM has a strategic business partnership with Rackspace, the number one rated provider of hosting services. Salesforce.com uses their own hosting facilities and they are comparable in scope and quality.

Advantage None

7) Customizability: Both solutions are customizable, but the level of customization and the resources required for customization are uniquely different. Salesforce.com offers a developer or engineering toolkit called Force.com that enables professional developers to perform detailed customization of the product. The toolkit is only available with the higher cost product offerings and adds an additional expense per user. In addition, it requires professional development expertise to utilize.

Commence CRM places much of its customization capabilities right within the user interface itself. This enables the CRM administrator or an authorized user to quickly created saved searches, add custom fields, custom views or reports without developer intervention. More extensive customization requires Java expertise. Customers looking to tailor the software to their unique industry requirements via the use of custom fields, views and reports will find Commence CRM will address this nicely. Those looking to do more extensive customization using a professional development tools and staff will prefer Salesforce.com.

Advantage: Salesforce.com due to application developer’s tool kit.

8) Customer Service: Both companies have highly qualified internal staff as well as relationships with third party companies that can provide additional training and value added services. Commence assigns an account representative to every customer and provides telephone support as well as e-mail support, regardless of the product version selected. Salesforce.com offers basic support and premier support at an additional charge adding an additional expense to the overall offering.

Advantage: Commence CRM due to free telephone support

The Final Score

Both Commence CRM and Salesforce.com provide customers with a compelling reason to select them as a partner for Customer Relationship Management software. Both have a long history in the CRM sector and a proven track record for delivering a world class CRM solution. These systems are scalable to a large number of users and their cloud or hosting service which protects your data is “best in class”. Enterprise organizations tend to favor Salesforce.com, due to the developers toolkit, track record for managing large number of users, and the support for multi language and multi-currency.

Mid-market companies and small enterprises lean towards Commence CRM and like the product’s ease of use and the flexible pricing enabling them to select only the CRM functionality they require for their business.  If cost is a factor, Commence CRM is the clear winner. Take a moment to learn how Commence CRM can help grow your business in our online CRM videos or by taking a free CRM test drive .