ERP and CRM: Vendors cram options in new releases

A half-dozen ERP and CRM software makers are in the midst of major software releases, bringing deeper integration options and added customization features to their applications.

NetSuite went live last week with Version 10.6 of its hosted sales, ERP and e-commerce applications suite. The update includes broader support of Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, allowing Web pages to update immediately in response to user actions, without a complete page reload. "It's a huge performance issue," says NetSuite CEO Zach Nelson. "You can re-sort a report, create lists and work through them - transactions that might have taken 5 seconds are instantaneous."

NetSuite has also extended its integration with third-party programs, such as Microsoft's Outlook and Excel, allowing data to flow automatically from NetSuite to Excel to update models and other analytical tools. A new tool called Custom Center lets developers build custom user interfaces.

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A half-dozen ERP and CRM software makers are in the midst of major software releases, bringing deeper integration options and added customization features to their applications.

NetSuite went live last week with Version 10.6 of its hosted sales, ERP and e-commerce applications suite. The update includes broader support of Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, allowing Web pages to update immediately in response to user actions, without a complete page reload. "It's a huge performance issue," says NetSuite CEO Zach Nelson. "You can re-sort a report, create lists and work through them - transactions that might have taken 5 seconds are instantaneous."

NetSuite has also extended its integration with third-party programs, such as Microsoft's Outlook and Excel, allowing data to flow automatically from NetSuite to Excel to update models and other analytical tools. A new tool called Custom Center lets developers build custom user interfaces.

SugarCRM, an open source software maker, is preparing to launch an enterprise version of its CRM product, adding Oracle 9i support, an offline client and advanced reporting functionality. A beta version of Sugar Enterprise Edition is available at the company's Web site, with general availability scheduled for Aug. 15. Sugar Enterprise Edition is priced at $449 per user annually, while the company's standard Sugar Professional Edition costs $239 annually.

Both versions include installation assistance, technical support and patch distributions. Sugar offers an open source version in a free download at Sugarforge.org.

SugarCRM also has added to all of its editions a "module loader" feature aimed at enabling quick installation of third-party software extensions. So far, open source developers have created more than 70 add-ons for SugarCRM, such as language translation packs, Java synchronization tools and time-sheet management features.

Hosted CRM maker Salesnet built 50 enhancements into its just-launched release, many targeted at refining users' customization options. A wizard lets users import deal records from other CRM and contact management systems, while a "record-to-record relationships" feature enables links among customer objects, such as a parent company and its subsidiaries. Navigational changes are designed to reduce the number of clicks required to complete common tasks.

The company plans 250 new features to its next edition, several of which will significantly expand Salesnet's offerings in areas such as campaign management and product catalog functionality.

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