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Google Apps CRM Evaluations - Eval. so far and eliminations


Only 2 Finalists(oops +1 new)
Applane ,insight.ly, SalesForce.com, and Zoho CRM, Highrise Eliminated
 To be able to concentrate on detailed evaluation of the remaining candidates, have taken a step back and looked at where the different solutions  stack up so far and which Google integrated CRMs don't make minimum requirements for our organization. 
Four solutions don't make the cut, and each for differant resons.

Applane (Overall Score 1,5)
This solution is simply not mature enough yet, and not so sure it will get there. UI is a bit klunky, missing quite a few features.

SalesForce.com (Overall Score 2,3)
Simply put, too expensive, to get API access need to have the Enterprise version which is 10X more expensive than other candidates. Was actually quite underwhelmed by actual functionality.  Gapps integration was more of a marketing trick than actually helpful functionality. API, of course is kick a**.
Zoho CRM (Overall Score 2,6)
Would have really liked to use this solution, since we already use Zoho product for other uses (HelpDesk and Project). But complete lack of integration with GApps mail, calendar and docs knocks this one out. Good API, good support site. 
Functionality is pretty old school, reminds me of SugarCRM.

Highrise (Overall Score 2,8)
I really dont understand the hype on highrise, maybe it a great CRM for software dev companies, but lacking a lot of features, google integration is almost non-existant. Custom fields are very basic. Some cool gadgets, with maps, etc. Great UI, very good API. Pricing is good. Deal breaker for me was inability to import contacts through any meathod with UTF-8 chars (šđćžč here in Croatia). 

Insight.ly (Overall Score 2,8)
Very good app. But lack of API and custom fields eliminates it. Also calendar integration is a bit wonky with handling times. But document integration is great! This is an application that probably in 6 months will be an overall leader if they develop an API and do a good custom field integration. A shame really, love the document integration.

Whats left?
  • Capsule CRM (Overall Score 3,8)
    • +1 Great functionitity.
    • +1 Great Ecosystem, integrates all over the place.
    • +1 Nice UI
  • Nutshell CRM (Overall Score 3,1)
    • +1 Great UI
    • +1 Nice API
    • -1 So so integration
  •  Solve360 CRM (New)- (Overall Score 3,1, but still evaluating all elements) This is a new one that I saw on twitter. (Thanks @MSMSYSTEMS) Looks Very good.
    • Very interesting UI, desktop simulation paradigm.
    • +1 Very advanced integration to Gapps.
    • --1 No gadget for gmail integration.
    • +1 Actually has one of the most extensive Gmail gadgets (just took a bit over 24 hours to show up. Great functionality.
 


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