Close Close
Sign In
Newsletters
Popular Financial Topics Discover relevant content from across the suite of ALM legal publications From the Industry More content from ThinkAdvisor and select sponsors Investment Advisor Issue Gallery Read digital editions of Investment Advisor Magazine Tax Facts Get clear, current, and reliable answers to pressing tax questions
Luminaries Awards
Podcast Center Video Center Webcasts Resource Center Events
About ThinkAdvisor Contact Us Advertise With Us Asset & Logo Licensing Sitemap Terms of Service Privacy Policy Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
ThinkAdvisor

Financial Planning > UHNW Client Services > Family Office News

Moving to the Cloud for My CRM

By Mike Patton

X
Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

There has been a lot happening lately on my Road to Independence journey. First, a few weeks ago I was considering moving my office to my home. That will become a reality by year-end. Next, the company that hosts my Website is shutting down its server in a few months. Therefore, I will need to move the site. That's not necessarily a bad thing as I have wanted to make several improvements. Finally, since I will be saving about $1,500 a month, it's a good time to make some other changes. Let's begin with number three.

CRM on the Cloud

I think it's about time to discontinue Act! in favor of a cloud-based CRM system. I plan to go with Salesforce.com's wealth management platform. It includes numerous bells and whistles and integrates with several other programs. Currently, I have a client portal through Make it a Great Day (MIAGD). MIAGD’s offerings include a client portal, free online Webinars (for fewer than five participants), and a few other items. The company also build custom Websites which are very nice. Currently, I use itsportal with my site. The problem with that arrangement is that it's very cumbersome to upload client documents. To remedy this, I plan to subscribe to Net Docs, which integrates with Salesforce.com and includes a built-in client portal. I'll have to find another way to conduct Webinars.

New Website and Home Office

Now that I have gone through two iterations of Websites, I have a much better idea what I want. I am in discussion with a local Web developer to define the site and get it started. The cost of site design varies greatly. I expect this will cost less than $2,000 to build and $20 per month to maintain. All very reasonable. I will write more on the specifics as it proceeds.

As for my office situation,there are pros and cons with running a business from the home. One of the most important things is to be able to separate work from pleasure. Not that work isn't a pleasure, but you have to have some downtime. I'll have my phone/internet/cable provider move my service to the house and cancel my personal cable. What a deal!

So by the time 2011 rolls around, I should have a new office, CRM, paperless document management system, Website, and office. A lot of changes to be sure.

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.