Databases > Choosing A Database

Assessing CRM databases

By Lasa Information Systems Team

Embarking on a CRM (Constituent Relationship Management) database development for an organisation is a big step along a potentially long and expensive journey. To help with the decision, Lasa has developed a CRM “scorecard” to assist in choosing the most appropriate system.

Choosing a database can be just about the most complex, time consuming and expensive technology project undertaken by charities. And yet the decision-making process is often heavily influenced by the sales presentation and how the database looks in part because decision-makers don't feel confident enough or know the right questions to ask about databases.

This CRM (client or constituent relationship management) database scorecard tool  (pdf, 34kb) is a first step in helping decision-makers. It is a work in progress and it is not meant to serve as a comprehensive list of things a database should do, but it should help with asking the right questions and comparing databases before you take the plunge.

The scorecard is split into 7 areas:

• Platform cost and details
• Platform technology
• Database features
• End user experience
• Administration and security
• Customer service and support
• Vendor profile

There are 3 columns so that up to 3 different products can be assessed. It is intended that a score from 0 to 5 be applied to each criteria with 0 being non-existent to 5 exceeding expectations. For example, if CRM A integrates with your financial software easier than CRM B and this important this is to you, you might score CRM A at 5 and CRM B at 2. Assess as many of the items as appropriate to your circumstances. There are some blank spaces for adding new criteria if desired. Once the exercise has been done, the scores can be totalled to provide a comparative overview and, hopefully, assist with your choice of a CRM.