Moving to Suite CRM

đź’¬ General Discussion
1

Hi all, I’m a linux user and have messed around with websites/apps quite a bit. I have an instance of suitecrm setup on a LAMP stack. I’m in the process of setting it up so we can migrate to it.

I have 2 main questions currently.

1: We’re currently using MYOB, which can export it’s client details as a CSV file, is there a process for importing this data?

2: This is a car repair shop, given many clients have several vehicles can I add an extra field so I can search by registration number rather than client name?

TIA

2

Hi,

You can import data in SuiteCRM by navigating to the module that you wish to import data to, and click “Import (Module Name)”
For example, when on the Contact Module, it will show “Import Contacts”

You may need to manually map which fields on the CSV populate the fields you wish on the CRM, but this can be done during Stage 3 of the import Process.

You can create new fields in Admin > Studio > (Module) > Fields

Then, you can add them to the Edit view, Detail View and Search View by navigating to Admin > Studio (Modules) > Layouts > (Select the View you want to add it to)

If you add it to the Search view, you could then search on this new field when you navigate to the respective module.

Hopefully this clears things up!

3

Hi John, appreciate the response.

Import looks like it will do perfect for me. :slight_smile:

And as for adding fields that’s going to be what I need also. Thanks, but I can I just ask for some clarification? I should have said is there some way to add a field so I can search by vehicle registration OR name?

For example, customer J Doe has three vehicles.
I assume I set up an account for J Doe, then I’ll need to add the “field” for the three vehicles. I’m unsure where to add this field? Or do I need to setup an account for each vehicle, which could get messy at statement time.

I guess what I’m asking is on the invoice/quote can I have a field that I can put these registration details into that are then searchable?

Sorry for rambling. Is there a recommended book for users/administrators? The install side of it I’m fine with, just the actual usage.

Many thanks, I really appreciate it

4

Hi,

You could create a field for both Vehicle Registration AND Name
Then, if you add both of these fields to the search view, you can search on Both fields, or one field at a time.

From the description of your scenario, i’m thinking you could use the “Products” module to store vehicles.

This will allow you to associate as many vehicles as you want to a Quote/Invoice via the “Line Items” functionality on Quotes/Invoices.

Then, you can also associate as many quotes/invoices as you want to a Customer Account.

If you create the fields you require on the “Products” module in studio, They should be searchable as long as you add them to the Search View for that module.

(Also, If you wish, you could create a Custom relationship between Products Module & Accounts module so that you could relate Vehicles to the Account directly)
(You could also, if you wish, rename the “Products” module to something that fits better, such as “Vehicles”. This can be done in Admin > Rename Modules)

We also have a userguide that might assist you with use of the CRM: https://suitecrm.com/wiki/index.php/Userguide

Hopefully this post answers your questions!

5

Thanks John, I’ll have to have a play and see what I can work out.

With regards to workflows, does that allow you to structure the entire process?

eg:
check customer details are current
Print customer work authorization for signature:
Add details to sales module to print
print reciept
enter payment, complete task

Many thanks

6

Hi,

-check customer details are current

I believe you could do this to an extent in workflow, possibly with conditions that work on “Date Modified” .
For example, this could be done to ensure that data is updated regularly.
(e.g: A condition to check If Date modified is <2 days ago, then email the assigned user)

-Print customer work authorization for signature:

As far as Im aware, this wouldn’t be possible in workflow, the closes thing may be to create an Email Template that contains the specific fields you would like, (Which can be done in Email Module > Email Templates), and then you can have your workflow send an Email using this template.

Or, another method:
It could be customized so that PDFs are generated and sent via Logic Hooks.
For example, this link might give some information that could assist in this: https://suitecrm.com/forum/suitecrm-7-0-discussion/8386-email-pdf-using-logic-hook

-Add details to sales module to print

You can customize workflows to automatically update fields on a record depending on the conditions set.
However, as I mentioned, I don’t think you can have a workflow Print the data, only Email.

-print reciept

Same as mentioned above, Possibilities through workflow would include doing it via Email Templates.
Or, You could create a Logic Hook for this.


-enter payment, complete task

If the “Enter Payment” part is an external process, (i.e, outside of CRM), it will likely require some customizations to work.

However, if this is done inside the CRM, (such as, simply populating a field in a module), then Workflow can certainly do this.
(Provided that there are suitable fields & relationships set up)

Outside of workflows, a lot of the work that you mention above could likely be done as part of logic hooks.
If you want to read up on Logic Hooks / CRM Customizations, a few places to do so may be:
http://cheleguanaco.blogspot.co.uk/2009/06/simple-sugarcrm-logic-hook-example.html
http://urdhva-tech.blogspot.co.uk/2013_02_01_archive.html
https://leanpub.com/suitecrmfordevelopers

Or the Sugar Documentation:
http://support.sugarcrm.com/Documentation/Sugar_Developer/Sugar_Developer_Guide_6.5/
(As SuiteCRM is a Fork of SugarCRM 6.5 CE, essentially all of the information in this guide should apply to SuiteCRM too)

Hopefully this clarifies a few things!

If you have any further questions, please ask away!

7

Wow, was it six months ago already!!!

Thanks for that John.

I’ve updated my install a couple of times, but yet to implement in the business. Let me work through what you’ve suggested and I’m sure there will be more to ask