Preface

Table of Contents

Why Read This Manual?
This Manual's Audience
Organization of This Manual
Getting This Manual
Request for Comments
Acknowledgements

The vtiger CRM manual is a comprehensive step-by-step guide to using this powerful CRM system, an Open Source Customer Relationship Management project. The vtiger CRM system is one of the most exciting and best professional-quality Open Source products for companies in the B2B business which have longer sales cycles and a stable product or service portfolio.

vtiger provides your organization with a powerful, comprehensive and integrated solution for managing customer relationships. Because it is Open Source and it provides professional features, the vtiger CRM system has been adopted by a large and growing community. vtiger CRM is easy-to-understand and widely used.

	Important
	This manual is based on the official Open Source v5.0.4 release.

Why Read This Manual?

This manual is designed to be a clear and supportive reference to the vtiger CRM system. However, this manual is not an official documentation.

I hope to answer most of the questions you might have about all the features and modules of the vtiger CRM. The following subjects are covered in particular:

The general approach to vtiger CRM. With all its modules and their relationship to each other, vtiger CRM can be a bit overwhelming at first. I quickly get you up to speed on how the pieces fit together.
How to start using the CRM. What should you do first?
Sales force automation. After you have entered data into the system how does the system supports you automatically.
Account Management. How to work with accounts and contacts. What can you do with them?
Understanding all of the relationships. Most data entered into the CRM system are somehow related to each other. These relationships are extensively documented, including the intended purpose. If suitable, examples of proper usage are given.
Import and Export. I outline all of the points that you'll need for importing data from other sources such as your office environment or for exporting data from the CRM system for further use.
Reporting. You get most from the CRM if you use the reporting capabilities. You will find useful hints.
Customizing the CRM system. Each company is different. I explain how you can tailor the vtiger CRM to fit your company's needs.
Security Settings. I explain the principles and the implementation of role based security.
Tools. The CRM system comes with a set of tools that supports the organization of sales teams as well as the reporting to the management. I show you how these tools can be used.
Additional resources. Finally, I direct you to other places you can go for all the latest info, and offer a complete set of online references.


vtiger CRM v5.x		This Manual's Audience