This will probably end up with a series of posts or worse, I will edit this post as I add new thoughts! Anyway, I believe that the crm needs to be rebuilt for a number of reasons. Firstly, it actually has very limited connection with WordPress. Secondly, WordPress already has a user level built in and is a much requested function of the crm to couple with the crm. Thirdly, I would like to add the ability to attach posts to users or groups. i.e. Rather than have a separate notes area, to create posts that have categories related to the groups or posts of users.

I need to unpack all of this a bit more. In the newly created crm I envision people creating a new user as part of the crm. The user would relate to the firm. The crm element would allow additional elements to be added to that user such as address, contact names, telephone numbers, etc. So now we have a user that has the ability to log into WordPress and view posts specific to them or a group assigned to them.

By that last statement I mean that we create a category called Hosting. Now all my clients that host of me will be allocated to the category called hosting. I will also create a category called clients. Under clients I will add my new client called Mullenweg Enterprises. Now I can create a user manual for all my clients using WordPress and point them to the WordPress log in. When they log in they will see a new theme dedicated to logged in users. It will contain a list of posts relevant to them. So under the heading Customers, they will see the post titled, “How to use WordPress”.

Here’s where it gets better. Because under the category Mullenweg Enterprises I can now create a post listing the work needed to complete their new website. They can read this post and add a comment. I get an email telling me they have responded with a comment and I log in and respond as well.

This gets better when more when you add further functions such as account management or invoicing. You can create an invoice and email the client with a copy. The client logs in and can see the invoice under their client post lists and can comment directly to the invoice…. “Splendid work, cheque on the way”.

Obviously meeting notes, telephone calls, etc can be logged in this way so the client can see them or you can use tags. Using tags would mean you could hide certain information relevant to the client but not something they should see.

The note reminder will be changed slightly to continue to work in the same way. A new post would be created, Ring Client…. It could be listed under a category called Jobs…. This category could be set up to send a reminder a week or a day before the meeting. I actually think this side of things is something I would leave out. I use a diary that works far more efficiently than the one created in the crm.

I feel a rebuilt crm could be useful for many different things not only for running a business. Maybe a membership site….

Anyway, what do you think please? Can you suggest further changes or would you leave things as they are?

Thanks.