vtiger

[chimaster]

Howdy everyone.

I've just had some discussions with one of my clients and would like to some comments on the following scenario. We are using vTiger more and more every day. We've taken the approach of our "services" being "products" it's made using it as a service management system easier.

As we've grown we've decided to add the customer portal application. It is sadly lacking. After spending the weekend learning about Profiles, Roles and Groups and re-configuring our system properly (only took 15 Months) I had a brainwave.

What if we designate one user at each of our SLA clients HeadOffices, they become the IT liason officer to communicate to us. We add them as a user and create a group for them they can then add tickets, check invoices, maintain their own staff list (very important for us as we don't want to manage 120 employees who constantly change) etc... We could also setup a role called "company a" a bit like a seperate division.

We'd want to restrict access to our accounts and contacts too, would Profiles and roles be enough to handle that?

After running through this thought, what about also giving them access to the system for their own sales. When I suggested the direction to the CEO of the company he was instantly excited to have the system for themselves (as he should be). I'm happy to do an install just for them, but it takes me off track from having a dedicated system for my business and seperates my information (although, I can export and import their contact list and still have a IT liason on their side, so not all bad).

Thoughts.. Comments...

One last thing. Comments on asset management.

Could this be done by creating contacts with custom fields or by creating products (historically as any new product purchased would be through this system anyways.)

[joebordes]

Hi,

You would be surprised how many people are already doing what you say. I have various clients who are using the product table for assets and letting their users into the app with correct roles/permissions.

My two cents: keep going your in the right direction

Joe
TSolucio

[chimaster]

Joe, your two cents is worth $2 in my book.

Does anyone think we can mold Products to act as an Asset database?

I've just been thinking, using custom fields on Products to include things like, Memory, Processor etc... Using the product category as Asset identifier "ASSET" or "HQASSET" "CUST_ASSET" etc.. Then assigning that product to the account and inheriently the User within that business that may use that asset.

Thoughts?

Preferably I'd like to see an ASSET Tab up the top, if products won't work, what are peoples thoughts on that? I have a codemonkey who has just joined my team, I could set him to this task. But I'd prefer to see anything he develops being either modular or part of the core product. :-)

Thoughts part 2?