SugarCRM in talks with Claris

To finalise deal for CRM solutions soon

Even as it triples its channel partners in India, US-based SugarCRM is in talks with Ahmedabad-based Claris Lifesciences for offering customer relationship management (CRM) software. One of the leading providers of open source customer relationship management (CRM) software, SugarCRM already offers such services for city-based manufacturing company Neptune.

"While globally the CRM business is growing by around six per cent, India is growing at 16-18 per cent. Considering this, we are hopeful of generating more number of partners as well as clients, especially OEMs. In Gujarat, we are in talks with Claris Lifesciences and will soon finalise a business deal with them for CRM software solutions," said Doug Erickson, vice president, Asia Pacific, SugarCRM.

 

Moreover, SugarCRM is working with leading global telecom investment company called Bankai Group whose India operations is based out of Ahmedabad through Panamax InfoTech Ltd.

Of its total 350 partners worldwide, the company has about 10 in India. According to Erickson, the company is looking to double number of partners globally to 700 while it will triple the same in India to 30.

With CRM business growing by 16-18 per cent in India, sectors like telecom, technology, manufacturing and real estate are witnessing a strong growth in India. The company has also entered into a partnership with IBM for enhancing partner and client base globally including India.

Quoting IDC figures, Erickson said that the global CRM market is valued at $ 17 billion (Rs 84,000 crore approx.) in 2011 which is set to grow to $ 21 billion (Rs 1.03 lakh crore approx.) by 2014. For SugarCRM, from 15 million users in 2011, the company is looking at a growth to 365 million by 2014.

Founded in 2004, SugarCRM gets its 50 per cent of revenue from US and Canada, followed by 35 per cent from European and Middle East markets, and 10 per cent from rest of the world including India.