Software resources needed.

01-30-07 | Self

[mission9]

Pajama expertise needed: Does anybody have a suggestion on a source for free, open license customer relations management software? I am thinking of something that I can train a precinct manager to use to facilitate voter involvement. I hope to cut down on nuisance contacts with each voter and maximize timely information delivery.

[mission9]

The next election will be determined less by who stuffs the most mailboxes, than who stuffs the most blackberries.

[ConservativeMind]

Well, there two are VTiger and SugarCRM. Look at those to start.

SugarCRM is one I tried out a few years ago. The database portion was a bit cumbersome for a single-user environment.

Either could do well, especially if you have a server environment.

[ConservativeMind]

Take a look at this one, "SplendedCRM". It is built on Microsoft's environment, so it's a bit easier to host on a personal computer.

[driftdiver]

daffodil is one thats a little simpler than sugar.

[IronJack]

What are you looking for the software to do? If it's an interesting enough project, I might be willing to undertake it to hone my Java skills.

[mission9]

First, track contacts with the voter. Each record will have a list of all:
Email contacts, Phone contacts, Mail contacts

Candidate preferences (local, state, national) , issue preferences (local, state, national)

Information update preferences, email newsletter automation, important date reminders, auto fax list, auto dial list or opt out.

Prompts for the precinct manager for any future contacts or voting needs, i. e. absentee ballot, transportation. Your javascript protocols should be transparent and accepted standards for easy importing into other data bases.

[IronJack]

Do you want the candidate preferences to be free-format, or something like a list of check boxes?

It sounds to me like you could darned near use just a spreadsheet.

Are you going to want to pull ad hoc queries? Are you really just looking for an interface to a database?

[mission9]

We get voter contact lists for the party, name, phone and sometimes an address. It would be nice to rapidly populate these lists into a crm template.

[mission9]

Little old ladies will have to use this. And it will probably be a number of different volunteers, so I think the check boxes would be simpler. Hopefully, the whole process of voter interaction should not take more than two minutes.

[IronJack]

What form do the lists come in? Are they hardcopy or e-files of some sort?

[DelphiUser]

If you need the data converted from some other format into whatever you choose, that's what I do. I wouldn't mind putting in a few hours for the cause.

Freep mail me if interested.

[IronJack]

So you want a master file that contains info on the voter, then cross-reference files that contain occurrences of each time he/she is contacted, whether by phone, mail, email, or other.

Does that about sum it up?

[HAL9000]

sourceforge.net shows 301 results on a search for "CRM". That should be free software - with source code available.

In the GOP, one of the more popular choices for campaign management software was from Hannibal Software. I don't know if they're still in business, but they do charge for their products.

The Federal Election Commission lists several other commercial solution providers here

[mission9]

Yes, plus a simplified issues and candidates check box to list preferences.

[mission9]

I have some files left over from the last campaign that might be typical of what we are getting. In working these lists in the GOTV campaign, I found a disconcerting amount of dissatisfaction from the target voters. Apparently, the lists are "super-voters" and so the campaign swami's target them. It gets to the point that your friendly pubbie phone volunteer is just another nuisance phone solicitor.

[IronJack]

Would the "issues and candidate checklist" have to be dynamic depending on the voter's address, or would it be static (one list for all)?

[mission9]

Of course more bells and whistles could help, but since these lists will most likely be precinct or zip code generated, the geographic area will be implicit. I think the true source of these lists, is from the supervisor of elections office. I believe that they sell these lists for a modest fee. I'll check their format.

[IronJack]

If I could see an example of the data you want to present, it would help. If it's not contextual (i.e., if it's static) it will be a little easier. In fact, the database part is simple. The presentation might be a little more demanding.

By the way, are you talking about a standalone application or do you want this web-enabled? Might be just the ticket to force me to learn Server Faces.