Oracle vs. Salesforce – CRM of Choice

Customer Relationship Management – many working in business nowadays are aware of the tools available to electronically maintain and track client relationships. The big names in this space are Oracle and Salesforce. But, there are others providing viable, scalable CRM solutions as well.

Salesforce.com is arguably the textbook model for Software as a Service (SaaS) deployments. The extensive catalog of modules and functionality that are available through their portal really bode well for the individual users capability to make a Salesforce.com deployment “their own”.

Oracle, with their CRM On Demand product is not something that should be overlooked. When you have Larry Ellison in the mix, to use a sports analogy, you either go big or go home. – Meaning that the vast resources in the Oracle talent pool and bank account allow for them to create products that provide extendability into many aspects of a businesses operations. Oracle’s CRM product is making huge waves and gaining traction, primarily with existing Oracle DB users.

Fortunately, or unfortunately (depending on how you look at it) – Ellison and Benioff just simply can’t get along. I don’t know if any bit of the rivalry is personal, but the on-stage antics are priceless.

If you use a CRM what is your preference: Oracle or Salesforce.com? Or are you leaning more towards the offerings from SAP and Microsoft?

Before you answer that question, check out a very thorough analysis from one of my collegues that is dedicated to the CRM industry. She has a side-by-side comparison of the default features included with both Oracle and Salesforce.com. She also brings some attention to the viability of Microsoft and SAP as worthy alternatives.