SugarCRM and LotusLive – a match made in heaven for small businesses

Cloud is hot this year. Recent research from IDC demonstrates that worldwide spending on cloud services will grow almost threefold by 2013, to some $44.2 billion (U.S.).

Back in my Lotus Foundations days, I always recommended my business partners to try out SugarCRM to manage their day to day sales and customer management. I loved the functionality, price (starting from FREE), and being able to scale it according to the organizations’ needs.

Today, IBM announced partnerships with Ariba and SugarCRM to help clients take advantage of social commerce and CRM in the cloud.  We also announced the widespread adoption of LotusLive with a whole range of new clients benefiting from IBM’s cloud initiatives.

You can read more about both here.

And based on a survey IBM conducted in the mid-market recently, there’s growing adoption of cloud computing among midsize firms, with two-thirds either planning or currently deploying cloud-based technologies to improve IT systems while lowering their overall costs.

Adoption of cloud computing is on the rise. Recent IDC research shows that worldwide spending on cloud services will grow almost threefold, reaching $44.2 billion by 2013. With this increased interest and adoption, businesses across the world are embracing IBM’s public cloud services for easy-to-use collaboration tools to connect with colleagues, partners and suppliers quickly.

Additionally, according to a recent IBM survey of more than 2,000 midsize companies, there’s growing adoption of cloud computing among midsize firms, with two-thirds either planning or currently deploying cloud-based technologies to improve IT systems management while lowering costs.

Check out the video below to learn more about how Lotus and SugarCRM are bringing customer relationship management to the cloud.

IBM launches cheap err inexpensive cloud based enterprise email, web meetings and social networking

Cheap, err inexpensive business email and social networking is here. I like this one, in fact I love this one. It allows small businesses and entrepreneurs to take advantage of a enterprise level email and social networking tools available to the big boys. No more reliance on free web providers and relying on 2nd grade email service to run your businesses.

Announcing today and starting at just $5 per user per month, LotusLive Notes joins the www.lotuslive.com online (cloud) collaboration suite, providing a single point of access to e-mail, calendaring and contacts.

In addition, IBM today also announced the availability of a new suite of email and social networking in the cloud. Starting at $10 per user per month, the new bundle provides enterprise-class email with LotusLive Notes bundled with LotusLive Engage Web conferencing, social networking and file store and share services that simplify and improve daily business interactions with colleagues, customers and ofcourse partners.

Check out the pricing and other details here. Here’s Ed Brill’s detailed review of Lotuslive Notes.