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sateshcharan
sateshcharan

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Twenty CRM: A Fresh Start for Modern Businesses

Hey everyone! I've recently been diving into open-source projects during Hacktoberfest 2024, and I came across an incredible CRM platform that I just had to share. It’s called Twenty, and it’s truly a breath of fresh air for businesses in need of a streamlined CRM solution.

twenty crm

What is Twenty?

Two decades ago, CRM platforms transformed business operations by moving to the cloud, making it easier and more cost-effective to manage customer relationships. But over time, these platforms became bloated, expensive, and cumbersome. What started as a tool to streamline sales processes ended up overwhelming businesses with complexity.

Today, many companies feel stuck—struggling to customize their CRMs to fit their needs, manage ballooning costs, and work with convoluted interfaces. That’s where Twenty CRM steps in, offering a much-needed reset. It’s an open-source platform designed to bring back simplicity, control, and efficiency.

twenty crm

The Problem with Legacy CRMs
Over time, CRMs evolved beyond sales into other departments like finance, marketing, and customer support. However, this growth came at a cost:

  • Rising costs: Finance teams struggled with increasing expenses as vendors added more features.
  • Customization headaches: Software engineers spent weeks or even months tweaking CRM systems to fit unique business needs.
  • Data rigidity: Data engineers found it difficult to move data between systems, trapped by restrictive structures.
  • User frustration: Sales teams, the original CRM users, were slowed down by cluttered interfaces, turning CRMs into a chore rather than a tool.

Somewhere along the way, businesses lost control of these essential tools. But Twenty is here to change that.

Enter Twenty CRM: The Solution to Bloated CRMs
Twenty is a CRM platform built to empower businesses by giving them flexibility, control, and an intuitive user experience. Here’s why it stands out:

twenty crm

1. Open-Source Flexibility
Forget the old “build vs. buy” debate. With Twenty, you get the best of both worlds: the option to customize the platform as you see fit. Since it’s open-source, you can fork the project, adapt it to your needs, and even contribute to its growth alongside a global community of developers. No more waiting for vendors to release features—you control the roadmap.

2. Data-Centric Approach
Today’s businesses collect data from multiple sources. Instead of forcing you into rigid templates, Twenty lets you work with your data as it is. It seamlessly integrates with your existing data systems, giving you the freedom to visualize and interact with your data in a way that makes sense for your business.

3. Design-Driven Experience
Inspired by platforms like Notion, Twenty prioritizes design and user experience. Whether you’re managing a sales pipeline or tweaking backend workflows, the platform offers a clean, customizable interface that’s both functional and enjoyable. Developers and end users alike will find the experience seamless and intuitive.

Why Twenty is the Future of CRM
Twenty isn’t just another CRM platform—it’s a movement to bring control back to businesses. Here’s why it’s the future of CRM:

Ownership: With its open-source foundation, you’re in control of the features and updates. No more vendor lock-in.
Data at the core: Your data from sales, finance, marketing, and more is easily accessible and actionable.
Community-driven development: Thousands of developers are actively contributing, ensuring the platform evolves with the needs of modern businesses.
If you’re fed up with bloated, expensive CRM systems, now is the time to explore Twenty.

Getting Started with Twenty: A Quick Overview
Upon logging in, you’ll be greeted with an intuitive onboarding screen where you can set up your workspace. The navigation bar allows easy access to search, settings, and workspace management.

twenty crm

Twenty comes with pre-built models like:

  • People
  • Companies
  • Opportunities
  • Tasks
  • Notes

Let me walk you through how I manage invoices and tasks using Twenty.

Step 1: Create a Custom Data Model
To create an invoice model, head to the Settings panel and click on Data Model. You’ll then see an option to create a new object.

twenty crm

For singular, enter "invoice."
For plural, enter "invoices."
Add a description if needed and hit Save.

twenty crm

Twenty automatically adds essential fields like attachments, creation date, notes, and tasks, but you can customize it further by clicking Add Field.

twenty crm

Step 2: Manage Your Invoices
Once your data object is created, return to the dashboard and select Invoice.

twenty crm

You’ll be able to add new invoices with all the fields you specified earlier. Easily keep track of invoice details, saving you the hassle of endless client emails.

twenty crm

Conclusion
Twenty CRM offers a clean, flexible, and powerful solution to the cluttered CRM landscape. If you’re looking for a tool that will help you take control of your business, streamline your processes, and offer a superior user experience, I highly recommend giving it a try. You’ll find that Twenty transforms the way you manage customer relationships and data. Checkout TwentyCRM today!

Thanks for reading! If you found this helpful, don’t forget to like and support. Cheers!

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