Method Community

Hi,

I am using your 30 day free trial but currently have an account using Salesforce as my CRM. Many of my current fields in SF are multiselect options. Your program does not offer that. Could you tell me how I would intragrate my current database with your program. I thought maybe check boxes but Im not sure how to convert my file for importing.... Below is a sample of my Saleforce CSV file. Thank you for your help

Hello thepostingboard,

Just so that I understand correctly, it looks like the csv file you have provided has three different categories, and within those categories are multiple options.

So a 'contact' would have all three of those categories, and within each, a number of different options can be selected. Is this correct?

Before you import your CSV file, we should figure out what functionality you hope to emulate in Method that utilizes the categorization. Maybe then we can figure out a solution for you. Could you tell us how you use the different levels of categorization now and where you find it the most useful?

In the meantime, Contacts do have 'tags' that could be useful. You will find an article about tags in our Help Center. Maybe this could be part of a solution.

Just so that I understand correctly, it looks like the csv file you have provided has three different categories, and within those categories are multiple options.
Yes, correct, three categories with multiple options for each

So a 'contact' would have all three of those categories, and within each, a number of different options can be selected. Is this correct?
Yes :)

Before you import your CSV file, we should figure out what functionality you hope to emulate in Method that utilizes the categorization. Maybe then we can figure out a solution for you. Could you tell us how you use the different levels of categorization now and where you find it the most useful? I recently launched a resource website for addiction treatment professionals. Within that site I have a Treatment Directory. Each listing in the directory is listed in multiple categories  along with listing treatment specialities, modalities and treatment approaches. In SF I have each listing upload with their program information/profile just as you see on the directory. You can visit thepostingboard.com/directory to get a visual on what I am speaking of.

In the meantime, Contacts do have 'tags' that could be useful. You will find an article about tags in our Help Center. Maybe this could be part of a solution. Thank you I will look at this now.

Hello thepostingboard,

I looked at your website, and I saw that you also want to filter on fields and list a number of related categories at the bottom. You may be able to do this with tags or selections lists, but the main concern is the work flow with the other parts of your CRM. I probably need a bit more insight into how it would be fully utilized.

Having said that, it's now into the territory of more in-depth customization and beyond the scope of this forum.

If you wish, we do have some excellent in-house Consultants or you could consult with one of our Method Solution Providers.

Let me know if you would like to speak with one of our Consultants and I'll put the request through to have someone reach out to you.

Hi,

Really all we want is to have their program information on our CRM. We will not be running reports from the fields, it will strictly be  used by our sales team to educate themselves on the servcies provided by the company to help determine the best placement for ads.

Hello thepostingboard,

Ah, is it only being used for display purposes? Would you not want to alter the different options you have under each category? Is it possible that organizations may change their services eventually later on?

A solution I can see is to create three custom fields, one for each category of your CSV file. Stored in your CSV file are the three categories in different columns, and on each line are the options joined by semi-colons. When you import the CSV file, that group of semi-colon delimited options will go into their respective category custom field.

Then on the screen, you can display the field and make it read only unless you wish to edit it.

Having said all of this, a Consultant would provide a much more elegant solution. He or she would be able to set up a smoother system to add and remove options. They also would be able to foresee where the data may be utilized in ways I may be missing now.

However, you are certainly welcome to try this now and if you decide later to go with a consultant to help with customization, we can help you with that as well.

Thank you.

So would each field be a text box? also I believe that the way the csv file is set up now would be the correct format right ( the attachment in first message) Thank Again

Hello!

Yes, each field will be a custom field within the table itself. And yes, the CSV file looks to be the correct format as well.

Hello,

Sorry, to clarify, make sure that it's a custom TEXT field within the table itself.

Thank you so  much for your help. I can make that editable right? And then link it to the contacts form so the informtion is then converted over once they go from a lead to a contact?

You have been a great help... I really appreciate it...

Hi thepostingboard,

Yes, the field can be made editable in a customized screen. I have been assuming that the CSV information is being imported into the Customer Table. 

If this is so, then when a Customer is converted from a Lead to a Customer, then everything is retained because there is no difference between the two other than a checkbox saying a Customer is a lead or not.

However, note that custom fields in the customer table will only show up in Method CRM, and will NOT show up in Quickbooks.

Hope that helps!