Recommend me a CMR or CMS system

I learned a long time ago how to be mobile in my business.

But I may have some upcoming projects which stretch my abilities, and I think I need a new tool to manage them.

I'm in construction. I want the ability to clearly communicate project data with the customers from (very) remote locations.

So, my thinking is that I want a web-based portal where customers can log in and we can exchange photos, job logs, change orders, etc. They should be able to see all the data for their job, and none from other jobs.

I'd also like a decent quality method of tracking and following up with leads and contacts.

And I need an off-line component, because the projects are frequently out of range of data, wifi, or cell towers. I need to be able to update data on the fly, and have it synch with the web based system when in range.

But the catch is that I would rather it NOT be industry specific or heavily proprietary. I know of many of the construction software options available. I have found most of them to be too narrow in scope to be useful, and too costly.

So, I am looking for a system which is to client management like what QuickBooks is to accounting. Something somewhat generic, popular, easy to learn, and very transferable. iPad ready a big plus.

Consider me a dummy. I want something as close to plug-and-play as possible.

Any suggestions?

By CMS, do you mean Content Management System?

If so, there are no real cheap P-n-P options that I know of (coming from the documentation side of things). Microsoft's Team Foundation server is about as cheap as it gets as far as I know.

And the really awesome stuff like Vasont, well you aren't even getting started until you've reached 6 digits.

Sorry. That's an outdated acronym.

Customer management system.

I'm just trying to assemble all the data, pictures, documents, and communications related to customers and projects.

Would something like SharePoint work for you?

What is sharePoint?

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint/

We use Base camp here. It doesn't check all your boxes, but give it a look.

for CRM:

Salesforce and Siebel are established players. They are good if you can afford them. Microsoft Dynamic is for smaller business. I don't have experience with it but heard good things (and some bad) about it.

You might need two different systems one for CRM and one for project mangement. There is not one system that does both well.

For project mangement system, there are many open source solutions and then there is Microsoft Project which is old but mature if it can meet your needs.

Do you really need online project management or would sharing a file used by a project management app be good enough? If so that could open up a lot more options.

In reply to GameboyRMH:

Give me an example....

They're primarily manufacturing but there a a few modules that may be adapted to meet your needs, a dealer or the actual company can customize the software. CRM fits your client management needs pretty well as well as your mobility needs.

http://www.tiwcorp.com/index.html