20 November

Necessity becomes innovation: Why we are making nowCRM open source

In the early 2000s, I was often frustrated. I saw how the digital world was changing politics, but the non-profit sector seemed stuck in the past – trapped in slow, rigid systems.

This frustration led to the founding of Campax, one of the largest citizens’ movements in Switzerland today. We wanted to prove that it’s possible to be agile and effective even in the non-profit sector.

The decisive moment came in February 2022. With the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, we faced the enormous task of spontaneously accommodating thousands of refugees. We had no tools for this, so we built our own system overnight using low-code tools to manage accommodations and donations. And it worked.

That was our aha moment. What if we could develop this makeshift solution into a flexible, user-friendly CRM for all organizations? A tool that doesn’t hinder, but empowers.

That’s exactly what we did; that’s why we founded nowtec solutions. And today we’re taking the decisive next step.

We are thrilled to announce that nowCRM, our modern platform for relationship and engagement management, is now open source. The complete source code is publicly available at GitHub Available under the AGPLv3 license.

Why open source? Because it’s about your freedom.

The experience of the Ukraine crisis has shown us that true independence means having control over the tools. We believe that non-profit organizations should focus their energy on their mission, not on battling expensive, inefficient software.

By moving to open source, we give you back control:

  • No licensing fees, more budget for your mission:The money you save on expensive licenses can be directly invested in your projects.
  • Full data sovereignty:You decide where your sensitive data is stored – on your own servers or in a secure Swiss cloud.
  • Maximum flexibility:Adapt the software to your unique processes, not the other way around. Develop your own features without having to wait for a vendor’s roadmap.
  • Transparency and security:The open source code can be viewed and reviewed by anyone. This builds trust.

What is nowCRM?

nowCRM is more than just a CRM. It’s a complete system designed for deep engagement across all channels. It empowers you to build and nurture meaningful relationships with donors, volunteers, and supporters.

FeatureDescription
ComposerCreate and personalize multi-channel campaigns (email, SMS, WhatsApp, social media) in minutes.
JourneysIt automates contact points and personalizes communication throughout the entire supporter journey.
FormsSecurely collects data via dynamic, customizable forms for registrations, surveys, or donations.
Advanced ManagementOrganize, segment, and secure your contact data – without limits and with full control.
The integrationnowCRM seamlessly connects with your existing tools, from payment providers to productivity apps.

The choice is yours: Here’s how you can get started

We want you to choose the solution that best suits you.

  1. Open Source (Self-Hosted):Download nowCRM for free from GitHub Download it and run it on your own infrastructure. This gives you maximum control and freedom.
  2. Managed SaaS:Focus entirely on your work and leave the hosting to us. Our managed plan offers premium support, hosting in Switzerland, and maximum data security starting from €299/month.

The future is open – shape it with us!

We are convinced that the future of CRM is open, collaborative, and community-driven. Our roadmap is public, and we invite you to become part of our growing global community.

Join us and help shape the future of a CRM ecosystem built on transparency and independence. The future starts now.

Learn more and try nowCRM today!

CRM

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Fill out the form below and tell us what you are looking to solve. We will get back to you with tailored advice and solutions to match your needs.

Andreas Freimueller

CEO @nowtec solutions, serial entrepreneur & tech enthusiast always willing to embark on exciting new journeys
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