SaaS Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System Built on Cardano

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Caleb Montiel

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Individual

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

• Diego R.
• Steven M.
• Jonathan M.

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

12

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

We will build a decentralized CRM platform using Cardano, ZK technology, and verifiable credentials to protect customer data. This solution ensures privacy, transparency, and security for businesses.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

No dependencies.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

For this project, we will adopt an open-source approach, ensuring transparency and community collaboration throughout its lifecycle. The CRM system built on Cardano will be licensed under the MIT License, a permissive license that allows anyone to use, modify, and distribute the software. By being open-source, the community can actively contribute to the codebase, suggest improvements, and help maintain the system over time.

The code will be made available on a public repository like GitHub, where developers can track progress, submit pull requests, and report issues. This will also facilitate easier integration with other projects in the Cardano ecosystem. In addition, making the project open-source promotes innovation and trust, ensuring that the decentralized CRM system benefits from a broad range of perspectives and expertise.

The core smart contract, data storage integration using IAGON, and token management system will be fully open-source, allowing for community-driven security audits and enhancements. However, any specific business or user data stored within the system will remain private and secure, adhering to blockchain and privacy regulations.

[METADATA] Horizons

Privacy

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

For this proposal, we are addressing several critical pain points in current CRM solutions:

1. Legal risks of issuing tokens: Many businesses hesitate to adopt blockchain technology due to the regulatory and compliance challenges associated with token issuance. Our CRM will avoid these complications by not issuing any tokens, making it easier for businesses to transition to a decentralized solution without legal risks.
2. Reselling sensitive customer data: Traditional CRM platforms like Salesforce and Coachmatix rely on centralized servers to store vast amounts of sensitive customer data. This centralization leads to potential misuse, including reselling data to third parties, eroding trust and compromising privacy.
3. Security vulnerabilities and data breaches: Centralized CRM systems create a single point of failure, making them more susceptible to breaches and attacks, which puts customer data at risk.
4. Lack of transparency and control: Businesses often lack transparency about how their data is being handled and stored, leading to trust issues. Many CRMs do not offer users full ownership or control over their own data.

Our solution will integrate Iagon, a decentralized storage solution on Cardano, to securely store customer data in a distributed manner, ensuring privacy, security, and full ownership while preventing unauthorized access or data resale. Additionally, by using smart contracts, decentralized identity (DID) verification, and zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs, we will enhance transparency and security for all business operations.

Moreover, we will incorporate features from well-established platforms like Salesforce, Monday.com, and Coachmatix, including task management, team collaboration, and customer engagement tracking. However, unlike traditional CRMs, our solution will leverage Cardano's blockchain for decentralized operations, ensuring greater data protection, scalability, and low fees.

Ultimately, this CRM solution is designed for privacy-conscious businesses, enabling them to manage customer relationships securely without fear of data misuse or regulatory complications around token issuance. This project will showcase the potential of blockchain technology in the SaaS industry and position Cardano as a leader in promoting privacy-first, decentralized business solutions.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

This project will significantly impact the Cardano community by driving wider adoption of its technology stack across industries. By offering a decentralized CRM that prioritizes privacy and data security, it addresses a critical pain point for businesses in various sectors. Traditional CRM systems often suffer from data misuse and privacy concerns, limiting their trustworthiness. However, with our solution built on Cardano's scalable, low-cost infrastructure, businesses will be more inclined to adopt blockchain technology for their CRM needs.

The use of Cardano's decentralized storage through Iagon, coupled with smart contracts, DIDs, and ZK proofs, ensures that businesses can confidently manage customer data without risking breaches or unauthorized resale. As businesses start to embrace this solution, it can organically drive blockchain adoption among their partners, customers, and other stakeholders.

Moreover, the privacy-centric nature of the solution resonates with current trends in data protection laws and customer expectations. As companies seek more secure and compliant tools, this CRM will showcase the robustness of Cardano technology in addressing real-world business problems. The more businesses use and recommend this solution, the greater the exposure for Cardano's potential to transform enterprise-level SaaS products.

We will measure this impact through metrics such as the number of businesses adopting the CRM platform, transaction volumes on the Cardano network linked to its usage, and feedback from users on improved data security. Regular updates, community engagements, and collaboration with other Cardano projects will also help share these outcomes widely.

By enabling decentralized business solutions at scale, this project promotes Cardano as a leader in blockchain-based enterprise applications.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Caleb, the proposer and project manager, has nearly half a decade of experience in building CRMs tailored for the insurance industry. He has worked extensively with leading platforms like Salesforce, Monday.com, and Coachmatix, giving him in-depth knowledge of how CRM systems are structured and how to optimize them for business needs. His experience in CRM design for sales, customer retention, and workflow optimization equips him with the skills necessary to create a decentralized solution built on Cardano.

Additionally, Caleb is a recognized Cardano Ambassador and the founder of Cardano Curation, a project that maintains full transparency with its token holders. His leadership in this space demonstrates his dedication to promoting decentralized technology. He is also currently under contract with Intersect for a short-form video campaign, showcasing his marketing acumen and ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.

With his diverse experience in CRM systems and his deep engagement within the Cardano community, Caleb is well-suited to deliver a CRM that combines the transparency, security, and scalability of Cardano with the functionalities businesses expect from leading CRM platforms. By leveraging a skilled team of blockchain developers, designers, and coders, Caleb ensures that all aspects of this project will be managed efficiently and successfully.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Milestone 1: System Architecture and Design Finalization

• Milestone Outputs:
• Finalize and approve the architectural design of the decentralized CRM system, detailing the framework for integrating decentralized storage (Iagon) and Cardano smart contracts.

• Acceptance Criteria:
• Architectural blueprint approved by the development team and key stakeholders.
• Clear roadmap created for feature implementation and system integration.

• Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Documentation of the finalized system architecture shared publicly.
• Sign-off from project leads and core developers on the architectural design.

Milestone 2: Prototype Development and Initial Feature Implementation

• Milestone Outputs:
• Develop and deploy a functional prototype on the testnet that includes basic CRM features such as customer data management and interaction tracking.

• Acceptance Criteria:
• Successful deployment of the basic CRM system on Cardano testnet.
• Prototype tested with basic data flows working between the decentralized storage system and the CRM interface.

• Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Public report and video demonstration of the working prototype on the testnet.
• Testing results demonstrating that core CRM features are operational and secure.

Milestone 3: Iagon Integration for Decentralized Storage

• Milestone Outputs:
• Integration of Iagon for decentralized customer data storage, ensuring secure, distributed data management.

• Acceptance Criteria:
• Customer data can be stored and retrieved from the Iagon system within the CRM.
• Proper encryption and secure access protocols verified during integration.

• Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Video demo showing the data storage and retrieval process using Iagon.
• Audit report confirming the security of data transfer and storage.

Milestone 4: Smart Contract Integration and Audit

• Milestone Outputs:
• Implement smart contracts on Cardano to automate transactions and CRM functionalities, such as contract management and automated billing.

• Acceptance Criteria:
• Smart contracts deployed and audited for security and performance on the Cardano testnet.

• Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Audit report confirming the robustness and security of the smart contracts.
• Publicly available code and testing results showcasing contract functionality.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

The Cardano Curation team will be the core group managing this project. Caleb, the founder, and project manager will lead strategic decision-making and coordination. He brings extensive experience with CRM systems and blockchain projects and has built CRMs for the insurance industry using platforms like Salesforce, Monday.com, and Coachmatix. Caleb also has valuable connections with key technical people, including blockchain developers, smart contract experts, Plutus coders, and those skilled in integrating privacy tools like Zero-Knowledge proofs and Decentralized Identity (DID). This network ensures the project has the necessary technical expertise to succeed.

Other members of the Cardano Curation team will include:

1. UI/UX Designer – Responsible for designing a user-friendly interface for the CRM that integrates decentralized features while maintaining ease of use.
2. Project Manager – Overseeing timelines, budget management, and coordination of all moving parts.
3. Marketing Lead – Developing marketing strategies and outreach programs to ensure widespread adoption and educate businesses on the benefits of using a decentralized CRM.
4. Community Manager – Engaging with the Cardano community, gathering feedback, and sharing project updates regularly.

Additional team members such as smart contract developers (Plutus and Midnight), Iagon integration specialists, and data protection experts will be recruited as the project progresses. Caleb’s established network and the resources within the Cardano ecosystem will ensure these roles are filled by experienced professionals.

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Milestone 1: Planning and Initial Infrastructure Setup

• Project Management & Planning: 10,000 ADA
• Overseeing the project, establishing timelines, budget management, and team coordination.
• Plutus Smart Contract Developer (2 months): 6,000 ADA
• Initial development of smart contracts, ensuring integration with Cardano blockchain.
• Midnight Developer (2 months): 8,000 ADA
• Building initial privacy-preserving functions with Zero-Knowledge (ZK) proofs.
• Decentralized Storage Integration (Iagon): 5,000 ADA
• Setup of decentralized storage infrastructure for secure data hosting.
• 
  

Total Milestone 1 Cost: 29,000 ADA

Milestone 2: Core CRM Feature Development

• Full-Stack Developer (Web & Mobile CRM System Development): 25,000 ADA
• Development of the main CRM features: user management, customer interaction tracking, dashboard design.
• UI/UX Designer: 8,000 ADA
• Designing an intuitive, user-friendly interface.
• Data Privacy & Security Integration: 6,000 ADA
• Implementation of Zero-Knowledge proofs and DID verification for data security.

Total Milestone 2 Cost: 39,000 ADA

Milestone 3: Testing, Refining, and Initial Launch

• QA Specialist: 10,000 ADA
• Testing for bugs, ensuring system robustness, and managing test feedback loops.
• Marketing Specialist: 5,000 ADA
• Initial marketing and promotion to the target audience, building anticipation for launch.
• Customer Support Setup: 3,000 ADA
• Setting up a system for handling user issues and providing support.
• Miscellaneous Expenses: 3,000 ADA
• Legal fees, accounting, documentation.

Total Milestone 3 Cost: 21,000 ADA

Milestone 4: Full System Launch and Ongoing Operations

• Continuous Maintenance & Support (12 months): 40,000 ADA
• Covering maintenance for smart contracts, storage, and system updates.
• Project Closeout Report & Community Feedback (Report & Video): 2,000 ADA
• Final report and video for Catalyst, including community engagement.
• Post-launch Marketing and User Acquisition: 9,000 ADA
• Expansion into a wider market and building user base post-launch.

Total Milestone 4 Cost: 51,000 ADA

Grand Total for 4 Milestones: 150,000 ADA

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

This project represents a strong value proposition for the Cardano ecosystem by solving key problems found in centralized CRM systems, particularly privacy and data security concerns. By utilizing Cardano's technology stack, including decentralized storage through Iagon, smart contracts, and DID integration, we ensure that customer data is securely stored and managed.

The budget is designed with industry-standard wages and proportional allocations for each milestone to ensure an efficient build and implementation process. The costs align with the required roles and the project’s complexity, leveraging developers, project managers, and security experts at fair market rates. This will also enable us to deliver a high-quality SaaS CRM product that showcases the benefits of Cardano's security and decentralization.

With this approach, the decentralized CRM system will be capable of serving multiple industries while significantly reducing costs related to data breaches and compliance risks, providing exceptional value to businesses and expanding the adoption of Cardano across enterprises.