A number of ZCRM alternatives don't even bother with specific integration with individual mail clients or services. Instead, they have developed a method where by simply adding a unique e-mail address to the cc or bcc list the e-mails are automatically added to the contact records. For incoming e-mails the user simply forwards those to the unique e-mail address.

I think that this method offers a lot of advantages for both users and the ZCRM development team:

1. It eliminates the need to have multiple add-ons or plug-ins that require development, maintenance and support. This would free up resources to work on other development tasks.
2. It allows users to use the e-mail client or service of their choice and eliminates user frustration and confusion
3. This feature can still be offered as a paid add-on for users that want to use it, protecting the revenue stream.
4. It eliminates the need for the Zoho team to rush to complete true IMAP support for the ZMail plug-in/add-on.

In my vision of how it would work when a user wants to send an e-mail fro the record they would simply click on a "Send E-Mail" button on the appropriate record and it would launch a compose window in the user's default mail client. Ideally the user's unique e-mail address would be automatically populated in the bcc field, but if that presents a lot of logistical problems then the user could simply enter it themselves.

I recognize that this is perhaps not in harmony with Zoho's desire to get as much user share as possible for as many of their apps as possible. But in terms of revenue generation and new CRM user adoption I think that overall it would be a benefit for everyone - including Zoho.