Go vertical: Most companies want a CRM system that has some degree of industry-specific “verticalization”. The example used is of a real estate agency that wants to track not only client contact info but data specific to the real estate transaction.  The benefits of buying an industry specific CRM software package are that you don’t have to pay for customization. It has industry best practices and processes built it. The vendor who wrote the software is intimately familiar with your industry and “speaks your language”. Your users are likely to adopt it quicker since they are familiar with the terms used. But the article points out a major disadvantage too, “Vertical solutions often don’t have a large enough market—and therefore enough revenue—to support the level of continuous technical innovation that a Salesforce.com, Oracle, or Microsoft offers.”

Another risk is that the vertical solution will be “over-verticalized” and not give you enough freedom to customize. After all, not all vertical businesses are 100% alike. That leads us to option #2.

Customize: The article points out, “arguably the biggest benefit of going with a customized solution is that you can make it look, feel, and act exactly how you want. The system can be tweaked to mirror your business processes and support the way your company works. And with features like point-and-click customization, many tweaks and customizations can be made instantaneously.

But if you don’t know what you want, or need, these customizations can also give you too much freedom and run up the budget. 

Build-Your-Own: New tools make it easier than ever before to build a CRM system from scratch. And you can host them at secure data centers to make it even easier.  But you have to find the right talent to do it for you, and this can take a lot of trial and error.  After building their own CRM system from scratch the author admits:  ”The BYO approach can give you precisely what you want, but it is never the fastest path to implementation.” And when you build your own system you have nobody else to rely on for upgrades, updates, and maintenance. It is all on you.

What do I think is the best option? A combination of Go Vertical and Customize. I feel you can achieve this with Microsoft Dynamics CRM. You start with the core system then work with a Microsoft Dynamics CRM partner with experience in your specific industry to do minimal customization. Or perhaps there is already an add on product for Dynamics CRM that fits your industry.  You get a solid core system with vertical specifications. And a solid vendor behind it to make sure the system is constantly being improved. Plus, you can easily integrate it to a strong core financial system like Microsoft Dynamics GP!

Get free automated cost estimates for Microsoft Dynamics GP and Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

By CAL Business Solutions, Microsoft Dynamics partner serving Connecticut

CRM Software: Go Vertical, Customize, or Build Your Own? is a post from: CRM Software Blog

Related Posts

No related posts.

Whether you are looking for on-demand or on-premise, both solutions cater to your needs. Depending on the goals of your business, you will have to choose one or the other, but for these products this will not be a key decision point.

In terms of features within the CRM software solutions, you will also find very little differences.  For example, you can track sales activities and history for specific accounts in both and keep track of your campaigns to analyze in the future.  You may be thinking to yourself, so how do I choose SugarCRM or Microsoft Dynamics CRM?

Well, since Microsoft Dynamics CRM is part of the Microsoft line of products, the dashboards and functions are similar to products within the Microsoft Office line. The familiarity allows users to adapt quicker than those opting for SugarCRM.  Just with that you will be decreasing time & money spent on training.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM also integrates smoothly with other Microsoft products allowing you to move between Microsoft CRM, Microsoft Office, and even your Microsoft ERP solution.

One feature that SugarCRM has over Dynamics CRM is the ability to purchase SugarCRM directly from their website without any implementation. While you do gain instant results from this, all training and customization (if possible) then becomes your responsibility. Microsoft Dynamics CRM is sold, implemented, supported, and customized by Microsoft partners, like MIG.

Learn more about the various Microsoft CRM features available to your business! Make sure your Marketing, Sales, and Customer Service departments are working together to help grow your business.

MIG & Co. – MIG is a Professional Consulting Firm that specializes in the implementation of business management software solutions including Customer Relationship Management. We automate business processes to ensure our customers work efficiently. A New York City based Microsoft Dynamics Gold Partner, primarily serving New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

by MIG & Co., New York Microsoft Dynamics CRM Partner

Microsoft Dynamics CRM vs. SugarCRM: How To Know Which Option is Best for You? is a post from: CRM Software Blog

Related Posts

1. SugarCRM vs. Microsoft Dynamics CRM: Which On-Premise Solution Provides The Most Value?
2. Dynamics CRM vs. SugarCRM – Comparison Resources
3. Microsoft, Oracle and SugarCRM go after SalesForce.com Users with PR Stunts and Deep Discounts at Dreamforce Event Including the Aggressive “Cloud CRM for Less” Offer

 Benefits for Company and Management

Above and beyond the product’s features and benefits, companies can take advantage of a well-designed CRM software deployment for:

• Quicker response for new leads, call scheduling, appointments and forecasting
• Automation of repeatable tasks, such as assignment of leads based on specific criteria, for improved productivity
• Better managed sales opportunities for increased revenue
• Improved sales effectiveness through best practices and standardized processes

 In addition to the company-wide benefits described above, the management team will be able to:

• Use real-time data to make better business decisions
• Produce more accurate sales forecasts by time period
• Use standardized processes and templates for improved training
• Help foster better communications between and among sales team members

 Confusion over the “Big Boys”

When searching for the CRM solution that best fits your organization, you may become frustrated when evaluating which product best addresses your requirements. The two leading CRM vendors are Microsoft and Salesforce.com.  To help
prospective buyers determine the difference in the offerings, Microsoft upped the ante by posting an open letter to Salesforce.com customers. The letter posed the the following questions and comments:

In this economy, how can you justify paying two to three times more than you need to for an enterprise CRM system?*

• Microsoft provides a financially backed 99.9 percent uptime commitment for every Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online customer; why does Salesforce.com only provide you with “commercially reasonable efforts” to keep your business running?
• Having access to the most up-to-date information is critical to your business; why doesn’t Salesforce.com provide real-time access to data and dashboards, refreshed whenever you need it like Microsoft does?
• Microsoft works great with Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Office; why does Salesforce.com want you to start from scratch when it comes to productivity tools for your people?
• Microsoft provides the flexibility for your CRM system to work with other systems, whether they run in the cloud or on-premises; why does Salesforce.com lock you into one way of doing things?

 * Comparison based on Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online v. Salesforce.com Enterprise Edition

 Choosing the Right Partner

 Make no mistake:  the CRM solutions available now offer tremendous benefits to organizations, particularly in the sales, marketing, and customer service areas. One of the most important elements when performing a CRM system search
is identifying and articulating your organization’s key requirements so you can ultimately make an educated decision.

 Partnering with an experienced, proven CRM provider will ensure a smart implementation designed for your specific needs. BroadPoint Technologies is the largest Microsoft Dynamics partner in the mid-Atlantic.  Contact us at (301) 634-2478 or skane@broadpoint.net to discuss your CRM requirements and schedule a complimentary consultation.

by BroadPoint Technologies, Virginia Microsoft Dynamics CRM Partner

Dynamics CRM Fits the Bill for Productivity, Security, and Reliability is a post from: CRM Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Maximize Revenue by Aligning your Sales and Marketing Teams Through Dynamics CRM
2. Interested in $200 Cash? Check out Cloud CRM for Less
3. Microsoft Dynamics CRM: The Environmentally-Friendly Application

This offer has been running for nearly a year now, and provides a great chance for businesses large and small to get started with this ground-breaking CRM software – with low financial outlay and very little risk. But by their very nature, offers can’t go on forever.

From 31^st December 2011 the price of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online in the UK will change to the standard price of £29.50 per user per month. That’s still a great price, especially if you compare it with the cost of other cloud-based CRM software with anywhere near the same level of features and functionality as Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online.

There’s still time to get the introductory price. As long as you order before 31^st December 2011, Microsoft will honour its introductory offer rate for the next 12 months. What’s more, any further users you add after 31^st December will also be at the lower price. So if you’re considering implementing Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online as your CRM solution, and you’re in a position to order, doing so now will save you money for at least a year.

If you want to try the product for yourself, the free trial of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online is still available. It’s a web-based trial so you won’t need to download or install any software. To get started, you just enter a few very basic details (you will NOT be asked for credit card information) and you’ll be able to use the product for 30 days with no obligation.

If you work in a UK organisation and are thinking about deploying Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, contact Concentrix TSG for independent advice on what’s involved, getting started, a free demo or to set up a trial.  And if you’ve already made up your mind that Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online is the right CRM solution for your business, get your order in before 31^st December and take advantage of the last few days of the introductory offer!

By Concentrix TSG – UK Dynamics CRM specialists

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online – UK Introductory Price Offer Ending Shortly is a post from: CRM Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Some of the Reasons UK Businesses are Choosing Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online as Their CRM solution
2. Rebate Offer to Make the Switch to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online from Salesforce.com or Oracle
3. Microsoft Pays SalesForce.com and Oracle Customers to Give Microsoft Dynamic CRM Online a Try

Every organization is different; however, lead growth, account acquisition and retention, salesperson productivity, and quota attainment are key growth metrics that can be applied to most sales organizations. It’s the ones that measure against these metrics that create the culture of a world-class sales organization.

Top 5 Sales Strategies for 2012

1) Increase your sales pipeline with qualified opportunities

2) Increase your net new customer adds

3) Cross sell and upsell into your existing customer base

4) Increase salesperson productivity

5) Establish infrastructure and a consistent sales cadence

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 helps create operational alignment of people, process and technology. Here are some ways you can accelerate your momentum in achieving your sales strategies for 2012.

Lead Management
Align the lead management module with your business definition of a qualified lead. This way only qualified leads are converted to sales opportunities. The lines between the definitions of a Lead vs. an Opportunity are often blurred and can be a common point of confusion. Create and reinforce consistency in your sales methodology across Leads and Opportunities – they are different.

Opportunity Management
Segment your pipeline between new and existing customers by tracking this attribute on each new opportunity. It’s a simple thing to do and will help you measure the ratio of ‘farmed’ vs. ‘hunted’ business. A growing organization will have a sales organization focused on net new customer adds.

Account Management
Create visibility into the products and services associated with your existing customers. Oftentimes we integrate Microsoft Dynamics CRM with an organization’s accounting system for this type of visibility. Cross-selling and up-selling into your existing customer base creates value for your customers and creates revenue opportunities often missed.

Salesperson Productivity
Reducing administrative tasks for a salesperson keeps them focused on selling. Administrative tasks are necessary for pipeline visibility and activity management but make sure it’s easy for them. We use workflows to automate administrative tasks, dashboards and reports for visibility and simple configurations to reinforce the organizations sales methodology. Reducing the number of clicks and eliminating the guesswork around sales process management creates a more productive sales force.

Dashboards and Reports
The enhanced dashboard capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 make reporting against your key metrics very easy. Also utilizing the goal management module in conjunction with dashboard charts give you visibility into how you are doing against goals at every level of the organization. Managing sales pipeline does not need to be difficult and the simpler the better.

AbleBridge has helped many sales organizations marry process with technology using Microsoft Dynamics CRM. We’re passionate about helping organizations simplify their sales operations and giving them the visibility they need to become top performing sales organizations.

Feel free to contact AbleBridge to learn more or request additional information.

Top 5 Sales Strategies for 2012. Accelerate Your Momentum with Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 is a post from: CRM Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Maximize Revenue by Aligning your Sales and Marketing Teams Through Dynamics CRM
2. 3 Ways AbleBridge Helped Customers Realize the Benefits of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011
3. Manufacturers Use CRM to Drive Sales and Boost Service

Nucleus Research is a third-party research firm dedicated to providing quality IT research and expert service consulting. Nucleus Research recently released its CRM Technology Matrix, based on research conducted during the third and fourth quarter of 2011. This matrix contains a thorough collection of information, first comparing the features and usability of several CRM applications, and then discussing several important developments in the CRM software market during the time this research was conducted.

Pictured below is a diagram that plots the differences in usability and functionality between several CRM applications. You’ll notice right away that Microsoft Dynamics CRM is peaking above the rest, especially when usability is considered.

If we dig a little deeper into this published matrix, we start to see why CRM Online 2011 is peaking above. Nucleus Research lists the following as specific reasons why Microsoft CRM Online 2011 is considered a leader in the CRM application market:

• Integration with Microsoft Office and Microsoft Outlook
• Powerful personalization and customization capabilities
• Recent improvements in social media integration, including activity feeds and micro-blogging
• Microsoft’s online application marketplace
• Role-based views

Since Nucleus Research doesn’t draw any concrete conclusion as to the “best” CRM application available, you will need to evaluate the options and pick the right fit for your business. That being said, if you consider usability and functionality to be of the utmost importance to your business, then CRM Online 2011 is definitely looking good. If you do decide to make the leap with CRM Online 2011, the CRM Success Portal for Microsoft Dynamics CRM is a great place to “get your hands dirty”, as it’s full of helpful videos and tutorials regarding CRM Online 2011.

xRM.com is a Microsoft Partner with competencies in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Hosting.

Third-Party ResearchReveals That Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online 2011 Continues to Emerge as a Leader in the CRM Software Field is a post from: CRM Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Microsoft Dynamics CRM a Leader in Nucleus Research’s Value Matrix
2. Dynamics CRM More User Friendly than SalesForce.com – Independent Research Study
3. CRM Showdown, Round 2! Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online 2011 Vs. Salesforce.com

A contact management system is simply that, a place to store your contacts.  On the flip side, a robust CRM system like Microsoft Dynamics CRM will manage every aspect of communication with a contact.  This includes tracking:

• the flow from prospect to customer
• every interaction from marketing to sales
• the products the customer buys
• the services you provide the customer
• everything in between…

Every interaction with every department is captured.  With Microsoft Dynamics CRM, you have integration within Microsoft Outlook, making work seamless and optimizing employee productivity. Managers can see a full 360 degree view of all leads, opportunities, marketing campaigns, tasks, emails and appointments.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM includes analytical tools like graphs and dashboards that provide a quick view of key performance indicators and trend analysis for your business. These are completely customizable so you can tailor the system to capture your specific industry demographics. Users can create process dialogs and workflows to help automate data collection and repetitive tasks. Altogether, Microsoft Dynamics CRM spells higher productivity for your business when comparing it to a simple contact management system.

If your organization is located in the Arizona or New Mexico area, contact Sherwood Systems for assistance in determinin

g if a technology solution can help your organization better serve your business needs. (877) 943-9696

By Sherwood Systems – Arizona MicrosoftDynamics CRM Partner

What are the Differences Between a Contact Management System and Microsoft Dynamics CRM? is a post from: CRM Software Blog

Related Posts

1. What are the Differences Between Dynamics CRM and Salesforce.com?
2. With Microsoft Dynamics CRM, The ‘C’ In CRM Stands For…. Cat Relationship Management??!!!
3. Rock, Paper, Scissors – There’s a Better Way to Choose a CRM System

 How Do They Stack Up?

In order to get a clear picture of how these products (and companies)  stack up against each other, we need to make an apples-to-apples comparison.  By using the same criteria  as a basis for comparison, we can see how the products measure up.  Some of the most important factors to consider when reviewing these (or any other CRM solution) are:

• Ease of use
• Total costs (upfront AND recurring)
• Deployment options (cloud-based, on-premise or  both?)
• Accessibility (Microsoft Outlook, browser,  smartphone, tablet, etc.)
• User interface familiarity

 We’ve Done the Work for You

BroadPoint Technologies recently presented a webinar where we reviewed both of these great products and presented the business case for Microsoft  Dynamics CRM 2011.  The webinar, entitled  “Microsoft Dynamics CRM vs. Salesforce:  Tale of the Tape” discussed the pros and cons of the products and gave  you evaluation criteria to keep in mind when evaluating these two  solutions.  The webinar recording  is now available on the  BroadPoint web site for viewing on-demand.

 
Contact BroadPoint, the largest Dynamics CRM reseller in the mid-Atlantic, at (301) 634-2404 or skane@broadpoint.net for more  information on Dynamics CRM 2011 and how we can save you $150 per user if you  make the switch now!

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 vs. Salesforce.com: Let the Punches Fly is a post from: CRM Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Interested in $200 Cash? Check out Cloud CRM for Less
2. Dynamics CRM Fits the Bill for Productivity, Security, and Reliability
3. Maximize Revenue by Aligning your Sales and Marketing Teams Through Dynamics CRM

That having been said, a closer look at this matrix reveals that a few leaders have indeed emerged.  One of these leaders is Microsoft Dynamics CRM.  Here are a few specific reasons why Dynamics CRM ranked so well.

Usability:

• Microsoft Outlook and Office integration
• Personalization capabilities
• Role-based views

 Functionality:

• Microsoft’s online application marketplace provides customers with ready access to CRM add-ons, so that they may customize and expand the system to fit their needs.
• Enhanced social collaboration capabilities such as support for activity feeds, microblogging, conversations, and automated activity updates*

 * These features were made available in Microsoft Dynamics 2011 Q4 service update and will likely serve to increase its functionality score in future reports.

 As you study this and other similar evidence, we are confident that you’ll see that Microsoft Dynamics CRM is a smart choice.  If you’d like to learn more about Dynamics CRM and how it can help your business succeed, contact us today!

by Intelligent Technologies

Independent Research Proves Microsoft Dynamics CRM is a Smart Choice is a post from: CRM Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Dynamics CRM More User Friendly than SalesForce.com – Independent Research Study
2. Microsoft Dynamics CRM Named a Leader by Two Independent Research Firms
3. Forrester Research: Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 gives a 243% Return on Investment

1. CRM feature comparison chart—A great high level overview of the differences between CRM offerings, this webpage gives an easy to read, head to head comparison of which key features are included in Oracle, Salesforce.com and Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online.
2. CRM price calculator—Fill out this simple form to find out how much your company could save by switching to Dynamics CRM Online from Oracle or Salesforce.com. The results may leave you wondering why you didn’t make the move sooner.

Note: Both the tools are hosted on the same page within the Microsoft site and the system defaults to taking users to the price calculator. To see the feature comparison chart, click the link above and look for a yellow button near the top of the page labeled, “See Feature Comparison.”

Need even more incentive to switch to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online? Did you know that right now new Dynamics CRM Online customers can get $150 cash back from Microsoft for every seat that they buy? Better yet, there are no restrictions on how you use the money, the choice is yours! Learn more about this amazing offer in last month’s blog post, “Think You Can’t Afford a Great CRM system? You Can With Microsoft’s Cloud CRM for Less offer!”

After looking over all of the evidence presented here, I’m confident that many of you will agree the time is right to liberate your business from your legacy CRM system and move to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, a cost effective and user friendly choice.

Contact Inetlligent Technologies   today to get started!

by Intelligent Technologies, Inc. North Carolina Microsoft CRM Partner

Easily Compare Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online with Oracle and Salesforce.com Using these Tools is a post from: CRM Software Blog

Related Posts

1. Pricing Tool to Compare the Cost of Dynamics CRM Online vs. Salesforce.com vs. Oracle CRM OnDemand
2. Cost Comparison Tool: Dynamics CRM Online vs Oracle CRM vs. SalesForce
3. Microsoft Pays SalesForce.com and Oracle Customers to Give Microsoft Dynamic CRM Online a Try