The connector is a free tool that will integrate your systems allowing you to move pricing information along with customer information between your two solutions. Not only is the connector free, but it is extremely easy to customize based on how you do business.

Your employees will be able to improve customer satisfaction by having all information at their fingertips.  The customer will no longer be transferred from one customer representative to another in order to find out the progress of their order.

Sales employees can improve their sales by having an accurate count of the various products available and increase demand for those that have been sitting in inventory.  On the other hand, if your warehouse needs more supply, they will be able to see how many orders have been placed.  This will allow them to predict the demand and be prepared for any customer’s future orders.

In short, the Dynamics ERP and CRM Connector:

•   Is easy to install, use, and customize.

•   Increases sales, service, and customer satisfaction.

•   Supports your unique business processes.

•   Helps you realize more from your ERP and CRM systems.

Want more information about the Microsoft Dynamics ERP & Microsoft Dynamics CRM connector? Check out our webinar on Integrating your Dynamics ERP & Dynamics CRM.

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

Integrate Your Solutions: Connector for Microsoft Dynamics ERP & Microsoft Dynamics CRM is a post from: CRM Software Blog

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We were impressed with the November 2011 Service Update (R7) but we wanted to call out some of the anticipated highlights for the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Q2 2012 Service Update (R8) release, dubbed “CRM Anywhere”

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Mobility

This update includes a welcome, but rather surprising announcement, for Microsoft’s answer to a more robust mobile solution.  Interestingly, Microsoft has partnered with CWR Mobility to take advantage of its 3^rd party product and bring its mobility strategy to market much faster than it could on its own.  It seems as though Microsoft is licensing certain aspects of CWR but will be building off the platform – which is great news.  Security role integration and native language localization seems to be Microsoft’s first priorities.  AbleBridge is a CWR Mobility Partner and we do like their solution so we’re excited to see where it goes from here.

Cross Browser Support

Today Microsoft Dynamics CRM is only supported on Internet Explorer.  This update will provide cross browser and cross platform capability for its web client.  Safari running on PC, Mac, or iPad, Firefox running on PC or Mac, Chrome running on PC – this is BIG.   We’re keenly interested to see how well this strategy will play with 1) Outlook integration – will it just work, or what disclaimers need to be considered? And 2) Microsoft Dynamics CRM solution development – will this be a build once deploy anywhere or build twice for cross browser supportability?

Along with a new mobility option and cross browser support, which we feel are the two biggest announcements; this update also includes enhanced Enterprise Scalability, Enhanced Social Capabilities and some other Enhancements around industry templates, business intelligence and an improved portal framework.

We’re going to see a lot more information come out about the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Q2 2012 Service Update but the announcement alone illustrates Microsoft’s continued commitment to their CRM mobility strategy.

AbleBridge is 100% focused on Microsoft Dynamics CRM and we’ve witnessed the evolution of the product for almost a decade.  The latest release of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 illustrates Microsoft’s commitment to a long term strategic vision for CRM and we couldn’t be more excited as a Microsoft Partner. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you realize the benefits of Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

by AbleBridge, Massachusetts Microsoft Dynamics CRM Partner

Microsoft Dynamics CRM – “CRM Anywhere”, Q2 2012 Update Announced is a post from: CRM Software Blog

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This means it’s time to accept mobility into your current customer service management, if you haven’t already. Your employees are probably already using their smart phones in order to conduct business more efficiently and effectively; it’s somewhat crucial to staying ahead of the competition these days. The question you want to ask is can you and should you connect those devices with your CRM software? We say, “Yes!”

Mobile Express for Microsoft Dynamics® CRM brings mobile functionality to a whole new level for businesses. Your sales force can have access to real-time account information from any web enabled mobile device. With this valuable information at hand, they can effectively meet the needs of your customers and even optimize on up-sell and cross-sell opportunities. Even when they’re on the road, they can quickly respond to customer requests or questions, ensuring enhanced customer support throughout your organization. Notifications and alerts can even help remind sales and customer service reps of important appointments or service calls. All this information is available through a customized, easy to read and manage mobile format.

Mobile technology trends have brought about a new way of doing business - a new and improved way, in our opinion. Microsoft Dynamics CRM enables businesses like yours to take advantage of this trend and contributes to the success of your business. And things just keep getting better. Microsoft just announced in their next service update of Microsoft Dynamics CRM, a new cloud-based, cross-platform native mobile client for Windows Phone 7.5, iPad, iPhone, Android, and Blackberry devices called Microsoft Dynamics CRM Mobile. Contact us at Sikich to learn more about the groundbreaking mobility functionality in Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

By Jim Drumm with Sikich, Chicago IL Microsoft Dynamics CRM partner serving IL and MO

What Mobile Technology Trends Mean for Your CRM Software is a post from: CRM Software Blog

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Here are a few best practice steps to completing this chore:

1. Involve the CEO and CFO: CRM software will have a huge effect on the big picture of your business. Involving the CEO and CFO of a company will ensure your objectives align accordingly, and most times speed up the implementation process once that gets rolling. This will set the stage from the get-go.
2. Define software budget: There are a lot of factors that come up in regard to budget. In addition to implementing CRM, you need to allocate budget for maintenance, updates, and training. Don’t forget these essential components when deciding on what will work for you. A CRM solution is not a one-time only purchase; it needs to grow and scale with you as your business changes.
3. Ask around: CRM software should be relevant to everyone at your organization. If only one department can understand or leverage what you’ve put in place, then your ROI will not be as high as expected. Ask all departments what they wish a CRM solution could do and add it to an all-up list.

Even though this chore can seem like an overwhelming one, it may make or break your business. We would rather it made your business. Contact us at Cargas if you have any questions about Microsoft Dynamics® CRM and how it may just be the right CRM software for you.

By Memie Whiteside with Cargas Systems, Pennsylvania Microsoft Dynamics CRM Partner

Determining the Right CRM Software Can Be a Chore: One Your Company Depends On is a post from: CRM Software Blog

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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

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Social media connected with your CRM software can bring together the sales, marketing, and customer service departments. When these three areas work together, it creates a great concoction of customer satisfaction and more effective lead generation. Here are a few examples of when it especially comes in handy:

Let’s say your sales representative is working on converting an event attendee into an opportunity, but he/she didn’t attend the event and doesn’t have a good handle on what the attendee may have learned or taken away. The sales rep can quickly video chat with the marketing rep to see whether there are offers or if attendees received particular information that he/she can mention. This creates a streamlined sales call for the rep and increases the chances of success.

Let’s say the marketing manager is making plans for the next year, but needs input from a few of the sales reps to get a good handle on what’s working for them and what isn’t. The manager can do some research in CRM to see what type of leads were generated from certain sources. They can also IM or message a few sales reps to get their anecdotal feedback that’s valuable for creating an effective marketing plan.

Connecting social media with your CRM is definitely a way to stay connected with your customers, but it’s also another way to enhance relationships in the office. Take advantage of the technology we have available today to make your job as productive as possible and contact us if you have any questions about how Microsoft Dynamics® CRM works with social media components.

By Memie Whiteside with Cargas Systems, Pennsylvania Microsoft Dynamics CRM Partner

Building a Social Business with CRM Software is a post from: CRM Software Blog

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1. Consider Cloud Services – In general cloud services can offer you savings on hardware and support personnel. On-premise solutions certainly have their benefits, but if you do not have the hardware and network infrastructure to handle it, a SaaS (software as a service) solution may save you money.

2. Avoid the Add-on Shopping Spree – Add-ons are very tempting. Anyone who likes technology will salivate at the chance to get a new browser extension or new mobile phone app, but too much of anything can be bad for you. Add-ons are no different. Do you really need all the add-ons you want? You might save by limiting your choices to ones your company will actually use.

3. Plan for Customization and Scalability – You can be overly prepared for business growth, paying for far more than you may ever need. You can also be under-prepared and end up having to make costly upgrades. Neither is good for your business.

4. Choose a System that Fits Your Current Tech Base – If you happen to have Microsoft Office, Microsoft SharePoint, and Microsoft Dynamics GP already running in your office, it only makes sense to go with Microsoft Dynamics CRM for your customer relationship management. Your IT department will be better prepared for new technology that plays well with your current software.

5. Shop Around – Not all CRM solutions were created equal. Do your homework and find one that fits with your business. For example, a full-featured deployment of Salesforce may cost you $195/month, while a deployment of Dynamics CRM with a similar feature set is only $59/month. You can save a lot just by knowing what you need and searching for the best-priced solution.

If you are looking for help evaluating CRM software, give us a call at 201-951-6488. We provide customized business software using Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, and the latest Microsoft development tools: .NET and Microsoft SQL server.

By PDG Consultants, New Jersey Microsoft Dynamics CRM Partner

5 Ways to Save Money on CRM Software is a post from: CRM Software Blog

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CRM for Associations is a new concept that’s taking hold within the NFP marketplace.  It’s CRM, but CRM that is tailored to meet the requirements and speak the language of today’s associations.  As a membership-based organization, you have members, events, campaigns, sponsors, and other sources of revenue.  Your challenge is to manage and interact with all of your constituencies and audiences more effectively.   A CRM for Associations solution helps you do that while also boosting revenue.

Most AMS systems are lacking in sales, marketing, and service automation.  They do just fine with operational management such as event registrations and dues management, but many of the sales and marketing features and functions they offer are either afterthoughts, bolt-ons, or poorly integrated into the overall AMS system.  They fall well short for organizations with more sophisticated requirements.

With a CRM system that is designed and built for associations, you can break out of the limitations imposed by traditional AMS.  A CRM solution offers many sales, marketing, and service best practices:

• Constructing your membership team more like a traditional sales team.
• Developing ongoing nurture marketing programs to capture new revenue.
• Establishing a measureable lead management process.
• Utilizing integrated case management to establish a high-end membership service program.

Where a CRM for Associations solution shines is in centralizing your sales, marketing, and service efforts for your membership.  You can manage the details of recruiting and retaining sponsors, donors, supporters, and members.  Plan and manage marketing campaigns of any size and complexity including direct mail and email marketing.  When a revenue opportunity is identified, you can track and manage it through the revenue capture process.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM is the foundation for our CRM for Associations offering.  We have taken the base functionality and customized it to meet the specific needs of membership-based organizations.  It retains all of the extensive features found in the base product but is extended and tailored to work for associations.   Here is just a brief list of its features:

• Access the system from within Microsoft Outlook or use it from a web-browser.
• Use the solution as a stand-alone application or as an integrated component to your current AMS solution.
• Create and automate marketing campaigns.
• Deliver personalized campaigns for specific members.
• Develop nurture email marketing campaigns for training, newsletters, and events.
• Track and report on marketing and revenue generation activities.
• Manage comprehensive buying and demographic profiles for all important constituencies.
• Provide top-flight service to members through integrated case management.
• Easily deploy the solution either on premise or “in the cloud”.

A CRM for Associations solution is a great alternative for any membership-based organization looking to grow its revenue. This new concept is being adopted by many leading organizations today and forms the foundation for better, more effective sales, marketing, and service management.  And the best part is that organizations are seeing improved success in generating non-dues revenue.  You can too.

Contact Steve Kane (skane@broadpoint.net and 301-634-2404) at BroadPoint Technologies, the mid-Atlantic’s largest Dynamics reseller, for more information on our CRM offerings.

by BroadPoint

CRM for Associations: A New Era in Member Engagement and Revenue Generation is a post from: CRM Software Blog

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For only $2,500, clients receive power-user training for Dynamics CRM Sales and Marketing. This  “power” user will receive a day of user setup and security configuration, two days of classroom training for Microsoft Dynamics CRM Sales & Marketing Application course and one day of classroom training for Customer Service Application course. There are also group discounts if you have more than one “power” user you would like to get trained.

If you have data to migrate to Microsoft Dynamics CRM, for and estimated $1,200 to $1,700 we will migrate 10,000 leads, accounts, and contact records utilizing the CRM migration tool.

ReadySetGO for Microsoft Dynamics CRM helps companies get up and running in 6 weeks or less with standard Microsoft Dynamics CRM functionality for sales, marketing, and customer management. For more information about low cost and rapid deployment of Microsoft Dynamics CRM, download this fact sheet. And as always, let us know if you have any questions along the way by contacting us at andreed@tmgroupinc.com or 888.482.2864.

By The TM Group, Michigan  Microsoft Dynamics ERP and CRM Partner for Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Microsoft Dynamics SL and SharePoint

Get Ahead of the Curve in 2012: ReadySetGO for Do It Yourself Deployment of Microsoft Dynamics CRM is a post from: CRM Software Blog

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1. Seek out the right executive sponsor. Having the right executive sponsor on your implementation project can help drive goals and adoption.
2. Define your current sales process, but don’t change it. We find that most companies don’t really follow a formal sales process and are unable to put what they do into an actual workflow. When implementing a new solution, they try to also push a new, standardized process into place although it hasn’t been communicated yet across their departments. This causes a lot of problems and ultimately leads to implementation failure. If you are trying to get a CRM solution up and running fast, you should stcik with the current sales process, and leave it as is. This doesn’t mean you can’t have a long term plan, but if your focus is on a rapid implementation and quick ROI than this is not the time to change your sales process.
3. Training. A new customer management solution is not effective unless your people know how to use it and actually do use it to streamline their daily tasks and increase productivity. The TM Group’s CRM Classroom and online training courses review the important aspects of Microsoft Dynamics CRM, such as customization & configuration, workflows, and extending CRM. We take training seriously because we know the key to adoption with  CRM solution is that everyone understands how to use it.
4. Get comfortable with the basics before the “WOW” features. CRM functionality can be pretty awesome and most people want the cool stuff right away before focusing on the basics. This can backfire quickly and we know that getting comfortable with CRM’s basic features helps increase user adoption rate and sets the stage to add “WOW” features later on.
5. Realistic expectations. Setting timelines that you can actually reach helps set the stage for a more successful implementation. It also keeps the morale high because you’re achieving progress, getting you to the final goal quickly. Decide if you want to hire a consulant to guide you through the implementation process, or if you’ll try a more do it yourself approach like our ReadySetGo for Microsoft Dynamics CRM approach.

These tips should help minimize the main issues during an implementation, such as resistance to change, lack of perceived benefit, and resistance to use technology. If you have any questions on how to successfully deploy CRM, please contact us at andreed@tmgroupinc.com or 888.482.2864.

By The TM Group, Michigan  Microsoft Dynamics ERP and CRM Partner for Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Microsoft Dynamics SL and SharePoint

Get Ahead of the Curve in 2012: 5 Tips for a Successful CRM Implementation is a post from: CRM Software Blog

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