JoeCRM here from PowerObjects – After giving some more thought to my previous post Microsoft Dynamics CRM vs. SalesForce.com Or Whoever…The Proof Is In The Partner, I think I need to say a little more – ok, a lot more.  In the previous post I talked about a few areas that I think are important to look at when evaluating an implementation Partner, instead of focusing solely on the software publisher. I still maintain it is ultimately the Partner that will make or break your project, but with that said you will still need to compare different products.

This raises the question about what you should  look at when evaluating software, and again I will maintain it is not a feature and function shoot-out.  How many people think that CRM technology is akin to developing a missile defense system?  Of course it is nothing like that, they all have hundreds of thousands or millions of users and it is pretty simple for any one publisher to look at what the competition is doing.  So it stands to reason from a feature/function or technology standpoint, no one vendor is outpacing the other – in fact at the end of the day, I would say they are more alike than dissimilar. 

So Joe…what should we look at when we compare software??  Glad you asked!  In a recent sale, one of our clients put together a slide deck to present to the shareholders that drove home what I think is most important….the bullet point that jumped out said something like ‘We need to rely on a software company that is as reliable as we are – if they go out of business so do we…..’ So when you think about that statement, it comes down to business risk as it relates to the product you are going to implement.

Go back in history and look at the products that have been acquired and rolled up.  Typically the company being acquired stopped investing in the R&D which is critical to keep up with the competition.  I could go through a list of CRM products that have gone by the wayside in the last decade, but hey we know who they are and we get a ton of business as people move off these systems and say – we are doing that again!

So with the folks still in the market for software, here are a few key questions to ask yourself as you go through the evaluation phase:

• What is the percentage of revenue spent on R&D (higher is better)?
• What percent of revenue spent is on marketing (I think lower is better)?
• Do they have multiple revenue streams and product lines (lowers your risk)?
• What is the potential the organization will be taken over by a larger company (not usually good for the product line)?

This all plays into again why we chose to hang our hats on Microsoft and Microsoft Dynamics CRM – we know the product will be around for the long-haul and with Microsoft’s ability to continually invest in R&D, it just keeps getting better!

Happy CRM’ing

By Joe CRM at PowerObjects, a leading Minnesota-based Microsoft Gold Certified partner providing Microsoft Dynamics CRM and xRM solutions.

Related posts:

1. Microsoft Dynamics CRM vs. SalesForce.com Or Whoever…The Proof Is In The Partner
2. 1-2-3…CRM Software Buyers Checklist
3. It Demoed Great! But what has your CRM software done for you lately?

Lately, I have been seeing more and more of SugarCRM in the marketplace.  It makes sense.  After all, when money is tight, many organizations look for the lowest upfront cost instead of the product with the greatest long-term ROI.  It’s true that SugarCRM Professional and Enterprise have one of the lowest per user licenses costs of any on-premise CRM software solution for mid-market businesses, including Microsoft Dynamics CRM. 

I took a look at Microsoft Dynamics CRM and SugarCRM in a side-by-side feature comparison produced by Focus Research and found the two products to be remarkably similar.

Sales Force Automation:  Both products have comparable sales tracking, forecasting, analytics, and opportunity management tools.  However, there are a few distinct differences:

• SugarCRM “facilitates the creation of presentations and proposals for customers,” a feature which Microsoft Dynamics CRM does not approach.  However, since Dynamics CRM is a Microsoft product and works like and with other Microsoft products, Dynamics CRM users are able to create presentations in Office programs, save them to a document library in CRM or create proposal templates that can be populated and distributed through Dynamics CRM.  Therefore, the same result can be achieved using either product.

Divisions Inc. is using Microsoft Dynamics CRM to streamline their proposal process:

“Before, the process involved in generating each new proposal and subsequent contract consumed an hour and a half of employee time. Now it takes 10 minutes. We are literally saving thousands of hours annually.” – Kyle Murray, CIO

• Microsoft Dynamics CRM provides offline and mobile-device support which SugarCRM does not.  With all of the smart-phones in use by sales personnel, this a great advantage for Microsoft Dynamics CRM users to have all of their CRM data in the palms of their hands at any moment. 

Service and Support:  Although they operate differently, the support and service feature sets for Microsoft Dynamics CRM and SugarCRM are almost identical. 

Marketing:  Both solutions contain similar lead and campaign management tools. 

• SugarCRM contains the ability to create web form pages to capture leads, a capability that Microsoft does not rival “out-of-the-box” but can be customized to accomplish. 
• Microsoft Dynamics CRM’s marketing automation is workflow-driven, thereby aiding the collaboration between the marketing and sales departments.  

So, with such similar features, why would any organization choose to pay more for Microsoft Dynamics CRM over SugarCRM? 

The fact that Microsoft Dynamics CRM is built on a .NET framework and operates on the Microsoft platform means that it not only seamlessly integrates with finance, business management, or ERP software solutions but also with company websites and more! 

Divisions Inc. has found the value in efficiency gains through integration that is only possible with a Microsoft Dynamics product:

“To say Dynamics CRM has paid for itself is an understatement.  It has changed the way we do business. We’ve eliminated redundancy and the risk of errors and by doing so have enabled our employees to work more efficiently and effectively.” – Kyle Murray, CIO

Divisions Inc. is also saving time and money by automating processes in Microsoft Dynamics CRM and integrating their data with their Microsoft Dynamics GP ERP system:

“CRM initiates a workflow that routes the proposals to our contracts department for approval. Once approved, it is added as a contract in Dynamics GP…The efficiency gains are enormous.” – Kyle Murray, CIO

The fact that you can purchase SugarCRM with the push of a button from their website might seem appealing, but when the transaction is complete, the responsibility falls on you to implement the solution and get your people up and running on it.  Microsoft Dynamics CRM is sold, implemented, supported, and enhanced by Microsoft partners, like Socius. 

“Socius is a valuable resource to us. We are savvy users and are able to do much of the customization ourselves, but it is still great to have their expertise when we need it. They are our go-to firm.” – Kyle Murray, CIO, Divisions Inc.

Read more about how Microsoft Dynamics CRM is helping Divisions Inc. do business more efficiently and effectively.

By Socius, an Ohio Microsoft Dynamics CRM Partner

Related posts:

1. Oracle vs. Microsoft Dynamics – Which Hosted CRM Solution Is Best For You?
2. Should Small Businesses Choose Microsoft Dynamics CRM as a Hosted or On-Premise Solution?
3. With Microsoft Dynamics CRM, The ‘C’ In CRM Stands For…. Cat Relationship Management??!!!

In 2010 social media, mobile marketing, email marketing, and search will see a 17 percent increase in marketing investment spending this year, as marketers move away from traditional channels and focus more on channels that have hard financial metrics.

“Marketing Budgets in 2010: Effectiveness, Measurement, and Allocation,” a joint research study with Econsultancy and ExactTarget, surveyed over 1,000 marketers to discover where companies are focusing their marketing spend efforts and how they will allocate their budgets across channels in 2010.

Here is ExactTarget’s free brief of the report. 

I love this new digital marketing spend report by ExactTarget – because it validates what we’ve been experiencing in our recent marketing efforts.  And more important, as a leading Microsoft Dynamics CRM provider, we know online marketing is a really hot topic with our clients and prospects.    Case in point – The TM Group is sponsoring Vision 2010, a free, educational Microsoft Dynamics conference taking place on March 23^rd in Troy, Michigan.  Only two weeks out and we have over 200 attendees signed up – our CRM track and digital marketing sessions are especially popular!    

ExactTarget, as the leading add-on eMarketing solution for Microsoft Dynamics CRM, is presenting during the Vision 2010 CRM track.  The ExactTarget solution integrates seamlessly with Dynamics CRM and includes tools to create, deliver, and track compelling digital communications that leverage Lead, Contact, and Account data.  Users can create dynamic, timely content for subscribers and deliver messages on behalf of Microsoft Dynamic CRM Leads, Contacts, and/or Account Owners to achieve true one-to-one relationship marketing.

Vision 2010 is The TM Group’s 12th annual Microsoft Dynamics conference which is free of charge to our guests.  Every year we are committed to spending the time, energy and resources it takes to help people get together in person for learning (we bring Microsoft product experts in to team up with our consultants), networking with their peers (our clients share their stories and advice), and gaining insight about the latest technological developments in our industry and best business practices (we bring in special speakers from our strategic business partners).    

Here is a description of the ExactTarget eMarketing session at Vision 2010, as well as the other Microsoft Dynamics CRM sessions:

The TM Group Vision 2010: Microsoft Dynamics CRM Track

CRM eMarketing & Social Media, by ExactTarget                                                                                        

In this session we will learn how to boost your marketing in 2010 using eMarketing and Social Media. ExactTarget will share an information-packed session that will provide valuable tips and techniques to help you achieve your 2010 digital marketing goals!  Learn how to improve your marketing campaigns with increased subscriber focus and get helpful tips on boosting relevancy of message content.  See how ExactTarget’s integration with Microsoft Dynamics CRM can help you manage and automate a wide variety of marketing campaigns that leverage information about your leads, contacts, and accounts.

You’ll also learn how to effectively manage your social networking strategy with the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Social Networking Accelerator.   According to a March 2009 study by Nielson, social networks and blogs are now the 4th most popular online activity, ahead of personal email.  In addition, time spent on social networking sites is growing 3x faster than the overall internet rate, now accounting for almost 10% of all internet time. While these statistics point out that business can no longer afford to ignore Social Networking, it must be done in a closely planned and monitored manner in order to be effective.  Microsoft’s recently released Social Networking Accelerator for Microsoft Dynamics CRM provides an outstanding toolset for effectively managing and tracking organizational social networking activities.

CRM Future Directions: Microsoft Dynamics CRM 5 Sneak Peak, by Microsoft Corporation                   

In this session, learn about the next release of Microsoft Dynamics CRM “V.Next.” Investments for this next release fall into three broad categories: (1) Deliver a new level of user productivity and collaboration capabilities, (2) Continued enrichment of the core CRM capabilities, and (3) Provide a best-of-breed business solution platform.  There is an exhaustive list of investments in Microsoft Dynamics CRM “V.Next” which ranges from small “tweaks” and enhancements to broad new feature areas. The following sections provide a summary of some of the investments across the three categories.

Deliver a new level of user productivity and collaboration capabilities

• Increase accessibility through the Microsoft Office “ribbon” interface:
• Improve productivity through a streamlined user interface:
• Drive user adoption through personalization:
• Facilitate collaboration with SharePoint® integration:
• Enrich business insight through improved business intelligence:

Deliver continued enrichment of the core CRM Capabilities

• Contact and Account Management:
• Team-Based Collaboration:
• Call Center and Unified Communications Support:
• Extended Sales Territory Management:
• Knowledge Management:

Provide a Best-of-Breed Business Solution Platform

• Solution Management:
• Secure Code on the Server:
• Integration and connectivity:
• Service-Oriented Architecture:
• Native Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) connectivity:
• Scalable, Federated security:
• Extended Event Pipeline:

CRM Tips & Tricks, by TM Group Dynamics CRM Consultants                                                    

There are many features and functions of Dynamics CRM that most users don’t utilize because they don’t know about them.  Learn some techniques to get more out of Advanced Find, the Outlook Client, integration to Word and using Workflow. The inclusion of the Windows Workflow Foundation (WF) in the 4.0 release of Microsoft Dynamics CRM makes it easier than ever to create powerful automated business processes throughout and beyond your CRM implementation. This was one of the most popular sessions last year. Don’t miss it!

CRM Mobile, by TenDigits                                                                                                                 

In this CRM Mobility session you will learn more about enhancing the productivity and effectiveness of your CRM solution.  There is more involved with CRM Mobility success than simply gaining access to CRM data from a mobile SmartPhone. Organizations with field staff face unique challenges in ensuring CRM is available, used effectively and securely, and is kept up-to-date with timely and critical customer information. Learn how to address these challenges with effective and comprehensive CRM mobility, to enhance productivity, sales or service effectiveness, and to increase CRM user adoption. MobileAccess from TenDigits Software is the only mobility offering to attain the “Certified for Microsoft Dynamics CRM” designation.  During this session, we’ll illustrate how organizations are better meeting their business and CRM objectives through a live demonstration highlighting “A Day in the Life of a Field Representative”.

XRM: Extending/Leveraging CRM, GP & SharePoint, by the TM Group CRM Consultants   

Learn how you can use XRM to rapidly create and deploy a wide variety of custom line of business applications, each uniquely designed to fit any part of your business, all from a single platform. With the XRM business application platform, experience how quickly data schemas can be modeled, business processes can be automated, and comprehensive changes can be made without IT release cycles.  Optimize productivity, reduce costs, and increase business agility across your business and IT organizations.  Also, integrate your Microsoft Dynamics CRM application with Microsoft Dynamics GP and other data sources to provide powerful insight to your users.  This session includes topics such as importing data into Microsoft Dynamics CRM from the web, importing customer lists, and linking the application to line-of-business applications.

This technical session will explain how combining Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) can provide a powerful solution for both structured and unstructured data. We’ll explore the options available for integrating Microsoft Dynamics CRM to SharePoint and vice versa, from dashboards, CRM Web parts, extranet capability for CRM contacts, and role-based workspaces, all of which help drive enhanced business performance and user productivity.

CRM Reporting & Dashboards, by the TM Group Dynamics CRM Consultants                                       

Increase the insights your users gain from business data by providing them with interactive and compelling reports using Microsoft SQL Server Report Server.  In this session you will learn which options are available for analytics within Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0; how to present reports to users where and when they need it; how to make reports more relevant to individuals and how to increase business performance with your business data. We’ll discuss options for deployment and configuration of your SQL Server Reporting Services server and take general questions on how to gain insight from your Microsoft Dynamics CRM data using reports, cubes and performance management tools.

New “Do or Die” Reality of Digital Marketing, By Melih Oztalay, SmartFinds Internet Marketing 

The Internet has a parade of technologies that are released to the market very quickly.  Some of these technologies require early adoption while others fall into short term hype cycles, but continue to stay with us.  Internet marketing continues to change for both on-website work and off-website activity.  Separating these disciplines is important to using the Internet as a business marketing tool.  Internet marketing relative to Search Engine rankings, the use of Local Business Listings and Mobile marketing are converging that require foresight looking into 2012. 

Take a fresh perspective on these five topics:

1.  Cross the Chasm

2.  Hype Cycles related to Social Media

3.  Local Business Listings

4.  Mobile Industry

5.  Internet Marketing

For more information about Vision 2010, our Microsoft Dynamics conference, please visit the Vision 2010 homepage.  You can contact me at andreed@tmgroupinc.com  or phone 888-482-2864. 

By Andree Dolan, Marketing Manager of The TM Group, a Michigan partner for Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics SL, and  Microsoft Dynamics NAV

Related posts:

1. 5 Resolutions Every Marketer Must Make – Tips From Vision 2010, A Microsoft Dynamics Conference
2. Microsoft Dynamics CRM – The Engine that Powers your Email Marketing
3. Effectively Manage Your Social Networking Strategy with the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Social Networking Accelerator

Hi…Joe CRM here…interested in learning more about xRM (Anything Relationship Management)?  Then you won’t want to miss our upcoming webinar on March 18 focused on Microsoft Dynamics xRM as a Microsoft development platform.  It’s gaining traction in almost every major industry, especially in healthcare.  While CRM is used by your sales, marketing, and customer service personnel, xRM is used by “any” team, where you can manage “any” relationship, and automate “any” business process.

An xRM solution offers flexibility and customization to meet almost any business or organizational need. You won’t want to miss this! Join us on March 18 at 10:00 CT. Click here to learn more.

by Power Objects, a Minnesota Microsoft Dynamics CRM Partner

Related posts:

1. xRM – Managing Relationships With Business Software
2. Want to Manage a Line of Business? There’s An “x” For That!
3. Avoiding The Top 10 Small Business CRM Mistakes

CRM has always been the domain of big business.  Until now…

Managing customer relationships is key to current and future success.  Unfortunately, as a business grows or as more salespeople are hired, customer relationships can suffer.  After all, while you have more customers, you don’t have the detailed knowledge or understanding of each one like you did when you had fewer customers.

Enter Customer Relationship Management software (CRM),  a solution designed to overcome customer relationship challenges.  Previously the domain of large business, CRM is now a must for small and medium businesses wishing to grow steadily and predictably. The ability to understand product and services demands, to weed out unprofitable sales efforts and customers, to capitalize on emerging trends, and to market more intelligently is important to small and medium businesses.  Why?  More revenue, faster.  It is that simple.

Here are ten reasons why your small or medium business needs CRM, right now:

1. Generate More Leads:  Pretty simple.  You can turn information into leads by understanding conversations and uncovering needs that you can fulfill.

2. Qualify Prospects Faster:  It’s what you and your salespeople are struggling with, right?  To quickly evaluate contacts and leads and uncover needs or issues you can sell into.  Stop wasting time where you have no chance of success.

3. Close More Deals: A key to growth – more deals more often!  Because you actively manage the sales process and have unique insight into customer needs, your sales team will increase their success at closing more deals.

4. Higher Average Invoice/Deal Size:  Getting more dollars every time you sell.  Through customer and product/service insight your business will be in the unique position of being able to more effectively cross and up sell your products/services.

5. Margin Preservation:  Virtually eliminate discounting or leaving dollars on the table.  Each sales engagement and customer can be evaluated to discover nuances and need that allow you to solidly position and defend your value and price.

6. Improved Customer Service: Having the right relationships, processes, and capabilities ensure that you can capture and resolve small issues before they become big ones.

7. Tighter Customer Loyalty:  Through closer relationships, better customer service, and anticipating needs, your customers will choose to do more business with you, more often.

8. Business Customer Continuity:  A historical customer relationship ‘memory’ is always retained in the business, should salespeople leave or be replaced within the company.  And new salespeople get up to speed more quickly, minimizing customer relationship or service interruptions.

9. Increased Marketing ROI:  Quit throwing good money after bad.  You’ll know how each marketing piece, campaign, or promotional item – from placement to revenue – contributes to the business.

10. Profitability:  This is what really counts – more profit to your business.  The business becomes more ‘intelligent’ when it comes to the most important and expensive drivers – sales, marketing, and customer management.  Get in control of all three, driving new levels of profit to your business.

By NextCorp, Ltd., Dallas Texas Microsoft Dynamics CRM Partner.

Related posts:

1. Top 10 Reasons Small And Medium Businesses Need CRM
2. With Microsoft Dynamics CRM, The ‘C’ In CRM Stands For…. Cat Relationship Management??!!!
3. Top 10 Reasons Why Leading Companies Worldwide Use Microsoft Dynamics CRM

This article will explore some of the basics of getting started and understanding the Sales features with Dynamics CRM.

1.  Understanding customers means understanding the difference between leads, opportunities, accounts, and contacts

• Leads are potential customers.
• Opportunities are a potential deal with a lead or existing customer.
• Accounts represent companies that your organization does business with.
• Contacts are the people that make up an account.

2.  Create your own personal views

You’ve probably noticed the Views section in the upper right corner of the CRM window.  This essentially filters the data.  From any list, you can click Advanced Find and modify the query that created that view.  You can then save it with another name.  The next time you use that list, in the View list, in the View box, in the My Views section, select the saved view.

3.  Import leads and contacts

CRM makes it easy for end users to import leads and contact records.  You may have these records in a Microsoft Office Excel spreadsheet, a comma-separated values (.csv) file, etc. You can use the Import Wizard to import these records into Microsoft Dynamics CRM. (Note: The mapping of your file into the respective fields must be created prior to import.)

4.  Converting leads

As part of the lead process, you can convert a lead to an opportunity with associated accounts or contacts, or into new accounts or contacts.  The system will automatically pull data from the lead to generate the new data in the system.  Keep in mind that the lead area does not house too much detailed  information, so you may want to go back into any of these areas to add additional information.  Alternatively, to disqualify leads, you close the leads without converting them.

5.  Sales cycle (quote, order, invoice)

• A draft quote is a formal offer for products or services, proposed at specific prices and related payment terms, which is sent to an opportunity, account, or contact.  When the quote is ready, it is activated and sent to the customer.  A quote frequently undergoes several revisions between the salesperson and customer before it is accepted.
• After the quote is accepted, an order is generated from the quote.  The order is used to fulfill the agreement of goods or services that were offered in the quote.
• Finally, after the order of the goods or services is shipped, an invoice record can be generated. Unless your organization has integrated Microsoft Dynamics CRM with invoicing software, this is only a record that an invoice was created, not the invoice itself.

6. Printing Quotes

In Microsoft Dynamics CRM quotes can be printed as a Microsoft Office Word document mail merge.  To do this, simply open the quote on the Actions toolbar and click Print Quote for Customer.

7. Recalculate an opportunity

As you modify the list of products associated with the opportunity, you may need to update the calculated amount the system is generating.  To do this, while in the Estimated Revenue section, verify that System Calculated is selected, and then on the Actions menu, click Recalculate.  When opportunities are saved, Microsoft Dynamics CRM recalculates the estimated revenue value based on any changes to the products or product quantities associated with the opportunity.

8. Assign and share records

What Microsoft Dynamics CRM customer information you can work with is determined by permissions and ownership.  If more than one person needs to work a record, it can be shared or assigned.  When you share a record with another user, you are giving that user specific permissions, such as Read, Write, or Delete, to that record. When you assign a record to another user, you are making that user the owner of the record.

• On the Actions toolbar, click More Actions, and then click Sharing.
• On the Actions toolbar, click the Assign button.

These are some great steps to get started with Sales in Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

Article written by Stephen Schilling, Technical Consultant – ERT Group

ERT Group is a Florida Microsoft Gold Certified Partner– offering Microsoft Dynamics ERP and Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

Related posts:

1. How to Customize Dynamics CRM Software to Fit Your Needs as a User
2. CRM Software For Marketing: Because The Real Work Begins When The Tradeshow Ends
3. Sales Metrics Galore Available with One Click in Microsoft Dynamics CRM

Here’s a quick question about CRM software.  There’s a choice of answers to make it a bit easier.

Question:

If the letters ‘RM’ in ‘CRM’ stand for ‘Relationship Management’, what does the letter ‘C’ stand for?

Please choose your answer from the following:

a)    Cat relationship management

b)    Commuter relationship management

c)     Citizen relationship management

d)    Company relationship management

e)    Corporate Relationship Management

f)     Customer Relationship Management

g)    All of the above

And the answer is……

g) All of the above

I’m sure most people chose the answer f) Customer Relationship Management.   And that’s really the ‘correct’ answer.  Traditionally the ‘C’ in ‘CRM’ stands for Customer.  But CRM applications, and in particular Microsoft Dynamics CRM, have evolved into much more than applications that just manage customers.  So why is g) All of the above also correct?

First, there are different types of customers – clients, consumers, students, passengers, commuters, users, corporations – the list goes on.  But more importantly, there are also many different types of relationship management, not just customers.  There are suppliers, partners, prospects, members, associates, distributors, franchisees, retailers, volunteers, wholesalers, channel partners, cats (I’ll explain about the cats later…) and many more.

If you need an out-of-the box CRM solution, then Microsoft Dynamics CRM certainly provides one.  However, it is also a solid platform specifically designed so that it can be readily configured to different requirements.  Microsoft Dynamics CRM can be adapted to all these other relationships, and just about any other type of relationship you can name.  That’s why the term ‘xRM’ or ‘Anything Relationship Management’ is a better description of what Microsoft Dynamics CRM does.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM is flexible.  In fact, when compared to many other CRM systems, that’s something of an understatement.  In the world of CRM software, Microsoft Dynamics CRM is extremely flexible.  That’s why when you hear the phrase ‘xRM’ it’s usually related to Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

So just how far can the concept of ‘xRM’ go?  Here’s a practical example of ‘Commuter’ Relationship Management.  Concentrix recently completed a highly complex project using Microsoft Dynamics CRM to replace a bespoke Customer Services system for a large UK passenger train operating company. The project successfully delivered:

• Advanced workflow and business process automation
• Integration with trackside SAP systems
• Complex passenger compensation calculation algorithms
• Incorporation of legal and regulatory requirements from the UK  government Department of Transport
• Email response and template document authoring
• Integration with a scanning application
• Integration with a large digital telephony system
• Integration with the customer facing website

And that’s just the start.  The system streamlined the processes of the organisation’s complex customer service requirements, significantly improving efficiency, speed of response, and accuracy.  The users love it, other train organisations are interested in it, and the company was nominated for top industry customer satisfaction awards.

Before starting the project, the train operator had looked at other ways of developing  the customer service system including using other software and CRM solutions. But unlike many other CRM systems which focus on the traditional customer and contact relationship management, the xRM capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics CRM meant it could be adapted to their complex requirements faster.  It took less resources and didn’t need the large amounts of investments that would have been needed if they had built a system from scratch or tried to customise a CRM system that simply wasn’t flexible enough to cope with that amount of customization (not without a lot of time and effort anyway). 

So xRM is great for organisations with complex requirements.  But it also delivers benefits to smaller businesses as well.  Many small businesses start using Microsoft Dynamics CRM with only a handful of users and straightforward requirements.  They tend to choose Microsoft Dynamics CRM because they can be up and running with a ‘best in breed’ CRM solution quickly, cost-effectively, with minimal disruption to the day to day running of their business.  However, they also have the assurance that, as their organization grows and their business processes become more complex, Microsoft Dynamics CRM will be able to grow and adapt with them.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM and xRM is a platform of technology that, working with your Microsoft Business Partner, can be readily adapted to meet your business or organizational requirements.  It’s probably only a matter of time until the phrase ‘CRM’ fades and is replaced with xRM, or something similar.  Other vendors are following but Microsoft is really leading on the whole xRM concept.

And what about ‘cat relationship management’?  If you’re wondering who uses this, I have a real life example – my local vets.  Last time I took my two cats there I noticed they were using Microsoft Dynamics CRM (the vets, not the cats) to book appointments, send out reminders, look at treatment history – and I’m sure they do a lot more with it as well!

By Concentrix Ltd – UK CRM, Accounting and ERP Software Specialists

Related posts:

1. Top 10 Reasons SMBs Need Customer Relationship Management
2. Make A Resolution To Reconnect With Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0
3. Should Small Businesses Choose Microsoft Dynamics CRM as a Hosted or On-Premise Solution?

Why Microsoft Dynamics CRM beats Salesforce.com for Outlook to CRM integration – Reason # 5, Different Interfaces for Different Situations

In the first installment we discussed why it is so important for your CRM system to not only be integrated with Outlook but to be WELL integrated with Outlook.  We also learned that I use both the Dynamics CRM client and the Salesforce.com client on a daily basis which puts me in a fairly unique position to be able to compare the effectiveness of each.  Which brings us to…

Reason # 5 – Different Interfaces for Different Situations

If I want to sync an Outlook email to Salesforce.com, I hit the ‘Send and Add’ button or the ‘Add Email’ button on the Salesforce.com button bar in Outlook.  When I do, I get a dialogue box that I can use to indicate to whom, to what, and how the email should be associated in Salesforce.com

If I want to sync an Outlook Appointment, Contact, or Task to Salesforce.com, I hit the ‘Mark for Sync’ button and then the ‘Change Associations’ button.  When I do, I get a dialogue box that has a different interface with different tabs and fields to do the same job.

If I am associating one of these items from within the Salesforce.com application (not from Outlook), I get yet another interface.  Why the different interfaces when ultimately I am trying to do the same thing; associate an email, appointment, contact, or task with another Salesforce.com record?  In my experience, it only confuses the user (me).

Contrast this to Dynamics CRM which presents you with the same interface when associating any Outlook item to a record in Dynamics CRM.  It is also the same interface that is used when you associate those items from within the Dynamics CRM record.  By keeping the interface consistent throughout the application, users know what to expect and user compliance is improved.

By NexusTek – Colorado Microsoft Dynamics CRM Partner

Related posts:

1. Why Microsoft Dynamics CRM Beats Salesforce.com For Outlook To CRM Integration – Reason # 4, Delay In Synching Items To Salesforce.com
2. Why Microsoft Dynamics CRM Beats Salesforce.com For Outlook To CRM integration – Reason # 3, How Many Clicks Does It Take?
3. Why Microsoft Dynamics CRM Beats Salesforce.com For Outlook To CRM integration – Reason # 2, Linking Emails To Contacts

Dynamics CRM is fun.  That’s Right F U N! -  Selling it, using it, customizing it and exploring all the possibilities! 

What is fun about selling Dynamics CRM?  

That answer is simple.   Watching future users who have come into a demo with a preconceived notion of what a CRM has available from their days with other CRM packages and seeing them light up when the out of box functionality gives them what they truly need.  The excitement that builds as users begin to understand Dynamics CRM capabilities and experiencing their enlightenment as they determine how they can use the tool to save time and money, improve efficiency and knowledge and most importantly increase revenue and reach more prospects and customers.

What is fun about using Dynamics CRM?

After years of struggling with slow and cumbersome tools for our CRM needs, our switch to Dynamics CRM made the task of managing customer relationships quick and easy.  The “track in CRM” email feature with the “set regarding” capability made tracking project communication simple.  And since we use Microsoft’s Business Productivity Online Suite which has Outlook available whenever I’m online – The integration to Outlook allows for all the information I need to be at my disposal when I need it, which is usually “Right Now”.

What is fun about Customizing Dynamics CRM?

Well, I’ve been in the IT industry for over 20 years starting during the mainframe days and have seen quite a bit of change.  So to me, the Dynamics CRM/xRM platform is revolutionary.   Adding a new field, putting it on a form and getting it on a report has never been this simple and powerful.  On top of that, adding a whole new entity, relating it to an existing entity and building maintenance forms…that has always been measured in days or weeks,   not minute or hours.  There are plenty of people exposing the capabilities of this platform, so I’m just going to sum it up with saying I’m beyond giddy over it.

What is fun about exploring the capabilities of Dynamics CRM?

Alright, exploring the capabilities of software has always been fun.  Stretching the boundaries of what can be done with a system and discussing how business problems can be solved with the tools and software we have is why I’m in this business.   However, what makes Dynamics CRM more enjoyable than other systems is that when we ask “How can we solve a relationship based problem?”  We’re able to come up with a realistic solution.  Since most software has been written for the masses, it never meets the needs of everyone, but making it do so with Dynamics CRM is a pleasant experience.

How can you join in the fun?

Simple, go to one of the many sites that have information on Dynamics CRM  take a tour and view or better yet, give a call to a Dynamics CRM partner and start having some FUN!

By:  Bill Reckard of Meritide, a Minnesota Microsoft Dynamics CRM Partner and Minneapolis GP Partner

Related posts:

1. iFrame technology is used to integrate Dynamics CRM with SharePoint
2. How to Customize Dynamics CRM Software to Fit Your Needs as a User
3. Is xRM Your Next Move From Access Or Filemaker?

This blog includes multiple great posts on the differences between Microsoft Dynamics CRM and competitors in the market place, such as Salesforce.com, Oracle On-Demand, etc.  At the end of the day, one of the biggest advantages of Microsoft Dynamics CRM is the Microsoft platform that the solution is developed on.  This allows organizations to take advantage of a familiar user interface and seamless integration with Microsoft Office products and more. 

With all the momentum Microsoft Dynamics CRM has gained in the last couple years, we are pleased to see that the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Marketing Team has created multiple offers to entice customers who are using other CRM solutions to easily switch to Microsoft Dynamics CRM.  Given all the offers currently available, I wanted to take this opportunity to quickly outline them for you in one spot!  Not all of the offers require you to be using a competitor solution, so everyone should be able to find an offer that can help them start taking advantages of the features Microsoft Dynamics CRM can provide.

Salesforce.com & Oracle CRM On-Demand customers that migrate to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online can receive 6 months FREE, and own their CRM solution for less money!  (Salesforce.com and Oracle CRM On-Demand Online subscription prices range from approximately $65-70 per month respectively, and Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online averages around $44 per month).

• Find out more about the Salesforce.com and Oracle On-Demand switch to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online offer.

Existing Sage CRM clients can receive up to a 20% discount on Microsoft Dynamics CRM. 

• Find out more about the Sage CRM, Saleslogix, and ACT! switch to Microsoft Dynamics CRM offer.

The Big Easy Offer for Microsoft Dynamics CRM allows customers to receive partner subsidy funds that can be used towards implementation services when a qualifying purchase of Microsoft Dynamics CRM On-Premise is made through Volume Licensing.    

• Find out more about the Big Easy Offer for Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

The Connected Business offer allows existing Microsoft Dynamics GP customers to save 20% on user licenses of Microsoft Dynamics CRM when the solution is purchased from the Microsoft Dynamics price list. 

• Find out more about saving on Microsoft Dynamics CRM when you already own Microsoft Dynamics GP

As you can see, there is an offer for just about everyone, so what are you waiting for?  Act today and switch to Microsoft Dynamics CRM for your sales, marketing, and service automation needs!   Many of these offers expire on March 31, 2010, so don’t delay and contact InterDyn – Remington Consulting or your local partner to find out more about which CRM offer is best for your organization!

By InterDyn – Remington Consulting, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Gold Certified Partner in Oregon

Related posts:

1. Microsoft Dynamics CRM Deals You Can’t Refuse – the Salesforce Switch and the Big Easy 3.0
2. Oracle vs. Microsoft Dynamics – Which Hosted CRM Solution Is Best For You?
3. Hosted CRM Software Head-to-Head – Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online vs. SalesForce.com