CRM Software Reviews at the CRM Software Blog

3 Reasons CRM Software Dashboards Are Cool But 1 Insider Tip to Avoid Getting Burned

Scott Weiss - Core Solutions — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:41:15 +0000

Dashboards are the current rage in the CRM space. If your CRM system doesn’t have them, you want them. You probably want them so badly that you’re willing to go through an entire implementation just to get them. So why can’t you simply run a report? Why are Dashboards so important? It’s not about 3-D charts and cool color combinations.

1) First and foremost, Dashboards are dynamic. In environments where data is constantly being updated your Dashboards are providing real time intelligence.

2) Dashboards often have easily adjustable options, allowing for quick, investigative views of your data.

3) Additionally, Dashboards have a wonderful side benefit: To access them you have to access your CRM system, actually log in and use the interface. This exhibits to the entire organization that management has bought into the CRM concept. When management uses the system, the rest of the organization is much more likely to do the same. This isn’t a theory, it’s a fact.

One caution with Dashboards. Be selective when deciding who in your organization can create and/or modify Dashboards. You’ll find that the technology-savvy users will spend more time creating and managing Dashboards than putting data into the CRM system. Remember, Dashboards are only as effective as the underlying data. And that crucial data does not get there magically. It’s a good idea to contact a CRM consulting firm – they can show you CRM Dashboards suited to your Industry and give you tips on Dashboard design and data connectivity.

Enjoy your CRM system, and those real-time, informative (and very cool-looking) Dashboards!

by Core Solutions, Massachusetts Microsoft Dynamics CRM Partner

What is XRM? And How An XRM Strategy Can Save You Time and Money

Steve Finnestead, Njevity, Inc. — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:29:31 +0000

Written by Chris Dobkins – Njevity, Inc.

So you work at a company with complex business processes that require much more than a typical out-of-the-box business application can provide. You want a single system that meets all of your needs, but no such application seems to exist (no, not even in the AppStore…). In the past, your options were generally limited to cobbling together several disparate systems or leveraging the future of your business to have an application custom built from the ground up specifically for you. But now, you have a much better option. It is called XRM.

XRM is a relatively new term that refers to the building of custom business logic and functionality on top of an exisitng CRM system such as the Microsoft Dynamics CRM platform. But how is this better than traditional custom application development? Quite simply, when you build on top of the Dynamics CRM platform, you can develop all of the unique functionality required by your business using the latest .NET Development Tools while also taking advantage of the many in-the-box capabilities of Dynamics CRM. As a result, you can leverage the existing functionality for Account, Contact, Activity and Opportunity Management as well as the help desk, knowledge base and marketing components of Dynamics CRM without writing a single line of code. Instead of investing your time and treasure in the development of these basic elements, you can focus your development efforts on the areas that truly add value to your business.

If you build your custom XRM application on the Dynamics CRM platform, you can also immediately incorporate the following Dynamics CRM capabilities:

Security
Workflow
Reporting
User Interface Design
Office Integration
Data Modeling
Web Services

These are just a few of the ways in which combining the power of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM platform with your custom XRM development efforts can add tremendous value to your business. You can provide your users will all of the power, functionality and ease of use of the Dynamics CRM system without sacrificing any of the capabilities upon which your business relies. You get a single, packaged application upon which to run your business that includes all the unique functionality you require to really run your business. And you can get it all in less time and at a lower cost than any previous option.

For more information, I invite you to read the following article by Shan McArthur of ADXStudios Inc., titled, “An Introduction to XRM for a .NET Developer“. Then give us a call and we can help you quickly start to formulate your XRM strategy so you too can start saving time and money while making your users more efficient, your customers more satisfied and your business more profitable.

by Njevity, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Experts Serving Colorado

CRM – the Gateway for More Business Opportunities

Jim Drumm, Sikich — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:24:43 +0000

Professional service firms—such as business consultancies, architect and engineering firms, and accounting and legal practices— are being challenged today as never before. Like their customers, Professional Services companies are facing escalating competition and cost pressures. This is forcing them to redesign and refocus their organizations. Responding to new market conditions while managing a wide range of clients and projects is a significant challenge for many of these firms. Equally challenging is the task of determining whether their technology investments are being used to their greatest potential as requirements change.

Most firms already have plenty of applications that automate their business processes. For example, they use personal productivity technology such as telephones, email and networked desktop computers with access to the Internet. Many project-based companies have implemented an industry-standard solution for accounting, timekeeping and project management.

The result, however, is an accumulation of data captured in different systems, at different times, in different formats. As a business grows and the use of hosted applications increases, it is important to integrate the various data streams of the business so key decision-makers can get as a complete and holistic view as possible of the entire business and not just pieces of it.

Also, in some firms a large amount of work might be done outside the home office. Yet if the firm’s system is available only in a single location, for a single or limited group of users, the result is duplicate, inconsistent or inaccurate data. This fosters inefficiency and drives up costs while reducing effectiveness. It places the burden of integrating information from various sources onto the professional.

It is a fact that Professional Services firms get a large amount of work on a recurring basis from existing customers. So, it is important to note that most integrated business process software available today is based on a Client Relationship Management (CRM) system. Virtually everyone in a firm has at least some indirect access to customers, or customer information. The goal of CRM is to collect that information in a central repository, and make it available to all departments. That pool of knowledge can then be used to prospect new business, validate leads, and analyze processes. Without CRM, the firm misses out on potential business opportunities, learning opportunities, and the opportunity to effectively reuse ideas and information.

When used properly, integrated business process software unifies all of the data about a project or client into a single point of reference. This includes every person involved with the matter, appointments, tasks, deadlines, phone calls, e-mails, correspondence, and integrated time and billing information. With a few clicks of the mouse, any authorized user can find out about the status of a given issue.

Professional Services firms should consider the following features when looking into business process automation:

Fully CRM Integrated
Integrated Project Administration
Dashboard (Overview of project status at-a-glance)
Integrated Time Sheets
Integrated Expense Accounts
Integrated Invoicing
Scalable and Customizable

Professional services firms are not like other businesses. Their profitability depends on providing a constant stream of work for their staff, sometimes a difficult task because many projects or assignments last only a few weeks or months. The problem is most acute for smaller firms and is a major incentive for firms to grow. Profitability also requires that projects are estimated correctly and completed on time, while meeting or exceeding customer requirements. To succeed, Professional Service firms must adopt strategic and comprehensive financial, project, and resource management practices. This can be accomplished with an information technology infrastructure that allows staff to share data, work together, and make effective decisions.

While some project-based businesses have already embraced integrated business process software and are experiencing a return on their investment, there are still many firms that have yet to fully automate their key business processes or to successfully integrate their knowledge base. If your firm is one of them, now is the time to implement technologies that will give you the flexibility to build the relationships, transparency, networks, business models, and strategies to create extraordinary business success.

If you’re interested in learning more about Microsoft Dynamics CRM and the opportunities it can bring your business, please contact us. Sikich is an Illinois-based Microsoft Gold Certified Partner specializing in the implementation of Microsoft Dynamics CRM. We work with over 4000 customers in 4 states: Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Kansas, in a variety of industries with a focus on manufacturing and distribution, professional services, education and not-for-profit.

By Sikich, a leading Chicago IL Microsoft Dynamics CRM partner serving IL, IN and MO

Back To School Sale…on CRM Software!

James R. Bowman,SBS Group — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 02:19:29 +0000

Summer is coming to an end and Fall is right around the corner. What does that mean? Back to School Time! The start of a new school year is a fresh start for students…and it doesn’t have to stop there. Microsoft has recently extended its 60% discount on Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online for its Dynamics GP Customers. This offer is good through September 30^th – so don’t let this opportunity pass.

For only $19 per user, per month – Microsoft Dynamics GP users can get a full CRM software solution integrating sales, marketing and services. Take advantage of your existing ERP/Accounting solution and provide your employees with an easy-to-use interface to manage customers, prospects and pipelines.

Not a Dynamics GP user? You can still purchase Dynamics CRM Online for only $44 per user, per month – a significantly lower price than Salesforce.com.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online is a hosted Microsoft CRM solution providing sales, marketing and service capabilities for small, medium and enterprise businesses. Microsoft CRM provides you sales force and marketing automation with insight into your pipeline, leads and sales metrics. Automate marketing campaigns and synch emails all from your Microsoft Outlook Inbox.

Interested in getting started? SBS Group can get you up and running on Dynamics CRM Online with our “CRM Online Quick Start Program.” It is a prepaid block of hours to install, design and implement your Dynamics CRM solution. Contact SBS Group today at 732.476.5909 or info@sbsgroupusa.com to learn more.

By: SBS Group – Pennsylvania Microsoft Dynamics CRM, GP & SL Gold Partner

CRM is not just for Sales, Marketing and Services – Part 2! Have You Considered Using It As A Financial and Operational Automation Tool?

Tracy Remington, InterDyn Remington — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 02:18:37 +0000

In a recent blog we highlighted how historically, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solutions have been positioned for Sales, Marketing, and Service personnel. To expand on that blog, we want to have you think outside the box again and consider using CRM for financial and operational process automation as well. This is because one of the many benefits of a CRM solution is to help organizations eliminate hundreds, even thousands, of redundant tasks and free up time to focus on the most important tasks. These tasks can be in any department within your organization, including the finance and operational side of the business, such as:

• Credit application processes
• Following up on AR collections
• Looking for hard copy documents
• Asking for reports to be written

InterDyn – Remington Consulting would like to help you learn more about how Microsoft Dynamics CRM can help automate these tasks by attending a FREE Financial and Operational Process Automation Webinar we are hosting with Microsoft on September 22^nd, 2010 at 10:00am PT.

Learn how Microsoft Dynamics CRM integrated with your ERP Solution can help:

• Collect cash faster through advanced and automated collections
• Drastically reduce the amount of time in credit processes
• Understand who your best vendors are and access critical data through integrated systems
• Reduce wasted time on internal purchasing processes
• Provide IT staff an automated “case management” system

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

Microsoft Announces Support for Server-Side Code for Dynamics CRM Online

Randy Bristol, Nexus Tek — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 02:17:58 +0000

Microsoft has been very aggressive and very successful in capturing market share in the SaaS (Software as a Service) CRM market through their Dynamics CRM Online product offering.

Businesses using Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online can get up and running quickly and without a lot of upfront capital investment. Dynamics CRM Online enables companies to easily port their deployment to Dynamics CRM On-Premise or Dynamics CRM Partner Hosted deployment models (if or when it makes sense to do so). This level of flexibility in deployment is not available with other CRM solutions like Salesforce.com. Download the Dynamics CRM Online Datasheet to learn more about how you can begin transforming your business right away using Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online without complicated technology server set up.

Dynamics CRM Online features all of the same great visual customization and extension tools as the On- Premise and Partner Hosted versions. However, Dynamics CRM online has had a limitation; clients and partners could not upload custom code to the deployment servers. This limitation manifested itself in primarily three ways:

Complex Reporting – Dynamics CRM Online includes the Report Wizard for creating custom reports with charts and the ability to easily export data to Excel for reporting. More complex reporting might require a custom report to be written in SQL Server Reporting Services or another reporting tool. These custom reports could not be uploaded to the Dynamics CRM Online deployment.
Third Party Add-On Components – There are many great third party add-on components for Microsoft Dynamics CRM that have been developed by the vast Microsoft Partner ecosystem to meet specific horizontal and vertical requirements. Since these add-ons normally involve server-side code, they could not be installed to a Dynamics CRM Online deployment.
Custom Developed Code – Microsoft Dynamics CRM also provides very extensive customization and extension capabilities via its SDK (software development kit). Partners and customers can use this SDK to enhance and extend the core Dynamics CRM functionality to meet specific requirements. This custom server-side code could not be uploaded to a Dynamics CRM Online deployment.

All of that is about to change. Microsoft recently announced support for uploading custom code to Dynamics CRM Online deployments. This major enhancement (along with other enhancements included in the Dynamics CRM 2011 wave) will be rolled out to Dynamics CRM Online customers via regular service updates beginning in September 2010.

Along with the roll out will be the introduction of the Dynamics CRM Marketplace which will allow customers to quickly purchase and deploy Microsoft and third-party add-on enhancements to their Dynamics CRM Online deployment. You can read more about the 2011 Dynamics CRM roll out in this press release, Microsoft Demonstrates Next-Generation CRM Release at Worldwide Partner Conference.

With this announcement, Microsoft has taken another giant step forward in providing the best CRM product on the market, delivered in a SaaS deployment model, with flexibility to move to an on-premise or partner-hosted model at any time.

By: Randy Bristol, NexusTek, Inc. Microsoft Dynamics CRM Partner in Denver, CO

Insider Tips on Optimizing Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Performance

Steve Finnestead, Njevity, Inc. — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 02:17:12 +0000

Getting Started ….

Determining the appropriate IT infrastructure required to support Microsoft Dynamics CRM is very dependent on your business’s particular scenario. By performing Architecture and Scoping Assessments on your current IT infrastructure prior to implementation can determine the architecture changes required for your project. Following the SQL Server requirements and recommendations for Microsoft Dynamics CRM is a good starting point. But anticipating and planning for the growth is equally important. There are three components to Microsoft Dynamics CRM, the Client, the Application and the Data, each with different optimization considerations. A good CRM Infrastructure architect understands all the components and knows how to build and deploy using best practices.

Once the designed infrastructure is in place, initial performance testing should be performed. A good tool for this is the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Performance Toolkit created by the Microsoft CRM product team. The toolkit facilitates load testing the performance of CRM deployments and is available for download at www.codeplex.com/crmperftoolkit.

Maintaining the performance….

After initially deploying Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0, you will want to revisit your settings periodically to insure you’re still on track. Periodic monitoring can verify your system is optimized to accommodate the unique business and environmental factors inherent to your scenario. A good white paper called “Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 – Optimizing and Maintaining Performance” contains information on optimization techniques and performance improvements. Another good white paper is “Improving Microsoft Dynamics CRM Performance and Securing Data with Microsoft SQL Server 2008” which contains information on SQL 2008 features that, when implemented properly, can improve the performance of a Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 implementation and secure the data within that deployment.

Regularly downloading and installing the latest hot fixes and update roll-ups is a critical first step to enhancing and maintaining the performance of a CRM implementation. After changes are made, be sure to monitor performance to determine if the changes have positive performance gains. You can use the Windows Server System Monitor utility to collect and analyze performance data.

Another area that’s important is overall network performance. The Microsoft Dynamics CRM system relies on good network performance. Two key elements of network performance are bandwidth and latency. Networks with high bandwidth do not guarantee low latency. Excessive latency creates bottlenecks that prevent data from filling the network pipe, thus decreasing effective bandwidth. It’s important to measure and maintain consistent performance on a network by managing both bandwidth and latency in a coordinated fashion.

Having the right technology design, along with maintaining and optimization is just the start. Having a good Technology Solutions Roadmap that identifies what your requirements are today and tomorrow, and is flexible enough to change and adapt as needed is essential.

by Njevity, Inc. Microsoft Dynamics CRM Partner serving Colorado

Not-for-Profit Organization Moves from Grant Program to Microsoft Dynamics™ CRM

RSM McGladrey Inc. — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 02:13:53 +0000

A non-profit, membership organization which provides services and supports to persons of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities implemented Microsoft Dynamics™ CRM for use throughout their organization. Providing advocacy and access to educational, vocational, recreational and critical life skills programs, this non-profit is an essential resource for consumers, their families and the community.

Before Dynamics CRM was implemented, this non-profit served approximately 800 members with a grants software system to manage their donations. Each service area used a different program to track their information and nothing was shared throughout the organization.

Microsoft Dynamic ™ CRM was implemented for use by the entire organization. The goal of the first phase was to centralize the data for full use by all service areas and avoid duplication of efforts. Then, in phase two, create a system to track donations and programs.

In the end, functions were added which were outside the scope of the project, because Microsoft Dynamics CRM was easy to configure to the needs of the organization. The following is an example of the benefits from this Dynamics CRM implementation:

Increase productivity through centralized database
Proactive case management to improve member, family, and district relationships
Enhance visibility into program attendance which allows for up-sell of other programs – who attends camp but not educational programs?
Approvals on grant applications – ability to apply for more and ease of completing application
Move service responses from reactive to proactive
Improve customer service – track all activity of consumer to report to care giver
Work smarter than harder – do more without any staffing changes
Reduce duplication of entry from different program groups

RSM McGladrey offers full services and solutions to not-for-profit organizations, including technology services, advisory, and tax. Non-profit organizations can implement CRM solutions for as little as $9.99 per user, per month. Contact us today and learn how McGladrey’s Not-for-Profit business solutions can improve productivity in your organization.

By: Kathy Davidson, McGladrey, Top Microsoft Dynamics Partner for Not-for-Profit Organizations

Can You Use Microsoft Dynamics CRM on the iPad?

Anya Ciecierski, CAL Business Solutions, Inc. — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:00:09 +0000

According to an email I received today from a company called Axonom the answer is yes – you can use Microsoft Dynamics CRM on the iPad. I admit that I don’t have first hand experience, the iPad is still on my “wish list”. But for those of you lucky iPad users out there, now you can access your Microsoft CRM data and check sales reports as you sip a latte at the local Starbucks.

According to Axonom, their Powertrak Mobile product “bridges the gap between mobile devices and CRM data anytime, anywhere. Use your iPad or any mobile device to import leads, review opportunities, update your pipeline, enter time and billing information into Microsoft Dynamics CRM via Powertrak Mobile!”

They point out that the “iPad’s large screen gives users the ability to clearly see, modify, and deliver critical CRM information.”

Just trying to rub it in to the rest of us who are trying to type on our tiny iphones.

Sounds like a pretty cool tool to me. If you contact Axonom and try it out, let me know how it works!

By Anya Ciecierski, Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner and CRM user in Connecticut

No related posts.

7 Reasons DFC Consultants Loves Microsoft Dynamics CRM On-Line for Not For Profits

Sandi Meyer, DFC Consultants — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:00:16 +0000

Microsoft released CRM On-line with a special focus for Non Profits and NGO’s (Non-Governmental Organizations) this past year. This is out of the box customized specifically for Not for Profits – thank you Microsoft! The two main requirements to qualify for the $9.99 pricing is that you must be a 501(c)3 and a minimum of 5 users necessary.

DFC’s own certified Microsoft Dynamics trainer Jennifer Sunram comments on 2 benefits for our Non-profit clients using CRM on-line for NFP’s:

“CRM On-line for Non Profits is a completely affordable product. It brings together all of your constituent information into one place which is a major challenge for many clients. After a pledge, the system will automatically send a Thank You e-mail. You also can setup an alert to notify you when the time comes to contact donor again for another pledge. Not to mention the graphical dashboard, that’s something everyone will appreciate.”

DFC’s CRM specialist also likes the fact that “CRM also improves Case Management by automating the process and allows you to view each client across multiple programs. Once again you can set up automated reminder for follow up activities that will pop up right in Microsoft Outlook.”

Here are 5 additional reasons to consider Microsoft’s CRM on-line subscription:

1. The full integration with Microsoft Office Outlook

2. Ease of use

3. Cost (low as $9.99 per month/per user)

4. Monitor and track program outcomes

5. Low risk and no large upfront costs

DFC was especially excited to see CRM On-line for Non Profits, because of our large NFP client base. Lately we’ve heard an increasing number of our non profits/NGO’s desire a more streamlined way to manage donors and pledges. And this will finally give them the tools to consolidate the multiple databases their managing. Plus an organization further leverages the value of existing investments in Microsoft by running their fundraising and financial system on the same technology platform.

Sound familiar and want to learn more? Please register for our next CRM for Not For Profits Webinar on Sept 28^th, at 10:00 AM. DFC can help you purchase, train and integrate Microsoft CRM for Not for Profits for your organization and improve your existing Microsoft CRM implementation.

Since 1989, DFC has worked with clients in a variety of industries including manufacturing, Tribal, non-profit, social services, distribution, and professional services. DFC is a certified Microsoft Dynamics GP and CRM partner in the Midwest specializing in sales, implementation, integration, customization, training, and customer support. Email us or call us at 800-277-5561 to set up free business review.

DFC Consultants specialize in Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft CRM and Native American Housing solutions.

By Sarah Mueller, DFC Consultants, North Dakota Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner