Microsoft CRM vs. SharePoint: Why One Over the Other?

Dynamics CRM and Microsoft SharePoint are two powerful enterprise applications.  Both are built on Microsoft Windows, SQL Server and can integrate with most Microsoft productivity tools like Office and Lync. I am often asked: ”For specific business processes, how is one better than the other? How can I make a good decision on which application to deploy?”

 

SharePoint is a powerful enterprise application that was designed to organize information that is often unstructured yet needs to be shared and used for collaboration. SharePoint supports web-based portals, both intranets and extranets, document management, search, business intelligence, and workflow.

 

As such, SharePoint is deployed to support solutions such as websites and content management, project management, sales and marketing collateral management, product and pricing catalogues, and contract management. Businesses that have information repositories and information to be gathered, codified, and shared are great candidates for SharePoint.

 

On the other hand, Dynamics CRM is very strong for managing front office business processes that have more structured data and repeatable business processes. Sales teams can manage lead tracking, opportunity management, and sales methodology control through CRM.  Likewise, CRM is used to support customer service and call centers that need to quickly look up customer information and take action on problems or to provide information on additional products and services. Marketing teams leverage CRM to plan and execute marketing campaigns such as email blasts, web tracking and analytics, and lead scoring to drive true marketing ROI.

 

SharePoint and CRM are often deployed together.  For example, once a sale is in progress or completed, SharePoint is integrated with CRM to provide project management visibility, document control, sales collateral management, or pricing support.  SharePoint is an excellent extension option for CRM and can support customer and partner portals. As an example, CRM can manage cases, contacts, opportunities and knowledge base articles that extend out to customers and partners through SharePoint’s powerful web and contact management features.

 

When deployed together, CRM and SharePoint complement one another well.  SharePoint supports the collaborative, organizational requirements companies have for unstructured information, while CRM excels at driving defined business processes for more operational, structured data driven processes.

 

For more information on SharePoint, Microsoft CRM, or a combined solution, give us a call and tell us a little about your company and goals.

 

By Scott Mangelson, CRM Practice Leader at Armanino LLP – the West Coast’s largest Gold Certified, Microsoft CRM Partner in Portland, Seattle, and throughout California.