Updated · Originally published
In part one of this post, we talked about the limitations of a simple CRM system as well as a dedicated stand-alone project management system for managing project delivery. Now let’s share the good news about the advantages of an integrated solution.
Advantages of integrated Project Management solutions
The effectiveness of any Project Management (PM) software depends on several factors, but one in particular is crucial: that the correct information is input by users. That's one reason PM software integrated into a CRM system makes so much sense. It has all the main advantages of stand-alone PM software, with the added benefit of having much of the information already available through the CRM, eliminating the need to input it again. That saves time, increases efficiency, and greatly reduces the risk of error.
In practice, this means that once a sale is confirmed, the related implementation project can be initiated immediately using the same software suite and the same data gathered during the sales cycle. The only new information that has to be input is the particular project’s unique data. Typically, that data and any updates are entered by the customer’s project team leader in consultation with key team members. That maintains data integrity while ensuring that the whole team remains fully aware of customer expectations, as well as the project’s progress in terms of tasks, scope, milestones, budget estimates, and fulfillment dates.
Another important advantage of an integrated PM system is that throughout the project cycle, as deliverables are being worked on, the project team can obtain much of the nitty-gritty information it needs by directly consulting the data that was recorded in the CRM system during the sales cycle. That should include notes made by the salespeople, emails exchanged with the customer, records of phone calls and meetings, and quotes provided prior to the sale. Direct access to customer contact history increases the project team’s efficiency by reducing the frequency of direct contact with the sales team or the customer.
An integrated solution suits many types of businesses
CRM integrated PM is of value to a broad range of businesses whose common characteristic is that they sell services or products, the delivery of which is project-based. Their services or products have an overall budget, are produced separately or as individual blocks, and their production has a definite start and end time, allowing for it to be broken down into related but discrete tasks. Integrated software ensures that deliverables are produced within those parameters and that the entire project is completed on schedule. In addition to keeping the project and individual tasks on schedule and within budget, the software’s time-entry component tracks hours for billing and cost accounting purposes.
The CRM integrated PM system works because it’s an easy-to-use, highly efficient end-to-end solution – one system manages the whole customer relationship from first lead contact to completion of deliverables. It doesn’t require a project management qualification to use it – a new user becomes proficient after just a few days because of its uncluttered, intuitive interface and its timesaving inline editing which enables users to quickly edit data while checking the project’s tasks and milestones in the data grid view without having to open individual records.
Significant benefits after projects are completed
In addition to the advantages during a project, the benefits of ForgeXRM’s integrated solution extend beyond the project's completion. Here are three principal ways:
- The data in the CRM system and the PM module, which concerns every stage of the customer relationship from first contact to project completion, is easily accessible to both the sales and the project teams. So, if a repeat customer instigates a new project, it can be set in motion very quickly. Indeed, some systems allow a project to be saved as a template so that a new project, which uses most of the parameters of the completed project, apart from project-specific data, can be started very quickly.
- Integrated Project Management for Microsoft Dynamics CRM provides the company with a potential competitive advantage, as one customer’s project often serves as a useful template for another customer in a similar business, enabling the faster completion of a new customer’s sales cycle and the quicker initiation of the project cycle.
- The integrated system gives a business full visibility into all of its customers’ projects, both current and completed, enabling the company to fine-tune its practices and procedures, thus leading to overall higher efficiency and lower costs.
ForgeXRM Project Management for Microsoft Dynamics CRM
To maintain a competitive edge, a business must give its key employees tools that do more than just solve a problem; they must inspire their users. ForgeXRM is a committed design leader in CRM and Project Management solutions. The company’s project management module, Project Management for Microsoft Dynamics CRM, is an innovative solution with broad functionality, yet it is easy to use and requires little training. By leveraging customer data in your CRM system, ForgeXRM’s integrated real-time PM module provides clear, linked visibility across sales and project functions. Its intuitive interface contributes to user satisfaction, delivering increased productivity and reduced overhead.
ForgeXRM + Microsoft
develops innovative solutions that drive productivity and empower businesses to achieve more with the and .
With our deep specialization, industry-leading CRM solutions for and , and Add-Ons for and our configurable , we accelerate innovation and empower businesses to maximize their CRM investments.
. We’d love to connect and learn more about your goals and explore how can support your organization’s needs.
By Ryan Plourde, ForgeXRM,
