Getting the basics right – What is CRM?

Customer Relationship Management System or CRM is a technology that allows organizations to track and leverage every customer interaction to maximize revenue opportunities and improve customer loyalty. But these Customer Management Software and Applications does much more than just track customer interactions. It also helps organizations optimize their operations by automating routine tasks and standardizing best practices. Ultimately, CRM allows organizations to better acquire, manage, serve, and extract value from their customers while improving operational efficiency—something that is critical in today’s economy.

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Microsoft Dynamics is a line of easy-to-use, integrated and adaptable ERP and CRM applications that enable business decision-makers to quickly respond to market shifts, take advantage of new trends, increase their competitive edge, and drive business success. Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online solutions are delivered through a world-class network of partners who provide specialized services and additional innovation to help customers excel in their industry.

What is Microsoft CRM?

Microsoft CRM (or Dynamics CRM) is a powerful Customer Relationship Management tool used by all sizes of corporations to track customer oriented activities within the organization. MS CRM manages complete customer interaction log beginning from initial inquiry till the end of actual sales execution. Microsoft CRM 3.0 provides extensive features for an organization to manage complete customer database along with multiple location and contact information

Microsoft CRM 4.0 was created to enable companies to standardize and consolidate customer information no matter where it is created or stored. From more reliable installations or upgrades to improved performance, more streamlined deployment and management, and enhanced security, Microsoft CRM 4.0 provides capabilities that will minimize administrative and operational costs and improve user productivity. Designed to provide a highly extensible platform, Microsoft CRM 4.0 can be easily customized to help meet the specific processes and requirements of your company’s sales, marketing, and service organizations.

Microsoft Dynamics is a line of easy-to-use, integrated and adaptable ERP and CRM applications that enable business decision-makers to quickly respond to market shifts, take advantage of new trends, increase their competitive edge, and drive business success. Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online solutions are delivered through a world-class network of partners who provide specialized services and additional innovation to help customers excel in their industry.

What are Microsoft CRM Features?

• Seamless integration with Microsoft Outlook using Outlook Client version
• Web Service based Software Development Kit (SDK) for developers
• User-Friendly Workflow configuration tool for business process automation
• Built-in Opportunity, Contract, Sales, Competitor, Campaign, Order, Quote Management Module
• Easy integration with SQL 2005 Reporting Services to generate graphical and drilldown reports
• SQL Server database support to offer scalable, multi-farm/clustered installation in enterprise environment
• Easy integration with Active Directory and Exchange Server and provide seamless authentication for to corporate network users
• Extensive enhancements and extension development using Microsoft .NET Framework using CRM SDK

Just like many other Microsoft enterprise and small business applications, Microsoft CRM is not a straight forward implementation process. It requires adequate technical expertise and experience to follow correct Microsoft CRM implementation guide and determine appropriate strategy to move forward.

The latest version of Microsoft CRM is called Microsoft Dynamics 365, which had the last release in October 2017 (it had a version number 9.0). It has 2 new apps, PowerApps and Flow. With the help of PowerApps, users can build mobile apps with specific functionality without any coding knowledge. The other app called Flow is a workflow engine for Dynamics 365 apps and third-party services.

If you want to learn more how you can get the capabilities of Microsoft Online Services very quickly, with little capital investment, without the need for supporting new IT infrastructure, speak to one of our experts.

How can BorderlessMind help?

BorderlessMind provides consulting services to install implement and customize Microsoft Business Solution CRM (Dynamics CRM) application. Our services include:

• Dynamics CRM Installation and Configuration of Microsoft CRM (Professional & Small Business Edition)
• CRM Workflow Configuration and Development
• CRM customization using custom extension development
• Strategic consulting to implement CRM within your organization
• Assist setting up long term goals for CRM implementation
• Develop custom reports using SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) for CRM
• Integration with Outlook and Exchange Server
• Integration with Project Server 2007, SharePoint Technologies (WSS / MOSS)
• Integration with other MS Business Solutions products such as Axapta(AX), Navision(NAV), Solomon(SL) and Great Plains(GP)
• Integration with any other line-of-business (LOB) applications such as SAP, PeopleSoft, Oracle Applications
• Provide nationwide support on technical CRM issues

Microsoft CRM has several built-in modules such as Contact Management, Opportunity Management, Accounts Management, Customer Management, Marketing Lists, Competitors Management, Products Management, Sales Literature Management, Quotes Management, Order Management, and Invoices & Campaigns Management. You can extend the CRM application by creating custom modules called “CRM Extensions” as per your requirements. There are endless options to extend and customize Microsoft CRM tool as it’s even based call out feature is very well integrated with Microsoft.NET Framework based languages such as C# (C-Sharp) and Visual Basic.NET (VB.NET). Microsoft CRM extensions are generally developed using .NET Framework 1.1 and Visual Studio.NET 2003 IDE. Microsoft CRM also offers setup of Web Services that helps developer writing custom web applications to manipulate CRM data and integrate with other enterprise applications.

All in all, BorderlessMind’s team with be happy to help you build a robust system, to meet the unique challenges that every project must offer. And that we keep improving our standards to beat our past records! Speak to us today.