CRM 2015 launched in Q4 2014 and brought with it some really interesting new features. However, in keeping with the accelerated release tempo, Microsoft is already launching CRM 2015 Online Update 1, which is bringing a host of improvements to CRM Online. We don’t have a release date yet but here’s some of what you can expect.
It shouldn’t be news that CRM can add value beyond sales. (Marketing and Customer Service are part of the Holy Trinity of Dynamics CRM, after all.) What might be news is that even the accounting department can benefit from using CRM. At our latest user group we showed off a way to manage collections in CRM and we’re going to break it down for you.
Cats and dogs, me and my in-laws, sales and accounting; some things in this world just don’t get along. There’s nothing Prophet can do about the first two, but Microsoft has given us a way to move data between Dynamics GP accounting software and Dynamics CRM sales management software.
Customer relationship management is all about communication. That’s why one of the most appealing features of Microsoft Dynamics CRM is how easily and thoroughly it integrates with Outlook. Sure, other CRM systems have integration with Outlook as well, but Microsoft products always play better together than they do with the other kids.
At its core Dynamics CRM is a way to organize and manage contacts. That’s a task that every business struggles with eventually and it’s the most immediate benefit of switching from spreadsheets or Outlook. That’s why the first article in our CRM Startup series is going to show you what it looks like to manage your contacts in CRM.
When you open a business there are some tools you need and some you grow into. A website, some accounting software and a phone are necessities but you don’t need customer relationship management software before you have customer relationships to manage. So, how do you know when you need to invest in CRM?
Social media integration is the clock radio of software features – they stick it on everything, whether it needs it or not. On the other hand, there are applications that benefit from a social focus and CRM, with its emphasis on communication, collaboration and customer tracking, is at the top of that list. So, what makes a CRM ‘social’?
Microsoft wrapped up Convergence, its annual Dynamics conference, just a few days ago. It’s always a big deal for those of us in the CRM world, so if you didn’t make time to live stream the keynote address, I’m going to let you know what’s coming down the pipe for CRM 2013.
An important part of sales performance management is ensuring that you stay in touch with your clients. CRM software is designed to make that easier but many CRMs – including Dynamics – don’t have an easy way to see who’s being neglected.
