Top Reasons To Move To Dynamics Crm

Why Move to Dynamics CRM 4.0?
My Top Ten Favorite Reasons
Presented by Richard Knudson
richardk@imginc.com
www.DynamicsCRMTrickBag.com
www.DynamicsCRMUserGroup.com
www.IMGinc.com  www.DynamicsCRMUserGroup.com  www.DynamcisCRMTrickBag.com

1. Outlook Integration
Outlook Client optimized for people who “live in Outlook”
Can promote and synchronize multiple records at once
Seamlessly attach emails and activities to CRM records
Support for offline scenarios
More information:
http://www.dynamicscrmtrickbag.com/2009/08/17/outlook-client-intro/

2. Reports and Dashboarding
Out of the box reports are improved and there are more of them
Built-in tools and free add-ons make dashboards easy to implement

3. Built-in Report Writer
Create “real” RS reports without leaving CRM
Generate “snapshots” for all reports, on demand or scheduled
RS skill-set not required to create complex reports

4. Choice of Online or On-Premise
Two platforms, one architecture
Supported migration from one to the other
Develop customizations once, re-use
CRM Online provides sneak peak at 5.0 feature set
For more information:
http://www.dynamicscrmtrickbag.com/2009/10/07/dynamics-crm-online/

5. Workflow Engine
One of the most feature-rich implementations available
Leverages a “business analyst” skill-set
No requirement for separate tools
Feature parity between Outlook and Web clients
Available in ALL product versions

6. Powerful Customization Engine
Significant improvements on an already strong platform
Built on .NET platform, but does not require .NET code for many powerful customizations
Emerging as platform for “XRM” application development
Customizations are portable, and will upgrade
http://www.dynamicscrmtrickbag.com/2009/10/04/thoughts-on-xrm/

7. SharePoint Integration
Much easier than previously
Use the right tool for the job:
Search SharePoint for documents related to a CRM account
Use SharePoint as hub for reporting dashboards…
http://www.dynamicscrmtrickbag.com/2009/06/22/integrating_crm4_sharepoint2007/

8. Strong Add-on Market
Third parties
Dynamics CRM 4.0 Accelerators (developed by Microsoft and third-parties)
www.codeplex.com/crmaccelerators
Mobility solutions, data migration, vertical solutions, workflow toolkits…
Case Study: InsideView for integrated data imports, prospecting: http://www.dynamicscrmtrickbag.com/2009/10/01/insideview-2/

9. Multi-lingual and multi-currency
Multi-lingual
“Language Packs”: free add-ons installed on server
Allow users to toggle back and forth between base language and any other one
Entire built-in CRM UI translates automatically; wizard available for translating customizations
Multi-currency
Available out of the box
All transactions can be entered in base currency or any other

10. Lots of Mobility Solutions
All major providers either have or are delivering mobility solutions for Dynamics CRM:
TenDigits, CWR Mobility, SoftBridge Inc.
Solutions available for all major platforms:
Windows
BlackBerry
iPhone…