Microsoft CRM Accelerators – part deux

The Microsoft team have done themselves proud with the current crop of CRM Accelerators. They struggled a bit last year but have made up for it since with quality, stable product. They are even releasing two new accelerators, as well as having just updated the Analytics accelerator.

CRM Accelerators are a range of free-of-charge add-on solutions which have been developed for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 customers and partners. Each accelerator showcases how the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 platform can be configured and extended to broaden marketing, sales and service capabilities. CRM accelerators provide additional functionality for deployments of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0. Microsoft Dynamics CRM customers are encouraged to further configure these accelerators to meet their specific business needs.

The full press release on the two new accelerators is here: http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2009/jul09/07-08MSDynamicsCRMAcceleratorsPR.mspx

You can download all the CRM accelerators here: http://www.codeplex.com/crmaccelerators

These accelerators are currently available for download with the two new ones available next week:

• Notifications
• Event Management
• Extended Sales Forecasting
• eService
• Analytics R2 – Updated 22-Jun-2009
• Enterprise Search R1
• Business Productivity Newsfeed
• Business Productivity Workflow Tools
• Business Data Auditing

Each download package is a self-extracting exe or ZIP file containing a setup routine and all the necessary installation bits, documentation and source code.

If you have Microsoft Dynamics CRM – or are wisely thinking of making the switch to it – you should check these out and then contact a Microsoft Partner to help you implement them.

Top Ten Reasons Why Your CRM Should Be Microsoft Dynamics CRM

 1. Turns Microsoft Office Outlook into the one place where you manage both customer data and communications. Microsoft Outlook is already the world’s leading tool for customer communica­tions. Microsoft Dynamics CRM extends the reach of Microsoft Outlook by turning it into a tool to manage customer information. It puts lead information, marketing pitches, and sales call information into one central location for your sales and marketing staff.

2. Works tightly with Microsoft Office Excel so businesses can make decisions on the fly. Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool for turning data into information that can be analyzed and shared. Microsoft Dynamics CRM features an always-on connection to Excel that enables you to quickly turn customer information into dynamic snapshots or PivotChart dynamic views. These views can help you understand in seconds how a sales increase or company expansion can benefit the business.

3. Improves operational efficiency through the standardization and streamlining of processes. The Microsoft Dynamics CRM adaptive workflow engine en­ables a business to automate business processes in ways that employees can use each day. Microsoft Dynamics CRM can relieve your staff of mundane but vital work. It can automate time-consuming repetitive tasks, warn staff of open customer issues, and automatically send important e-mail messages to customers and partners. Requests and orders don’t fall through the cracks.

4. Works the way your business works with point-and-click system customization. Microsoft Dynamics CRM can be tailored to work the way your business already works. Microsoft Dynamics CRM forms, relationship links, and customer views can be designed and modified without complicated programming.

5. Gives the right information to the right people. Certain employees need certain information. With Microsoft Dynamics CRM, system administrators have the tools to make sure the right information is delivered to the right people— whether they are using Outlook or the Web.

6. Targets your marketing campaigns so you’re always in touch with the right customers. Today, it’s more important than ever that your customers know about special offers and new services your business offers. Microsoft Dynamics CRM offers a marketing automation module that simplifies the following tasks: Building customer and lead lists, developing marketing campaigns targeted at specific customers, measuring the results of these campaigns, and developing follow-up marketing efforts.

7. Simplifies service to keep customers satisfied. One of the most challenging aspects of delivering great customer service is ensuring you never let customers down by missing a service call or appointment. Microsoft Dynamics CRM provides a centralized, all-in-one view of all customer service requests and service professional calendars.

8. Integrates with your existing systems to help break down information silos. Microsoft Dynamics CRM harnesses the power of Web servic­es through the Microsoft .NET Framework. This latest genera­tion of Microsoft technology enables businesses to connect isolated, legacy business systems and applications.

9. Enhances offline communications so everyone can be productive regardless of location. Microsoft Dynamics CRM is designed so your staff can be productive both in the office and on the road—even if they aren’t connected to a network. Information can be filtered so that people receive only the information they need such as meeting updates and sales figures.

10. Builds on the power of SQL Server Reporting Services to create insightful business reports. The SQL Server Reporting Services engine is a powerful analytical tool for business. The Microsoft Dynamics CRM em­bedded reporting engine integrates smoothly with Microsoft SQL Server to generate compelling data reports for business decision makers.

Microsoft Releases CRM Online!

Microsoft released their CRM Live (hosted here online) product several months ago.

Before suggesting it to friends, acquaintances and business partners, I wanted to make sure it was something I could feel comfortable recommending.

Many of you know that I have been working with Microsoft products – specifically Microsoft Dynamics CRM – for over 5 years. With the addition of Dynamics CRM Online, I feel the cost and value for businesses of all sizes is truly a good fit. What used to cost a business owner $3000 plus another $1100 per user is now affordable on a monthly basis.

Click on the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online link for more information. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

My role is to help you define your business process, configure CRM, build automated workflow, train your staff and help you better utilize the application to maximize your investment. I would enjoy working with you and your team to bring effective Customer Relationship Management processes to your business.

The new website is up!

Thanks to Chris Harris and the team at Inventure Global for all their hard work putting up the new website!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now comes the hard part… writing and getting the content online!