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Microsoft CRM
Welcome to Streamline Solutions. On behalf of our entire team we appreciate this opportunity to tell you more about our CRM vision and why we are unique.
As business people first, developers second, and CRM consultants third, we feel like our skill set and experience, combined with our unique value based approach is a perfect blend to offset the risky CRM proposition.
Bottom line, you only have one shot to make CRM work for you. We have a logical and sensible approach that substantially mitigates the risk and pain associated with CRM decisions. At the same time we provide flexibility and scalability so that as you see the product working for you, you have plenty of options to take it to the next level.
For starters, as long as we are thinking strategically and long term, we feel like Microsoft CRM is the only way to go.
It all begins with the Microsoft "Choice Model"
Business and businesses are more dynamic than ever. Change is everywhere. To keep up with this and technology in general, you need a CRM publisher that provides various models so that as your business changes, so can your CRM model. Microsoft CRM is the most versatile CRM application on the market today. They provide four models; on-premise, partner hosted, CRM Online, and hybrid. While we will not delve into each model at this time, we would like to re-emphasize the importance of selecting a CRM application that does indeed give you options. We guarantee that you will need them and what seems like the best CRM model when you start will not be the same model one or two years from now. Businesses and people are simply too dynamic and are always changing. Be sensible and select a CRM solution that allows you to embrace the change that you know is coming.
Now that you know you have choices, you need to make sure that you are investing in an application that your users will actually use. Far too often CRM implementations fail simply because the user interface is not something the users are happy or comfortable using. With Microsoft CRM your chances of successful user adoption are much higher simply because Microsoft CRM uses Outlook as its interface. Users are not required to learn a third application. They simply continue using Outlook just as they have been doing for the past years. If and when Outlook is not available, Internet Explorer (IE) is the client. Much like Outlook, very few individuals in today’s business world are not familiar with IE. By providing your users with a CRM solution that uses and is served up inside applications that they are already familiar with you have already won half the battle.
Just as Outlook and IE are familiar applications to all your users in the front office, the folks in the server room and on the IT side of things that are traditionally in the back office, are also presented with an application that is very comfortable to them. Microsoft CRM integrates with the Microsoft server stack (Windows, Exchange, SQL, MOSS, etc.) which is what the vast majority of businesses operate on. Active directory authentication, Exchange, MOSS integration, etc., are all very important to the folks in IT and because Microsoft makes these core server applications, they have a clear advantage when integrating with them.
Finally, it is very important to recognize that out of the box CRM applications don’t really provide much value. While that might be a little scary, it is absolutely true. It is impossible for any CRM publisher to claim that their application will work for you out of the box. Without knowing what business you are in and how your company operates, there is no way the product will be much more than a turbo charged rolodex when first installed. Because of this, make sure you select a partner that has a simple and sensible approach, and can provide you with options at all times.
CRM applications are extremely customizable, and should have the power and flexibility to encompass much more than traditional customer relationship management (CRM). Microsoft CRM is a development platform more than anything else. Yes, out of the box it has the traditional sales, marketing, and service modules, but more importantly, it leverages the .Net development platform and code can be developed to make the product do anything and integrate with almost anything. Pick a partner that can demonstrate their ability to add value. At Streamline Solutions we believe this is precisely where our job starts. We educate you on Microsoft CRM and show you what it can do for your business. We will tell you what to expect from the product out of the box and more importantly help you create a CRM vision for your company.
We look forward to having the opportunity to work with you!
The Streamline Team
- On Premise
The traditional CRM model whereby a company purchases all necessary software licenses and hardware and installs everything on their local area network. Learn More
- Partner Hosted
This is when a Microsoft Partner who is a member of the Service Provider License Agreement (SPLA) offers hosted Microsoft CRM. Learn More
- CRM Online
This is the hosted offering of Microsoft CRM that is hosted and managed by Microsoft. Learn More
- Hybrid
This is the hosted offering of Microsoft CRM that is hosted and managed by Microsoft. Learn More
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