CRM UK - the official blog of the CRM specialists at TSG

Microsoft Dynamics NAV – Three Users for a Pound

As a result of the current economic situation, some organisations are struggling with the increasing pressures of increasing profitability, reducing operating costs and maintaining customer satisfaction. This has meant that the idea of investing a significant amount of money in a piece of software may be unthinkable even though it will increase the increase the overall productivity. This is where Concentrix can help.

Concentrix is running a special offer which will help new customers get up and running with Microsoft Dynamics NAV at a fraction of the cost.   

Until 23^rd December 2010 new customers can buy 3 Microsoft Dynamics NAV licenses for £1. What’s more we’re also offering significant discount on implementation and support.

So what is Microsoft Dynamics NAV?

Microsoft Dynamics NAV is Microsoft’s leading mid-market management solutions used by businesses of all shapes and sizes. Microsoft Dynamics NAV will deliver many benefits as it will:

» Enhance the productivity of staff

» Enable you to develop closer relationships with customers

» Provide the ability to make more informed business decisions

» Improve company strategy

We have had a huge amount of interest in this offer from organisations of all shapes and sizes, all wanting to capitalise on this great saving!

To take advantage of this fantastic Microsoft Dynamics NAV offer , to find out more about Microsoft Dynamics NAV or to arrange a demonstration, contact Concentrix on 01509 410500 or email [email protected]

Concentrix Sales Director, Roger Peacock, is Running the London Marathon

Roger Peacock, Sales Director at Concentrix, will be running the London Marathon in April 2011. It’s his first marathon and he’ll be raising money for an extremely good cause. If you would like to sponsor Roger, please follow the links below, and if you would like more details of why he’s putting himself through a gruelling training regime and pushing his body to the limit next April, here’s a message from Roger:

As you may know, my Daughter Lois suffers from a rare condition known as Niemann-Pick Type C. This means that she is now confined to a wheel chair and requires constant specialist help, care and support. One of the organisations that provides Lois with support is Rainbows Children's Hospice in Loughborough. They are a wonderful organisation without whom the lives of many children and their families would be significantly more difficult.

Rainbows have helped us no end with support and respite care for Lois and is invaluable in allowing us a chance to get a break away from the everyday caring and spend some time together with our son Luke. It is for this reason I would like to give something back…….

In April 2011, I'll be running (yes, running!) the London Marathon to raise money to help Rainbows in their fundraising. As you’ll know this is not something I've ever done before (previous best efforts are the dash from Sofa to Fridge and back), I’m therefore looking for as much support as possible.

So what am I after? Well cash and support essentially. Your support will greatly assist with the motivation needed for my training and your cash will go to help Rainbows continue to support families with caring for young children in very difficult times. So please help where you can with support for Rainbows and motivation for me by sponsoring at http://www.justgiving.com/Roger-Peacock. Please also feel free to pass this information or link on to anyone else you know.

Thanks for all your support!

Concentrix ERP Software Promotion: Three Microsoft Dynamics NAV Licences for one UK Pound

Yes you did read that correctly! For a limited time (until close of play on the 23rd December 2010), Concentrix, with full approval from Microsoft UK, has a major Microsoft Dynamics NAV offer to UK businesses. We’re offering three licenses of this powerful ERP and business management software suite for a cost of only £1. We’re also offering strongly discounted implementation and support services to make sure you get up and running with the product quickly, efficiently and that everything’s aligned with your business strategy.

We first announced this offer last week and we’ve already had some businesses take us up on it. So why are we doing it?

A key focus and vision of all of us at Concentrix is to help people, businesses and organisations improve through the effective use of technology. We take a consultancy approach, and having spoken to a variety of organisations it’s an unfortunate fact that some are finding the current economic conditions pretty tough. Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 gives all businesses the tools to help move their business forward despite these tough conditions. By offering three licences for just one UK pound, Concentrix is giving a chance for a wide variety of organisations to deploy Microsoft Dynamics NAV and start reaping the benefits.

If you would like to take a look at Microsoft Dynamics NAV, have a chat about your requirements or arrange a demonstration of the software, or please email [email protected] or contact our senior ERP consultant Chris Smith on 01509 410500. And don’t forget, Concentrix is product-agnostic, which means we will help you choose the right business management, CRM and ERP software application that’s right for your business, not ours!

New features unveiled for the latest version of Microsoft Dynamics NAV

The latest version of the leading ERP solution from Microsoft – Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2, is due for release in quarter 4 this year.

Packed with new features, Microsoft Dynamics NAV R2 will significantly enhance the user experience by providing:

» Integration with Microsoft Dynamics CRM – this will improve the productivity of employees and therefore the profitability of the organisation. Microsoft Dynamics CRM will improve visibility across the organisation as it will provide a central place to store all information relating to customers. It will also provide sales people with all the information they need to make informed decisions. What’s more, you can either choose to integrate Microsoft Dynamics NAV with the On-Premise version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM or Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online.

» Online Payment - This will enable you to process payment transactions from Microsoft Dynamics NAV across multiple channels, including e-commerce, POS and Call Centre Transactions

» RoleTailored functionality for remote users – Microsoft Dynamics NAV R2 will give remote users the ability to use Role Tailored Functionality, enabling them fully utilise the customised desktop.

» Windows 7 User Experience Improvements – NAV R2 can be used in conjunction with windows 7 which will enhance efficiency and productivity.

Concentrix is a leading independent business solutions specialist and provides best in breed ERP solutions from Microsoft and Sage including Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Sage 200 Suite.

For more information about Microsoft Dynamics NAV or to arrange a FREE demonstration, please contact Concentrix on 01509 410500 or email [email protected]

The Sage 200 Suite v2010, Business Intelligence and Microsoft Small Business Server

Here’s a quick technical update about Sage 200.

When Sage released the most recent version of their Sage 200 Business Management Software suite in June this year (Sage 200 v2010), it did not support the Sage 200 Business Intelligence module running on Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 or Microsoft Small Business Server 2008 domain controllers.

Sage has fully investigated this issue and recently announced that Sage 200 Business Intelligence is now fully supported when running on Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 and Microsoft Small Business Server 2008 domain controllers.

Please note this information is mainly of use by Sage Business Partners but if you are an end-user and feel this is relevant to your organisation, please contact your Sage representative.

An introduction to Microsoft Dynamics NAV

Over the past few years, the use of technology has become essential for business success and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software is an essential component of many organisations.

So what is ERP?

Enterprise Resource Planning software is an integrated computer-based system used to manage internal and external resources. Through using an ERP solution, there is enhanced visibility across an organisation and therefore significantly enhanced efficiency and effectiveness. ERP solutions have enabled businesses to streamline their internal processes - enabling them to reduce operating costs by being able to control inventory costs and lower production and marketing costs. ERP can also make the day to day management of a company easier.

Why Choose Microsoft Dynamics NAV?

Often the hardest things about implementing a new piece of software within any business is achieving user uptake, and this really is essential to the success of the project. However, with Microsoft Dynamics NAV, this is something which is easier than ever. So, you are obviously thinking why?

Well, the great thing about Microsoft solutions in their familiarity. The vast majority of people use some sort of Microsoft Application in their day to day job, whether that is one of the office programs or Microsoft Outlook. The Microsoft look and feel has been carried over to Microsoft Dynamics NAV which means it looks and works just like any other Microsoft Application. This results in not only user adoption but in many instances user addiction.

Another issue which businesses often face is poor productivity. More often than not, this is because of all of the distractions which users encounter on a daily basis. Within Microsoft Dynamics NAV, this issue has been addressed, with the addition of Role Tailored Functionality. Role Tailored Functionality removes 90% of features on the users desktop which they don’t need to see and it highlights those which they need to use. This significantly enhances user productivity, which  impacts on efficiency and effectiveness and therefore the overall profitability of the organisation.

What's more, Microsoft Dynamics NAV fully integrates all the business functions you need it to. The standard functionality of Microsoft Dynamics NAV includes financial management, supply chain management, manufacturing, sales, and marketing, human resource management, project management and service management. It is also a stand-alone accounting solution.

For more information about Microsoft Dynamics NAV or to arrange a free demonstration, Contact Concentrix on 01509 410500 or email [email protected]

Concentrix Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Beta Testing Update, Comments and Feedback

The beta version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 has been out for a few weeks now, and as a beta testing partner, Concentrix staff have been trying out the product. Several of our clients were also keen to try out the beta version, and they’ve been giving us their comments and feedback.

A number of Concentrix staff have used the product – including technical developers, senior CRM consultants, marketing and sales staff – and our MD! Among the clients that are beta testing the product, some have used Microsoft Dynamics CRM before (albeit Microsoft Dynamics CRM version 4), some are currently using other CRM software solutions, while others are completely new to the world of CRM. But this means we’ve had a good selection of feedback, and had some good conversations about the product.

So what’s everyone saying about Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011? Well, based on the Beta version it’s a great product and the feedback is really enthusiastic about it. Here’s what people have commented on most:

Multiple Form Configuration is a Surprising Hit!

A new feature which a lot of our clients have commented on, and which to be honest we didn’t expect it to be picked up to this degree, is multiple form configuration. This means admin users can create multiple versions of the same form, with different layouts and fields. Users can see one, or perhaps several different versions of the same form, dictated by their job role. It’s building on the success of role-based functionality already used in products like Microsoft Dynamics NAV.

Multiple form configuration improves security and productivity, and like other role-based features of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011, provides users with the information they need, when they need it. For example, a Sales user may look at a customer record, and be interested in things like credit rating, past sales, product interest and so on. But a user in say, Customer Service could look at the same account and be interested in past support cases, current contract level or service history. So, it makes sense to configure the form so that the Customer Service Rep sees just this information, the Sales person sees the information they are interested in, and admin can easily remove the stuff each user doesn’t need to see and let them get on with their day jobs!

Another Common Theme – It’s Easy to Use

Some of the most commonly repeated comments from throughout our base of beta testers were about the ‘user friendliness’ of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011. A lot of testers mentioned how the use of many standard Microsoft Office and more Outlook type functions, like navigation bar, improved ease of use and they liked the familiar look and feel. They didn’t need to learn how to use these features either because they already knew - they use them in other Microsoft applications.

Many Small Updates Work Together

Although there are many small tweaks and functional improvements, which could almost go unnoticed if they were done on their own, in combination they significantly improve the product. In the words of one of our Beta testing clients who’s known for having a critical eye “I’ve been pleasantly surprised …. some of the changes are quite subtle but the overall effect is dramatic”.

Everyone Mentioned the Dashboards

We‘ve had a lot of excellent comments about the dashboards. People are really impressed by them. Other CRM software has included dashboards for some time (a long time in some cases) and arguably Microsoft has been behind the curve here. But in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Microsoft has delivered with dashboards – in fact leapt ahead of other CRM solutions and everyone we know who has used the Beta version has been enthusiastic about them and highlighted them in their feedback.

The main feedback about dashboards has again been about how easy they are to use – that they show information clearly, the info and graphics can be customised by the user, and they are easy to create (note there are a number of dashboards illustrated on the Concentrix website in the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 screenshots section). Some Beta testers also said that they liked the way Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 makes it easy to quickly arrange dashboard graphics using drag and drop.

Any Issues?

Although nearly everyone’s comments have been positive, there have been one or two bugs and errors reported. But that’s why software companies release Beta software. It means they can find bugs and errors and fix them before the product released officially. And you can be assured all errors uncovered by Concentrix or our testers have been formally reported to Microsoft and will be fixed before Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 is released.

Release Dates

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Online (the cloud version) is scheduled for full release in the UK within the next few weeks (the release date will probably be the end of November – yet to be confirmed), and the on-premise version will be out in the first part of 2011.

We hope this update has been useful. If you need any further information about Microsoft Dynamics CRM, please contact Concentrix.

New Microsoft Dynamics CRM Technical Papers Added to Concentrix CRM Knowledge Base

Microsoft Dynamics CRM is one of the core CRM software products offered by Concentrix. And like any of the business software solutions we provide, making sure our customers and clients are not only fully trained in using and administering the product, but also have a full understanding of the deployment and implementation process, is a key part of our service. It all helps ensure the success of our customers’ projects.

As well as ‘hands-on’ training, we also like to provide our clients with technical papers, guides and written documentation. We find they like to use these as projects progress, to share the knowledge with other people involved in the projects, and as useful sources of reference.

For Microsoft Dynamics CRM version 4, Concentrix has developed a number of documents to help our customers understand the product, how it works and various aspects of the implementation process. Based on the documentation we give to our customers, we’ve produced some technical papers for general use, and added them to the CRM Knowledge Base on the Concentrix website. These technical papers are generally aimed people seriously investigating Microsoft Dynamics CRM as a possible option for their CRM solution, for example project team members with a technical or business interest in the solution.

Whether you’re a Concentrix customer or not, if you’re interested in Microsoft Dynamics CRM we hope the documents in the CRM knowledge base will help you understand a bit more about the product, implementation and deployment.

The following technical papers and documents are free of charge and you can access them without registering or leaving your details. Please click on the links below to view the documents, which are in PDF format:

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Data Import Guidelines

This document provides high level information about the data import process and how clients typically need to provide data to Concentrix for import into their new or existing Microsoft Dynamics CRM System.

Data Migration and Import Tools in Microsoft Dynamics CRM

For more advanced users, this document shows and outlines some of the key differences between the Import Data Wizard and the Data Migration Manager tools in Microsoft Dynamics CRM version 4.

Assigning, Owning and Sharing Records in Microsoft Dynamics CRM

Shows some of the options for assigning, owning and sharing records in the product.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Outlook Client Setting Options

Describes the common client settings within Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Outlook.

Email Routing Options for Microsoft Dynamics CRM

Provides high level information on the email routing options for Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Email Tracking and Activity Synchronisation

Describes email tracking and activity synchronisation.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Internet Facing Deployment

Provides an understanding of internet facing deployment of Microsoft Dynamics CRM, its configuration and factors you need to consider during implementation.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Introduction to Custom Automation

Gives and general description of the options for customising the software beyond adding entities, attributes and relationships.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Introduction to Relationships

Information on how you can link entities within Microsoft Dynamics CRM and set various options.

We hope you find these technical papers useful. If you have any questions, feedback or comments about these documents, would like a more or a broader overview of the product, or for any other information about Microsoft Dynamics CRM, please contact Concentrix.