When Microsoft developed Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011, key components of the design included flexibility, familiarity and ease of use. So, it’s had these features built in ‘from the ground up’ and as a result, it gives you choice in the way you work with it, right from the start.
There are two basic ways you can work with Microsoft Dynamics CRM: either from within Outlook, or through Internet Explorer. You can even do both at the same time. Outlook, Internet Explorer, or both - whatever you prefer.
When it comes to Outlook integration, the main difference between Microsoft Dynamics CRM and other CRM software products is that Microsoft Dynamics CRM works as part of Outlook. It doesn’t just link or connect to it. This makes it really easy to use. You can perform many actions and activities in one or two clicks, and the system operates much more quickly than many ‘connected’ solutions.
Working within Outlook means people learn to use Microsoft Dynamics CRM very quickly. It also means people are comfortable working with it early on, which in turn makes the typical user adoption rates of Microsoft Dynamics CRM extremely high. That’s because anyone who has used Outlook before (and that’s a lot of people) immediately find the look and feel of Microsoft Dynamics CRM familiar; it’s like Outlook with a few more things added. Or ‘Outlook on Steroids’ as one of our clients once described it.
To give you an idea of what it looks like, here’s a selection of screenshots showing Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 working from within Microsoft Outlook. Note that it doesn't matter whether you use the cloud-based Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online or have the product deployed on-premise, either will work from within Outlook.
Screenshot 1 – The ‘Track in CRM’ Feature in Outlook
This first screenshot shows the “Track in CRM” feature, which I think is great. There’s no ‘drag and drop’ or even cut and paste like some other CRM applications. You click on a ‘Track in CRM’ icon in the Outlook Toolbar, and then choose where you want to place the email from a drop down menu (in this case a Lead). Just choose the information you need, and it’s in CRM! And Microsoft Dynamics CRM remembers what you’ve done, so next time you do it, it’s quicker.
Screenshot 2 – Microsoft Dynamics CRM Account Information in Outlook
This screenshot shows how you can access your account information in Microsoft Dynamics CRM while working in Outlook. 'Accounts' are the customers, organisations or suppliers you work with. This example shows the Sales section, and if you look on the left hand side, you can also see Contacts, Leads, Opportunities and other information relevant to that role. All easily accessed and navigated.
By default Microsoft Dynamics CRM calls ‘accounts’ companies or organisations you work with. Other CRM applications may call this something different; ‘Company’ for example. Not everyone likes the word ‘accounts’ in this context as it does have the potential get confused with financial accounts. But, because of the flexibility of the product, if you don’t want it to be called ‘Accounts’, your business partner can easily change it to something else.
Screenshot 3 – Microsoft Dynamics CRM Dashboards in Outlook
Dashboards are one of the most powerful features of Microsoft Dynamics CRM. As a user, you can set them up how you like and see at a glance (in real-time and presented in the most appropriate graphical format), the information that’s important to you. This helps you not just keep on top of what’s happening in your business, but really understand it. So, you’ll make quicker, better and more timely and decisions, based on the right information.
When we show Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 to prospective clients, the Dashboards are one of the features they get really enthusiastic about. As you can see from the screenshot, they’re easy to access, read and use from Outlook (just as easy as if you're using Internet Explorer).
These screenshots are just a tiny selection of what you can do when working with Microsoft Dynamics CRM in Outlook. However they show that Microsoft Dynamics CRM really works as a part of Outlook. It’s not just a linked application or an add-on to Outlook, like many other CRM solutions.
There are more screenshots of Microsoft Dynamics CRM on our website. If you want to really get to know the product, there's no better way than trying it yourself, and we'll be happy to arrange a free trial of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 for you, with no obligation.
For more information about Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online or other CRM products supplied by Concentrix TSG, please contact us or visit http://www.concentrix.co.uk/.
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