Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 - Microsoft Dynamics CRM Implementation
The method of implementation, training and consultancy for Microsoft Dynamics CRM is key so that a
company can realise their investment in their new CRM system and reap the business benefits.
This is where as an accredited partner for Microsoft Dynamics CRM Avant-Garde can help with the
success of the project.
Why use Avant-Garde for your implementation of Microsoft Dynamics CRM?
It is common knowledge that many CRM implementations fail or are simply not used after a while for
various reasons the most common are as follows;
- Lack of project planning
- Lack of detailed Microsoft Dynamics CRM product knowledge
- Bad fit of Microsoft Dynamics CRM to organisational goals & needs
- Lack of employee buy-in, what’s in it for them!
By using Avant-Garde as your Microsoft Dynamics CRM partner we can bring expertise
and tools to help ensure that your Microsoft Dynamics CRM implementation is a success.
As your implementation partner we bring the following to your project;
- Dynamics CRM skill set certified by Microsoft
- Partner only tools for Dynamics CRM
- Dynamics CRM implementation experience – We use it ourselves!
- Ability to customise Dynamics CRM
- Ongoing support for Dynamics CRM
- MICROSOFT DYNAMICS CRM RAPID IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
What is our rapid implementation method for Microsoft Dynamics CRM?
Our rapid installation method is a service we offer to get organisations new to Microsoft CRM
(customer relationship management) up and running with their new software in the quickest possible
time at a low fixed cost.
To achieve this we use a standard project plan, procedures and documentation that has been designed
based on the recommendations set out by Microsoft that have proved successful in their past
installations.
Our Microsoft Dynamics CRM rapid implementation project is broken down into the following phases:
The 7 Steps to a successful Microsoft Dynamics CRM implementation in under 8 weeks
- Project Kick Off meeting
- Dynamics CRM Installation with Demo Data
- Customisation of screens, workflow & entities
- Import of Customers Data
- End user Training
- Customer Testing Phase
- Final import and Go Live
The benefits of using our Microsoft Dynamics CRM rapid implementation method
Our rapid implementation ensures that Microsoft Dynamics CRM is up and running in a short period of
time (usually 1–3 weeks). The rapid implementation method has the following benefits:
- Fixed cost kick off meeting before committing budget - £500
- Fixed cost for the implementation
- Defined set of procedures and documentation
- Working CRM system at the end of the specified period
The limitations of using our Microsoft Dynamics CRM rapid implementation method
In addition to the customer needs and profile as mentioned in the next paragraph, there are
limitations to completing a successful rapid implementation. The basic characteristics that
distinguish a "rapid" implementation include:
- Predefined consultancy hours
- Very dependant on internal staff
- Predefined minimal training will be carried out
- No integration provided
- Once only data conversion from predefined Excel spreadsheets
While we can offer additional consultancy, configuration, customisation and training,
these would be as an additional charge and would be based on the number of consultancy
hours required.
Organisations that benefit from a rapid implementation
The rapid implementation is not for all customers, but will work in several instances:
- The customer wants to implement the solution, and learn how to use a customer relationship
management (CRM) solution, but has no past history of a CRM solution.
- They want to learn to use the system out of the box and to organize their sales
and/or service department according to the way the solution works best.
- The customer wants to run a pilot implementation before getting into a larger scale,
customized solution. They want to start with minimal users and minimal customizations
to learn how to use the solution and to ensure that future customizations are appropriate.
In this context, the customer is using the rapid implementation as a way to verify
that the system will work for the organization and to prove to stakeholders that
a significant investment in the solution is a worthy one.
Dynamics CRM Customisations
In order to fit within the timescales of a rapid implementation our consultant will
only carry out Dynamics CRM customisation training to the system administrator rather
than carrying out the customisations ourselves. We will however cover the following
areas of customisation:
- Customisation of Dynamics CRM screens and Fields
- Customisation of Dynamics CRM Views
- Set up of custom Dynamics CRM entities
These customisations do not include any report customisation as Microsoft CRM comes
with a predefined library of reports which most users find sufficient.
Set up of Dynamics CRM Sales process and work flow rules
One on the most powerful features of Microsoft CRM professional is the ability to
set up work flow or sales process rules to automate processes. Our rapid implementation
method includes training in this area and we will set up one workflow in this session
to be used as a template
Dynamics CRM Integration to Third-Party Applications
The rapid implementation plan does not include any integration to data from other
systems. However, you may plan to include this in a subsequent project once the
rapid implementation had been completed.
Conversion of Source Data to Microsoft Dynamics CRM
In a rapid implementation, there is no time for data cleansing or automatic data
conversion by our consultant. We will therefore provide the customer with template
Excel spreadsheets from which the consultant will import the following source data:
- Accounts
- Contacts
- leads
- Products (CRM Professional only)
Your internal staff will be responsible for populating the data into the spreadsheets
and cleaning the data ready for import.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Training included
In a rapid implementation, we use the "train the trainer" approach to up to 4 key
members of staff. This method is much quicker for us to deliver and therefore more
cost effective.
This also gives your organisation the chance to modify the training or build in
elements from your own internal systems before delivering it to end users. Training
included in the rapid implementation plan includes;
- Maintenance of leads, accounts, contacts - (1/2 day)
- How to create and record activities - (1/2 day)
- Overview of Dynamics CRM sales module - (1 day)
- Overview of Dynamics CRM Marketing module – if Reqd. (1 day)
- Overview of Dynamics CRM Service module – if Reqd. (1 day)
What Does the Customer Get in a Rapid Implementation?
- In a rapid implementation, the customer should expect:
- Our consultant and the customer team will discuss the key success factors for the
implementation and the customer’s critical business needs. The implementation should
meet these needs or the consultant should explain why the rapid approach will not
encompass these.
- A review of the customer’s current business process will be carried out and mapped
to the solution. The customer should understand how the process will work in Microsoft
CRM and what changes they will have to make to adapt to the "out-of-the-box" solution.
- The product will be installed.
- The organisation structure will be set up in Microsoft CRM (users and business units).
- Import of specified source data from provided spreadsheet templates.
- Minimal customization changes will be completed.
- End-user training will be delivered.
- End users will have a supported "go-live" period.
What Are the Deliverables?
- Signed statement of work (SOW) document defining the scope of the project and what
is expected from both parties.
- An agenda and timetable for the implementation.
- An installed product to agreed specifications.
- Completed User Interface Design Guide document detailing screen change requirements.
- Completed end user training.
- Signed Deliverable Acceptance forms for all of the above.
What Does the Customer Need to Provide?
The customer needs to provide the following to make the implementation go smoothly
and to be completed in the time-frame allotted:
- An organization chart, that includes all the end users who will be involved or using
Microsoft CRM.
- A description of the current hardware, software, and server configuration (s).
- End users need to be involved in the discussion about business process and any customizations
that need to be made.
- The consultant needs access to servers and workstations; if there is an IT department,
they should have some involvement in the project.
- End users need to participate in training.
- A project sponsor from your organisation is needed to ensure that the project runs
smoothly and this person needs to be responsible for the acceptance of deliverables.
What is the cost of the rapid installation method?
We have a predefined cost for our rapid installation as follows;
- Project Kick Off Meeting - £500
If it is then agreed that this is a project where our rapid Implementation plan
can be applied the costs are as follows;
- Sales module - £5,250
- Sales and Marketing modules - £6,750
- Sales, Marketing and Service modules - £8,250
Other Microsoft Dynamics CRM consultancy
Additional consultancy hours can be added at our standard hourly consultancy rate
to help you with your Microsoft Dynamics CRM system.
In many instances rather than performing a full implementation project for a customer
we have performed ad-hoc work as follows;
- Microsoft Dynamics CRM Consultancy
- Microsoft Dynamics CRM Training
- Microsoft Dynamics CRM Customisation
- Microsoft Dynamics CRM Support
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