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Customer Relationship Management (CRM) refers to all those strategies and tactics used by businesses to attract and retain customers. CRM software is responsible for managing the relationships between an organization and its customers, both existing and potential. It does this by centralizing all business data for the management’s convenience, developing new techniques to increase sales, and prioritizing customer satisfaction and welfare above all else.
Two Types of CRM Systems
Before implementing a CRM system in your business, you need to familiarize yourself with the two types of software that you can use, along with their benefits and drawbacks.
On-Premise CRM
In an on-premises CRM system, there is no involvement of a third party in the workings of a business. Once a license has been purchased and the software installed, the company completes continued maintenance and updates. The company can retain complete ownership and control over its data. While this may take an additional toll on the company’s IT resources, it is suitable for those organizations where data security is of great importance.
Cloud-Based CRM
Cloud-based CRM is where all company data is stored on a server provided by a vendor who takes full responsibility for managing the system’s operation, security, and updates. Also, employees can access data with a reliable internet connection.
Importance Of CRM
Now that we’ve covered the basics of CRM let’s dive right into what makes this management software an essential tool for your business.
For starters, CRM helps in streamlining the entire process of interacting with your current and future clients. It stores vital information, such as scheduled appointments, communication points, and customer profiles, and helps create sales quotes and business proposals. This leads to efficiency in the sales and marketing department of your business.
Furthermore, you’ll observe a significant improvement in your company’s customer service skills once you implement a CRM system. With only a few clicks, you can explore any customer profile and gain access to exclusive information, including their personal preferences, history of purchases and communication, and much more.
CRM is also exceedingly beneficial for the employees of your business. As all the data will be centralized, different departments will easily access vital information to help them in their operations. Moreover, the management team will also make effective and informed decisions to help your corporation efficiently achieve its goals.
Choosing the Right CRM Software
There is a constant debate in the corporate world regarding which CRM software you should use in your business. There are numerous important factors to keep in mind while choosing which software you want to invest in.
First, you’ll need to look out for the features in various CRM software that are tailored to the requirements of your organization. Aside from the generalities in each CRM package, there are different specific functions in some that might be better suited to your business’s needs. As these kinds of software tend to be more expensive, you need to set a realistic budget beforehand.
You’ll also need to choose between the two types of CRM systems we previously discussed: on-premise and cloud computing. There are several advantages and downsides to both types which may affect your final decision. If you’re interested in the features of both these systems, you can also deploy a combination of the two. Finally, make sure that the vendor you acquire your CRM software has a good reputation in the industry.
Best CRM Software for Your Business
With all that being said, what exactly is the best CRM software for your business? One that is highly recommended by industry professionals and is widely used in the corporate world is Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement. This software is best known for its advanced features, which give users an in-depth view of customer relationships and business performance. Here are some of the reasons why you’d want to choose this product over its competitors:
Integration with Other Microsoft Programs
A vital feature exclusive to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement is its ability to merge with other Microsoft tools to provide users with optimal functionality. By integrating with Microsoft Outlook, this software allows you to conveniently carry out your sales or customer service activities directly from the Outlook application.
Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement also works with Office 365, allowing the use of your data within Word and Excel, and view your Office, SharePoint, and OneNote documents alongside the relevant customer data in Dynamics. You can even utilize LinkedIn efficiently with this software as it allows you to observe and save the LinkedIn profiles of your customers. It can also generate new prospective client profiles for you based on your search history.
Displays A Live Sales Dashboard
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement also exhibits a live sales dashboard that includes revenue and sales charts, graphs, important statistics, and key performance indicators. With all this information, your sales team can stay up-to-date regarding their progress and can, consequently, make data-driven decisions that can help them in establishing a vast, loyal customer base.
Analyze Your Competitors
Great businesses focus not only on their development but also on their competitors’ progress and activities. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement produces detailed profiles for your competitors, including their strengths and weaknesses and any sales opportunities you might be competing with – your business can develop a comprehensive strategy to stay ahead of the competition.
Closing Thoughts
To sum it all up, CRM plays a vital role in establishing and maintaining long-term relationships with an organization’s customers. If you’re looking to drive up the sales for your products, introducing CRM software into your business is going to be a worthwhile investment. Contact our team at ACE Microtechnology to see a live demo and discuss how Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement can help your business.
