Stop issuing RFPs for CRM projects. Do this instead.

As IT developers, you understand that a well-architected CRM solution is the backbone of a scalable and efficient business operation. Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM and the Power Platform provide a cloud-based, extensible framework that modernizes workflows, enhances customer engagement, and integrates easily with existing enterprise systems.

So your team wants to leverage outside resources to build in new functions as part of a new CRM project.  As a top Microsoft CRM vendor in North America, we’ve seen strong requests, weak requests, and requests that were greatly hampered by procurement teams and bureaucracy. Rather than wasting time, causing delays, artificially expanding costs, and asking for a sub-optimal design, we recommend re-diverting the time and effort spent on RFPs and RFIs – CRM request for proposal, or CRM request for information – we recommend that you consider the following advice and suggestions.

The Challenge of RFPs in CRM Selection

Traditional RFP processes often fail to capture the full complexity of CRM implementations. They emphasize feature checklists over architectural flexibility and long-term scalability. From a developer’s standpoint, this approach can lead to:

• Over-specified Requirements: RFPs often focus on rigid, pre-defined functionalities rather than adaptable solutions that evolve with business needs.
• Lack of Iterative Development: Many RFPs do not account for Agile methodologies, limiting opportunities for prototyping, feedback loops, and incremental improvements.
• Vendor Lock-In Risks: By prioritizing short-term cost over technical fit, organizations may select a solution that restricts future integrations and scalability.

Instead of relying solely on Microsoft CRM RFI’s and Microsoft CRM RFPs, IT teams should advocate for a collaborative evaluation process, leveraging proof-of-concept (PoC) implementations and sandbox environments to test real-world performance, extensibility, and integration capabilities before making a final decision.

CRM Health Check: A Developer’s Perspective

Before embarking on a CRM implementation or upgrade, it’s essential to assess the current state of your systems. Our CRM Health Check focuses on identifying inefficiencies, technical debt, and integration bottlenecks that could hinder scalability.

• Assess System Architecture: We evaluate existing CRM environments, pinpointing customization complexities, API dependencies, and data model inconsistencies.
• Performance Optimization: Analyzing query execution, plugin performance, and asynchronous workflows to improve response times and system efficiency.
• Security and Compliance Review: Ensuring adherence to data governance policies, role-based access controls, and Microsoft’s security best practices.
• Integration Strategy: Identifying opportunities to enhance interoperability between Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and third-party applications.

By addressing these areas, developers can refine their CRM strategy, ensuring that their solution remains robust, adaptable, and future-proof. For more on what Purely CRM can offer visit: https://www.purelycrm.com/services

A Better Approach: Use an Agile process for your CRM selection and evaluation

Rather than treating CRM selection as a one-time procurement exercise, IT teams should champion an iterative assessment model:

• MVP App Deployment: Build and test a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to validate core functionalities before full-scale implementation.
• Stakeholder Feedback Loops: Continuously refine requirements based on real-world usage rather than theoretical assumptions.
• API and Integration Testing: Validate interoperability with enterprise applications early in the process to prevent downstream complications.
• Scalability Roadmap: Ensure the solution aligns with future growth plans, including automation, AI integration, and evolving business needs.

By shifting from an RFP-driven selection process to an Agile-based evaluation, IT developers can influence decisions that prioritize technical excellence, scalability, and long-term maintainability.

About Purely CRM

Our Purely CRM team is often involved with a variety of procurement processes working directly with current and prospective Dynamics 365 and Power Platform clients for large deployments, upgrades, “Salesforce.com to Dynamics 365 migrations” and other new CRM implementations.

We also work with a number of large global partners to provide RFP response sections in support of their proposals relying on our CRM Staff Augmentation. Our Purely CRM team is part of Endeavour Solutions Inc.

‍Contact us to talk more about our track record, rates, skills and approach to see if there is a fit.

Visit: https://www.purelycrm.com/services/microsoft-crm-rfp-response/

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