Microsoft Dynamics CRM Partners Wise to Start Slowly on Clients' Mobile Needs for Long Term Success

Mobility is definitely a hot topic for users of Microsoft Dynamics CRM, but one that may not be the solution for everyone, he said. Sometimes mobility isn't the most critical need for users.

That little fact doesn't always stop CRM partners, or resellers, who may miss the long-term goals for a short-term gain. In other words, put clients' needs first and sales will follow.

That was one of the key points made by Mark AuCoin, a Navantis solution architect, at the eXtremeCRM 2012 event in Las Vegas.

Mark AuCoin

The remarks were made by AuCoin as part of his Oct. 3 session, "24X7 - Always Connected: Mobility Options for Microsoft Dynamics CRM,".

Consider a hypothetical scenario where one client with 100 users was sold mobile CRM access by a partner. However, only a portion of the client's staff really utilized the more-expensive software upgrade.

"The problem is, 50 percent of them (the users) would have been fine with CRM Express," AuCoin said after the presentation. CRM Express is a free product which comes with the Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

The problem can get a lot worse than that. "You don't want to be there when the (client's company) CFO sees they are paying for mobility for everyone, but only five out of 100 (people) are using it."

While Microsoft Dynamics has delayed releasing a full-service mobile CRM service, the upgrades or add-ons are available through independent software vendors (ISVs).

Those main