5 Ways Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online Users Prepare for Successful Deployments

If you are new to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, there can be a lot to learn about the product, and even more to prepare for in rolling out the solution to an organization. User adoption of an enterprise system is always challenging, and CRM Online's mix of SaaS capabilities, customization, and periodic updates from Microsoft mean that system administrators must carefully manage mission critical processes in sales, service, and marketing.

So where does a new CRM system administrator start to ensure a great rollout? At a recent online panel discussion hosted by CRMUG, What are you Expecting from Dynamics CRM Online, users discussed some of the steps they recommend new users take to ensure that their  experience with the product starts fast and exceeds expectations.

Define your processes

When it comes to implementation, it really helps to identify what your processes should look like, which then makes it a lot easier for the CRM implementation because you have an idea about what it should do, according to another panelist.

"Because we didn't have those processes already, [our company] sort of implemented in a couple of areas with ‘what can the system do,' versus ‘what are our needs," he says.

Establish an update schedule, with clear expectations from users

After you've implemented Dynamics CRM Online, it's important to establish a modification schedule.

"So rather than making changes as they're requested, it's a good idea to establish a mod schedule so your developers are not always under the gun to get things out," he says.

Another panelist noted that it was critical to have ongoing conversations with the users of CRM.