Article

Four Ways to Get Started Using xRM with Dynamics CRM

by Jason Gumpert
Editor, MSDynamicsWorld.com

What is the best way to begin using xRM with Microsoft Dynamics CRM?

Dynamics CRM is a core application, but also has a powerful application development capability that allows for customized tools built on CRM, better known as xRM.  As one discussion leader at Convergence 2010 put it, "xRM stands for ‘anything relationship management'...relationship management around anything, and there are some amazing things you can build." The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office has used xRM to build management capabilities to handle criminal cases, inmate management, and coroner management capabilities.

In a panel discussion on using xRM, Dennis Ambrose, vice president of operations for Adxstudio, presented four suggestions for getting started with xRM:

1.       Start small. "I suggest an agile approach to solution development," said Ambrose. "Start small and iterate quickly. Look for where the largest gain points are."

2.       Assemble a committed delivery team. "The delivery team is critical," he noted. This means committed executives and a solid partner relationship.

3.       Drive adoption and value. This means making sure to make the xRM program easily accessible by employee users, as well as external users, if it's a special web site, for example.

4.       Make use of "the cloud." Off-site services and servers relieve the need for internal development and security. That doesn't mean there won't be a need for internal servers, relying on Sharepoint and premises CRM, Ambrose said. "Together, Sharepoint and CRM provide a rich palette," he noted.

BI and Reporting Convergence 2010 Customer Engagement Customer Relationship Mgmt Customer Service Customer Service Dynamics 365 Dynamics CRM Marketing Sales Sales & Marketing Sales & Ops Planning Sales Order Processing
About Jason Gumpert

As the editor of MSDynamicsWorld.com, Jason oversees all editorial content on the site and at our events, as well as providing site management and strategy. He can be reached at jgumpert@msdynamicsworld.com.

Prior to co-founding MSDynamicsWorld.com, Jason was a Principal Software Consultant at Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC), where he implemented solutions, trained customers, managed software development, and spent some time in the pre-sales engineering organization. He has also held consulting positions at CSC Consulting and Monitor Group.

More about Jason Gumpert