The Top Challenges Confronting Sports Teams Integrating Microsoft Dynamics CRM with Email and Other Functions

It turns out the number one technical issue faced by the initial dozen or so members that joined the inaugural Microsoft Dynamics Sports SIG meeting June 19 is email blast marketing. Number two is how to integrate Microsoft Dynamics CRM with other software packages like ticket sales and telephony systems

The group, which consisted of marketing, sales and IT professionals from sports teams such as the Toledo Mud Hens, Portland Trail Blazers, Detroit Tigers and the Phoenix Suns, gathered Thursday to determine the direction of the Sports SIG, part of the CRM User Group, as it evolves - and the direction of the group's second meeting scheduled for August 20.

A short online poll determined the top two issues facing sports teams today, along with a third--the challenge of staffing and whether sales or IT staff should lead CRM projects.

Here's how the poll of top issues facing sports teams broke down:

• How to set up campaign management of a blast email marketing campaign: 40 percent
• Integrating Microsoft Dynamics CRM software with other packages like ticket sales and telephony systems: 40 percent
• Staffing: 20 percent

But while email campaigns seemed to be top of mind for many sports teams, software integration was the actual topic of discussion during most of Thursday's Sports SIG online meeting.

One SIG member said the reason that his team went with Microsoft Dynamics CRM - aside from being a Microsoft shop - was the ability to integrate with other systems. "We had so many silos out there," he said. "We had been on Onyx for eight or nine years. We have internally a fantastic staff and a systems administrator who had done some fantastic ...