Dynamics

**Warprosper** · 06-06-13, 07:02 AM

Anyone familiar with Microsoft Dynamics? We're currently in the market for a new CRM/ERM solution and from what i'm reading, Dynamics seems like a great fit.

The only problem is that I am having a hard time getting an on-site demo and I don't want to purchase a half million dollar solution unless I can get my hands on it for a couple weeks/month.

Thoughts?

**Phyrelight** · 06-06-13, 09:56 AM

how big is your organization? If you can't get a demo of the product I would keep looking. Were using Parature right now and I am not that impressed. We're looking at some ITIL CRM systems now to replace it. ITIL does process flows that delivers IT as a service so its much different than a standard CRM system.

**Warprosper** · 06-06-13, 10:07 AM

We're a local municipality with about 800-900 users. We will have approximately 100-150 users who will utilize the suite. We're looking at everything from permits, finance, timekeeping, municipal court, workflow, ERM, project and task management. I can get interactive demos but I want an actual on-site dog and pony show for all the other department heads. I'm at the point now where I really want to sell our users on migrating to a central system instead of having multiple software suites throughout the organization.

**Gumby** · 06-06-13, 11:21 AM

Isn't it on the Technet pro? I would look it up but I only have phone Internet right now.

Sent from my S3 using Tapatalk

**Phyrelight** · 06-06-13, 11:21 AM

I hear your pain. Have you thought about putting out an official RFP (request for proposal)? You would have to gather and create a requirements proposal detailing exactly what you need from the CRM. That typically also means the organization has to encumber the funds for the project as the RFP is similar to a contract. You place the RFP and encumbered funds on the line and the CRM companies (now realizing you are serious and have the money to spend) will spend the necessary time and resources to sell there services to you. An onsite demo is not cheap for the companies to do and unless you are seriously looking they will not foot the bill for it. You can make the live demo part of the RFP process but the funding to you are offering has to be enough to offset their costs. To spin up a separate instance of a CRM isn't that big of a deal...to customize the front end and develop workflows for each area is a very large undertaking for a demo. I have been though it twice over the last 7 years as we have migrated between CRM systems.

**Phyrelight** · 06-06-13, 11:22 AM

another option is to ask them if they have another customer that fits your needs that uses their product and ask them for a reference/demo?

**Warprosper** · 06-06-13, 12:25 PM

We're not going to RFP anytime soon. I'm hoping to set aside some budget stuff for next year, for the time being I have to sell the idea of a central system. I've used quite a few CRMs before but have not used the MS product. It's extremely hard for us to encumber funds from one fiscal to another. I have some stuff that I could possibly carry over; it would just need councils approval, and that's a bitch sometimes.