How To Buy Microsoft CRM

Selecting the right customer relationship management (CRM) solution is not always an easy process. Requirements for small business can differ greatly from those for large organizations.

However, there are five simple steps that all companies can follow when evaluating CRM choices for future business planning.

1. Choose an edition that fits your business

Three server editions are available for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0:

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Workgroup Server

• Includes and supports a maximum of five user licenses.
• Runs on Windows Server 2003; Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Professional Server

• No licensing limit on number of users.
• Runs on Windows Server 2003; Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Enterprise Server

• Supports multi-tenant deployments.
• No licensing limit on number of users.
• Runs on Windows Server 2003; Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2.

2. Get Microsoft Dynamics CRM as part of your Microsoft Dynamics solution

Microsoft Dynamics CRM is available with the Advanced Management edition of Microsoft Dynamics enterprise resource planning (ERP) products. This lets you buy and deploy a full Microsoft Dynamics solution that spans customer relationship management (CRM), financial management, and supply chain management.

Already using Microsoft Dynamics?

If you're already using Microsoft Dynamics ERP Professional (modular-based pricing) and are on a current Enhancement Plan, you could be eligible to receive Microsoft Dynamics CRM Professional Server at no extra charge (you must purchase at least one Microsoft Dynamics CRM user license to use the product). Contact your Brittenford Systems for more information.

3. Integrate Microsoft Dynamics CRM into your business environment

Microsoft Dynamics CRM is designed to take full advantage of key Microsoft business productivity products and tools, including Microsoft Office Outlook, Microsoft Office Excel spreadsheet software, Microsoft Office Word, the Microsoft Office PowerPoint presentation graphics program, Microsoft SharePoint, and Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services.

Brittenford Systems can assess current software and hardware capabilities as well as the future hardware and software needs of your organization and determine how to integrate Microsoft Dynamics CRM into your evolving business environment.

4. Select the right service plan for your business

Microsoft Dynamics service plans do more than simply help to ensure that your software is well maintained. Service plans are a key part of making the most of a business investment in Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Through support, training, and product upgrades, Microsoft Dynamics service plans can help keep your Microsoft Dynamics CRM system current, safe, and fully effective.

Microsoft offers a broad range of service plans. Find the one that's right for you:

• Deluxe Support Services - The highest level of support, Deluxe Support Services for Microsoft Dynamics CRM includes an assigned professional to manage support; one-hour response time for critical problems; discounts for Microsoft e-courses; and more.
• Flex support -These affordable pay-as-you-go plans enable a business to purchase a fixed number of support contacts in advance or to purchase per-incident support.
• Full-package product maintenance - With this option, a business receives all major releases and updates. It includes the ability to move to new releases of Microsoft Dynamics CRM software with the same functionality that a business already enjoys.
• Select or enterprise agreements - Volume purchasers benefit from unlimited technical support, online chat support for fast responses, collaboration with other Microsoft Dynamics CRM users through newsgroups, and more.
• Software assurance Microsoft Volume Licensing customers are automatically enrolled in this program. The program offers two technical support incidents, discounts for flex support options, online training, and many more benefits.

5. Contact Brittenford Systems

Brittenford Systems can build the Microsoft Dynamics CRM system that is right for any business. Our trained, certified professionals can integrate software from non-Microsoft vendors, design the right hardware system, and design services to help ensure smooth implementation.