Like any new system, you will need to invest some time in learning how the new system works. Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 utilises Microsoft’s familiar ribbon interface, which makes this learning curve much easier. If you know how to use Microsoft Office, you’re already most of the way there.

As one of the UK’s leading Microsoft CRM partners, we have worked with many customers taking the first steps getting to grips with Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

To help you get the most from the trial, we recommend that you:

1. Install the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Outlook client (latest links are always on our Microsoft Dynamics CRM Resources page). This enables you to use your Dynamics CRM trial system right within Outlook, including the ability to track emails and synchronise your data.
2. Import some of your existing data (accounts and contacts, for instance) to help make the trial system more relevant for your business.
3. Watch the introductory Dynamics CRM Training videos.
4. Involve your colleagues! Having people across multiple areas of your business trialling the areas of the system relevant to them will provide a better experience than trying to understand everything single-handedly. Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online allows up to 20 users on the 30-day trial. Learn how to add users.
5. Learn how to assign and share records.
6. Find out how to query your data and create your own custom views using Advanced Find.
7. Don’t be afraid to experiment! The trial system is yours to play around with to learn how the different features work, and how it might meet your needs.
8. Personalise CRM, to make it more relevant to your world.
9. Add The CRM Business as your chosen partner, and claim your 4 hours FREE Microsoft Dynamics CRM consultancy. A member of our team will work with you to show you around the system and understand how it can be customised to meet your requirements.
10. Take a look at CRM Mobile Express, and learn how to access your CRM data from your mobile devices. CRM Online includes Mobile Express as standard, allowing you to access CRM from your HTML 4 compliant mobile devices including Windows Phone, Blackberry, Android, iPhone, iPad and many more.

Still looking for more tips? Check out the Resource Centre within CRM itself, or subscribe to our newsletter. Alternatively please contact us – we’d love to chat through your requirements.

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As specialists in our field, we have put together a list of 9 top tips for success when implementing a new CRM system.

1. Have a clear strategy. Plan what you want to achieve from the CRM system from the onset. Define goals so that you can measure your success. Ensure that you understand why you are implementing the system, and how it will improve your business. What data / reports will you need from the system?
2. Ensure that you have support from key decision-makers and management teams within your organisation. CRM success will require some changes across the business as a whole, and so support from the top is vital.
3. Understand that you will only realise the full potential of your CRM system if the relevant data is input. Plan how your existing data will be migrated to your new CRM system, and who will be responsible for updating it. Remember that reports and information generated by your CRM system will depend upon accurate, up-to-date data. Ensure that you will have the facility to export your data should you wish in the future.
4. Future-proof your plans. You may only have 5 employees now, but what if your business takes off and has 1000 employees in a few years’ time? Ensure that your chosen solution is scalable, and is capable of changing and growing with your business over time.
5. Consider how your chosen CRM solution will integrate with your existing applications. Does it need to integrate with Outlook, or interface with your telephone system? Perhaps you need to display information from your Sharepoint site, or access your CRM data from your mobile phone or Blackberry?
6. Communicate with your employees. Making changes and implementing new systems will inevitably make changes to peoples’ day to day roles. New processes will need to be followed, and the success of these may well depend upon support from those who will be expected to use the system on a daily basis. Involving as many stakeholders as possible from the early stages of your project can boost adoption, as well as allowing them to contribute ideas and requirements.
7. Train your employees to use the new system. Staff who have been properly trained to use and understand a new system will be more likely to enter data and update records, allowing you to extract more useful information from the database. “Garbage in = Garbage out”, so ensure that your employees know how to use the system correctly.
8. Ensure that you have reliable, efficient support in place for your staff, to ensure that any issues that do arise can be resolved quickly.
9. Review the system. Once your chosen solution has been in place for a few weeks, take the time to step back and evaluate your progress. Is everyone using the system correctly? Are you obtaining the desired results? Do you need to make any changes? Listening to user feedback and regularly reviewing the system can greatly improve the value that it adds to your business and ensure that it continues to meet your needs.

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