Global Content Lead - Tech & Consulting
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CRM implementations can prove to be quite daunting if you do not have the right implementation partner to manage migration and other related tasks for you. There are many things that can go wrong if you are unaware of the best practices to follow. We know the huge investments into implementing CRM solutions such as Microsoft Dynamics 365, which is why many businesses outsource the implementation process to ensure nothing goes wrong. If you want to find the right Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation partner, here are five questions you must ask yourself while evaluating contenders.
Do they have the right industry knowledge and experience?
Businesses operating in distinct industries have different workflows and supply chains. To manage it all, they need a digital consultancy with the knowledge and experience to implement CRM solutions in the relevant field. The core reason is that they would have first-hand experience with the best practices and secrets to the optimal configuration, thanks to their immense and in-depth industry knowledge. As consultants, they would be able to translate your business case into functionality and recommend how you should define your processes, depending on your stage.
Consultancies with extensive knowledge in your business industry will be able to point out pitfalls and recommend solutions to issues before they occur. They will also be able to guide you and troubleshoot problems efficiently even after implementation. You also need to consider whether they have experience in the size or scale of businesses like yours.
What is their reputation in the market?
If a Microsoft Dynamics 365 partner is experienced enough in your market segment, they will have client testimonials, accolades, or awards to back up their reputation. There are also online business directories featuring reviews about CRM implementation consultancies that you can consider. When looking at competencies or testimonials, focus on the businesses they are from. If a well-reputed organization claims a consultancy to be credible, it should be good enough for you. Some notable competencies you may consider include Gold/Silver Competency, Microsoft Inner Circle membership, and Microsoft Dynamics Partner of the Year.
Do they offer customer support during and after implementation?
You can experience issues with a new CRM solution at any time, and these issues are not always limited to working hours. Therefore, you need to consider whether the Microsoft Dynamics 365 partner you choose offers 24/7 support during and after implementation. You must ask questions like how easily you can access your implementation partner. How quickly can they provide you with support, and how swiftly is an issue resolved with their help? The right consultancy will observe your CRM solution round the clock and check whether they are operating optimally even when you are not using them. This, of course, depends on the client’s purchased model.
Do they cover the entire service lifecycle?
Professional consultancies offer a range of CRM implementation solutions instead of a fixed and limited package. Consultancies with holistic services offer solutions that are best suited to your needs because they are not limited to a certain skill set or knowledge in a particular area. These consultancies should be able to give you a structured and customized plan based on your requirements. This could include fixed per head per hour cost vs. scope discovery and project-based work. The consultant should also be able to offer several ways of engagement, such as resource augmentation, team augmentation, managed services, etc.
What does their business culture look like?
CRM implementation is a protracted process that requires you to work with your implementation partner for months. Therefore, it is important that you consider their business culture and see whether it matches your own. If both businesses can understand each other and work seamlessly, the implementation will be swift and error-free. So, understand their working process and see if it fits your business culture before you sign up for their services.
Conclusion
Searching for the right Microsoft Dynamics 365 Partner is not an easy nut to crack. There is so much to consider, and many businesses struggle with figuring out the starting point of the entire process. Thankfully, Microsoft has established a Dynamics 365 Migration Community that helps you simplify things and make informed decisions at appropriate instances. Use the five questions mentioned above and get help from Dynamics 365 Migration Community while choosing the right Microsoft Dynamics 365 Partner for your CRM implementation.