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Integrated Approach

We believe that a solution which is seamlessly integrated and which can leverage the capability of all components is far more powerful than the sum of individual parts.

Many software developers often take a re-invent the wheel approach. For example, a CRM vendor may write e-mail, contact and appointment management capability into their CRM solution. Typically their development budget would be in the of £500K to £5M (our estimate), so a good chunk of this is (in our opinion) wasted, developing functionality that is not as powerful as Outlook and more importantly not familiar to users. In contrast, Microsoft has spent at least 10 times this R&D spend on both the PIM and CRM functionality. There is no duplication or wastage of effort because Outlook has been incorporated as the native CRM Client.

Having a seamlessly integrated stack of components from the application layer through the database layer to the operating system layer, and all integrated with Office, is we believe a powerful and compelling IT strategy.

It brings huge benefits in terms of value, ease of deployment, success with user training and adoption.

Some examples of the benefits of using an integrated approach:
  • Dissemination of valuable information across your whole organisation safely, securely, cheaply and easily. Possible because the Business Portal Intranet which comes with Dynamics utilises the powerful technology components of SharePoint Services and Active Directory Services included within Windows Server 2003.
  • Superior and confident decision-making based on fact. Possible because close integration between Dynamics and SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services / Excel 2007 charting and reporting enables users to easily unlock trends, exceptions, KPIs, etc from the huge amount of data held in the Dynamics ERP and CRM databases.
  • Automation of complex business processes - enabled by seamless integration between Dynamics and Office SharePoint Server 2007 plus Windows Workflow Engine. For example, an approval workflow can easily be created so documents are routed automatically and approved electronically and then fed back to Dynamics ERP system, thereby dramatically improving efficiency, reducing errors, speeding up reporting and eliminating paper.
  • Efficient resource management enabled by integration between Project Server 2007 and Dynamics Project Accounting and Exchange Server 2007. For example, timesheets, budgets or expense may be entered in any of the following applications: Outlook Calendar, Project Server or Dynamics GP.