There are a number of new features in the Microsoft
Dynamics CRM 2015 update that will make it even easier to manage customer
interactions. The goal of the 2015 update is to improve the product selling
features so that there will be a natural increase in sales. One of the most
exciting updates is the access to Microsoft
Social Listening. This allows an organization to monitor their brand
reputation and react to trends while tracking conversations in real time.
Here are some of the other updates of note in Dynamics CRM
2015 to consider as well.
#1. A New Way To See Accounts
In this new release, it has become easier to navigate to
specific blocks of information and then get more details about those
information blocks. Grouped by products, viewing accounts, or in hierarchical
charts, it becomes possible to see how any account is performing in terms of
overall revenue. Users will also be able to see who is working a specific
account to communicate with them and easily share it with others for assistance
or feedback.
The details of each account are also easier to access. The
latest activity on the account and specific information, such as that account's
credit limit, are put into an easily accessible and digestible format.
#2. Cortana Has Gotten Involved
Microsoft has now incorporated Cortana
into the Dynamics CRM for 2015. It is now possible to speak specific
commands into CRM if users have a Windows 8.1 phone. Many of the tasks are
common and basic, but also time consuming when done repetitively. You'll be
able to open an item, create new items, search for an item, and create a phone
call activity. Tasks are a lot easier to manage with the Cortana voice commands
and appointments can even be set through Cortana.
Microsoft has
created a complete list of commands that can be used from a Windows 8.1
phone and further updates to this feature are expected in the near future.
#3. Products Are Easier To Manage
It has become a lot easier to add products to CRM with the
2015 update. Instead of encouraging customers to purchase single items, it has
become easier to bundle related products together so that natural upsells can
take place with every customer interaction.
Tailored
pricing lists can also be created for individual territories. CRM can also
create “territories” from specific customer segments that may be targeted for
certain sales campaigns, allowing for individualized pricing and product
groupings. This allows for better relationships to be formed because customers
feel like they're getting a custom message instead of a well-rehearsed sales
pitch.
Salespeople will also be able to use the hierarchical charts
to view the actual products being sold. CRM will also provide suggestions for
cross-selling to increase revenues.
#4. Create Custom Training For Your People
Many businesses have a highly customized Dynamics CRM. In
the 2015 update, Microsoft has allowed the default Help content to be replaced
with customized content that is designed for a specific system. Specific URLs
can be redirected to virtually anything so that users can have their specific
questions answered. This even includes a MS Word document, a PDF file, or even
a page on an intranet.
#5. Better Synchronization
If a business uses CRM
for Outlook as their central hub of information, then with this update
they'll be able to synchronize more types of information. There are three
specific points of emphasis with the update.
1.
Attachments from
appointments.
2.
Tasks that have been
assigned.
3.
Additional tasks and
contacts fields.
Administrators are able to control the synchronization by
being able to configure the field synchronization direction. Users can see the
fields that have been synchronization. The end result is a better data sharing
process.
The new configuration wizard makes it a lot easier to set up
Outlook and configure CRM for it. All a business has to do is copy and paste
information. There is also better security with the update, including
multifactor authentication.
#6. Quick Create Is Much Better
Dynamics CRM 2015 now allows a sales opportunity to be added
to the system at the same time as a new contact through the Create command.
This updates a much needed process where a contact had to be created first and
then the sales opportunity could be added to CRM.
With the update to Dynamics CRM 2015, it has become a lot
easier to manage large amounts of data and use it to create better sales
opportunities. Are you using CRM? What have you been able to accomplish with
the 2015 update?
