The CRM-ERP Connector is a free tool from Microsoft that allows Microsoft Dynamics CRM and the Dynamics ERP systems (GP, NAV and AX) to integrate.  Connector provides seamless data-flow between the two systems, allowing users to see the complete 360-degree view of their customer history and sales pipeline.  Connector allows organizations to share data without having to ask for it.

Connector takes some skill and knowledge to install, and it is recommended that interested companies contact a certified Microsoft ERP and/or CRM partner to handle the installation.  There are specific requirements on both the ERP and CRM ends, and integration of the entities (Account, Contacts, Products, etc.) should occur in a particular order.  Connector comes with an out-of-the-box map to integrate entities in both systems.  These integrations can be customized, however, to suit an organization’s particular needs.  Custom fields can also be integrated.

Microsoft has created a blog specifically for Connector.  The site provides many helpful insights and several case studies.  The installation guide is also very informative and highly recommended for installers and users alike.  2B Solutions recently installed Connector for a longtime GP user who also recently added Dynamics CRM 2011 on-premise.  In just a few months, the integration is already providing the company new insights into their customer base, streamlining data entry, and highlighting cross-selling opportunities.

2B Solutions, Inc. specializes in Microsoft Dynamics Customer Relationship Management (CRM)and mobile applications to improve the ability of businesses to respond to their customers and critical events from anywhere. Dynamics CRM offerings include deployment and customizations for businesses of all sizes in industries of finance, health services, education, retail, distribution, warehousing, and government. Our custom mobile applications include 2B-Inventory – a complete mobile inventory and store management application for retailers and warehouses. 2B Solutions has also developed mobile applications for mobile sales, asset tracking, and event tracking among others. 2B Solutions is a certified Microsoft Partner with competencies in Microsoft Mobility Solutions, Microsoft Business Solutions and ISV/Software Solutions.

Here are a few tips that company leaders should consider regarding training:

Make the Case and Set a Timeline:

Management needs to begin by making the case for the new system.  How will it help?  Why is the move necessary?   Then, leaders should establish a realistic timeline for deployment.  Explain that this is a marathon, not a sprint.  Make sure to say that everyone will have a chance to give their input.  This builds buy-in and a sense of ownership among frontline users.

Create Cross Functional Teams:

Management may want to assemble an initial team of employees from different departments and roles that will interact with the system.  This team will be the first group to test drive the system and identify areas that work as intended and areas that need improvement.  Each member should represent their particular department, report back on the project’s progress, and solicit input.  This approach can also produce side benefits: by bringing people together that might not normally interact, new relationships and connections can be formed.  People can better understand the challenges and processes of other business units.

Dedicate Time:

This seems obvious, but it is often neglected.  Company leaders must carve out dedicated time for training.  Don’t force people to do it on their own and squeeze it into their already hectic days.  Group training is the most common approach, but one-on-one time may be more appropriate in certain situations.  Set a regular training schedule so people can plan accordingly.  Make these sessions as productive as possible by preparing agendas, setting goals, and assigning homework for the next session.

Get the Basics Right, Then Move into Advanced Features

Again, seems obvious but a strong foundation in the basic functionality is critical.  Be careful not to overload trainees by moving too fast.  People learn at different paces, and some may be too eager to move on to the next step.  Bad habits are often formed as a result of going too fast.  For those who do learn quickly, ask them to coach those who are lagging.  Once people grasp the basics, then move on to the advanced stuff.

Establish an Off-Line Demo Environment Before Going Live:

Also known as a “sandbox”, an offline demo system can be tested at length before the system goes live.  This way people can acclimate and learn without the pressure.  If mistakes are made, that’s great!  Mistakes at this stage are a good thing!  Have users report problems and frustrations in the regular training sessions.  Consider a formal mechanism for logging these issues.  Then, analyze what happened and adjust the system accordingly.  Minor changes or instruction at this stage can make an enormous impact.

There are very few people who can master a new system without any instruction.  Practically speaking, everyone needs some level of training.  The most important aspect of training is that it cannot be disorganized or inconsistent.  It must be thoroughly planned.  This will increase buy-in, build confidence, and identify problems along the way.  With an organized and systematic approach, the company should realize higher adoption rates and fully realize the value of the system.

For more thoughts on training, please visit our previous blog post, “5 Training Resources for Dynamics CRM” (http://www.crmsoftwareblog.com/2012/01/five-training-resources-for-dynamics-crm/)

2B Solutions, Inc. specializes in Microsoft Dynamics Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and mobile applications to improve the ability of businesses to respond to their customers and critical events from anywhere. Dynamics CRM offerings include deployment and customizations for businesses of all sizes in industries of finance, health services, education, retail, distribution, warehousing, and government. Our custom mobile applications include 2B-Inventory – a complete mobile inventory and store management application for retailers and warehouses. 2B Solutions has also developed mobile applications for mobile sales, asset tracking, and event tracking among others. 2B Solutions is a certified Microsoft Partner with competencies in Microsoft Mobility Solutions, Microsoft Business Solutions and ISV/Software Solutions.

by 2B Solutions, Alabama Microsoft Dynamics CRM Partner

Proper training can benefit an organization in many ways. Obviously, training can show employees the right way to use the system. Even for those early-adopters, training can prevent users from learning bad habits. And if the training is clear and straightforward and accompanied by a solid explanation of why the system is necessary, the laggards will be less anxious and more likely to adopt the system.

Below are five training resources that organizations should explore when implementing Microsoft Dynamics CRM:

1. 1. Take a look in the “Get Started” pane and help files. Microsoft provides quite a lot of guidance through these sections. The content is generally short and direct, and users are able to keyword search and find answers to very specific questions. People often overlook these built-in resources.
   2. Microsoft has set up a dedicated YouTube channel for Dynamics CRM: http://www.youtube.com/user/MSdynamCRM. There are currently 48 videos, and most are very well done. Some provide a broad overview of the system, but others are detailed demonstrations. We highly recommend this.
   3. All CRM customers have access to CustomerSource, Microsoft’s dedicated site for customers. CustomerSource provides online training, lots of self-support resources and a very active community forum where users can post questions and learn from each other.
   4. In addition to set up and customizations, most local partners can provide in-person training for customers. This type of direct, in-person training can take many forms: small or large groups, on-site or off-site, full days or just a couple of hours. Partners should be able to tailor the training to fit the client’s needs.
   5. Last but not least, local user groups are a terrific way to see examples of CRM implementations and network with other users. Check out the official CRM User Group site. Most chapters have regularly scheduled events, and many have informational webinars and discussion boards. It’s a terrific way to meet other users and share experiences.

In summary, launching a new system is a process. No one, no matter how technically knowledgeable they are, will master CRM in the first day, the first week, or the first month! So everyone needs some level of training. Management needs to recognize this and provide the resources for employees to be successful.

2B Solutions, Inc. specializes in Microsoft Dynamics Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and mobile applications to improve the ability of businesses to respond to their customers and critical events from anywhere. Dynamics CRM offerings include deployment and customizations for businesses of all sizes in industries of finance, health services, education, retail, distribution, warehousing, and government. Our custom mobile applications include 2B-Inventory – a complete mobile inventory and store management application for retailers and warehouses. 2B Solutions has also developed mobile applications for mobile sales, asset tracking, and event tracking among others. 2B Solutions is a certified Microsoft Partner with competencies in Microsoft Mobility Solutions, Microsoft Business Solutions and ISV/Software Solutions.

by 2B Solutions, Alabama Microsoft Dynamics CRM Partner

1. Make sure Management is Committed and Engaged. Many, if not most, employees do not like software changes forced upon them. And so therefore it’s the responsibility of management to set goals and expectations, explain the benefits of the changes, and provide a timeline for transition. This doesn’t mean a one-time memo. Management must start an open and continuous dialogue with all those affected to assess the current state and determine what needs improvement. This type of dialogue will increase adoption rates and ease anxiety over the course of the project.

2. Organize Initial Meetings and Focus Groups with End Users. After the need for change and the benefits have been explained, it’s critical to get input from those directly affected by the change. These meeting can take many forms, but they should be planned in advance and goals for the meeting established. Initial meetings may be “free flowing” brainstorming sessions, while later meetings should cover specific items. By giving end users a voice and earnestly implementing their suggestions, management will build trust and confidence.

3. Don’t Stop Discussions after Implementation. Build a Culture of Continuous Improvement. The system will not be perfect right when it goes live. Once people start using the system, they will inevitably find ways to improve it. New ideas will come forward that were never considered during the planning phases. Users should feel comfortable sharing their recommendations, and companies should consider holding regularly scheduled continuous improvement meetings for some time after implementation. And as stated earlier, if suggestions are indeed explored and implemented, this will build more trust and ownership in the project.

The parameters of your business, however, are complex and dynamic. Every day brings a new situation to your desk, and even businesses of a similar size and industry as yours may be drastically different with different needs. Your business in 5 years could be very different than it is right now. Because of this reality, the real question a business needs to consider is, “Is the cloud ready for me?”

Before you make the leap to a cloud-only service provider like Salesforce, have you considered the ramifications if the cloud does not work for your business model? With Microsoft Dynamics CRM, you always have alternative options for deployment. You also have the option of a hybrid cloud environment with some of your business systems in the cloud and some deployed on-premise.

To help you decide if the cloud can handle the complexities of your business, you should have a clear vision of what you want from your customer relationship management software and a plan of how you will implement it within your business. You should then evaluate your business and the cloud options you are considering, weighing the benefits and disadvantages. Then, you can decide if you want to invest in a cloud solution that offers no alternative or one that provides flexibility and options for your dynamic business.

At 2B Solutions we can provide Microsoft Dynamics CRM On-Premise, CRM Online, as well as a hosted CRM solution, depending on the individual needs of each client. Contact us today for an honest evaluation of what is right for your changing business needs.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Glenn Kinstler
(205) 408-9991
glenn@2Bsolutions.net

Birmingham IT Company Helps Hollywood Film Industry

2B Solutions, Inc. helps film producers and distributers track movie screenings, saving organizers critical time and headaches.

Birmingham, AL – 2B Solutions, Inc., a Birmingham IT services company specializing in customer relationship management software and mobile applications, is playing a critical role in the annual American Film Market (AFM) taking place this week in Santa Monica, CA. For the seventh consecutive year, 2B Solutions is providing a mobile attendance management solution to help event organizers track who views each film.

The American Film Market (AFM) is the largest film industry event in North America. Presented by the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA), AFM connects film producers with distributors from around the world. Event organizers must capture detailed attendance information for each of the screenings and make it available to sellers as quickly as possible. Based on a film’s attendance, sellers and distributors are able to negotiate distribution rights. In just eight days, more than $800 million in deals are sealed.
Speed is essential, according to Andrea Keldsen, Manager, AFM Operations & Exhibitor Services. “The sooner sellers have the information, the sooner they can act on it.” She explains.

Previously, exhibitors used such ad hoc methods as collecting business cards at the entrance to track who attended their screenings. These processes were prone to human error and difficult for exhibitors to organize and use.
“We didn’t have a way of telling our exhibitors who was coming to their screenings,” Keldsen explains, “not without disrupting the smooth flow of buyers in and out of screenings. We wanted to capture detailed information about the attendees while not slowing them down. We also needed to be able to provide this information to our exhibitors within hours.”

2B Solutions developed a custom application that allows AFM staff to scan bar-coded attendee badges and capture attendance data using handheld scanners. Up-to-date attendance reports are available within minutes after each screening via a password protected Web portal.

“This has been a challenging and fun project for us,” says Jeff Cross, President of 2B Solutions. “It’s been a pleasure to work with AFM for the last seven years. Over this time, we were able to take advantage of advancements in mobile technology as it evolved to get data in the hands of who needs it faster.”

“We’ve been privileged to work with 2B Solutions. They not only provide the equipment and the software, but also the training and support,” says Keldsen. “They actually have a staff person who comes out and does the training for us. We employ seasonal staff and maybe a quarter return each year. Those who come back a whole year later pick it up very quickly. It’s great because the solution is not overwhelming.”

About the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA)

The Independent Film & Television Alliance® (IFTA®) is the global trade association of the independent motion picture and television programming industry. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the organization represents and provides significant entertainment industry services to more than 150 member companies from 23 countries, consisting of independent production and distribution companies, sales agents, television companies, and institutions engaged in production finance.
Collectively, IFTA’s members produce more than 400 independent films and countless hours of television programming each year and generate more than $4 billion in distribution revenues annually. The organization is also widely recognized for producing the American Film Market® (AFM®), the world’s largest motion picture trade event held each November in Santa Monica.  For more information, please visit http://www.ifta-online.org/.

About 2B Solutions, Inc.

2B Solutions, Inc. provides custom technology solutions to help clients better track and manage data critical to their operations. 2B Solutions specializes in customized Microsoft Dynamics Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and mobile applications to improve the ability of clients to respond to their customers and critical events from anywhere. Clients include organizations of all sizes in industries of finance, health services, education, retail, distribution, warehousing and government. 2B Solutions is a Microsoft Partner with competencies in Microsoft Mobility Solutions, Microsoft Business Solutions and ISV/Software Solutions. The company is headquartered in Innovation Depot, Birmingham’s small business and technology incubator. For more information, please visit http://2bsolutions.net
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]]> http://2bsolutions.net/association-of-science-materials-centers-highlights-amsti/757/feed/ 0 http://2bsolutions.net/k-12-students-and-teachers-benefit-from-microsoft-dynamics-crm/730/ http://2bsolutions.net/k-12-students-and-teachers-benefit-from-microsoft-dynamics-crm/730/#comments Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:18:38 +0000 2bsolutions http://2bsolutions.net/?p=730 SITUATION

Alabama Math Science and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) based out of Montgomery, Alabama works with the State Department of Education to train and supply teachers with materials to do hands on Math and Science learning activities.  With eleven regional warehouses throughout the state.  Their mission is to provide all students in Grades K-12 with the knowledge and skills needed for success in the workforce and/or postsecondary studies.

AMSTI manages a lot of inventory, including 145 different kit types with over 3,900 products, serving 14,993 active teachers.  The large amounts of varying inventory and utilizing only a manual processes had AMSTI playing the guessing game much too often. Their kitting process was not systemized and they never had real-time insight into what was in-stock because kits and kit items were constantly moving. AMSTI had to make educated estimates for placing orders and with the amount of inventory they managed, this caused confusion and delays. They would run out of inventory often, having to physically go out and buy more product as well as pay extra out of pocket for rush shipments.

AMSTI is 100% grant funded by the State Department of Education and in order to maintain budget, they must provide detailed reporting to prove the effectiveness of their work. AMSTI sites were unable to easily provide this information and could not accurately report on how many teachers they served or how many had completed their training.  Jeff Loper, Materials Manager of AMSTI says, “We couldn’t calculate how much it cost us to train teachers, which made it extremely difficult to plan for anything.” AMSTI materials managers were guessing what was needed for inventory and often found themselves with too much of one item and not enough of another.

AMSTI was having trouble keeping up with the high volume of inventory, serving their teachers on time, and maintaining the needed funds to continue business. They knew if they couldn’t improve their processes, they weren’t able to continue with serving their mission.

SOLUTION

AMSTI began looking for a solution that could provide more insight as well as control over their operations. They had a few choices on the table, but ultimately decided to go with 2B Solutions and Microsoft Dynamics® CRM. The low cost and 2B Solution’s capability to customize it for their needs made their decision easy and began to pave their way to success. “2B Solutions made us really look at our processes as well as gave us the tools to change what wasn’t working,” said Jeff Loper.

In Microsoft Dynamics CRM, AMSTI treats the teachers they serve as their customer base. So each teacher is set up as an account and under each account, they have a field that shows their certification level. Teachers can have multiple certifications and if a teacher is really good with a kit, AMSTI can also check a box to make that teacher a trainer in the program. This running list of qualified teachers has helped the program service their mission and expand their reach. With this functionality, AMSTI can  also report to the State Department of Education with exact number of teachers served and the percentile that are certified and in what course, as well as those who are qualified to train.  This has allowed sites to focus the budget they receive in areas that are more beneficial to completing the AMSTI mission.

AMSTI’s inventory management is unique in that they expect a lot of their items to come back into stock once a teacher has completed the training. Microsoft Dynamics CRM allows AMSTI to decipher whether an item is permanent or returnable, so inventory is always up-to-date. If a teacher doesn’t return an item that should be sent back, they will automatically receive an email requesting the missing item. It requires no manual correspondence by AMSTI and it keeps inventory in check at any given time.

Jeff Loper shares, “Microsoft Dynamics CRM has evened out our work immensely. Instead of having two weeks that are hectic and then a three week lull, we have a manageable stream of activity at all times.” With this steady workload, they are able to pre-package so they’re ready for incoming orders and able to timely serve the needs of their teachers.

With the recent hard economic times, AMSTI’s budget allocation has been drastically reduced, yet they’re still able to serve the same amount of teachers given the scalability and functionality of their Microsoft Dynamics CRM solution. The solution has allowed them to run efficiently on 55% of the previous budget and also identify other potential areas that will help do more with less. For example, AMSTI can now quickly plan for the entire year of inventory needs, allowing orders to be placed at much larger volumes, qualifying for bulk discounts.

SUMMARY

AMSTI had no real insight into their inventory or operations. They couldn’t report on their progress or provide materials to their teachers in a timely or consistent manner. 2B Solutions came to the rescue with Microsoft Dynamics CRM and AMSTI can now provide any required information in order to receive continual funding as well as stock their inventory efficiently. As they continue to serve teachers and focus on their mission of helping educate our youth, they can now continuously improve their processes to help streamline their operations.  Jeff Loper with AMSTI shares his thoughts about working with 2B Solutions, “From the planning, coding, converting data, to training, 2B Solutions has been very helpful and great to work with. They are great business associates, but thru this process, they have also become friends.  I recommend them to anyone that has a similar need.”

The state sends out refurbished math and science training kits to schools for their summer training of teachers who enter the program. 12 warehouses across the state distribute the kits to schools and are responsible for tracking the materials in the kits and tracking the progress of teachers who use them, all the way through their certification process.

At first the warehouses relied on Filemaker Pro databases to do all of the tracking, but the program has grown, so much so that it was even featured on the popular national news show 20/20 as an example of innovative advancements in education. With that growth came the realization that Filemaker Pro was insufficient for inventory management.

2B Solutions helped them realize that Microsoft Dynamics CRM can actually be a useful tool for inventory management, among other things. Using a customized xRM solution, they were able to develop a true relational model based on the data derived from the simple Filemaker Pro database. They also developed a handheld Windows Mobile scanner for use in the warehouses to help keep track of all of the materials that go in and out of teachers’ hands.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM has helped a remarkable educational program be even better. This is just one of the many success stories of how Microsoft Dynamics CRM has helped transform Alabama businesses, government, and non-profit organizations.

Read more about this project: Microsoft Dynamics CRM: Inventory and Training Management with Integrated Handheld Scanners

OCG Products is a wholesale distributor of two products, Stretchy Shapes (silicone bracelets in fun shapes) and Tech Candy (designer case sets for Apple’s iPhone and iPad). Partners April Mraz and Cherie Stine got their first taste of the product design and production world with their highly successful Stretchy Shapes line. This boutique line of the highest-trending children’s silicone bracelets launched at the New York Toy Fair in February 2010 and sold nationally in hundreds of stores, including Nordstrom and Hallmark, in 2010 alone.

April and Cherie had two stores in Birmingham, Alabama and success came early with the Stretchy Shapes product. Their product sales in the first year were more than they ever expected, totaling about 42,000 packs of product. April and Cherie believed their product was more of a fad and wasn’t sure of its longevity, so they pushed through the holidays and then closed their two retail stores in Alabama. Once they closed, they realized the high demand for Stretchy Shapes, so they attended the Toy Fair in New York City (the largest Toy Business Show in the Western Hemisphere where buyers for toy stores come to see what is new and trendy). The interest at the show grew quickly and they proceeded with manufacturing and distribution of their first wholesale product, selling to stores such as Nordstrom and Hallmark.

The New York Toy Fair took place in February, 2010 and by March they had a two month waiting list for their product. It ramped up much quicker than they expected and they were scrambling to keep up. April and Cherie tracked inventory with Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, manually subtracting once orders came through. With their large waiting list, they attempted to update their clients on product availability, never really knowing for certain if it was accurate or not.

The order process was extremely time consuming, which was frustrating for OCG Products, as well as their clients. Orders were faxed or emailed in, confirmations were manually emailed out. They were using multiple disparate systems to see the order through; such as creating shipping labels through Fedex.com and charging credit cards on Authorize.net.

Both April and Cherie knew they needed a faster, more efficient way to run their business. Cherie explains, “You can’t change a tire while you’re moving 70 miles an hour. We felt we needed to stop in order to find a solution, but were forced to keep going because of the high demand.”

SOLUTION

April knew someone at 2B Solutions and asked if they could possibly help them out. They also were looking at Salesforce.com at the time. April explains, “Salesforce.com was customizable, but it had so many disparate solution providers to make it meet our needs.” She continues, “With Salesforce.com, we felt no one company would be responsible to support our solution, and that made us nervous.” 2B Solutions was able to provide a fully customized solution that met the needs of OCG. Microsoft Dynamics® CRM was the answer to April and Cherie’s problems.

With Microsoft Dynamics CRM and the support of 2B Solutions, April and Cherie now have one system that manages every step of their order process and even cuts the order entry process time by half. It used to take them 20-25 minutes per order and now only takes them 10 minutes.

2B Solutions was able to customize Microsoft Dynamics CRM so it seamlessly integrates with OCG’s field order entry solution, Brandwise. Their field representatives throughout the country create orders in Brandwise and Microsoft Dynamics CRM manages the order through the fulfillment process. It automatically updates inventory and sends status updates to the field representatives, helping them provide exceptional customer service to their clients. 2B Solutions was also able to customize integrations with FedEx and Authorize.net, which ensures proper tracking of shipments and revenue. Cherie says, “Having every step of the process in one central place saves us so much time and stress. We also now trust the data we get out of CRM, making business decisions easier.”

In January of 2011, OCG added another product to their line, called Tech Candy. Tech Candy is a 3 piece designer case set for iPhone and iPad. April and Cherie created a list of alterations for their new product, but with Microsoft Dynamics CRM in place, it was much easier to launch the new product than expected. Microsoft Dynamics CRM scales to meet their needs, growing and migrating with them as their business changes. For example, Tech Candy now makes up 99% of their inventory, while Stretchy Shapes has dropped to only 1%. The warehouse transition was not a painful process and it gives April and Cherie confidence in the future of their company.

Tech Candy also brought about new pricing structures and different shipping needs. The pricing structure of Stretchy Shapes is tiered, so once clients reach a level of purchase history, the pricing changes. Tech Candy only has one pricing structure. Microsoft Dynamics CRM recognizes the unique needs and prices them accordingly.

Although Stretchy Shapes has a complex pricing structure, the product is much easier to ship. They go out in packs of large quantities, whereas Tech Candy has to be sold in smaller units. 2B Solutions created a new feature for them in Microsoft Dynamics CRM to accurately process these kits. For example, for new Tech Candy orders, the client receives a display and offset product to cover the cost of the display and the CRM system knows to remove these items from inventory levels. The customized kitting feature within Microsoft Dynamics CRM developed by 2B Solutions will look into inventory and add what should be included for new clients.

SUMMARY

Microsoft Dynamics CRM and 2B Solutions is helping OCG Products run their business smoothly and efficiently while product demands change. A scalable solution such as Microsoft Dynamics CRM is exactly what April and Cherie needed to manage their successful product launches and prepare their company for consistent growth.