How Can Integrating Your ERP and Microsoft Dynamics CRM Systems Improve Your Manufacturing Firm's Abilities?

Posted on: June 17, 2015 | By: Jim Bertler | Microsoft Dynamics Manufacturing

As a manufacturing firm, you know how the global economy and advances in technology have created an extremely competitive business environment for manufacturing firms. You probably implemented a cloud based ERP solution like Acumatica that allows you to get a real-time view of your entire business. But do you have a clear view of your customer? Microsoft Dynamics CRM gives you a really good idea of who your customer is and what they are buying. 

There are two very important parts to your business – the business and the buyer; and the systems you deploy should definitely address both. If your systems are properly integrated, manufacturing firms can benefit greatly from the use of ERP and Microsoft Dynamics CRM working together. Let’s uncover 3 of the ways your manufacturing firm can benefit from integrating Microsoft Dynamics CRM and ERP.

  1. Centralized Sales Processes

One major challenge that manufacturing firms are used to confronting is being able to sell two different ways. These two ways are via a direct sales team, and distribution channels. Manufacturing firms have to focus on enticing their distributors to promote their product, as well as keeping an eye on their direct sales team and focusing on the relationship they have with their clients. What happens when your sales team and your distributor butt heads on the same project? Are you able to predict this fiasco before it occurs? If your Microsoft Dynamics CRM system is implemented correctly, it should be able to support both types of selling that your firm engages in. Your teams will be constantly informed to make sure that they aren’t butting heads.

2. Improving Visibility and Enhanced Anticipation Abilities

We’ve noticed that many salespeople don’t always have access to their ERP systems. If you don’t have a CRM system like Microsoft Dynamics CRM and you’re trying to keep track of information about your clients and products, you have a big dilemma. When you are unable to access this important information. you are unlikely to be able to anticipate the needs of your organization and your clients. If you integrate your ERP and Microsoft Dynamics CRM systems, you can give your teammates a clear view of what is happening with the business data in real time, enabling them to effectively sell to, understand the needs of,  and engage with customers.

3. Upgraded Quote to Cash Procedure

We find that we have to have a similar conversation with most of our manufacturing clients. Trying to create accurate quotes using complex product configurations is not an easy task to say the least. If you are able to more accurately anticipate your business needs, you are likely also able to improve your quote to cash procedure too. When you build to order, your product configurations can become very complicated. Your choices all impact one another, so carefully setting up the product configuration so that you can revisit it and understand it later is beyond important! Too many times we find that in the early stages of the sales process, not enough attention was given to product configurations and how it will affect your project’s lifecycle. When you integrate your ERP system and Microsoft Dynamics CRM, your sales team can access the information that they need so that they can effectively quote and deliver when it matters most. 

Integrating ERP and Microsoft Dynamics CRM can be confusing, and we are here to help. Reach out to us with any questions you may have.