A Dynamics Duo: Microsoft-Salesforce Systems Integration

Systems integration projects are a breeze when your Microsoft Dynamics and Salesforce products are being synchronized by data integration services such as RapidiOnline. Data integration is key to a sustainable business; because so many companies opt for distinct ERP and CRM solutions, unifying both programs into a single data pool is vital to making the most out of each. 

Salesforce is by far one of the most popular CRMs on the market today, while the Microsoft Dynamics product suite has been one of the most popular options in the realm of ERP and CRM solutions. Each of Microsoft’s available products—from the original Dynamics GP to the latest Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations—is built to be flexible, scalable, and user-friendly, though some may be tuned towards larger enterprises or smaller businesses of various types. 

Who’s Using What, and How Data Integration Works with Your Dynamics Product

So is one Dynamics variation universally better than the others? Which one is the most popular? Well, since CRMs are used to store information about clients and customers, they tend to be more widely implemented than ERPs, which certain businesses can forego; as of 2016, Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM is the most popular of the Dynamics solutions based on the sheer amount of users. These numbers are partially a result of a few very large-scale companies making use of it. With its plug-and-play, subscription-based format, range of support, and ultimate flexibility, it’s understandable why this 365 variant is so popular. 

That said, Microsoft Dynamics Business Central and Microsoft Dynamics NAV ( ERP solutions) are some of the most widely implemented and accepted applications globally, due to being optimized for small and mid-sized businesses, which naturally outnumber industry titans. According to Apps Run The World, companies implementing Microsoft Dynamics NAV include Grupo ACS—an organization specializing in Construction and Real Estate—which employs over 19,500 employees and sees revenue of over 40 billion. Heineken—boasting 85,000 employees and revenues of over 24 billion—and Rexel, a manufacturing organization employing 26,000 individuals and seeing revenues of upwards of 16 billion, also make use of Microsoft Dynamics NAV. 

How Data Integration Lets You Get the Most out of Microsoft Dynamics NAV

First released in 1987, Microsoft Dynamics NAV began as an on-premise solution (though users can now choose between private or public Cloud-based options) for small to mid-sized businesses, and to this day remains highly popular. Much of its popularity comes from the fact that it is extremely customizable; users can access the source code themselves, and change the application to suit their specific needs. Despite sharing the same codebase, the same can’t be said for Dynamics 365, which can only be modified with supplementary applications from AppSource. 

For now anyway, Microsoft’s support of NAV remains consistent. However, it’s clear that Microsoft is shifting the majority of its attention to Dynamics 365, encouraging users of legacy systems to make the jump to their latest subscription-based, Software-as-a-Service solution. 

So how does data integration factor in? Because companies with the resources to do so often opt for distinct ERP and CRM solutions, there is a constant need for technology that allows these distinct products to “talk” to one another, eliminating redundant data entry and maximizing workplace efficiency. While there exist products that claim to offer both ERP and CRM capabilities, nothing can replace the years of hyperspecialization and innovation that solutions such as Salesforce or Dynamics NAV promise. Luckily, high-quality data integration services such as Rapidi come equipped with out-of-the-box solutions that can synchronize between nearly any Dynamics product and complimentary CRM or ERP. 

Systems Integration Projects for a More Sustainable Future

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development, or WBCSD, is a global organization based in Geneva, composed of over 200 businesses working together to make a positive impact on both environment and society by delivering business solutions to the omnipresent problem of sustainability and environmental health. The constituent companies themselves represent all major economies and business sectors, and employ roughly 19 million employees total. 

WBCSD selected Microsoft Dynamics and Salesforce as its ERP and CRM of choice, and brought on Rapidi to spearhead their systems integration product. They selected RapidiOnline due to its track record of making notoriously complex systems integrations seamless, simple, and expedient. Rapidi was able to offer pre-configured templates to make the entire process quick and easy, meaning there was no need for programming or technical knowledge. 

Alt attribute: The benefits of Salesforce integration with legacy systems include a 360-degree customer view and increased ROI.

Now, WBCSD uses RapidiOnline to synchronize vendors and customer data, as well as manage events and financial reporting. The result has been a significant increase in productivity and efficiency. Gone are the days of redundant data-entry and unwanted data siloing. Now, employees doing heavy work in Salesforce allow the integration technology to transfer the new data over to NAV, sparing them the extra time and effort. Invoicing is similarly streamlined; using Salesforce, WBCSD can create and automatically send sales orders. Then, when the client has accepted the order, Salesforce sends the invoice to the client and records it all in NAV—a far more expedient process than they were accustomed to when using NAV only. WBCSD also found RapidiOnline to be exceptionally helpful in the realms of finance reporting, with all general ledger data copied reflexively into Salesforce. The result of Salesforce’s top-tier reporting capabilities combined with Dynamic NAV’s financial data is crystal-clear reporting for management. With Rapidi’s decades of experience and proven technology at your side, you can rest assured knowing that you are getting the most out of your ERP and CRM solutions. Interested in learning about Rapidi, and what data integration can do to help your business get a leg up on the competition? Click here for true case stories from Rapidi’s clientele, whose businesses have changed for the better.

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