BCG Systems, Inc., Blog

Taking Microsoft Dynamics CRM Mobile

  

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Today’s business world changes rapidly.  We work all the time and everywhere.  Getting information, giving information, communicating and keeping up.  Of course, with these changes come more challenges. 

The mobile sales rep often works from remote locations away from the local offices, which leaves them asking – how do I connect to and access vital customer information stored in the company’s customer relationship management software?  It is only natural that an application such as Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 - designed for letting businesses connect with their customers – should be capable of working anywhere and anytime too. 

With sales forces spread across a variety of mobile devices – tablets, smart phones such as iPhones or Droids, conventional laptops – how do you know which level of mobile CRM functionality is the best fit for your organization?  While Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 comes with built in mobile functionality, dubbed CRM Mobile Express, some organizations may have a need for more robust CRM capabilities. 

Here, we take a look at two options when it comes to CRM mobility – CRM Mobile Express and Mobile CRM from CWR Mobility. 

CRM Mobile Express

Mobile Express for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0/2011 gives users access to Microsoft Dynamics CRM data through a Web browser on a mobile device.  Mobile Express lets your mobile users view, create, and modify your existing data in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0/2011 by using a web-enabled mobile device with an Internet browser.

     Key Points to consider:

• Any CRM Entity can be viewed from a mobile device (Accounts, Contacts, Opportunities, Cases, Any custom Entity)
• User can determine what fields they want to make available for viewing on the mobile device. 
• Most CRM Entities give you the Create, Edit and Delete privilege.  I can add, edit and delete accounts for example. 
• Activities can be somewhat limited.  You are unable to complete any activities within the CRM Mobile Express application.  The permissions for activities are as follows:
  • Phone Calls:  View existing Phone Calls
  • Tasks:  Create New Tasks and view existing task
  • Appointments:  View existing appointments
  • Email:  View existing emails for records
  • Faxes:  View Existing Faxes
  • Letters:  View Existing Letters
  • Notes:  Create, View, Edit. 

Mobile CRM from CWR Mobility

For those organizations looking to replicate a true Dynamics CRM experience in a native mobile environment, CWR Mobile CRM provides a best-in-class mobility solution.  Mobile CRM delivers the familiarity and intuitiveness of a native smart client application that is specific to the users mobile device (i.e; iPhone/iPad, BlackBerry, Windows). 

     Key Points to consider:

• Powerful integration with native device applications – E-mail, Calendar, Contacts, Phone and Tasks for maximum productivity.
• Application supports mobile dashboards, meaning it support all native Dynamics CRM 2011 dashboards as real-time online mobile dashboards, allowing users to stay on top of trends and key  metrics while on the go.
• Offline, Online and Hybrid connection support means mobile users always have access to their data.
• Synchronization occurs whenever network connectivity is present.
• Users can connect multiple devices to their CRM user, including phones and tablets.
• Unlike the CRM Mobile Express application, users have the ability to complete and schedule all CRM activities using Mobile CRM.

Interested in implementing a CRM software solution for your business?  Have a need to take it mobile?  Let us help!  Sign up for a free trial of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online and take CRM Mobile Express and Mobile CRM from CWR Mobility for a test drive.  If you’re already a Dynamics CRM user and want to test the waters with CRM Mobile Express or CWR Mobile CRM, let us know.