Infor CRM vs. Microsoft Dynamics 365

If you have a mobile workforce, it likely wouldn't be as appropriate (keep in mind we're using the desktop client, and have very limited experience with the web app). It is well suited if your business needs lots of custom processes- find a good vendor. We utilize SimpleSoft out of Ohio, and they have been excellent. Key question: think about where your business is going to be in 5-10 years, and will this CRM solution be able to grow with us?

Incentivized

Based on user experience, I would like to recommend this software to my friends or colleagues on the AP Handling. I like AP recording the most because it makes my work easy. I have been using this for the past 2 years, and it's one of the best for this task. Easy to use and user-friendly.

Incentivized

• It has an improved interface which is fairly intuitive for end users.
• Available in both on-premise and in the cloud.
• Mobile is a particular strong point of the system and is blazing fast.
• Advanced Analytics is available which provides a suite of out-of-box BI tools.

Incentivized

• Some useful out-of-the-box features, like mass uploads of Leads from trade shows or when qualifying a Lead, CRM automatically creates the Opportunity, Contact, and Account for you, etc.
• Really powerful customizations through the user interface to improve user experience. Things like Business Rules, for example, if Field A = 1, then Field B = 2 and Field C = 2, if Field A = 2, then Field B and Field C don't apply, so automatically hide them.
• Or other functionality that improves user experience, like Business Process Flows. These walk users step by step through our business process, helping them know when certain actions should take place, and at what point other data is now required. We've used this extensively with our Lead to Opportunity to Quote to Order process, helping users understand the business process each step of the way.
• Customizations built on top of the platform now called model-driven PowerApps. You can have connections to "typical" data, like Accounts, Contacts, or Opportunities, for example, but then connect that data to custom entities, records that only apply to your specific business. This is all done through the user interface and allows you to customize and automate specific line-of-business applications for your specific needs.
• Behind the scenes, D365 CE is built on SQL. So the data conforms to industry standards and makes it much easier to interact with. Your developers and IT team will thank you.

Incentivized

• Speed - SalesLogix tends to operate rather clunky (could be my company's deployment) in that it hesistates for long periods between clicks and frequent lockups occur.
• User Interface - Difficult to read data at times, the UI is tired looking.
• Group View Creation - While a positive, the creation path is very technical for the average user to understand and almost must have programming language capability to complete.

Incentivized

• Microsoft Dynamics 365 storage & license cost can prohibit some large deployments or even cost-sensitive small projects from using the platform (although I'm certain most deployments would realize a positive ROI if implemented correctly with process automation).
• The cost and licensing document for Dynamics 365 is 61 pages and will take a rocket scientist to understand it. It's better to just have your Microsoft help estimate the cost if they are willing to help you that.
• The documentation on how to first fully understand the Out of the Box default solution and settings is lacking or even non-existing. This has the potential to derail Dynamic 365 launches and implementations from the gitgo. Want to use an out of the box entity?.. well it's probably related to 5 other entities that require configuration and full understanding of it to successful implement. And you ask where is the laymen guide or instructions?... User groups and forums. In Summary, Microsoft can up its game in deployment training and supporting documentation.
• Microsoft needs to incentivize more external platforms to build app connectors for easy integration, such as ZenDesk, Slack, Tableau, etc. Even the current connector apps such as Salesforce, MailChimp, Docusign are useless or don't work at all.
• Several limitations inhibit successful Dynamics 365 deployments such as: limited number of Rollup field calculations (summarizing fields on child/related records), limited number rows that can exported to Excel via advanced find, Dynamics 365 files, log and database storage size limit is extremely small and will always require purchasing additional storage (for Online deployments).
• New user buy-in or acceptance or system platform changes can be difficult if a solid change management plan isn't enacted.
• Don't expect much help from Microsoft on implementation or solutions unless it's a technical flaw with the platform. Microsoft relies on their MVP partner network to consult for implementations at a hefty cost. Hiring a knowledgeable and savvy Dynamics 365 System Administrator can reduce the need for consultant support; of course, this is dependant upon many many variables.

Incentivized

We have too much invested in customizations to walk away from it. Once again, the ability to customize Saleslogix is both a positive and negative attribute. Saleslogix is offering a cloud based solution so they recognize where the future is moving to. Unfortunately it is still an enormous amount of cost, training and functionality to move to that solution. At the time of this writing CustomerFX doesn't have a cloud solution for that quoting module our sales staff depend on. And if we move that direction we will have to pay again to get the cloud based modifications performed. We're on the hamster wheel of technology.

CRM has allowed us to keep all of our data in one place that is easy for all users within the company to view. I came into the company after they had been using CRM for about 4 years. They have all said that since we have used this it has helped us control work processes better, it has allowed us to be able to track things so much better, and has been something that has helped unite many processes that used to be all over the place. We are currently using CRM 4.0 and are planning on upgrading in the next 18 months to the 2011 version. Support for 4.0 is almost all but dried up. Understandably so. Some of the customization we have done, and a plugins we use, are now contained within the 2011 version so we are looking forward to that upgrade. We use an email marketing company as well, and they primarily support the 2011 version, but their product connects and is integrated within CRM. This is a great benefit as well so that all of our marketing information can be contained in one location.

It can be a bit slow at times. Its that refresh don't always need to refresh slowing down the user.

Incentivized

The platform offers a comprehensive suite of features that cater to various business needs, but its complexity can be a barrier for new users. While the interface is visually appealing, navigation can be cumbersome, and some users may find it challenging to access certain functionalities without adequate training.

We utilize the support of a local-ish vendor. SimpleSoft is their name. they are great, and very responsive

Incentivized

Our partner, Ledgeview Partners has been FANTASTIC to work with. They are always timely in their response and have taken time to understand our business and our specific needs. We've made a lot of advanced customizations and they have been a great help in making those updates.

Incentivized

We used a data warehouse to house our data, and our IT team and implementation vendor worked diligently ahead of time to construct idea implementation plans. Out of millions of records- we had less than a dozen errors, which is remarkable. My major insight is simply having a group of completely devoted individuals working towards your goal who fully understand the desired outcome. Focused resources for implementation season are critical to success.

We selected INFOR CRM over Salesforce simply because it was affordable and didn't have so many 'bells & whistles' that Salesforce has that we were not using. We didn't realize that the compatibility with upgrades were going to be such an issue.

Incentivized

Microsoft Dynamics 365 is much more robust, with more customizable features, such as user-specific settings and customer customization options. The system is easy to us,e and all modules can be customized to the exact need of the user. The standard version includes everything you need for a small business that is starting out. Additional features can be added as needed.

Incentivized

• We're launching a new project where we will be building a sales funnel, including sales metrics and KPIs, sales process, and reporting/dashboarding. This is going to be a huge shift in our thinking and how we manage our sales. I'm expecting a substantial ROI on this work.
• We've automated a lot of tasks that required attaching items to emails and duplicating work. For example, instead of attaching sample order picks to an email then sending it to our fulfillment group, we assign them the ticket. All communication is done via the ticket process. Once the order has been shipped, the UPS information is added to the ticket and it is assigned back to the original user for tracking. This has saved us so much time, not only in errors, but in missed orders and trying to get tracking information after the recipient has already not received their package.
• We really needed to build in functionality that would allow separation between the different types of teams (procurement, certification, sales, etc) that we've had all trying to use InforCRM vs investing in multiple platforms. This is our fault more than InforCRM, but again, being able to have different 'views' based on department and role would be a really nice improvement for the next update.

Incentivized

• If you know your stuff, this product does just fine. They are always adapting (aren't they all, always?), so expect it to grow and for you to grow with it.
• Don't expect new employees, or places with high turnover, to ease into this product quickly, or even on a moderate time table.

Incentivized