Dynamics 365 CRM Consulting
How to Create a CRM Migration Plan That Includes ERP Integration
February 13, 2023
What happens if you’ve successfully integrated your CRM with your ERP, but then for whatever reason decide to migrate your CRM to another system? An example of this would be a business that is using SYSPRO CRM and SYSPRO ERP but wants to migrate to Dynamics 365 CRM while maintaining the SYSPRO ERP integration.
SYSPRO CRM + SYSPRO ERP -> Migrate to -> Dynamics 365 + SYSPRO ERP
In a situation like this, you must take a two-pronged approach: 1) migrating your CRM data to the new system and 2) ensuring the new CRM system integrates with your ERP. Next, we’ll look at how to do this, step-by-step.
Key steps to implement a CRM migration and simultaneous ERP integration
- Internal Buy-In
Make sure you have your team on board with the upcoming CRM migration, especially the teams that will need to use it every day. - Set Goals
What would your ideal CRM be able to accomplish? Imagine what success would look like and set goals for the upcoming migration. - Find the Right Partner
A vendor can help you choose the right CRM to meet your goals. The vendor should also have migration experience for the specific CRM you choose. - 360 CRM Assessment
With a vendor on board, it’s time to assess what’s under the hood. What types of data, file attachments, third-party integrations and customizations need to be mapped out? - Data Mapping
The data mapping stage is essential for matching data from your old system to your new system in the right format, with the right automation and the necessary customizations. If you need to migrate your CRM data and integrate the new system with your ERP, this should also be considered in the data mapping phase. - Migration
This is where the magic happens. Your CRM migration partner might use different strategies for the CRM Migration, depending on your goals. For example, they might do a custom migration or use a pre-built tool to streamline the process. - Integration
With the data safely in its new CRM environment, your partner can now connect it back to your ERP to synchronize this data. - Team Onboarding
Once your new CRM is ready to use and loaded with data, it’s time to get your team familiar with the new system to ensure CRM success. This involves training, motivating and potentially even personal CRM customizing. You want your team to not only use the system but love it.
Fully Customized Integration vs. Using a Pre-Built Tool
While the steps above can be completely customized and implemented on a project-by-project basis, another more efficient option is to use a tool that has been pre-built to handle migrations and integrations for your CRM/ERP combination. A pre-built tool will have the data mapping, migration and integration phases ready out of the box to configure to your specific data.
Pre-Built Tool Example: Connector for SYSPRO®
An example of a pre-built CRM migration tool is our proprietary Connector for SYSPRO® that is designed to fit a wide range of migration scenarios for moving from SYSPRO CRM to Dynamics 365 and then integrating this data with SYSPRO ERP. Our CRM Migration package includes drivers and mappings (DTS) for all the necessary integration points that also utilizes a variety of “Reference Table” integration points for ancillary SYSPRO Tables (like customer classes, price lists, tax tables and more). A pre-built tool like Connector for SYSPRO® can save a lot of time and cost for your CRM migration project.
Do you have an upcoming CRM Migration?
Check out our CRM Migration Services, including fully customizable CRM migrations and our SYSPRO CRM standard migration package, using our proprietary Connector for SYSPRO® tool.
Share Article
Related Blogposts
Best Practices for Data Migration to Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM
Companies are increasingly turning to robust Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, like Microsoft Dynamics 365, because they need customer data to competitively enhance business operations and customer interactions. However, the successful adoption of a CRM platform hinges on quality data, including historical customer data, to tell the full story. This article will help you migrate your customer data into a new CRM using best practices. Best Practices for a Smooth and Effective Data Migration to Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM 1. Thorough Data Assessment Before initiating the migration process, conduct a comprehensive assessment of your existing data. Identify the critical data fields, eliminate duplicates, and clean up irrelevant information. This not only streamlines the migration but also ensures that only relevant and accurate data is transferred to Dynamics 365. Your users will find the Dynamics 365 CRM system more useful. User adoption and engagement – key factors in success – will increase. 2. Data Mapping and Transformation Establish a clear mapping of data fields between your current system and Dynamics 365. Ensure consistency in data formats and structures. If there are discrepancies, implement necessary transformations to align the data correctly. This meticulous planning prevents data loss and maintains data integrity during the migration process. Management will get more useful reporting more quickly. 3. Data Backup Prioritize the safety of your data by creating a secure backup before migration. This precautionary step provides a safety net in case of unexpected issues during the migration process. Regular backups serve as a safeguard against data loss, allowing you to revert to the previous state if needed. 4. Engage Stakeholders Collaboration with key stakeholders is crucial for a successful data migration. Involve individuals from different departments to provide insights into specific data requirements and ensure that all relevant data is accounted for during the migration. This collaborative approach helps in creating a more comprehensive and accurate CRM database. It also boosts use engagement and adoption. 5. Data Validation and Testing Performing practice migrations with rigorous testing is paramount to identify and rectify any errors before the final migration. Validate data integrity by cross-referencing migrated data with the source system. There should be some reporting and/or analysis that can be run in both the old and new systems to verify that the numbers ‘stack up’. Conduct test migrations in a controlled environment to address any issues and refine the migration process iteratively. 6. Incremental Migration Consider adopting an incremental migration approach, especially for large datasets. Break down the migration process into manageable chunks, focusing on specific data segments or departments. This approach minimizes disruption to daily operations and allows for targeted troubleshooting if issues arise. 7. User Training and Communication Equip end users with the necessary CRM Success training to navigate and utilize Dynamics 365 effectively. Clearly communicate the migration process, timelines, and potential impacts to all relevant stakeholders. Proactive communication helps manage expectations and ensures a smoother transition. 8. Post-Migration Monitoring Monitor the system closely after migration to identify and address any post-migration issues promptly. Establish a support system to assist users with any challenges they may encounter. Continuous monitoring ensures a seamless transition and enhances user confidence in the new CRM system. Enhance the Success of Your CRM Data Migration Dominic Systems can help you migrate your CRM data using a meticulous and collaborative customized approach and our time-saving custom migration tools. Learn more about our migration services or book a free consultation to discuss your migration project.
Boost Customer Service in the Manufacturing Industry With Dynamics 365
Wildly variable supply and demand issues during the COVID-19 pandemic had an outsized impact on the North American manufacturing industry, creating significant shifts in consumer behaviour that manufacturers had to quickly adapt to. Customer service became even more important than usual. Here’s how to use a CRM system, such as Dynamics 365, to give your customer service capabilities a boost. How Does Dynamics 365 Improve Customer Service for Manufacturers? Quickly Identify Service Hotspots Specifically tailored to the manufacturing sector, Dynamics 365 streamlines the process of identifying service hotspots, enabling businesses to concentrate on quickly addressing the most important issues. Get Real-Time Status Updates A CRM for manufacturers provides real-time updates on the status of service cases, eliminating the need to constantly inquire with the ‘back office.’ Seamless Communication Between Departments Dynamics 365 facilitates seamless communication between departments, enhancing overall productivity and coordination. Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) and Field Service Technicians can instantly retrieve customer purchase details, serial numbers, service history and more (particularly if CRM is tightly integrated with ERP). Increase Customer Loyalty In today’s busy world, customers value businesses that prioritize efficiency and responsiveness. By utilizing automated processes like predictive analytics offered by Dynamics 365, companies can meet their customers’ needs promptly and increase customer retention. This kind of proactive problem-solving also helps improve the company’s reputation and foster stronger customer loyalty. Prepare for the Future of AI As leaders look to embrace AI, it becomes more critical than ever to prioritize having a data-driven business, fortified with digital and cloud capabilities. This approach will help organizations leverage generative AI as an accelerant to transformation. Why Manufacturers Need to Prepare for the Future of Customer Service Recent months have put a spotlight on advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the possibilities of its application to deliver pragmatic business outcomes. For organizations around the world, there is an incredible opportunity to enhance products and services. The pace and scale of technological innovation happening today is unprecedented and breathes optimism into what is in many other respects, very demanding economic times. From Rogers improving connectivity for Canadians through automation and AI to the Ministry of Education in the United Arab Emirates developing an AI tutor for students, the possibilities are both limitless and part of today’s realities. Companies leveraging Dynamics 365 — hosted on the most trusted, comprehensive and integrated cloud — are best positioned to take advantage of these advancements. Is Your Manufacturing Company Ready to Embrace the Next Generation of Customer Service? Schedule a consultation with Dominic Systems to learn how Schedule Consultation
See Five Ways Manufacturers Are Using Dynamics 365 Customer Insights for Customer Engagement
Product Update: Dynamics 365 Marketing and Dynamics 365 Customer Insights are now one product under the Dynamics 365 Customer Insights name. In today’s competitive manufacturing landscape, manufacturers are no longer just producing goods, they are building relationships with customers who are increasingly discerning, seeking not only high-quality products but also personalized experiences. Manufacturers must adapt to this shift by focusing on customer-centric strategies. In this blog post, we will explore how Dynamics 365 Customer Insights, a powerful new tool from Microsoft, is transforming customer engagement in the manufacturing industry. Five Ways to Use Dynamics 365 for Customer Engagement in the Manufacturing Industry 1) Personalized Marketing Campaigns Create highly targeted and personalized marketing campaigns to target individual customers or specific segments by analyzing customer data, including purchase history and preferences. This level of personalization enhances customer engagement and increases the likelihood of conversion. 2) Seamless Multichannel Communication Interact with customers through various channels, including email, social media, and webinars, using a centralized platform to manage all these communication channels. This simplifies channel management and supports consistent messaging and marketing. 3) Marketing Automation Streamline marketing processes with automated email campaigns, lead nurturing, and customer follow-ups. Automation takes care of repetitive communications and tasks so that marketing teams can focus on strategy and creativity. 4) Lead Management and Scoring Convert prospects into customers with effective lead management and lead scoring capabilities that allow you to prioritize leads based on their likelihood to convert. When sales teams focus their efforts on the most promising opportunities, they can improve conversion rates. 5) Customer Insights and Analytics Gain valuable insights into marketing performance with robust analytics and reporting tools that allow manufacturers to make data-driven decision. By tracking campaign effectiveness and customer behavior, marketers can refine their strategies for better results. Easily Integrate Dynamics 365 Customer Insights With Your CRM Dynamics 365 Customer Insights seamlessly integrates with your Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform. This integration provides a unified view of customer data and interactions, enabling manufacturers to deliver a consistent and personalized customer experience across the entire customer journey. Learn more about Dynamics 365 Customer Insights Schedule Consultation