Microsoft Dynamics CRM Implementation - São Paulo ERP Market review

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Implementation - São Paulo ERP Market review

By Andrew Karasev

Alba Spectrum Technologies

São Paulo: 55-11-38263449, USA 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918

With the release of Microsoft CRM version 3.0 you can expect increased interest to its implementations, plus upgrades from earlier version 1.2 and 1.0. Microsoft Dynamics CRM has integration tool, which allows integration with Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains), also Microsoft CRM has integration connector to Lotus Notes Domino, which allows you messaging through Domino email server, plus activities synchronization with Lotus calendar events. In this small article we will provide you some background for the situation on São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro ERP markets.

Market Specifics. We see increasing interest from multinational corporations, especially in outsourcing manufacturing to Brazil. Second trend is – coming to Brazil to provide services to local consumers: we see franchises networks expansion (auto repair services, fast food), international retail stores opening, etc.
Sales Module. Sales automation is primarily role of the version 1.0 and then 1.2. This is strong point of MS CRM and you will see enhancements in version 3.0, especially from the side of tuning, reporting and customization.
Service module. What is new in MS CRM 3.0 – you have scheduling, which could be very useful for service business. You can now schedule technicians or service personnel for specific assignments for your customers, allocate resources, etc. Franchises should consider this module for their networks
Customization. Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 will allow you custom objects creation and incorporation into CRM logic and interface without programming (if you are freight forwarder – you can consider new object – shipment with item lines creation – this object could be included into MS CRM Outlook client synchronization for working offline), Microsoft CRM SDK gives you all the objects and instruments to tailor the system.
Reporting. Microsoft CRM 3.0 deploys SQL Server Reporting Services, not Crystal reports as it was with version 1.2.
ERP Challenge. Well, CRM is not a stand alone system, it usually comes with integration to MRP/ERP/Accounting. Microsoft Business Solutions has two localized ERP systems for Brazilian market: Microsoft Dynamics NAV (Navision) and Microsoft Dynamics AX (Axapta), Microsoft Great Plains (Microsoft Dynamics GP) is also available as partially localized version 7.5. Integration to Navision is available from third party ISV. Now we have to mention, that in some cases business may be committed to alternative ERP platform. If this is the case – you should know other international ERP brands localized for Brazil (and supporting multiple languages in their interface): SAP Business One and Oracle E-Business Suite/Oracle Financials/Oracle Applications
Lotus Notes Domino. As we mentioned above – you can integrate these two platforms: IBM Lotus Notes and Microsoft CRM. The likely reason would be saving on the CRM licenses cost (if you have 300 Lotus licenses – you don’t want to purchase extra 300 MS CRM licenses), plus retaining business logic in Lotus custom databases/applications and of course user training/retraining

You can always appeal to our help and expertise. Please give as a call São Paulo 55-11-3826-3449, USA 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918! help@albaspectrum.com

Andrew is Great Plains specialist in Alba Spectrum Technologies ( http://www.albaspectrum.com ) – Oracle, SAP, Microsoft Great Plains, Navision, Axapta, Microsoft CRM Partner, serving clients in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Porto Alegre, Curitiba, Belo Horizonte, Recife, Manaus, Lisboa, Coimbra, Porto, Cascais and having locations in multiple states and internationally: Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico, USA, Europe, Australia, New Zealand.