CRM Consulting Firm
Manufacturers and distributors receiving poor customer feedback or struggling to meet their sales quotas naturally seek out customer relationship management (CRM) software to reverse these trends. However, they don’t necessarily know the best way to invest in front-office improvements. Where are business processes falling short? How can the new system leverage existing customer data? What features should they seek out from a CRM vendor?
When you’re facing uncertainties in your software project, it’s time to get in touch with an expert at a CRM consulting firm. Though businesses can be lenient to pay a third party to come into their office to tell them what to do, this guidance is critical to executing an implementation that generates desired ROI. Below, we list some surefire signs that your enterprise is in need of a CRM consultant.
IT Stress
IT professionals know plenty about technology and computers, but that doesn’t mean they understand CRM. If you’re requiring your IT department to implement an unfamiliar system while fulfilling their regular responsibilities, you’re asking way too much of them. CRM experts can take the stress off your IT personnel by executing the software implementation. Plus, unlike the IT team, CRM consultants have a robust understanding of business needs, so they can align the software with your unique processes.
Data Migration
Many businesses pursue CRM after they’ve outgrown their current strategies and accumulated data across several legacy platforms. CRM coalesces data from multiple platforms and departments into one solution to streamline operations. However, the process of migrating existing data into a new system shouldn’t be undertaken alone. A consulting firm can help you get your current data clean and organized before being used in the new software. Consultants also simplify the complex process of data migration, so your information is safely stored in one system to drive new insights and eradicate departmental silos.
Best Practices
CRM projects require a full commitment to following best practices. When you implement software without undergoing business process modeling, change management, testing and other critical tasks, you lower your chances of achieving widespread user adoption or even gaining a well-functioning system. Premier consultants have several projects under their belts. They understand the importance of providing appropriate user training and following a proven strategy to ensure your instance supports your goals.
CRM Expertise
Consultants have plenty of tricks up their sleeves to help you get the most from your software. Today’s CRM vendors include an endless array of apps and plugins that most people struggle to navigate. Consultants know which of these features can smooth over specific pain points. They also have the capability to execute any necessary customizations to maximize your visibility and productivity.
Risk Mitigation
Businesses often consider consulting firms as last-ditch efforts to save a failing project, but the smarter approach is to team up with consultants from the beginning. They can help the implementation start strong and continue to stay the course. When you regard consultants as a last resort, you’re likely to dole out more money than you initially planned to fix errors or buy a new system altogether. Experts provide a lifeline and increase the value of your investment, making your software more cost-effective.
Wrap Up
CRM projects require a specific set of skills that can only be found at a consulting firm. Diving into a software implementation alone will expose you to risks that can hurt your investment and your bottom line. With consultants, you don’t have to worry about your data and processes.
But you want to make sure that you’re teaming up with real experts, not novices who go into projects without a plan of action. Datix has provided CRM, ERP and eCommerce solutions to manufacturers and distributors for over 20 years. A certified partner of Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM and Salesforce, we can help you make the right selection. Plus, with our Unity integration platform, our consultants can instantly connect your CRM and ERP systems to streamline your operations.
Make sure your CRM investment isn’t a bust—contact Datix today to execute your project with our expert consultants!
