The long-awaited Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Microsoft Dynamics GP (formerly Great Plains) adapter is now available. 

This tool provides integration between CRM and GP to better manage data and data flow. When changes are made to one system the adapter can update the other system.

As an example, if a customer’s address is updated in Microsoft Dynamics GP the adapter can automatically update the customer’s address in Microsoft Dynamics CRM, or vice-versa. Or if an invoice is created in Dynamics GP the adapter can add the invoice to the customer’s account in Dynamics CRM.

Another CRM adapter?
This is different from the Microsoft Dynamics CRM BizTalk Adapter I recently posted about.  This adapter is a standalone product that doesn’t require Microsoft BizTalk. Also, this adapter was created to help non-developer types connect the systems without needing to know programming languages. And it has out-of-the box template mappings

Price?
Free!  Sort of. As a customer you must have an active/current Microsoft Dynamics GP Enhancement/Support plan and an active/current Microsoft Dynamics CRM Software Assurance Support Plan.

How do customers get more information on the adapter?
Customers can log into their CustomerSource account where there’s a section about the adapter.  There’s a pretty good Frequently Asked Questions document that covers some of its features and limitations.

How do customers get the adapter?
Currently the adapter is only available through Microsoft Partners who are registered and approved as a Microsoft Dynamics GP partner. Contact your current Dynamics GP partner. If you don’t have one or would like a new one call me.

The Microsoft BizTalk Server Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 is now available for download.

If you’re not familiar with Microsoft BizTalk Server it can be used to connect disparate internal and external systems.

So what’s that mean in business terms? Improved efficiency and happier customers.

Here’s an example.

Company A has an accounting system that contains all of their customer information such as names, addresses, account numbers, etc.  Much of this information is also stored in other systems such as Microsoft Dynamics CRM for the sales department and several other databases. Although there’s overlapping data all of these systems run totally independently. So when a customer calls customer service to change their address, the accounting system isn’t updated. Accounting is having increasing problems with unpaid invoices because they’re being sent to old addresses.  And customer satisfaction is decreasing because customers are being contacted about paying invoices they never received. The workaround in this situation frequently is to create a procedure to have employees manually update the other systems. While this may partially solve one problem it usually creates several new problems such as manual processes and other inefficiencies. And there are usually still delays in getting the systems updated so the problem still exists but a little less frequently.

Company B has integrated their systems, such as by using BizTalk, to unify data and control data flow. When a customer calls to update their address, BizTalk recognizes that one system has been updated and then it automatically updates the other systems. Company B’s customers don’t get unnecessary calls. And when a customer calls Company B’s accounting, sales, or customer service departments they get consistent information because of consistent data.

If you were a customer which company would you rather deal with?

I haven’t had a chance to test this yet but it should be pretty interesting. Hoovers recently announced integration to Microsoft Dynamics CRM called Access Hoovers.

Hoovers http://www.hoovers.com is a very popular tool for sales and marketing people to research companies, people, and industries.

Know More About Your Prospects Than Ever Before

Increase your sales team’s productivity by leveraging our global database of more than 28 million public and private companies and 36 million executives. Access Hoover’s offers the breadth you need for targeted prospecting and the depth required for insight and strategic intelligence.

• Find new prospects by creating targeted lists that meet your specific criteria
• Enhance existing account or lead information with more than 50 data points
• Export data seamlessly into Microsoft Dynamics through an easy-to-use interface

I’ll post more detail after I have a chance to use it.