How to Configure a Microsoft CRM for Your Business - By: Andre Issey

Microsoft Dynamics CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software is a utility that covers various areas within a business, e.g. sales, service and marketing areas. The CRM configuration is based upon the demands of the business and the service components within each of the 4 highlighted areas.

Instructions

System Configuration
1
Configuring the business units. Click on "Settings," then "Business Unit Settings," then "Business Units" to do so. Adding users is the next step; this can be done by clicking on "Settings," then "Business Unit Settings," then "Users."
2
Setting up the five "recommended" CRM actions. These include territory configuration ("Settings > Sales Territories"), team configuration ("Settings > Business Unit Settings > Teams"), name format display configuration ("Settings > Organization Settings > System Settings > General tab > Name Format field"), date and time display configuration ("Settings > Organization Settings > System Settings > Date tab") and setting the auto-numbering ("Settings > Organization Settings > Auto-Numbering").
3
Setting up the two remaining options, which include customizing security roles ("Settings > Business Unit Settings > Security Roles") and customizing entity and view ("Settings," then under Settings, click "Customization").

Sales Configuration
1
Setting up your fiscal year, which is necessary for sales quotas ("Settings > Organization Settings > Fiscal Year Settings"). Once this is set, it cannot be changed, so be sure your year is correct.
2
Setting up the workflows, which are necessary for sales processes, (click "Start, point to "All Programs", point to "Microsoft CRM" and then click "Workflow Manager").
3
Setting up your price lists, which is necessary for quotes, orders or invoice records ("Settings > Product Catalog").
4
Configuring the sales literature, which is optional for the sales configuration ("Marketing > Sales Literature").

Service Configuration
1
Setting up the subjects, which is necessary for cases, articles and sales literature ("Settings > Subjects"). The only other required configuration for service is creating services, a requirement for service scheduling ("Settings > Services").
2
Setting up templates for contracts, email and articles ("Settings > Templates"). The other recommended configuration is creating queues ("Settings > Business Unit Settings > Queues").
3
Configuring sites ("Settings > Sites"), which is optional, according to Microsoft.

Marketing Configuration
1
Configuring the market lists ("Marketing > Marketing Lists"), which is necessary for campaigns.
2
Contacting Microsoft CRM Help if you need to further configure any areas within marketing.
3
Creating workflows and sales processes through the Workflow Manager Help option, which is available in the "Help" section within CRM.

About the Author

The author works for a company who are http://www.qgate.co.uk/services/consultancy/dynamics-crm-consultants.aspx" target="_blank"> CRM Consultants and specialize in http://www.qgate.co.uk/services/consultancy/dynamics-crm-consultants.aspx" target="_blank">CRM Software Solutions, including http://www.qgate.co.uk/products/QlikViewFolder/qlikview10.aspx" target="_blank">Qlikview.

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