26 Mar 2020
Blog, CRM, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales, Service & Marketing (CRM) No Comments Permalink
Develop business leaders by employing an ERP system.
Develop business leaders by employing an ERP system.

Why migrating to Microsoft Dynamics 365 from Salesforce is a smart move

March 26, 2020 No Comments

If small and medium-sized businesses (SMB) are the lifeblood of the U.S. economy, customers serve as SMBs’ sustenance: without them, survival is virtually impossible.

 

The sales process these days is about so much more than dollars and cents. It’s also about providing comprehensive customer support, engrossing customer engagements and a high-quality experience that encourages people to “come again,” whether online or in-store. E-commerce has fundamentally altered the ease with which people can shop from anywhere, whether at home, doing errands or at work. Customer relationship management software provides business owners like you with the capability to learn more about what your customers want most so you can guarantee their complete satisfaction.

 

CRM software bundles, like Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement, is a comprehensive means to that all-important end.

 

Given the significance of customer relationship management – evidenced by the nearly 3 in 4 customer experience leaders who expect their budgets to increase, according to polling conducted by Gartner – it’s little wonder that there are several CRM applications to select from, including Netsuite, Hubspot, Oracle and Salesforce. Salesforce is especially popular, having been on the market for several years and boasting a wide assortment of cloud-hosted modules, such as Einstein, Field Service Lightning and Commerce Cloud Digital.

 

However, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Enagement is everything that the Salesforce platform is – only better because it also has a mature ERP solution for SMB organizations, Microsoft Dynamics Business Central.

 

Why choose Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM?

In some ways, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement and Salesforce are quite similar. For instance, both offer multichannel support, so you and your customers can connect to one another regardless of the device you use or your internet connection. Similarly, they’re also bundled according to the CRM that is specific to your departments; like sales, customer service, marketing and finance, among others.

 

Where Microsoft Dynamics CRM has an edge on the competition is in the level of understanding SMBs can glean from customers they aim to reach. A classic example is Microsoft Social Engagement. Websites like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter have taken the online world by storm in the 21st century, routinely among the most trafficked websites by users year after year. This app, which comes at no additional charge with certain bundles (i.e. Sales and Customer Service) offers business owners with insights into the social media behaviors and “likes” of target audiences, which can be used to inform sales and marketing business processes.

 

Another advantage Microsoft Dynamics CRM has over Salesforce is integration. While both offer seamless compatibility with certain apps or software, the integrations with Microsoft Dynamics 365 are more comprehensive. These of course, include other Microsoft products – such as Office, Power BI and Outlook – as well as native integration with LinkedIn. Integration with LinkedIn has the added benefit of providing SMBs with opportunities to connect with customers, thereby benefiting name recognition, branding and overall customer relationship management.

 

User interface is an additional advantage for Microsoft Dynamics 365. Much like beauty, ease of usage is largely in the eye of the beholder. People tend to find platforms intuitive based on what they are accustomed to. While Salesforce has Microsoft’s CRM application beat in terms of when it became available for purchase – Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement was released in late 2016 – Microsoft as a company has been around for a lot longer. Also, if you’re familiar with using virtually any other Microsoft products (e.g. Excel, Power BI, Office, Internet Explorer), the learning curve is minimal.

 

What kinds of companies use Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer CRM?
Perhaps a better question is what types of businesses don’t use Microsoft’s CRM solution. Many industries, such as commercial airlines, telecommunication companies, grocers, restaurateurs, supply chain management professionals, finance, hotels and hospitality organizations and many more deal with the public on a minute-by-minute basis and depend on customer engagement to stimulate sales and grow. Additionally, although CRM applications are especially effective in enhancing employee productivity and overall performance, even business-to-business companies stand to benefit from Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

 

How can you know for sure Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement is the right choice?
Everyone has their own opinion on what CRM solution is truly the best. What really matters, is if it works for you. If you’ve purchased it and have experienced improved sales, more actionable customer feedback and enhanced overall productivity, what more can you ask for?

 

At The TM Group, we have the knowledge, experience and capabilities that you can rely on for guiding you toward the CRM solution that helps you achieve your goals. We’re driven by your 100% satisfaction. It’s our bottom line.

 

 

 

Sources:

https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2020-01-15-gartner-says-74–of–customer-experience-leaders-expe

https://www.nigelfrank.com/blog/head-to-head-microsoft-dynamics-vs-salesforce/

https://www.snaplogic.com/blog/migrate-from-salesforce-to-microsoft-dynamics-365

https://crmswitch.com/buying-crm/salesforce-microsoft-dynamics-365-compared/

https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/FAQ_Sept_2012.pdf

https://dynamics.microsoft.com/en-us/crm/what-is-crm/?&ef_id=Cj0KCQiApaXxBRDNARIsAGFdaB-27WfwTt_rtY-6mRKJ3bpOUT0mIRkJYA2bYmIlwkZEdGc4fKIvhgAaAnmbEALw_wcB:G:s&OCID=AID2000546_SEM_Cj0KCQiApaXxBRDNARIsAGFdaB-27WfwTt_rtY-6mRKJ3bpOUT0mIRkJYA2bYmIlwkZEdGc4fKIvhgAaAnmbEALw_wcB:G:s&gclid=Cj0KCQiApaXxBRDNARIsAGFdaB-27WfwTt_rtY-6mRKJ3bpOUT0mIRkJYA2bYmIlwkZEdGc4fKIvhgAaAnmbEALw_wcB

23 Mar 2020
Blog, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales, Service & Marketing (CRM), TM Group News No Comments Permalink
ERP and CRM software help companies improve internal and external processes.
ERP and CRM software help companies improve internal and external processes.

A la carte pricing model comes to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement

March 23, 2020 No Comments

When it comes to choices for consumers and business owners alike, this is the golden age. Thanks in large measure to technological improvements, the ever-expanding internet and healthy competition, people have plenty to pick – from their side dishes at restaurants, to channels and stations with cable and streaming entertainment providers. In short, a la carte is all the rage.

So, it may come as no surprise that Microsoft is taking a similar tack with its pricing for Dynamics 365 licensing. Effective in the opening days of last autumn, the plan-based licenses for Dynamics 365 are no longer an option. In their stead is individual app-based licensing, which allows users to better customize the programs they regularly use.

The move to a la carte is largely in line with the prevailing trend among consumers in general, many of whom prefer to pay for products or services based on what they use rather than part of an all-in-one bundle. Cable providers, software developers, newspapers, restaurants and a litany of other businesses are hopping on the a la carte train to better serve their customers’ preferences. Microsoft Dynamics 365 will remain something that’s purchased on a subscription basis, but this transition, the company says, seeks to provide customers with more convenience and control as to what they’re charged.

Base license fee, plus each additional attach license

The pricing changes are fairly straightforward. Depending on the application you need, you pay a base license amount for that app with an accompanying “attach licensing” fee. Take D365 Customer Service as an example. The standard cost is $95 per user per month – which is the same fee for several other apps, such as Sales Enterprise and Field Service – then each attach license is an additional $20 per user per month. This allows users to better customize their subscriptions so that they’re paying for only the things they do use, not what they don’t.

The reason for the switch, in addition to what seems to be the prevailing trend in consumer purchasing habits in general, traces back to Dynamics 365 users specifically. As reported by MSDynamicsWorld, approximately 80% of them only use one of the several apps that come with the CRM bundle.

That said, some within the customer relationship management industry wish Microsoft would leave well enough alone, including Gene Marks, former senior manager at KPMG, in an opinion piece for Forbes. Marks contends that the a la carte way of doing things creates confusion when the more streamlined, pre-packaged plan makes for simpler buying.

While affordable, costs may go up for some

Microsoft points out that the per-month base licenses are eminently affordable and that the attach licenses are heavily discounted. But according to the software giant’s officials, it is possible that some subscribers may wind up paying as much as 10% more than they did prior to the pricing change, which officially went into effect on Oct. 1. It’s worth noting that those whose subscriptions have yet to expire will keep paying the same rate as they do presently. The charge change occurs upon renewal.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement is a CRM bundle that puts business owners in the proverbial driver’s seat to enhance productivity and engagement. Its suites include Sales, Customer Service, Field Service, Finance, Operations, Commerce, and Human Resources. The TM Group can supply you with the skills, insights and understanding you need to select the app or apps that work best for you and your company’s goals. Contact us today to learn more.

 

06 Mar 2020
Blog, CRM, ERP, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales, Service & Marketing (CRM), Microsoft Dynamics NAV No Comments Permalink

What Is Dynamics 365?

March 6, 2020 No Comments

From providing superior customer service to staying on top of operational costs, running a business is a contact sport. The decisions made, which inform your management style, ultimately determine whether you win or lose.

But what if you had the business data that could enable you to make smarter, more well-informed decisions? With Microsoft Dynamics 365, you do.

What is Dynamics 365?

Originally released in November 2016, Microsoft Dynamics 365 are comprehensive customer relationship management and enterprise resource planning solutions that, as its official website puts it, enables organizations large and small to evolve from timid, reactive business decisions to confident, proactive business solutions. These solutions can help companies like yours make smarter use of data by peeling back the curtain on all-important business processes, including supply chain management, human resource management and back-office operations. It can also offer a sneak peek into what your customers most want, which may be discoverable through their shopping habits and purchase selections.

In short, Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a technological powerhouse that can make all-important business processes run much smoother and more seamlessly. Microsoft Dynamics 365’s includes two accounting/ERP solutions, which can be confusing for people. Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations is their Enterprise solution and Dynamics 365 Business Central is their SMB solution. SMB is an abbreviation for small to medium-sized businesses. Small businesses are those with 100 or fewer employees, while businesses with 100-999 employees are medium-sized.

What is the difference between Dynamics 365 and Office 365?

In some ways, this end-to-end solution is a metamorphosis of its former self, after Microsoft combined its previously released ERP Dynamics Enterprise and SMB suites with its Dynamics CRM platform, forming the hybrid Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM and ERP application suites. These functionalities were paired with the usability and seamless interface of Office 365. The blending of these unique business management capabilities and Office 365’s intuitive design, helps users more readily obtain actionable insights about their customers, employees and supply chain in real time. They can then apply those insights accordingly. This Dynamics product is particularly useful for customer relationship management.

Ask any business owner, and they’ll likely tell you some variation of the same thing: The sun rises and sets on your customers and their level of satisfaction. If they don’t feel like they are getting the most bang for their buck – whether in the products they purchase or the services they obtain – they’ll take their business elsewhere. According to polling conducted by Accenture, more than 60% of customers say they’ve switched to buying from a different company due to their expectations not being met.

While this cloud-based business applications platform can’t guarantee you a larger customer base, it can provide you with better business management data that can be used to inform how you approach customer retention and engagement.

What are the features available in Dynamics 365?

You name the product or service, there’s a business out there that can provide it. But, because companies come in all shapes and sizes, some of the functionalities in the Dynamics platform may not be as relevant to you as they would be to others. As such, this cloud-based software system can be customized so you only buy the application germane to your needs. They are grouped in several suites of options: Business Central for SMB ERP and Finance and Operations for Enterprise ERP, and Customers Engagement for CRM capabilities. Here is a partial list of the apps available for purchase on a per month, per user basis:

-Business Central for SMB accounting/ERP

-Finance and Operations for enterprise accounting/ERP

-Sales

-Field Service

-Customer Service

-Professional Services Automation

-Marketing

These apps are available in both as suites or individual applications and pricing varies accordingly. For example, the Dynamics 365 Customer Service Enterprise or Sales Enterprise suites are both $95 per user per month, while Dynamics 365 Business Central Essentials is $70 per user per month and Finance and Operations is $180 per user per month and has a 10 user minimum. Both the Enterprise ERP solution Finance and Operations and the SMB ERP solution Business Central have several of the same capabilities and functionalities, but Dynamics 365 Business Central may be the better bargain if your company has an employee base of 250 staff members or less. If you’re significantly larger than that already or anticipate it to grow, Enterprise Edition may make more sense. If you’d prefer a program that incorporates the business processes more typical to a SMB organization and working with an application such as Dynamics NAV, Dynamics GP, or Dynamics SL, then Business Central may be more in line with your needs and wants. This isn’t to suggest that its more souped-up contemporary Enterprise is complex, but because it can do more, there’s a larger learning curve and implementation cost and timeline.

What are the newest updates in Dynamics 365?

Nearly four years and counting since its inaugural launch, Dynamics 365 isn’t the new kid on the block any longer. Since then, it’s received several state-of-the-art updates in recent months. Wave 2, which dropped in late 2019, includes all of the same apps (e.g. Sales, Marketing, Customer Services, Supply Chain Management, etc.), only with more capabilities that are leveraged by machine learning and artificial intelligence. Wave 2 also has more business applications than its predecessor, adding Enterprise Human Resources and Commerce. The former offers greater transparency into operational expenses and how those align with your company’s strategic goals. The latter pairs well with Dynamics 365 Retail through omnichannel back-office and call center tools. If you’re looking for a partner that can help your company solve your business problems and make the most of Microsoft Dynamics 365, contact The TM Group. We put the TM in team.

20 Dec 2019
Blog, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales, Service & Marketing (CRM), Microsoft Dynamics GP No Comments Permalink
Woman Holding a Small Gift
Woman Holding a Small Gift

Why Microsoft Power BI is the gift that keeps on giving

December 20, 2019 No Comments

Christmas time is here once again – the season of perpetual hope, merriment, good tidings of great joy and gifts galore. What do you hope to find waiting for you under the tree this year? As a business owner, one of the very best presents you could possibly receive is Microsoft Power.

Business Intelligence. Why? Because it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

Power BI is a cloud-based data intelligence services bundle that, at its essence, enables users to not only seamlessly collect data, but package it in such a way as to make sense of it so that complicated, nuanced processes can be better understood. In doing so, Power BI provides key insights into various themes your company may come across with respect to its day-to-day operations as well as the customers to whom you provide products or services. Data is everywhere and serves as the gasoline for legacy and state-of-the-art equipment. It’s also what business owners use to inform their decisions. As Sherlock Holmes once put it, “It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data.”

But none of it amounts to very much without some way to piece it all together like you would a jigsaw puzzle. Power BI serves as the legend that can help you obtain insight and see the big picture out of seemingly disparate datasets, which enables you to make better choices as to where the company goes from here through easy-to-digest charts, graphs and reports.

It’s also quite user-friendly. If you have any familiarity with how Microsoft Excel works, Power BI should be a smooth transition. Furthermore, while Excel is undoubtedly a fine program and has stood the test of time – debuting over 30 years ago in 1987 – Power BI is much more powerful than its predecessor, which is part of what makes it a software service package that gives much more than it receives. In other words, you get significantly more out of it than the data you feed into the system.

Machine learning gives Power BI its might

BI’s effectiveness is largely made possible by its machine learning capabilities. Machine learning is a bit of a buzz phrase these days – but for good reason, as it’s largely become part of everyday life. Aptly titled, machine learning is an algorithmic process that uses statistics to find patterns in data, which may be culled from a variety of sources and types, including numbers, clicks, images, words or moving pictures. It then uses this data to generate predictions about whatever it’s analyzing. Netflix, Google, smartphones, voice assistants, Facebook and Twitter all use different variations of machine learning to make hypotheses on what consumers will buy, watch, order or consume. Since the predictive algorithms improve in accuracy over time, so too do the predictions.

These enhanced predictive capabilities are part of what gives Power BI its universality and applicability to businesses of all types, but specifically those whose bread and butter is the customer. Its built-in learning aptitude is what allows decision-makers to base their selections and investments on what their customers have done. Because as the old saying goes, the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.

Integrates with most Microsoft platforms

Another Christmassy component to Power BI is that it’s part of the family. If you have other Microsoft business management tools like SharePoint, Dynamics 365, Office 365, or Dynamics GP, this platform will seamlessly integrate with the ones you’re already using. In addition, many non-Microsoft software suites are also fully compatible, so it works well with others. And because it’s cloud-based, you or your personnel can take Power BI with you wherever, whether you’re at the office on your desktop or on the go with your mobile phone or tablet.

In this season of lights, let Microsoft Power BI light the way for you and your business. The TM Group has over 30 years of success in Microsoft Dynamics CRM and ERP business solutions. We’ll show you how to get the most out of the platform that gives you more than you ever bargained for. Contact us today!

04 Dec 2019
Blog, TM Group News No Comments Permalink

The TM Group Expands into Indiana Through Acquisition of Pinnacle Microsoft Dynamics Practice

December 4, 2019 No Comments

Farmington Hills, MI — December 1, 2019  The TM Group, Inc. recently opened a South Bend office and acquired the Microsoft Dynamics GP, Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement and Dynamics 365 Business Central practice formerly managed by Pinnacle of Indiana, an Advanced Imaging Solutions company.   This acquisition does not affect Pinnacle’s ongoing IT services for network support, servers, workstations, Microsoft Office 365 or other IT services.

Earlier this year, Pinnacle needed additional support bandwidth for its Dynamics clients and formed a strategic partnership with The TM Group which then led to discussions and finalization of this acquisition.  According to Steve Klatt, President of Advanced Imaging Solutions, he “made the decision to transition their Dynamics GP and D365 clients to The TM Group, because of their outstanding reputation and a history of world class service & support.”

“We are truly looking forward to servicing our new clients” said Judy Thomas, President & CEO of The TM Group. “Our team is very excited to have the Pinnacle clients join us and to have expanded our offices with the new South Bend office. We already have clients in 22 states, but this is the first office outside of Michigan although we do have employees in four states.”  In addition to the client additions, TMG hired Kevin Brunton as Senior Account Executive from Pinnacle, to provide sales and solution consulting.  Kevin has more than 35 years in the ERP and CRM software marketplace in sales, project management and consulting.  Earlier in 2019, TMG brought aboard Trishia Hogue as an Engagement Manager who is also a former Pinnacle employee.  Trishia also has a wealth of experience in both CRM and ERP implementation and project management.

About The TM Group
The TM Group is a trusted advisor to hundreds of local, national and international clients helping them achieve efficiency, increase productivity and provide clarity to their business results with strategic business solutions.  As a Microsoft Gold Certified Managed Partner, The TM Group leverages its more than 35 years of award-winning experience to help clients with planning, implementation, training and support of enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM) and business intelligence solutions including Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics SL, Microsoft D365 Business Central (BC) and D365 Customer Engagement (CE) and the Microsoft Power Platform.  The TM Group team of more than 40 professionals provides a comprehensive range of business technology consulting services to businesses in a wide variety of industries.  The TM Group has corporate offices in Farmington Hills, Michigan, and satellite offices in Grand Rapids, Michigan and South Bend, Indiana and serves hundreds of clients in more than 17 states throughout North America, Europe and Canada. For more information, contact [email protected] or visit https://tmgroupinc.com.

03 Dec 2019
Blog, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales, Service & Marketing (CRM), TM Group News No Comments Permalink
Develop business leaders by employing an ERP system.
Develop business leaders by employing an ERP system.

How Microsoft Dynamics 365 can help with high expectation customers

December 3, 2019 No Comments

It is said that if you come into any experience with low expectations, you’ll never be disappointed. But in an era of instant gratification, such a stance is unrealistic. If customers don’t receive the kind of service to which they’re entitled, many have no compunction about taking their business elsewhere. Whether in retail, hospitality, banking or any number of other business related to consumer as well as business-to-business transactions, the numbers prove as much.

However, with Microsoft Dynamics 365, your company can better understand what it takes to satisfy your hardest-to-please customers in order to win them over and keep them coming back again and again.

But before we get into the specifics of how utilizing this customer relationship and enterprise resource planning software can enable you to go above and beyond when it comes to customer satisfaction, it’s instructive to examine the extent to which patrons decide to go with a different products or services provider due to dissatisfaction. In June 2017, multinational professional services firm Accenture polled approximately 25,000 people from 33 different economically emerging and mature countries to get a better understanding of how expectations guided their purchasing and shopping decisions. Sectors examined included retailers (such as grocery and department stores), hotels, wireless phone companies, internet service providers, banks, airlines, utility companies as well as insurers.

Most people acknowledge they’ve switched due to bad service

Across the board, meaning in all the sectors that were assessed, customers went with a competing business due to poor customer service. Overall, 61% of respondents made the switch – up 2% from an earlier survey conducted by Accenture survey. This number ballooned to almost 80% for customers in emerging countries.

Customer expectations, it seems, are assuming a similar pattern to the cost of living: one that’s consistently on the rise. As detailed in the Accenture study, more than half of consumers – 53% – acknowledged that their expectations were higher today than they were back in 2012. The reason why largely depended on the persons being asked. For instance, some said it had to do with their greater need for speed, while others pointed to a desire for added convenience or special treatment, having gotten it more often nowadays than back then.

There are many ways to make customers feel like they’re the one and only. Much of this depends on buy-in from staff or personnel. Your team must be fully engaged in order for customers to return the favor.

Actionable feedback is crucial

Another smart strategy is through feedback programs. Gallup Director of Client Experience Courtney Hesselbacher and writer Bailey Nelson, indicate that businesses seeking to win in the court of consumer opinion must do everything within their power to establish a customer-centric culture.

“They empower organizations to connect with customers and use customer analytics to shape their work culture and the way they operate,” Hesselbacher and Nelson noted.

In order to do it, Hesselbacher and Nelson went on to suggest, programs must ask key questions that allow customers to answer openly and honestly so “leaders can apply discoveries to optimize service and bring brand promises to life.” Furthermore, as previously referenced, employees must be in on the process and know how customer-centricity is realized. In other words, they have to be keenly familiar with what authentic customer service looks like in practice.

Where Microsoft Dynamics 365 fits

With Microsoft Dynamics 365 customer-centricity is possible. This ERP offers a variety of capabilities for your business that are in line with the products or services you provide such as sales, field service, marketing, supply chain management and retail. The intuitive customer data platform harnesses the feedback you receive from customers – such as through polling conducted online or other ways you obtain reviews from customers so you can get to the bottom of what makes customers truly happy. These insights are presented in a clean, readily decipherable format on your desktop or laptop, including graphs and charts. Microsoft Form Pro is included in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Service so you can quickly and seamlessly create surveys that can tap into what your customers are taking away from their shopping experiences.

If your business uses agents to answer questions and concerns – such as insurers, internet service providers or telephone – you can optimize their ability to solve customers’ problems through Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Service Insights. Through AI-driven technology and advanced scoring methodologies that uniquely assess end-users’ experiences (Customer Satisfaction Score, or CSAT) your company can gain actionable intelligence on how your agents are handling customers’ queries and what needs to be done to better serve them in a timely fashion. It also allows you to monitor case volume. This may help identify when levels are too high and whether more agents may be needed to maximize productivity.

The TM Group is a proud provider of Microsoft products; we can help you set up this CRM/ERP solution so it’s ready to go straight out of the box. Contact us today – we can help you exceed your customers’ loftiest expectations.

25 Nov 2019
Blog, ERP, TM Group News No Comments Permalink

How finance teams are leveraging automation

November 25, 2019 No Comments

Americans have a love-hate relationship with automation. On the one hand, they readily recognize the tremendous amount of convenience it offers them in their personal and professional lives.

But on the other, some fear the frequency with which it is utilized poses a threat to their livelihood. In a poll conducted by Gallup, nearly 60% of respondents said new technology – such as AI – had a greater potential for resulting in net job losses than offshoring. And roughly a quarter – 23% – worried about the possibility that they too could lose their jobs to artificial intelligence.

AI assisting with prioritization

While some industries have been affected by automation more than others, the notion that AI poses an existential threat has proven to be an overreaction. Finance, for one, is increasingly relying on automation to improve work processes, which has enabled professionals to work in capacities that are more in line with their strengths and require the human touch.

Just ask Robert Kugel, senior vice president and director at Ventana Research. Speaking to CFO Dive, Kugel noted that one of the biggest obstacles for accounting firms is the amount of time devoted to the type of work that is very monotonous in nature, specifically calculations and manually entering data into spreadsheets. While these tasks are undoubtedly important, technology has evolved to such an extent that they can easily be automated.

“A lot of this busywork was appropriate 40 years ago, 30 years ago, but now we finally have sufficiently capable technology to make it possible to do much more automation and eliminate the need for manual work,” Kugel explained.

This added reliance on AI has been influenced by the immense amount of growth in cloud-based software-as-a-service technology and applications, Kugel further noted. At one time, only large corporations were able to fully leverage the power of automation, but thanks to competition and the speed with which tech is advancing, these programs are more affordable for medium and small businesses to implement straight out of the box.

Case in point: Microsoft Dynamics 365. With this software program in place, businesses can quickly and seamlessly assess the monetary health of their company, document transactions and use predictive insights for payments that remain outstanding.

Enhances cash flow management

Take cash flow as a classic example. In many ways, it’s the lifeblood of a business by allowing companies to pay the bills and make strategic investments.

But when customers are delinquent on payments or don’t always submit them in a timely manner, it can create liquidity problems, particularly for organizations whose costs are in a constant state of flux. Dynamics 365 can use a combination of historical data, machine learning and analytics to generate forecasts as to when payments will likely be made. This provides leaders and associates with the insight and perspective they need to make decisions about when and how to proceed if invoices are outstanding.

Increases flexibility

In addition to the predictive elements that SaaS technology like Microsoft Dynamics 365 provides to finance teams, it also increases visibility. Because data is available within the cloud, decision makers aren’t restricted to on-premises reporting. This frees up space and leverages the omnipresence of mobile devices as this software solution is compatible on many different platforms, including Apple products.

Jess Scheer, executive editor at the Institute of Finance & Management, told CFO Dive that automation can also help reduce expenses by streamlining accounts payable. All too often, when payments remain outstanding or are paid well after their due date, they stem from inaccuracies listed on paperwork, which are often attributable to human error. AI helps to mitigate these issues by providing greater visibility and vigilance, thus reducing waste and duplicative tasks.

“Organizations think if they’re more efficient they can reduce people, but you add more value if you apply people to higher tasks,” Scheer told CFO Dive.

Enables you to make the most of your key employees

This is ultimately the biggest upshot of enterprise resource planning software. It simplifies the repetition and tedium associated with financial calculations, which frees up staff to tackle the more challenging jobs that require problem solving, face-to-face interaction, ingenuity and the ability to think on one’s feet.

Here at The TM Group, we’re a proud partner of Microsoft ERP software and can set you up with the suite that fits your budget and goals. We have extensive experience in distribution/manufacturing, education, entertainment, family office management, field service, foundations, healthcare, professional services, and retail/grocery.

Please contact us today to learn more.

30 Oct 2019
Blog, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales, Service & Marketing (CRM), Microsoft Dynamics NAV No Comments Permalink

Don’t Be Afraid: How Microsoft Dynamics Can Improve Your Business

October 30, 2019 No Comments

Did you ever read “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley in high school? If you did, you know the legendary tale has a multidimensional plot about a complex creature – who was largely misunderstood. In many ways, the conclusions drawn by those who initially interacted with Victor Frankenstein’s monster are similar to what can happen when you make certain inferences about your data without the full story and structure of your business systems.

Even if you didn’t read Shelly’s tome, you certainly know what the protagonist of the tale looks like: The haggard face, yellowish-green skin, and gangly arms and legs. In short, the monster was grotesque.

However, underneath all the unsightly physical features that caused so many to recoil in horror, the monster – at least at first – was actually soft-spoken and genteel. And readers contend that the rejection and alienation were what led to the his despair and demise.

So, you may be wondering — what does any of this has to do with data, and more specifically, your business? Well, much like the monster, business systems and the fruits of data collection can appear like a gigantic Frankenstein’s monster of information that frequently comes across as intimidating, imposing and downright fearsome.

That’s where Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and Custom Engagement can provide perspective. This CRM and ERP business solution shines a light on the parts of your business that may appear formidable, but, buried underneath the surface, is actually approachable.

Accounting
This portion of your business is its very heartbeat and reflects how your company is doing day to day and week to week. D365 categorizes your data so you can see with exactness how you did for sales last month, what invoices remain outstanding on the quarter and which ones are overdue. It helps you get the pulse on your profits and your operational expenses.

Distribution and Manufacturing
Operational efficiency and product quality are two of several hallmarks within the distribution and manufacturing industry. You can use predictive insights and intelligence to optimize production and enhance customer satisfaction by modernizing your warehouse. This is made possible through several D365 suite enhancements, which can make lean processes even leaner and intelligent operations smarter.

Customer Insights

With state-of-the-art AI capabilities and features, D365 can help you better understand what drives customer loyalty, thereby streamlining the products, operations or services so customers keep coming back again and again.

Field Service
Supply your field service technicians, troubleshooters and installers with video conferencing so agents can diagnose problems and hammer out solutions before they arrive on-site.

And much more!

Plus, with Microsoft’s Common Data Model, the complexities and incongruities of data management and app development can be better understood, a solution that may have helped the monster’s critics see his softer side.

For all your enterprise resource planning and customer relationship management needs, turn to TM Group. We can help make monstrous data manageable to better equip your multidimensional business.

 

27 Sep 2019
TM Group News No Comments Permalink

Michigan health authority finds speed and efficiency through Sage Intacct

September 27, 2019 No Comments

The Client

Headquartered in northern Michigan, this nonprofit agency provides diagnostic and ongoing emotional and psychological health services. With a patient base residing in 10 of the state’s 83 counties, the agency obtains patients through the federal government’s Medicaid program.

In addition to mental health, the firm also offers services for the elderly as well as those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Challenge

The agency’s mission is straightforward: improving the mental and emotional health and well-being of the people who come in for treatment. The services rendered depend on the patient, but may include assessment, behavior treatment, occupational therapy or medication review. Determining the right course is a function of gathering and reviewing information from patients.

However, the client’s processes needed a makeover, having spent years relying on a labor-intensive, antiquated filing and data collection system. This made it difficult not only to gather data from patients but to make sense of it in an actionable way. For example, much of their data was inputted via Microsoft Excel. When combined with the other day-to-day tasks that come with running a mental health authority, what would normally take a few hours to put reports together, wound up lasting weeks. This ultimately led to reduced productivity and a misallocation of resources.

The Solution

After learning about the situation that this particular client was facing, The TM Group suggested the enterprise resource planning software – Sage Intacct. An ERP developed with nonprofits in mind, Sage Intacct automates a litany of work processes to improve research, data entry and other back-office tasks. What was taking one and a half to two weeks to gather data, interpret it and turn into a report was cut in half, thanks to built-in intelligence capabilities and customized automation solutions found in the Sage Intacct architecture.

Much of what the nonprofit does to improve lives and health wouldn’t be possible without local businesses’ financial support, which often comes in the form of grants. Sage Intacct helped in this regard as well by better keeping track of grants after leveraging the ERP’s next-generation dimensional accounting and integration utilities.

Accruals also proved to be a problematic accounting process for the agency. Prior to using Sage Intacct, revenue and expense reporting was tedious, time-consuming and inefficient. Sage Intacct changed that by providing real-time visibility, tracking and reporting features that streamlined what was previously a piece-meal process.

What’s next?

The back-office improvements were so substantive, the agency says it fully intends to see what software add-ons can be complemented with Sage Intacct. Such features may be able to boost production and enhance efficiency, thereby enabling the agency to fulfill its mission of “improving the overall health, wellness and quality of life” for Michiganders whenever they’re in need.

No matter what work process you’re trying to optimize, we here at The TM Group are confident that we can provide you with the right solution. Please contact us today and take the first step to improving workflows. We can help you put your business on the fast track to achieving lasting results.

17 Sep 2019
Blog, TM Group News No Comments Permalink

Embrace The Cloud

September 17, 2019 No Comments

VISTATECH CENTER, SCHOOLCRAFT COLLEGE LIVONIA, MI

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29TH, 2019

Join The TM Group, Michigan’s leading ERP & CRM provider in Embracing the Cloud at Vision! Vision is a FREE full-day event focused on Microsoft Dynamics GP, SL, 365 Business Central (NAV) & 365 Customer Engagement (CRM). At this conference, you can expect to learn from industry insight on the product road maps for all Dynamics solutions.  This event will begin with Microsoft Dynamics & The Microsoft Power Platform, which introduces the connection between Microsoft Dynamics and the Microsoft Power Apps, such as Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft Dynamics Power BI, Microsoft Dynamics Flow, Microsoft Dynamics SharePoint and more! The TM Group’s professionals and executives collaborate to bring you the latest in Cloud Technology. This conference includes a variety of sessions on topics that will help you better leverage the software you are utilizing! See sessions and register below!

 

Register Here

 

This FREE conference includes many sessions on how to best leverage your investment in your ERP & CRM systems, as well as latest technology trends, cloud benefits, and how your ERP & CRM solutions integrate with the many other Microsoft business productivity applications. These sessions include: 

  • Microsoft Dynamics & The Microsoft Power Platform
  • Microsoft Power BI Dashboards & Solver BI360  
  • Microsoft Dynamics Product Road Maps
  • Microsoft Dynamics GP Tips & Tricks
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (NAV) Tips & Tricks
  • Microsoft Dynamics SL Tips & Tricks
  • Microsoft Dynamics GP New Features
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (NAV) New Features
  • Microsoft Dynamics SL New Features
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement (CRM) New Features
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement (CRM)  Intro
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (NAV) Intro
  • GP Cloud, Njevity’s PowerGP (Move your existing GP to the Cloud!)  

 

View PDF Agenda Here

 

This is a FREE conference. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided!If you are unable to attend and/or would like more information about our business solutions, please email Allie at [email protected] or reply to this email.