Power to the People
Why Your Business Needs a CRM Portal
While simply having Microsoft Dynamics CRM is becoming a no-brainer, there is even more that can be done to open your business to customer, partner, and vendor engagement.
Inside your CRM system is the potential to create an information hub to bridge the connection between partners, customers, and you via a CRM portal.
While it sounds kind of interstellar, we can assure you it is less vast and much easier to explore. A CRM portal is an extension of your CRM system; little chunks broken off just for your customers and partners to access.
This is typically done with a webpage frontend that interacts with the parts of your CRM system you want customers and partners to have access to. With a CRM portal, you can create a custom branded system with different permissions for various types of users.
What kinds of access can be granted to your customers and partners?
Microsoft Dynamics CRM wields the power to provide and control access to different aspects of your CRM system with others. The portal is a place for your customers and partners to engage with, and submit information that will improve relationships, and empower collaboration.
A portal allows outside members to:
- Submit and update information
- Join discussion forums and chat
- Contact members and representatives
- Sign up for perks or reward programs
- Access company blogs and other updates
- Receive notifications
- View content and learn about processes
- Register for events
- Access additional customer service tools
- Update account profiles
- Pay bills
CRM portals allow control and encourage users to participate within your business functions; with all interactions logged in your CRM.
Some Examples of Portal Functions
A distributor can allow resellers to view price lists, place orders, view contracts, and update contact information.
A city government can let people submit permit applications and track them as they move through the different approval stages.
A manufacturing plant can use a portal for collaboration between clients, account management, and the manufacturing floor.
Creating the Portal
The portal can be developed for clients, partners, and even teams within your organization. It can be completely customized to make sense for the audience. Enterprise technology groups and consultants (like us!) work with you and your CRM system to build this addition.
When considering the value of such a program, it is also important to ensure your company has access to the right people and tools to implement this solution. Being able to work with doers like TechAir Group is what we’re here for. Setting up the portal can be complex and typically needs professional input and navigation.
Portals are a great way to increase the functionality of a Microsoft Dynamics CRM implementation by inviting people outside your organization to be able to access crucial information and contribute.
Call us into the game to develop a plan, and implement the right CRM and portal solutions for your company.