Sales goals are important to your whole organization and how sales people manage those goals are just as important. Microsoft Dynamics® CRM can greatly improve how sales manage their goals, ultimately improving your bottom line.

There has been a slight shift from Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 to CRM 2011 that sales should pay close attention to. In CRM 4.0, sales use the quota feature to manage their sales goals. In CRM 2011, the goals feature has been added as a replacement for quotas. Quotas are still supported in 2011, but will not be available in later versions. Out with the old and in with the new! Here are a few reasons we’re excited about this transition:

Goals in Microsoft Dynamics CRM are directly tied to opportunities. So if you enter revenue for a particular lead, it will account for your all- up goals. This tracks your actual money in relation to your in-progress revenue so that goals line up in real-time with sales information and accounting data. Once a lead is closed, then CRM automatically records this as actual money (updating goals simultaneously). This backend workflow for goals makes sure financial information stays up-to-date and your sales reps always on their toes to meet their sales goals.

Goals can be set up for opportunities, but are not limited to this. For example, sales reps may be encouraged to look for influencers as well. Managers can set up goals for users or users can do this for themselves. There are parent goals and child goals- specific goals, sales team goals, department goals, company goals. You can really take goals as far as you want to go to support your unique business processes. By default, goals recalculate every 24 hours, but you can manually do this as well. You just have to change the setting to recalculate more often.

So how do you set up sales goals in Microsoft Dynamics CRM? In the sales module, select “goals” and choose the type of goal you’re looking to set up. By default, there are two choices 1. Revenue or 2. Accounts, but you can create your own goal metrics as well if this isn’t what you need to track. Then these goals automatically pull information from opportunity updates. Once goals are set up, you can also pull that into your dashboard view so you always have information at hand.

If you have any questions about setting up goals in Microsoft Dynamics CRM or the transition from quotas to goals, please contact us at Pangea Business Solutions.

By Alexandra Gonzalez with PANGEA Business Solutions- http://www.pangeabsi.com/

Phase One of the Microsoft Dynamics® GP 2013 Web Client was released in December 2012 and Phase Two is slated to be released in the spring.  There are over 150 enhancements in the new and improved Microsoft Dynamics 2013 Web Client which are sure to strengthen and improve your enterprise resource planning (ERP) software experience.

There is no reason to wait any longer to get your hands on the software that can streamline operations and drive growth, but make sure you work with your IT department and software provider to set up your web client architecture properly.  Although Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Web Client is easy to learn and use, it would be helpful to offer training for your entire team.  Provide the guidance for users to set up their RoleTailored pages, learn how to find and share data, and you’ll have your team up and running in no time.

According to “What is included with the Microsoft Dynamics 2013 Web Client in Phase One,” posted on the Microsoft Dynamics GP blog by Pam Misialek, Phase One of the Microsoft Dynamics 2013 Web Client release is centered on the Financials and Distribution features.  Phase Two will be focused on Human Resources and Payroll.  In the current release, you will find improvements in SmartLists and Smartlist Builder; reporting with Excel, SRS Reports, Word Forms, and Report Writer Reports; and use eConnect and Web Services.  Modifier is not included in the Web Client, but modifier changes will render.  The Business Analyzer function can be found on the home page, not in the Navigation List pages.

Take a moment to review the PowerPoint presentation linked in the blog post by Misialek for details regarding what is and is not included in the Microsoft Dynamics 2013 Web Client.  Specifically related to the financials functionality, you can perform bank reconciliation, manage customer and vendor data, refund checks or direct debits, manage scheduled payments, and more.  Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Web Client will also provide multilingual and multi-currency features.  The Distribution features include advanced picking; PO Approvals, Commitments, and Returns; and, extended pricing options.

The right ERP software solution can improve productivity and profitability, so why wait to deploy the software that can improve your business?  Contact PANGEA Business Solutions for more information about the Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Web Client and upgrade your ERP today.

By Alexandra Gonzalez with PANGEA Business Solutions, Microsoft Dynamics Partner out of Florida

Many companies report that they don’t get the full benefit of their ERP solution. What these companies don’t realize is that this may have been a result of their implementation process. It’s no secret that large software deployments can have glitches on more than one occasion, so to avoid this, many companies think ‘more is more’ during the process and get overloaded with unnecessary software.

Unnecessary software drives up the price tag, complicates processes, and decreases user adoption. In most cases, this software is not integrated and then you have a whole set of new problems. All of this attributes to companies not getting the full benefit of their ERP solutions.

So what’s the key?

You need to realize your specific needs and differentiators first before you select software for your business. Yes, it will take time and yes, it will take effort, but the end result is that you’ll have a solution built for your needs making life easier and your business more successful.

If you’re hesitant to go it alone, contact us at PANGEA Business Solutions. We specialize in custom business solutions, application development, database design, and web-enabling businesses.

By Alexandra Gonzalez with PANGEA Business Solutions- http://www.pangeabsi.com/

Whether you have a small or very large sales department, you likely have your reps separated by geography. You don’t want your teams stepping on one another’s toes and you definitely don’t want to have a valuable customer fall between the cracks. With this said, it’s also important to keep competition amongst your sales team at a good level.

The easiest way to establish territories with your CRM solution in mind is by zip code. I find that many companies complicate things when they try to evenly distribute territories based on their client base in a certain area. It may take more planning up front, but for streamlined automation between sales, marketing and customer service, zip code territory definitions are the way to go.

No matter what you decide when it comes down to this, you want to make sure your CRM solution is flexible because you’ll experience turn over, client needs will change, and you can bet things won’t stay the same for long. Contact us at PANGEA Business Solutions to learn how Microsoft Dynamics® CRM can be the flexible platform you’ve been looking for: http://www.pangeabsi.com/contact.html.

By Alexandra Gonzalez with PANGEA Business Solutions, Microsoft Dynamics Partner out of Florida

If all you have to manage at your business is accounting, than there isn’t really much difference. But not many of us have just accounting to think about. Years ago, accounting software was much more popular, but today ERP software is taking the lead.

Here are a few key reasons how they’re different and why ERP ranks higher in popularity today:

1. Accounting is a Subset of ERP Software. Accounting software manages your financials so you can manage accounts receivable and payable, budgets, and payroll. But the functionality usually ends there. If you want to track other areas such as orders, inventory, or historic data, you’re out of luck. ERP Software can extend your reach and streamline all areas of your business including accounting.
2. Better Control of Your Resources. Since accounting software doesn’t reach into various departments, it’s difficult to control your resources such as headcount, materials used, costs in relation to profits and equipment. With ERP Software, you gain insight into details so you can make good business decision.
3. Profitability Analysis Capabilities. Accounting software helps you take the necessary actions to accept payments and pay employees, but it doesn’t give you information so you can figure out your profitability. If you’re not actually making money, you need to know that in order to do things differently. ERP Software tracks everything from start to finish in real-time and therefor can provide data to help you achieve higher profitability.

If you have questions about more differences between accounting software and ERP software, please feel free to contact us at PANGEA Business Solutions.

By Alexandra Gonzalez with PANGEA Business Solutions- http://www.pangeabsi.com/

Without data, your CRM software isn’t worth much.  So how do you manage your current data imports from tradeshows, website information, integrations from other systems?  That is just the question that many people wrestle with after having made the decision to utilize new CRM software or to switch from one software package to another.  Luckily features and tools from Microsoft Dynamics® CRM can give you the options you need to manage your data effectively.

Like other commonly used Microsoft software, Microsoft Dynamics CRM is easy to use right out of the box.  The latest upgrade to Microsoft CRM 2011 includes new features like the Data Import Wizard that are sure to save you lots of time with the data import process.  The two new features include changes to Data Mapping Identification and Field Mapping.  When selecting a data map, your source – and destination fields will automatically match up.  For businesses migrating from Salesforce and Business Contact Manager, the pre-built data maps make that transition seamless.

Changes in the Map Field section of Microsoft Dynamics CRM will allow you to pick the column headings from the data source and match them with a field on the CRM record before starting the import wizard.  Changes to the Field Mappings feature will allow you to input information into an Option Set and match values to available Option Set Choices.  This new feature provides a level of customization that can be saved for future data imports and will save time from data verification.

For additional details on Microsoft Dynamics CRM and how it can help you turn marketing opportunities into sales, contact PANGEA Business Solutions.

By Alexandra Gonzalez with PANGEA Business Solutions, Microsoft Dynamics Partner out of Florida

A CRM system should show you more information about your customer relationships sales, service, operations and otherwise. What you do with that information and how you get to it varies from organization to organization. But this is where data analytics should come into play. You should be able to use the data in your CRM to make more informed business decisions and increase profitability.

We see a lot of companies going about CRM implementation the wrong way. When they implement CRM software, they try to make their processes fit the software. This can backfire quickly as it’s not working the way your people work and probably not producing the data you need to do your job well. With Microsoft Dynamics CRM and an experienced partner, organizations have the option to define processes and reports before implementing the software. Then Microsoft Dynamics CRM forms to their way of working, helping them be more productive and ultimately putting their data to work…the right way.

If you’re interested in getting more out of your CRM solution, contact us here at PANGEA Business Solutions. As a Microsoft Dynamics CRM partner, we are dedicated to providing companies with flexible and powerful business solutions.

By Alexandra Gonzalez with PANGEA Business Solutions, Microsoft Dynamics Partner out of Florida

You’ve met those people that just have a way of livening up a party. Their personality transforms the vibe in a room. I like to compare ERP Software with that “life of the party”…it just has a way of transforming business and creates a good “vibe” all-around. How exactly does it do this? Let us count the ways…

1. Talkative: When implemented correctly, ERP Software doesn’t shut up! But in a good way. The business intelligence available through the solution helps you see important reports as well as make good business decisions that affect your company’s success.
2. Approachable: ERP software should be easy-to-use. For example, Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions are built on platforms you’re already familiar with. So if you use Microsoft Outlook, you can definitely use Microsoft Dynamics® GP or Microsoft Dynamics CRM. But if your team is scared to even start up the system, well then it’s not going to transform your business and you’re going to lose money on your investment…fast!
3. Easy-Going: ERP software should be flexible and help your business take things as they come. Not everything can be planned; so for those wild and hectic days, ERP software can roll with the punches, maintaining a good business flow.

If you are drawn to the ‘life of the party’, you’re probably drawn to ERP software for your business. Contact us at PANGEA Business Solutions to find out more about Microsoft Dynamics ERP.

By Alexandra Gonzalez with PANGEA Business Solutions- http://www.pangeabsi.com/

In the past, CRM software had a stigma that it was only good for sales teams and general customer management. Today it is a much different story, through the flexibility of XRM framework solutions; CRM can be tailored to meet the specific needs you have.

Instead of just focusing on customers, Microsoft Dynamics xRM can help you manage all relationships and the information those relationships generate. This means that even if you don’t have a huge customer base, xRM can help you improve profitability. By streamlining your connections with vendors, members, contributors, suppliers (the list could go on and on), you’re improving overall operations while keeping everyone on the same page.

If you’re interested in the flexibility that xRM brings to relationship management, contact us here at PANGEA Business Solutions. As a Microsoft Dynamics CRM partner, we are dedicated to providing companies with flexible and powerful business solutions.

By Alexandra Gonzalez with PANGEA Business Solutions, Microsoft Dynamics Partner out of Florida

With the Summer Olympics in full swing, it’s easy to get inspired by the supreme athleticism and powerful positivity. Even if the media insists on focusing on Gabby Douglas’ hair or Ryan Lochte’s “mystery girl”! But all in all, the Olympics are a big deal.

Similar to the Olympics, your ERP Software should be a big deal too. Many organizations overlook answering the most important question before searching for the solution right for their business. You need to determine just how big your organization is, before deciding how big you need your ERP software to be. Some solutions, such as Microsoft Dynamics® GP can scale with you as you grow. But some solutions can stop you in your tracks. Even if you’re not sure of your growth (as I’m sure the Greeks didn’t expect the Olympics to take on like it did), you should still play it safe so you don’t have to pay for it later.

The Olympics also bring every country in the world together. Although they’re competing against each other in ever athletic form, they’re still creating connections that we all need. Your ERP software should connect your organization. Your departments probably won’t compete against each other, but if they can all use the same system, then you have a step ahead of the rest.

So as you cheer on the U.S. or any other country for that matter, think about how big of a deal your ERP software is for your business. GO USA!

By Alexandra Gonzalez with PANGEA Business Solutions, Microsoft Dynamics Partner out of Florida