Publication
Microsoft Dynamics for retail
Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a modular ERP and CRM system that helps retailers optimize and automate all their business processes.
The ERP and CRM system for retail
Retailers are facing major challenges. Consumers are more demanding than ever, seeking the ultimate customer journey and seamless omni-channel experiences. Supply and demand must be aligned perfectly, using optimal prices and minimizing inventory levels.
To achieve this, you need to have real-time insight into all business processes, a 360º view of customers and a clear overview of your entire supply chain. From finance and store management to stock and inventory management and purchasing, Microsoft Dynamics 365 gives you one integrated suite of business applications and modules that mesh seamlessly.
As an integrated all-in-one solution, Microsoft Dynamics 365 offers many advantages for retailers:
- Applications and modules that mesh seamlessly, giving you access to a single platform and a single source of truth.
- Switch easily between applications without having to use different interfaces.
- A cloud solution that is secure, flexible, always up-to-date and easily scales with your organization.
- Functionalities for Point of Sale, store operations, e-commerce and customer loyalty through the LS Retail add-on for Dynamics 365.
Key benefits
The implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365 has a number of key benefits for retail.
Optimal customer satisfaction
How you interact with your customers is incredibly important, and Dynamics optimizes customer experience across all touchpoints of the customer journey. In addition, the platform offers advanced capabilities for personalization, supply, price and inventory transparency, aftersales, cross and upselling, returns and more.
Inventory management and optimization
Efficient and effective inventory management is key to maintaining healthy margins. This ERP and CRM system for retail offers real-time inventory visibility, generates predictive analytics, automates purchase orders and more. As a result, your inventory positions are always at the lowest possible levels, while brick-and-mortar stores always have access to optimal stocks at exactly the right time and place, achieving perfectly coordinated replenishment.
One single overview of all processes
Dynamics gives you a single, centralized overview of all your business processes. Examples include a 360º view of your customers, tracking their interactions across all channels. Integrated BI capabilities make it possible to identify potential cost reductions, while predictive, AI-based data allow you to anticipate future needs.
Integrations
Integration is easy – and not just other Dynamics components such as web shops and the anti-fraud module, but also other components of the Microsoft ecosystem such as Teams, Outlook and Office 365. With Power Platform, you can easily develop applications, workflows and chatbots that become part of your ERP and CRM platform.
Frequently used ERP and CRM software for retail
Dynamics add-on: LS Retail
Our retail customers often also opt for LS Retail, an end-to-end retail software solution for which MBS has achieved certified partner status. Based on Microsoft Dynamics 365, LS Retail brings together finance (via Microsoft ERP), Point of Sale, store operations, supply chain management, inventory, e-commerce and customer loyalty in a single platform. Since LS Retail means that retailers only need a single solution, it is sometimes referred to as ‘unified commerce’ software.
FAQ
What are the benefits of Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation?
Implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365 as an ERP and/or CRM system offers countless benefits. Essentially, you will be able to automate and optimize your business processes, gaining access to real-time insights, or even predictive forecasts. The data and analysis enable you to work smarter and faster, make better decisions, reduce errors and cut down on duplicate work, achieve cost savings, increase customer satisfaction and boost your innovative power.
How long does a Dynamics 365 implementation process take?
The duration of a Dynamics 365 implementation varies depending on a number of factors. The main considerations are the size of the software to be implemented, the complexity (e.g. data migration and integrations with other systems) and whether or not cloud migration has already happened. For example, a CRM that only includes the Dynamics marketing app can often go live in just two months. For smaller projects, we can also combine phases, for example by merging diagnosis and preparation. Business Central with extensive automation and optimization of multiple processes such as purchasing, inventory and finance easily takes four to twelve months. And if an organization opts for a full-scale ERP AND CRM system? The implementation process can take up to two or three years.
What are the costs involved in a Microsoft Dynamics implementation?
There is no easy way to give a general impression of how much a specific Microsoft Dynamics implementation will cost, due in part to Microsoft’s somewhat complicated and often rapidly evolving licensing model. Logically, the number of modules or apps you purchase will affect your costs, but you also need to consider the number and type of users and allocation of database space. And we can’t forget the working hours that add up alongside the actual implementation, for your workforce and for the implementation partner.
Conclusion MBS as an ideal partner for Dynamics implementation
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