The system of Microsoft Dynamics CRM – is the most popular CRM-system. Its competitive advantage over other CRM-systems is not accidental. This article is dedicated to the unique tooling of prototyping solutions based on Microsoft Dynamics CRM, which allows laying the foundation for a successful implementation of CRM-system in the earliest stages of the project.

Suppose you need to choose a mobile phone. But even if it will be described in detail all its functions and options in the description of the apparatus, down to the size of the buttons, and photos of the phone in different angles, you still prefer to hold the phone in your hands to check its work in practice. Only in this way you will make sure that its functions are implemented in such a way as convenient to you.

Taking into operation a system based on technical descriptions, you risk getting not what you expected – business process beautifully described in the paper can be inconvenient in actual use. What then? Should we redo a complete system or change the actual business processes, adapting them to the functionality of the system?

The problem of mismatch functionality of CRM-system to business processes of the enterprise can take many forms:

Carrying out the daily operations is inconvenient and time consuming.

Functions of the system are only implemented by linear course of the business process, not providing the necessary flexibility: return to the previous step, cancel the operation, and correct the error in the data.

When designing or implementing key requirements are missed, as a result the functions of the system do not work correctly.

Implementation from the prototype

Is there an approach to prevent the gap between business processes and functionality of the system? Yes, such an approach exists – prototyping. A prototype of the program – is a mock-up, trial version of the program, which was created to test the suitability of the proposed concepts for the application, architectural and technological solutions, as well as to introduce the program to the customer at the early stages of development.

The prototype allows getting feedback from potential users at a time when it is most needed: at the beginning of the project, when there is an opportunity to correct a design flaw with virtually no losses. The users receive the layout of the system, which will close in appearance and key features to the final decision. The prototype can be “twisted in the hands”, checked its compliance with enterprise business processes and the degree of convenience for end users. Previously comparing his vision of CRM-system with the solution proposed by consultants, users get rid of the risk to obtain a system that does not meet expectations.

Why is prototyping so rarely used in the implementation of CRM-system? As a rule, the company simply does not want to pay for the creation of the prototype of the system, and consultants do not want to do “double” work.

Over the recent decades rapid prototyping services managed with solving lots of tech problems occurring when trying to show a product, design or model. Have you ever faced such a problem too? Then you are welcomed to go to this rapid prototyping methodology site.

And remember that we live in the world of digital technologies. Bear in mind that current web technologies give you a unique opportunity to try and to find anything you might require. Make use of them to look for cheap rapid prototyping. Should you want to keep track of the latest publications on the topic subscribe to the RSS feed on this blog.

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