The Connector for Microsoft Dynamics, which has been available for about two years, provides integration between Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Microsoft Dynamics GP (previously Great Plains), as well as NAV and AX. The Connector is to be able to pull information between the transactional world of GP and CRM’s customer-centric records. Earlier this month Microsoft released a new suite of out-of-the-box Connector integrations and workflows for Accounts Receivable, Credit Applications, and Invoicing.
So why do you need the Dynamics Connector in the first place? The underlying idea is that Dynamics GP and Dynamics CRM shouldn’t be separate information silos. Often it makes sense to pull records and share functionality between the two systems.
For example, with the Dynamics Connector you can save a lot of time by automatically synchronizing a new Account created in Dynamics CRM with a customer record in GP, and vice-versa. Connector also lets your sales staff conveniently book an order for a new entered customer directly in CRM without going into GP. The Connector transfers the Order record in the background.
The Dynamics Connector provides great opportunities to avoid duplicate work and improve data consistency. And in case you’re wondering, the Connector can be customized to map between records on a granular field level.
The new functions for the just-released Productivity Pack enhancements to the Dynamics Connector are found here. They include shortened Accounts Receivable processing time and sped up customer credit approvals. Overall, there’s deeper integration on customer refunds, credit balance, and order status.
