University of Greenwich empowers Research and Enterprise team with Microsoft Dynamics CRM

Sept. 3, 2013 - PRLog -- The Business Needs

The aim of implementing a CRM solution was to help improve the management of interactions between individuals, organisations and GRE business development staff. This included GRE’s need to enable individuals to manage their relationships with businesses and individuals, conduct marketing communication and analyse the performance of the business development team.

The lack of a current central system or process meant that information regarding the ways in which individuals and organisations interact with the University is fragmented and not readily available in a form that can be used to  review or enhance the service offerings of the organisation.  

The lack of a current central system or process meant that information regarding the ways in which individuals and organisations interact with the University is fragmented and not readily available in a form that can be used to  review or enhance the service offerings of the organisation.  

Previous Solution

Similar to many organisations, GRE housed information in a number of  applications including various databases, Microsoft Outlook, spreadsheets and paper files.

Why Microsoft Dynamics CRM?

GRE were focused on providing a system that could be accessed and used by staff  at any location, either on campus, remotely or at home.

This required that the system had to be capable of offering functionality to manage all incoming enquiries, contact and account activity and manage the business development processes for the business development team.

The solution sought would best be met by a system that could be configured to provide easy access for both office-based and remote workers, with a preferred interface into the CRM system via Microsoft Outlook or through a web-based interface that has a similar look and feel to the standard desktop software that BDMs are familiar with.

Additionally, GRE wished to be able to configure the solution themselves as required, so ease of customisation was a prerequisite for any solution implemented.

With these requirements, the best solution identified was Microsoft Dynamics CRM online.

Why Pythagoras?

Following project approval from the University’s IT Projects Board, the project was put out to tender with a number of organisations tendering to deliver the project. Pythagoras were selected as the   delivery partner as their experience and quality project management methodology gave GRE the greatest confidence that they would be able to  deliver the solution required.  

Throughout project delivery, Pythagoras were extremely engaged and professional. They had a very clear and detailed project delivery methodology which meant the project was always on schedule and there were clear sign-off stages before moving on with the       project. This contributed significantly to the project delivering a quality solution required by the end-users.

Julian Stone, Managing Director at Pythagoras, commented, “I am delighted Greenwich Research andEnterprise has chosen to partner with Pythagoras. Our CRM expertise within Higher Education and close working relationship with GRE will ensure this is a true long term partnership.”

The benefits

The CRM has improved the management of interactions between individuals,       organisations and the GRE business development staff, including being able to:

• Provide “live” summary information to senior management, aiding decision-making;
• Provide analysis on the performance of the business development team
• Conduct marketing communications and analyse campaign return-on-investment;
• Shorten lead time from first enquiry to opportunity development, enhancing the client experience; and
• Comply with data protection legislation and requirements;

“The experience of working with Pythagoras on delivering this IT project was excellent, and the technical and business support offered has resulted in a solution that more than met our expectations”.

Dr Martin Davies, Director of Research & Enterprise (Greenwich Research & Enterprise)

Visit our website for more information on our Education CRM solutions. http://www.pythagoras.co.uk/industries/higher-education.aspx