August 18, 2008
SearchCRM.com
Question:
Can you tell me a little bit about Microsoft's eLearning functionality? How quickly can we expect to get our employees up and running on Microsoft CRM with the training Microsoft provides?
Answer:
Microsoft's eLearning courses are a great way to get up to speed with the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 product. We generally recommend these courses for our clients, particularly for their IT staff, as a way of familiarizing themselves with the application and the skills required to support CRM, including screen configuration, report creation and workflow management. eLearning is extremely convenient, allowing users to access the training when their schedule permits, and is very reasonably priced. More information on specific courses is available on Microsoft's eLearning website.
Each organization's training requirements are different. Understanding which training is right for your organization will depend on how familiar your users are with technology and standard applications like Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook and Internet Explorer, and how much you have configured your Microsoft Dynamics CRM solution. Many of our customers create their own internal training to highlight specific business processes or functional areas that will be utilized most frequently. Many Microsoft partners also provide customized end user and administrative training for customers.
For end users, Microsoft has added a new feature called the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Resource Center. The Resource Center is directly available in both the Outlook and Web clients, and provides users with access to downloads, tips and tricks, best practices, and additional information about CRM. Microsoft has also released its Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 User's Guide which is available on the Microsoft downloads site.
Richard Smith, Vice President, CRM Practice Director, Green Beacon Solutions
Richard Smith is a founding partner of Green Beacon Solutions. He brings over a decade of experience in the high-tech market in project delivery and product management. Prior to Green Beacon Solutions, Mr. Smith worked for Breakaway Solutions as a delivery partner, managing the full-lifecycle delivery of CRM and e-commerce implementations for the financial, high-tech, and Internet commerce markets, including the design and implementing of hundreds of successful CRM implementations and custom software development projects.
Previously, Mr. Smith was the manager of U.S. corporate and retail product management for Dr. Solomon's software and a senior product marketing manager for ON Technology Corporation.
Mr. Smith received a BS in business management and computer science from the Boston College Carroll School of Management.