Are you comparing CRM platforms? Do you see what we see?

As software developers and systems integrators for more than 20 years, Cobalt has witnessed tremendous changes in the CRM industry. Over time, we’ve noticed that the feature sets and out-of-the-box functionality have become more and more similar for the major players in the market. We watched the peak and decline of proprietary, self-contained systems. They still exist but have clearly been outstripped by the more integrated, open platforms from Microsoft, Oracle, and Salesforce. 

There is a difference in the price points and license models between these frontrunners, with a clear advantage to Microsoft. The pricing difference can be a deal-breaker for small or medium-sized organizations, but often, it doesn’t seem to be the most significant deciding factor with the prospective clients we meet.

So what is it, really, that makes the difference?

Infrastructure and flexibility.

The support and integrated systems tied to your CRM make a substantial difference in the workflow, efficiency, and creation of a superior user experience (for your team and your customers). A flexible CRM will give you the ability to extend its built-in capabilities yourself, as well as add or build new functionality to fit your unique needs. 

Dynamics 365: The Best of Both Advantages

Microsoft is the clear frontrunner in both cases. Their infrastructure is broader and deeper than any other competitor, offering seamless integration with the Microsoft cloud ecosystem, Office 365, Power BI, and its Azure artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technology which is quickly becoming usable for businesses and organizations of all sizes. Microsoft’s ecosystem of partners, solutions, and certified professionals in the job pool means your Dynamics 365 is connected to the richest support network available anywhere. 

The Vision and Investments to Lead

When Microsoft bought LinkedIn, it paved the way for integrating Dynamics 365 for Sales and the LinkedIn Sales Navigator under a new banner: Microsoft Relationship Sales. With the depth and volume of LinkedIn’s data, Dynamics 365 clients now have a tremendous advantage for building client relationships and finding the leads that convert. In-depth experience with Dynamics 365 is also a solid investment for long-term career development for your whole team. With massive investments such as this in CRM technology and a dream R&D budget, Microsoft is poised to lead the market for many years.