Helios-IT recognised by Microsoft as
The Belgian-Dutch services company for integrated, administrative business software, Helios-IT, has just received the Certified Advisor certificate for Dynamics CRM from Microsoft. Helios-IT hereby joins a select group of suppliers that meet the very strict quality requirements that Microsoft sets in this area. “It is an important acknowledgement of the efforts that we have made to expand this business unit,” according to Alex Vandereycken, partner with Helios-IT. “This certificate will undoubtedly open a lot of doors at companies that are now looking to implement a CRM package.”
Approximately 54% of the companies in Europe are currently using an ERP software package to manager their financial and other processes. That illustrates the need for user-friendly, multifunctional programs. That figure is in sharp contrast with the 16% of all companies that use a CRM application. Those CRM applications are used to dynamically manage data from clients, prospects and other contacts for a wide range of commercial purposes. One explanation for the modest penetration of CRM software may be found in the tall stories making the rounds about expensive and complicated database systems that work poorly, if at all, after a long implementation process. At the request of companies that need CRM software that works -- adapted and installed by a reliable partner -- Microsoft created the CRM Certified Advisor certificate. Mieke De Ketelaere of Microsoft explains why: “Microsoft Dynamics CRM is offered to clients exclusively via partners. We entrust that only to suppliers who have more than proven their expertise and experience with those applications. Because this product has only existed for 5 years, there are currently only a handful of companies who can provide references in this area. We are pleased that Helios-IT is now joining that group.” Exams To earn this certification, several consultants within the same company must successfully complete some exams. Both the individual and the cumulative level of expertise in a company play a part in certification. Helios-IT has acquired the necessary expertise by, on the one hand, external recruiting, and, on the other hand, training some of its own, experienced consultants. Bart Vierbergen, CRM consultant with Helios-IT, explains: “Because our team meets the technical conditions for certification, we are able to implement the 3 cornerstones of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM: • “Works the way you do” reflects the integration of the CRM software in the existing, trusted Microsoft environment of the client. Seamless connections, for example, are made to Outlook or Excel. • “Works the way your business does” refers to the possibility of integrating company-specific processes in our CRM package. We do custom work, which makes it possible to easily integrate what the client is used to. If, for example, a specific client has to be contacted every month, the software can be configured to issue a reminder every month. • “Works the way IT should” illustrates that Microsoft Dynamics CRM can be linked perfectly to other ERP packages and Microsoft programs to give you a perfect 360° picture with all vertical and other information per client. “For that purpose, there is also an interface that makes it possible to retrieve all the data via the Internet,” Bart Vierbergen says. “Earning this recognition has many benefits for Helios-IT,” partner Alex Vandereycken says. “In the first place, we can show in black and white that we are reliable and have the necessary skills to implement Microsoft Dynamics CRM. That is necessary if we are not to miss the boat in the fast-growing CRM software market. With this confirmation of expertise, we are sure to be able to open a lot of doors. An additional advantage is that, as a Dynamics CRM partner, we can also count on the support of Microsoft itself, which is, of course, an additional trump card for our clients. And, finally, it also increases the possibility of offering integrated packages, where CRM perfectly complements the other solutions that we are also certified for. In short, this recognition represents a new and important step in the further development of Helios-IT into a total supplier of the best-performing business software in the market." Round-table seminar on 15 June 2007! To provide companies more insight into the many possibilities of CRM software and, in particular, to explain the details of Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Helios-IT is organising a free round-table seminar in Keerbergen on 15 June 2007. Titled ‘Are you CRM ready?’, several highly respected professionals will share their practical experience in this area with the interested companies. The keynote speaker is Professor Jean-Luc Schellens, a recognised expert in the integration of CRM technology. He has years of experience in best CRM practices and in strategic consulting in respect of project and change management for CRM applications. More info and registration is available at www.Helios-IT.com, or by telephone on 015/27 47 24.