[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.18.2″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0|0px|false|false” next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Dynamics in Housing ” background_overlay_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.14)” module_class=”ds-fw-header” _builder_version=”3.18.2″ title_font=”||||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_font_size=”40px” title_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.53)” background_image=”https:\/\/redkitecrm.co.uk\/Redkitecrm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/HousingPiece.jpg” background_blend=”overlay” text_shadow_style=”preset1″ \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.18.2″ custom_padding=”23px|0px|0|0px|false|false” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.18.2″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.18.2″ text_font=”||||||||” text_line_height=”1.9em” header_font=”||||||||” header_line_height=”1.3em”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.18.2″ custom_padding=”0|0px|0|0px|false|false” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_row custom_padding=”3px|0px|0|0px|false|false” _builder_version=”3.18.2″][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_team_member name=”Andy McCormick” position=”Managing Director” image_url=”https:\/\/redkitecrm.co.uk\/Redkitecrm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Andy.jpg” linkedin_url=”https:\/\/uk.linkedin.com\/in\/andy-mccormick-b4a13212″ _builder_version=”3.18.2″]<\/p>\n
Andy is Managing Director and Co-founder of RedkiteCRM Ltd.\u00a0 He has extensive experience in both the implementation of Microsoft Dynamics and also of the Housing Sector<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.18.2″]<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been 17 years since Microsoft Dynamics was first introduced and many people, myself included, missed the launch of Microsoft CRM (as it was called then) version 1.0 as it singularly failed to grab anyone\u2019s attention.\u00a0 Fast forward to Microsoft CRM 3.0, which was the first version people started to take seriously, this version was also the one that started to turn the heads of Housing Providers.\u00a0 All of a sudden they could see the potential of a solution that could replace those costly off the shelf packages which managed one or two areas of the business or the complex spreadsheets used to run key processes. It looked like Microsoft CRM had arrived.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Early trail blazers in the housing sector were keen to adopt a Microsoft solution for a number of reasons. Firstly the licenses were very cheap (these were the golden days of charity pricing for registered social landlords), it also fitted in to a \u2018Microsoft First\u2019 IT strategy, most importantly, the product offered a flexibility that few other applications had, with its configurable interface and extremely flexible SDK.\u00a0 Those early trail blazers in Housing who dared to try something new often became advocates for Microsoft CRM, but not every implementation was successful.\u00a0 Despite this more and more housing associations started to take note and consider whether Microsoft CRM could benefit their business and be introduced into their IT ecosystem.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0Initially the business application for Microsoft CRM were primarily to manage customer interactions in the call-centre, it was also used to manage more complex processes such as a complaints or ASBs but by and large this was to be the extent of the processes it managed.\u00a0 The more complex processes such as repairs, rent management and remote working remained with other more traditional systems; the appetite to change simply was not there. Data, always the key part of any project, was more often than not passed from the housing management system into Microsoft CRM with only amended contact details being passed back to any of the other systems.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0However things took a leap forward when Microsoft CRM version 4.0 was released. Microsoft introduced a number of new features into the application but the most important of these was support for multi-tenancy databases, this advancement was to pave the way for how Microsoft CRM was to be deployed to the cloud in later versions.\u00a0 Initially it meant that multiple instances of CRM could be configured on the same SQL server meaning environments could be set-up relatively easily for development, testing and training.\u00a0 Suddenly organizations had the means to quickly rollout functionality at a fraction of the cost and time it previously took.<\/span><\/p>\n Over the next few releases Microsoft introduced more enhancements to the user interface and to the development tools available but the biggest advance was to move Microsoft Dynamics (as it had then be renamed to) into the cloud and enable easy integration to other Microsoft cloud services including SharePoint, Exchange and Office365.<\/p>\n \u00a0At the same time Microsoft was also releasing add-ons to Microsoft Dynamics with some being highly relevant to housing, these included Field Service, which turned Microsoft Dynamics into a powerful scheduling engine.\u00a0 Others included customer engagement, which enabled \u2018Survey Monkey\u2019 functionality directly from Microsoft Dynamics.\u00a0 But it was not just Microsoft who was adding modules and functionality at a rapid rate, Microsoft partners were also engaged in the Microsoft Dynamics functionality \u2018arms race\u2019, with the most popular solutions extending CRM to be available on external portals and hand-held devices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.18.2″]<\/p>\n However implementing Microsoft Dynamics was not without its challenges with the application\u2019s greatest strength – flexibility, being its biggest weakness.\u00a0 Sometimes the initial requirements were too complex which inevitably lead an overly complex user interface and poor user adoption.\u00a0 In other cases the reverse was true, too little thought was given to the initial design resulting in the development of application \u2018cul de sacs\u2019 where the existing design stymies future development.\u00a0 In both cases the only outcome was to either unpick certain elements of the initial implementation and re-configure or, if this was not possible, a complete re-development was called for.\u00a0 These early mistakes, although painful, made both the housing organisations who were implementing Microsoft Dynamics and the partners assisting them far more savvy with future enhancements and implementations.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0As the first wave of Microsoft Dynamics was being rolled out in Housing Associations there was a huge growth in Microsoft Dynamics customers across the globe which meant Microsoft carried on investing massively in development with more versions and more functionality being rolled out faster and faster.\u00a0 Microsoft partners kept in step with Microsoft, producing applications and solutions that not only extended the overall functionality of Microsoft Dynamics but provided specific industry solutions.\u00a0 At about the same time Microsoft stepped up their cloud based strategy resulting in Microsoft Dynamics customers not only having to decide what processes Microsoft Dynamics was to be used for but also where the Microsoft Dynamics implementation was to be hosted.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0Roll on to the present day, all new Microsoft Dynamics deployments are now cloud based and the shiny new add-ons, such as resident portals and mobile working are common place.\u00a0 Trailblazing housing associations, who have implemented Microsoft Dynamics to its fullest extent, are now looking to where next to take Microsoft Dynamics and the obvious area is to fully replace traditional housing management systems.\u00a0 But is this a step too far?<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0Not really.\u00a0 The evolution of the early Microsoft CRM application into a highly configurable and powerful system means that it can certainly be used to manage much more complex processes than in the early days.\u00a0 Some larger housing associations are already taking tentative steps to replace their Housing Management Systems with Dynamics CRM at significant cost.\u00a0 But is this next step only for bigger, cash rich organisations?\u00a0 Not necessarily, Microsoft partners are beginning to create off the shelf additions to Microsoft Dynamics that allow the product to be tailored for more complex processes.\u00a0 Combine this with Microsoft\u2019s commitment to tighter and tighter integration with Business Central (a cloud based financial management application formerly an on-premise package known as Microsoft NAV), and suddenly all the necessary pieces are in place for Microsoft Dynamics to\u00a0 replace some, if not all, of the processes formally the preserve of housing management systems.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0So what does all this mean for the future?\u00a0 I predict that over the next year there will be sea change in attitudes toward existing housing management systems with housing associations giving serious consideration to Microsoft Dynamics replacing many of the processes that are the bastions of more traditional systems, this will be in part driven by the cost effectiveness of Microsoft Dynamics over traditional housing management applications but just as importantly by the transparency and flexibility of the Microsoft Dynamics solution. \u00a0But as in the early days of Microsoft Dynamics usage, it will be a few innovators and advocates that will lead the way and where they lead others are bound to follow.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.18.2″ custom_padding=”4px|0px|38px|0px|false|false” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#D8514C”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.18.2″ background_color=”#D8514C” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” transparent_background=”off” padding_mobile=”on” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ custom_padding=”50px||50px|” padding_mobile=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” parallax_method_3=”off” _builder_version=”3.18.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.18.2″ text_font=”Raleway|on|||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”28″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”||8px|” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 900;” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n RedkiteCRM<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.18.2″ text_font=”Source Sans Pro|on|||” text_text_color=”#666666″ text_font_size=”18″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”||8px|” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n MEET REDKITECRMMAK<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.18.2″ text_font=”Source Sans Pro||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”18″ text_line_height=”2.2em” link_font=”||||||||” ul_font=”||||||||” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”0px|||” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n About RedkiteCRM<\/a><\/span> [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.18.2″ text_font=”Source Sans Pro|on|||” text_text_color=”#666666″ text_font_size=”18″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”||8px|” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n WANT TO TALK?<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.18.2″ text_font=”Source Sans Pro||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”18″ text_line_height=”2.2em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”0px|||” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n +44 1295 724553 [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.87″ text_font=”Source Sans Pro|on|||” text_text_color=”#666666″ text_font_size=”18″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”||8px|” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n FOLLOW US<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_social_media_follow url_new_window=”off” _builder_version=”3.18.2″ border_radii=”on|100%|100%|100%|100%” text_orientation=”left” link_shape=”circle”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”twitter” url=”http:\/\/@SarahJMcRow” _builder_version=”3.18.2″ background_color=”#00aced” bg_color=”#00aced” link_shape=”circle” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”off”]<\/p>\n Twitter<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/redkitecrm” _builder_version=”3.18.2″ background_color=”#007bb6″ link_shape=”circle” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”off”]linkedin[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”youtube” url=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCOUYOtssIAEBbdGXgZ_NtVA” _builder_version=”3.18.2″ background_color=”#a82400″ link_shape=”circle” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”off”]youtube[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][\/et_pb_social_media_follow][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” height=”10″ disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”3.2″ hide_on_mobile=”on” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.18.2″ background_color=”#D8514C” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” transparent_background=”off” padding_mobile=”on” global_module=”3948″ prev_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_row global_parent=”3948″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ custom_padding=”50px||50px|” padding_mobile=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” parallax_method_3=”off” _builder_version=”3.18.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_text global_parent=”3948″ _builder_version=”3.18.2″ text_font=”Raleway|on|||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”28″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”||8px|” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 900;” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n RedkiteCRM<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_text global_parent=”3948″ _builder_version=”3.18.2″ text_font=”Source Sans Pro|on|||” text_text_color=”#666666″ text_font_size=”18″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”||8px|” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n MEET REDKITECRMMAK<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text global_parent=”3948″ _builder_version=”3.18.2″ text_font=”Source Sans Pro||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”18″ text_line_height=”2.2em” link_font=”||||||||” ul_font=”||||||||” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”0px|||” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n About RedkiteCRM<\/a> [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_text global_parent=”3948″ _builder_version=”3.18.2″ text_font=”Source Sans Pro|on|||” text_text_color=”#666666″ text_font_size=”18″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”||8px|” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n WANT TO TALK?<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text global_parent=”3948″ _builder_version=”3.18.2″ text_font=”Source Sans Pro||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”18″ text_line_height=”2.2em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”0px|||” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
Our approach<\/a><\/span>
In the News<\/a><\/span>
Explore our Solutions<\/a><\/span>
Jobs<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
contactus@redkitecrm.co.uk<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
Our approach<\/a>
In the News<\/a>
Explore our Solutions<\/a>
Jobs<\/a><\/p>\n