Microsoft Dynamics NAV (formerly Navision) and Salesforce are both titans in their playing fields—enterprise resource management, and customer relationship management, respectively. Salesforce is one of the most popular CRMs, helping thousands upon thousands of companies streamline their marketing and sales operations. Similarly, Microsoft Dynamics NAV and other Dynamics ERPs have cornered the market in terms of high-end ERP solutions. In fact, Dynamics NAV has been the most popular ERP solution in the Dynamics product suite for many years. It is notoriously simple to set up and use, boasting a wide range of supporting partners.
Today, Microsoft Dynamics NAV has been merged into Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. The accompaniment—Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance & Operations—is the new face of Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Axapta). Dynamics in all of its ERP iterations have a high amount of synergy with Salesforce. Their complementary capabilities mean that many companies choose to implement a Dynamics solution alongside Salesforce; when this is the case, data integration between the two is necessary in order to get the most out of each.
Some businesses opt to create their own costly integration solution, however, companies such as Rapidi offer data integration solutions that circumvent this problem by providing a pre-configured solution that works “out of the box”, with no extra programming needed. Rapidi offers a robust yet flexible integration platform that will work regardless of any customizations made to an organization’s ERP or CRM solution.
Why is Integrating My Dynamics NAV system with Salesforce Such an Important Project?
CRM-ERP integration is vital for establishing a single source of truth from which all your team members can operate. The world of eCommerce is rife with available data pouring in from all sides as people shop for clothing on their phones while waiting in line at the grocery store. Data acquisition itself is rarely an issue; the real problem comes with having to manage all that data pouring in from stores, computers, and mobile devices around the world. Data siloing between platforms (or between departments) can lead to thousands of hours wasted on inter-departmental hassling and confusion over who has the latest information.
For those implementing Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics NAV, customer information is often stored in certain parts of NAV. Because of this, sales teams may end up having to search both Salesforce and NAV for relevant information. They may not know where the most recent and accurate data is being stored, and this can lead to errors and delays. Plus, the need for redundant data entry across the two platforms inevitably leads to manual mistakes. Even the most adept team member falls prey to human error now and again, but this can mean substantial problems for executives that need to provide timely and relevant information to customers and clients.
Tried and true data integration platforms such as Rapidi empower companies to collect, store, and analyze data in a way that takes full advantage of every facet of a business’s CRM and ERP solutions. Rapidi’s solutions allow companies to offer the best customer service, due to the 360-degree view provided by experts in the field of data integration technology.
What Should I Know Before Embarking on My Dynamics NAV-Salesforce Integration Project?
Because of the popularity of Microsoft Dynamics products and Salesforce, the demand for Dynamics-Salesforce integration is high, especially from those in the realms of retail and eCommerce. There are three levels of relevant integration: user interface, business logic, and direct data. User interface integration provides a single point of entry into all relevant applications, while business logic integration works well for highly complex integration. And lastly, data integration uses REST APIs and SOAP APIs.
Many companies specializing in data integration have stepped up to the plate, claiming that their solution performs across every necessary level of integration. However, while many solutions may get the job done, not all are created equal; while developing RapidiOnline—Rapidi’s integration solution—the company focused on simplification and ease of use, while also ensuring their technology was robust, flexible, and secure. The end result was an integration solution that is reliable and intuitive, giving users ubiquitous visibility and instant access to necessary data.
Data Replication Technology and Microsoft Dynamics NAV
Data replication refers to a process in which data from one source is copied over to a secondary server or cloud. Replication ensures that users across a variety of locations all have access to the same, up-to-date information.
In order to run their business properly, many retail and eCommerce companies need to exchange data with their central Dynamics NAV system, moving data en masse between stores, headquarters, and back again. In this situation, it’s absolutely necessary for these companies to have access to up-to-date and accurate data (pricing and product inventory, for example) throughout all of their stores. This kind of information is often controlled at headquarters, registered in a central system but available for users across all stores and points of sale. Information pertaining to sales and employees should likewise be transferred quickly and effectively from each store or point-of-sales to headquarters. In essence, both data replication and data integration are pivotal points upon which an entire business, company, or enterprise hinges.
Rapidi’s data integration and data replication technology have been nearly thirty years in the making. With expertise not only in their own product but with Salesforce (and every Microsoft ERP solution in existence), Rapidi’s technology can help your business get a leg up on the competition. It prides itself on its pre-built integration templates, expedient deployment, fast and efficient data transfers, and secure and encrypted communications. Are you interested in learning more about integration and how it can improve your business’s bottom line? Click here.