Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/9825
in 2003, Microsoft Dynamics CRM offers firms a 360- degree client view across a global network. Following a quick, flexible solution deployment, attorneys and business users can gain ready access to information that drives their business development and relationship management initiatives. But that is just the starting point. Law firms that have licensed Microsoft Dynamics CRM in recent years are finding even more to value, particularly in the solution’s underlying application development framework, xRM. THE xRM FRAMEWORK Proven to reduce development timelines and lower software development project costs, the Microsoft xRM framework accelerates the deployment of enterprise-class applications with a point-and-click configuration toolkit. Beyond the sales, marketing and business development functions found in Microsoft Dynamics CRM, the xRM framework also helps organizations quickly address shifting business priorities by supporting the rapid development and delivery of custom business applications. With a combination of prebuilt, configurable functionality and a highly flexible, service-oriented architecture, Microsoft Dynamics CRM and the xRM framework support multiple concurrent applications and enable quick modifications when business needs change. The xRM framework is highly interoperable using standards-based Microsoft technologies such as the Microsoft Office system, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Windows Server and the Microsoft .NET framework. Whether the firm has scarce development resources or wants to free up its IT team for other projects, Microsoft Dynamics CRM’s xRM framework offers a welcome relief. Here’s a closer look at why some firms are designating xRM as the go-to development framework for all tools and applications that interact with their workers and clients: • Integrates well with enterprise systems. For firms with many different business applications, standardizing numerous applications on the xRM framework can reduce development, integration, system administration and management costs. In addition, the xRM framework can easily connect to existing IT investments using a variety of standards-based approaches. As a result, legal professionals can gain access to a variety of business applications — from contract and project management to talent and proposals — all from a common portal user interface. They can also access a portfolio of specific out-of-the-box tools that offer automated workflow, mail-merge and other capabilities. • Promotes consistent user performance and client experiences. Flexible and customizable workflows within xRM ensure that everyone in the firm follows standard processes. For example, applications such as recruitment management can take advantage of these workflows to automate the hiring and new employee onboarding processes, ultimately leading to improved productivity, workflow and client insights. • Facilitates high adoption for better ROI. The xRM framework integrates with familiar Microsoft Office applications as well as supports Web-based and mobile user experiences. www.iltanet.org Microsoft 29