Is it just turning the switch on? PowerObjects does not think so. Have you looked at Partner Hosted Microsoft Dynamics CRM? This is growing market due to the success of Software as a Service (SaaS). If you search for Hosted Microsoft Dynamics CRM you will find many player and many different prices. Why would an organization look at a hosted solution? What should an organization consider when looking at a hosted solution? I believe there is one important question that needs to be asked: What does the hosting company do? Are they really an ISP or outsourced data center? Is the company an accounting firm getting into CRM because they already work with other Microsoft Dynamics products?

When a hosting organization is an ISP/Data Center we refer to them as a "big switch". They will turn on the software when you start paying, they will turn off the software when you stop paying. They don't have the expertise in house to work with Microsoft Dynamics CRM. The "big switch" organizations require long contracts 1 to 2 years. We are not sure why the "big switch" companies do this, how hard can it be to throw a switch? You will find lower prices with the big switch organizations, but you will lock your organization into a long contract with a partner that does not specialize in Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Just an FYI - PowerObjects offers month to month contracts. Why? We feel if we are not providing value you should not be required by a contract to stay with us. Our team is constantly working hard to add value.

Focus

Also we have found more and more accounting firms getting into Microsoft Dynamics CRM. They have been very successful helping customers with their ERP solutions, setting up Microsoft Dynamics back office ERP is drastically different from setting up Microsoft Dynamics CRM. An ERP solution is typically configuring the software to meet an organizations financial/accounting needs. A CRM solution involves building a system. When working with Microsoft Dynamic CRM you need a partner that knows how to build software, not configure software.

PowerObjects has a unique advantage when offering Microsoft Dynamics CRM. First - we can deploy a system in our data center, as well as on premises or via Microsoft Online. What that means for the customer is we can deploy the best solution for you. Second - our core focus is Microsoft Dynamics CRM. We are not an accounting firm moving into this market and we are not a consulting firm that simply offers .NET programming.

Of course there are many more pros and cons to a partner hosted solution and I would be happy to address questions. This post was not meant to explain SaaS, it was really just a short take on Big Switch and accounting firms getting into Hosted Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Companies need to understand what they are getting when they select a hosting partner.