How to cut CRM costs with Microsoft Power Apps

The PROs and CONs of Dynamics 365 Sale

While Dynamics 365 Sales is a robust customer relationship management (CRM) system that offers a wide range of features and capabilities, it may not always be the best fit for small companies for the following reasons:

Cost: Dynamics 365 Sales can be relatively expensive, especially for smaller businesses with limited budgets. The licensing fees, implementation costs, and potential customization expenses may not align with the financial resources of a small company.

Complexity: Dynamics 365 Sales is a powerful tool designed to meet the needs of large enterprises with complex sales processes. For a small company with simpler operations, the system may be overly complex and require a significant learning curve for users.

Overwhelming Feature Set: The extensive feature set of Dynamics 365 Sales may include functionalities that a small company simply does not need. This can lead to unnecessary complexity and potentially unused features, which can be a waste of resources.

Maintenance and Support Costs: Ongoing maintenance, updates, and support for Dynamics 365 Sales can add to the total cost of ownership. Small companies may prefer more cost-effective alternatives with lower ongoing expenses.

Limited User Base: In a small company, there may be a limited number of users who will interact with the CRM system. The full capabilities of Dynamics 365 Sales may not be fully utilized, making it a less cost-effective option.

Alternative, More Focused Solutions via Power Apps

There are CRM solutions on the market that are specifically designed for small businesses. These may be more affordable, easier to implement, and tailored to the specific needs of smaller operations. At the same time, using Microsoft Power Apps, it's possible to leverage the ecosystem that you could benefit with Sales, such as integration with SharePoint for files and Outlook for emails. Such solutions come often with fraction of the cost of Dynamics 365 Sales (even up to 90% cost saving) while leaving the door open to migrate to Sales solution when your business and requirements grow.

Summary

Ultimately, the suitability of Dynamics 365 Sales vs. Power Apps for a small company depends on the specific requirements, resources, and budget of the business. It's important for small businesses to carefully evaluate their needs and explore CRM options that align with their goals and capacity.