Gartner Magic Quadrant Lists Microsoft as a Leader in Sales Force Automation for CRM Online and On-premises

Microsoft Dynamics CRM added to the leaders quadrant in Sales Force Automation by Gartner. Read more about their inclusion in today's post.

Table of Content

    SBS Group has been a long-time supporter of Microsoft Dynamics CRM as a cost-effective solution that helps our customers compete more effectively.  We’re proud to see that in August 2016, Gartner has added both the on-premises and online versions of Microsoft Dynamics CRM to the leaders quadrant in their latest Magic Quadrant for Sales Force Automation.

    The study included 19 CRM products from 17 different vendors. The only other CRM solution included in the coveted “Leaders” quadrant was Salesforce.  While Salesforce is a powerful CRM solution, we have seen how Microsoft’s vision for CRM in context with Dynamics AX, Office 365 and other Microsoft products makes for an enterprise solution that just cannot be beat. With Microsoft Dynamics 365 launching this year, the opportunity and business value for Microsoft customers is set to grow significantly.

    About the Gartner Magic Quadrant

    Gartner is well-known for their “Magic Quadrant reports where technology solutions are classed as leaders, challengers, visionaries or niche players by completeness of vision and ability to execute.  I have always found the Gartner Magic Quadrant to be extremely valuable.

    The content below is a snippet from the complete document which can be viewed here:

    Click to: VISIT GARTNER – Sales Force Automation Magic Quadrant

    Summary

    The sales force automation market grew 9.8% in 2015, to almost $6 billion. IT leaders supporting sales have new mobile, business process modeling, and predictive analytics options. Our evaluation of 19 products from 17 vendors will help them to choose the solution that best fits their requirements.

    Strategic Planning Assumptions

    By 2018, manual data entry by salespeople for sales force automation systems will be reduced by 50% due to adoption of mobile sales productivity tools.

    By 2018, 20% of large B2B organizations will build business graphs of their sales processes to improve their sales execution.

    By 2018, 20% of B2B organizations will have changed their indirect channel sales approach by focusing on commercially available partner relationship management applications. 

    Market Definition/Description

    Sales force automation (SFA) applications automate the sales activities, processes and administrative responsibilities for an organization’s sales professionals.

    SFA is considered to be a foundational technology, which is fundamental to how companies execute their sales processes. Core SFA capabilities include account, contact and opportunity management, pipeline management, and sales forecasting.

    Additional (noncore) capabilities that are often a part of SFA offerings include lead management, content management, guided selling, quote management, territory management, partner relationship management (PRM) and analytics. Because these noncore capabilities are frequently used in B2B selling, Gartner also evaluates vendors on these categories.

    Source: Gartner (August 2016) Magic Quadrant Sales Force Automation
    Source: Gartner Magic Quadrant Sales Force Automation (August 2016)

    (click here to view Magic Quadrant post at Gartner.com)

    Why We Trust Gartner

    For those of you unfamiliar with Gartner, they are the largest technology research and advisory company worldwide.  Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, USA, and has 7,600 associates, including more than 1,600 research analysts and consultants, and clients in 90 countries.

    From CIOs and senior IT leaders in corporations and government agencies, to business leaders in high-tech and telecom enterprises and professional services firms, to technology investors, they are a valuable partner to clients in approximately 10,000 distinct enterprises worldwide. Through the resources of Gartner Research, Gartner Executive Programs, Gartner Consulting and Gartner Events, they work with every client to research, analyze and interpret the business of IT within the context of their individual role.
    For more information on leading research and advisory firms, you might want to check out a “Robbie’s List” post I published earlier this quarter.

    Learn More about Microsoft Dynamics CRM

    With more than 200 consultants trained and certified in Microsoft Dynamics, SBS Group has the technical, industry and business process knowledge to design and implement Dynamics CRM in alignment with your business goals. Our consultants are experts in customizing Dynamics CRM to the needs of professionals services firms, distributors, government contractors and many other industries.  This knowledge helps them identify critical questions that provide insight into your company’s core functions.
    GET UP AND RUNNING FAST
    With RapidStart CRM from SBS Group, the power of Microsoft Dynamics CRM is more accessible than ever. You can get started online in as little as two days, and likely at a lower cost than you thought possible. RapidStart provides streamlined access to Dynamics CRM functions most essential to your business, with advanced capabilities available as you need them.  Learn how RapidStart can jump-start your business.

    Robbie Morrison
    VP Enterprise Solutions and Services, SBS Group

    About Robbie
    Robbie Morrison has spent nearly 20 years helping customers build and deploy elegant technology and business solutions.  From start-ups to enterprise-class organizations worldwide, his knowledge of the Microsoft Dynamics ecosystem helps SBS Group customers maximize benefits from the ERP investments.  Robbie

    Today, Robbie serves SBS Group customers in his role as Vice President, Enterprise Group where he provides thought leadership and manages the enterprise delivery team.  Robbie received his MBA from the University of Georgia, Terry College of Business.
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbiemorrison