Dynamics 365 vs Salesforce: Which CRM is right for your company?
The decision in favour of a CRM system is more than just a question of software. It influences processes, customer experiences and ultimately your company's success. Two of the best-known solutions are Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Salesforce. Both are market leaders and offer comprehensive functions for sales, marketing and service. But which solution suits the size of your company, your IT infrastructure and your individual requirements? This article provides you with a comprehensive comparison to help you make the right choice.
The similarities
The core functions of Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM and Salesforce are similar. Both CRM systems offer powerful features, consolidate customer data from different sources and use artificial intelligence (AI) for predictive analytics, personalisation and efficient processes. Thanks to the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model, both Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics 365 are flexibly scalable - ideal for companies of all sizes, especially large organisations and fast-growing companies. Microsoft Dynamics 365 is also available as an on-premise option.
Artificial intelligence is no longer a "nice-to-have", but the standard for modern sales, marketing and service processes. Both providers integrate powerful AI solutions directly into your CRM processes to sustainably increase efficiency and productivity:
- Copilot in Microsoft Dynamics 365: Automated summaries, intelligent task management and AI-supported recommendations directly in the CRM system.
- Einstein from Salesforce: Predictive analytics and smart suggestions for sales and service to proactively fulfil customer needs.
Highlights for sales at a glance
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales
- Holistic sales management: lead and opportunity management, precise sales forecasting and territory management for structured processes
- Standardised workflows and automated sales processes reduce manual tasks
- AI-supported recommendations with Sales Copilot for better decisions and higher closing rates
- Flexible working thanks to mobile app for access to all sales functions on the go
Salesforce Sales Cloud
- Real-time visualisation of the sales pipeline for quick decisions.
- Intuitive interface combined with mobile app for flexible working on the move.
- AI-supported forecasts and predictions with Einstein AI
Highlights for marketing at a glance
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Insights & Journeys
- 360° customer view through data integration - customer information from CRM, ERP and other Microsoft tools is brought together centrally.
- Secure processes thanks to GDPR-compliant data management and seamless integration into the Power Platform for automated workflows and analyses.
- Real-time control of campaigns via email, web and mobile as well as AI-supported recommendations for the "next best action"
- Connection to Dynamics 365 Sales, Teams and Business Central for end-to-end processes from marketing to sales
Salesforce Marketing Cloud
- Hyper-personalisation across all channels (email, social media, mobile and web)
- Drag-and-drop journey builder for campaigns.
- AI-supported budget optimisation and real-time personalisation with Einstein AI.
- Access to the Salesforce AppExchange with numerous extensions and integrations for additional marketing functions
The most important differences
Price:
Salesforce's pricing structure is transparent, but can increase quickly. It is important to note that additional modules such as Marketing Cloud, Service Cloud or CPQ cost extra. The total costs can be significantly higher than initially calculated if all features are used in full.
Microsoft offers flexible licensing options that are often more favourable. A key advantage is that existing Microsoft 365 licences often allow discounts and bundle offers are available. Microsoft Dynamics 365 tends to be more cost-effective, making it more accessible to small and medium-sized businesses. Salesforce offers flexible packages, but often higher overall costs due to add-ons.
User-friendliness:
User-friendliness is often a decisive factor for acceptance within the company. Both interfaces are designed to enable quick familiarisation and display dashboards and task-related information. The user interface of the Salesforce platform is modern and visually appealing. It offers a wide range of functions and high performance. Salesforce also integrates well with Microsoft products, but not as seamlessly as Microsoft Dynamics. Microsoft Dynamics 365 offers a familiar user interface that makes it easy to familiarise yourself with. Because it is a Microsoft product, it works seamlessly with familiar tools such as Office 365, Outlook and SharePoint. For example, you can create a quotation or other data records directly from Outlook - without having to switch programmes.
Integration and ecosystem:
Salesforce offers an open API architecture with many integration options for practically every conceivable system. The AppExchange offers by far the largest selection of third-party apps. MuleSoft is available for complex integration scenarios, albeit at an additional cost. The platform shows particular strengths in supporting various cloud applications and hybrid IT landscapes. Dynamics 365 impresses with its native integration with the entire Microsoft ecosystem. If your company already uses Exchange, SharePoint, Teams or Azure, Dynamics 365 will realise its full potential. The Power Platform enables low-code and no-code customisations that even business users without programming skills can make. The Azure cloud services offer maximum scalability and security. For companies that already use Microsoft products, this seamless integration is a huge advantage, as data silos can be avoided and workflows standardised across all systems. The Business Central connector ensures a smooth connection between CRM and ERP, so that financial and sales processes are seamlessly integrated. This enables a holistic view of customers, projects and resources - without media disruptions.
Conclusion: Which CRM is right for me?
Our experience from numerous projects in which companies have switched from Salesforce to Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM clearly shows that Dynamics 365 is the ideal choice for companies that already use Microsoft products and are looking for a fully integrated platform for CRM and ERP.
Arrange a no-obligation consultation now - we will answer all your questions and show you how Dynamics 365 can help your business.
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