Challenges of Implementing Salesforce as a CRM in a Microsoft-Centric Environment

and Why Microsoft Dynamics 365 Might Be the Smarter - and more Cost Effective - Choice

Choosing a CRM isn’t just about ticking feature boxes. It’s about finding a solution that fits seamlessly within your business ecosystem, enabling your teams to work more efficiently, collaborate effortlessly, and deliver exceptional customer experiences. If your organisation already leans heavily on Microsoft tools like Outlook, SharePoint, Teams, and Power BI, integrating Salesforce might introduce unexpected complexity, higher costs, and operational friction.

Let’s break it down — and see why Dynamics 365 might be the smoother, more cost-effective path.

Why Choose Microsoft Dynamics 365 Over Salesforce? A Comparison

Choosing the right CRM solution is one of the most pivotal decisions your business will make — impacting not only your immediate operations but your long-term growth and success.  Two of the biggest names in the CRM space, Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Salesforce, offer robust features, but Dynamics 365 consistently comes out ahead for businesses seeking a cost-effective, flexible, and future-proof solution.

While Salesforce started with a sales-centric approach, Microsoft Dynamics 365 has been built from the ground up to support both sales and customer service — a legacy that began with Microsoft’s internal deployment of Clarify and Siebel.  I had the privilege of leading training for these platforms across Europe, and I’ve watched firsthand as Dynamics 365 has evolved over two decades into a comprehensive business platform that grows with your success.

Today, Dynamics 365 is much more than a CRM.  It encompasses ERP, project management, field service, and HR solutions — all powered by Microsoft’s secure SQL Server database, enhanced with real-time insights via Power BI, and supercharged with AI through Microsoft Copilot.  This end-to-end ecosystem empowers businesses to unify their operations, make smarter decisions, and deliver exceptional customer experiences.

Introduction

For many businesses, both Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics 365 (and even other platforms) could meet basic technological needs.  But asking, “Which CRM is best for my business?” misses the point.  The more critical question is: “Which platform aligns best with my existing tech stack, available resources, and long-term strategy?”

A successful implementation involves more than just software — it includes licensing, training, ongoing support, and, most significantly, implementation costs.  Understanding the full scope of your project, both for today and the future, is key to accurately estimating these costs and choosing the right partner for delivery.  I have previously written about this in many places, including here https://opsis.com.au/resources/blog/calculating-total-project-cost-for-your-software-implementation .  My next e-book dives into this in more detail – watch this space for more information about this.

Technology comparison between Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Salesforce

Senior Executives: Are You Unknowingly Sabotaging Your CRM Success?

You’ve invested in a powerful CRM perhaps Microsoft Dynamics 365, expecting it to magically solve all your problems – and deliver massive returns.  But if results are underwhelming, the culprit might not be the technology —it could be people(cue dramatic music 🎶).

💣 Here’s how senior executives unintentionally sabotage CRM success:

Deleting images in Dynamics 365 should be simple, right?

Well, not it is not always as simple as it should be.

Recently, I had a requirement to allow image deletion in a controlled way—not just a free-for-all delete-fest.   Naturally, my first thought was security roles or column security profiles.  But no dice.

Our developer, brimming with enthusiasm, was all set to unleash JavaScript.  But as anyone who's ever inherited a CRM system knows, JavaScript solutions can age about as well as unrefrigerated seafood.  I prefer solutions that are robust and maintainable, even after the original developer has vanished into the ether.

What's in the Box - comparing different levels of the Microsoft Partnership in 2025

Opsis has proudly been a Microsoft Partner since our foundation in 2004—yes, that’s over 20 years of partnership (our celebration posts https://opsis.com.au/resources/blog/celebrating-twenty-years-opsis) and plenty of changes to keep us on our toes. (Who else remembers Action Pack CDs arriving in the mail? Ah, the nostalgia!)

Fast forward to 2025, and things have changed again. Which of these new packages suit your and your organisation best? As of late last week, the trusty Action Pack has been retired.  Instead, we now have a shiny new trio of options to choose from:

• Partner Launch Benefits
• Partner Success Core Benefits
• Partner Success Expanded Benefits

But here’s the twist: figuring out the difference between these three was like trying to follow a recipe with steamed up glasses. I spent a chunk of my weekend scouring Microsoft Learn documentation only to realise… some of the instructions might be missing! (Spoiler alert: I created a support ticket.)

Pricing

Now let’s talk pricing, because it’s a doozy.  You cannot buy more than one of these partner packs, and there does not appear to be upgrade paths from one to another.  So here they are - all fantastic value, but nevertheless not cheap:

• Partner Launch Benefits: AU$516.00
• Partner Success Core Benefits: AU$1,339.20
• Partner Success Expanded Benefits: AU$5,978.40

To make sense of it all, I finally managed to pull together this table (after a small adventure involving documentation gaps and a lot of refreshment!). If anyone else felt like they were playing a game of “Spot the Difference” with the benefit levels, you’re not alone!