4 Tips for Choosing the Right CRM System for Employee Benefits Brokers

Employee benefits brokers strive to offer clients appropriate policies for their businesses and employees. When a broker organization is in the market for a new or updated CRM solution, the choices might seem overwhelming. The most effective tool is the one that will meet the unique challenges of the industry.

When evaluating CRM solutions, employee benefits brokers should consider the following recommendations:

1. Look for a CRM system that integrates seamlessly with the ERP system.
   Crowe CRM specialists have observed that professionals in organizations with integrated CRM and ERP systems are more likely to share data with other areas of the organization. Yet not all technology providers specialize in both CRM and ERP, and not all software developers offer CRM and ERP functionality on a common platform. Beware of CRM systems that offer too many bells and whistles. Instead, focus on the capabilities necessary for the organization.


2. Avoid a CRM system built on a rigid software platform, and choose a system built on a flexible platform.
   CRM workflows that do not sync with industry-specific processes can be frustrating. Although organizations can modify their processes to help make a more rigid CRM system easier to use, choosing a flexible platform is a better approach. Look for a CRM system that has been adapted to the industry, offers the core benefits of a robust CRM platform, and provides the flexibility to adapt to the organization’s business methods and terminology.


3. Choose a CRM platform from an established software company that is likely to be around for as long as the software.
   For a number of reasons, some newer organizations won’t survive. It’s safer to avoid dependence on mission-critical software created by a company that might not be able to provide adequate support or suddenly might not be available. Choose a well-established software company, such as Microsoft, that offers reliability, dependability, and support.


4. Select a provider that is experienced with the software platform, understands the industry, and can address your organization’s specific needs.
   Determining the best software for your needs is important. Finding the right software implementation provider is even more important, because software is beneficial only if team members use it effectively. Success with CRM depends on having both effective software tools and a dependable implementation provider.

A qualified resource

Crowe is one of the largest public accounting, consulting, and technology firms in the United States. We have been implementing CRM technology since the inception of contact management applications. With more than 40 specialists focused on the Microsoft Dynamics™ CRM and ERP solutions, our CRM team understands the technology and its capabilities. For our benefits broker clients, we developed Crowe BenefitsBridge.

CRM software tailored to the benefits broker industry

Crowe BenefitsBridge is a highly flexible agency-management solution customized for the benefits broker industry. It integrates with the powerful Microsoft Dynamics 365™ platform, and it’s designed to help employee benefits brokers manage leads, clients, insurance carriers, policies, plan rates, renewals, and commissions. Because its interface is broadly based on Microsoft™ Office software, Crowe BenefitsBridge is familiar, easy to use, and requires little training.

A core belief at Crowe is that businesses maintain their competitive edge by providing employees with software tools that can help boost internal efficiencies, increase productivity, and improve customer service. Crowe BenefitsBridge delivers integrated, real-time benefits broker software that offers excellent visibility across an agency’s sales, marketing, and support functions.

Visit CroweCRM.com for more information about Crowe CRM services for Microsoft Dynamics 365 software. Have a question or interested in evaluating the CRM functionality in Microsoft Dynamics 365? Contact us today.

Microsoft, Microsoft Dynamics, and Microsoft Dynamics 365 are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.