With the integration, Microsoft is once again showing its ongoing plans for LinkedIn. The company paid over $26 billion for the company last year. LinkedIn instantly provided Microsoft with over 400 million customer data profiles for enterprise markets. That data can be used across Microsoft services, such as Office 365. By using the social network as a direct link into Dynamics 365, the company can use the network as a recruitment data store for its suite. LinkedIn integration with Dynamics 365 allows the linking of the Sales Navigator tool from the network. This allows sales professionals to access the LinkedIn database. That database now consists of more than 500 million users, so the integration is very valuable. Adding to the CRM suite news, Microsoft has also introduced Dynamics 365 for Talent. This is a new tool for HR pros and gives ERP users a search function that searches through LinkedIn’s Recruiter and Learning features. Microsoft’s Scott Guthrie, executive vice president for the Cloud and Enterprise Group at Microsoft, says that integrations with LinkedIn will continue: “Sales Navigator with Dynamics 365 will dramatically increase the effectiveness of salespeople by tapping into their professional networks and relationships, giving them the ability to improve their pipeline.”
Dynamics 365
Microsoft rolled out Dynamics 365 last November. The cloud-based SaaS platform comes with custom-built applications. It is designed to give organizations quick app integrations for their cloud businesses. Applications within the CRM platform include Sales, Field Service, Marketing, Financials, Project Service Automation, and Customer Service. Users get a customizable experience that allows them to access and pay for only the apps they want. The platform integrates with Office 365, Cortana Intelligence, and Power BI. Dynamics 365 also uses predictive intelligence, workflow optimization, and built-in insights.
