Customer Spotlight: Federal Lending Organizations Increasingly Employ Microsoft Dynamics CRM to Streamline Access to Financing

REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 22, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) today announced increased demand for its Microsoft Dynamics CRM solution in the federal lending community. Access to financing is essential to the nation's economic recovery, and federal lending institutions are implementing Microsoft Dynamics CRM to streamline the services they offer to small-business and farm owners across the United States.

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The Small Business Administration (SBA) has leveraged Microsoft Dynamics CRM to support the estimated 27.5 million small businesses in the United States. SBA helps small businesses gain access to vital funding and IT resources, and deployment of Microsoft Dynamics CRM was critical in helping the agency fulfill its responsibilities under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The solution, implemented by Microsoft partner Engage Inc., consolidated previously siloed IT systems and helped SBA streamline all staff interactions with borrowers, lenders, partners and the public. SBA is now able to centrally track field-office activities, establish performance metrics and access business intelligence tools for more informed decision-making within the organization.

Much like the SBA, Greenstone Farm Credit Services (FCS) experienced incredible gains in efficiency, customer service quality and cost savings when it deployed Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Greenstone FCS provides loans, insurance and financial services to thousands of agricultural customers in Michigan and Wisconsin, as part of the Farm Credit System created by Congress in 1916. As the organization matured over the past decade, Greenstone FCS experienced efficiency challenges caused by siloed IT applications, a reliance on paper-based processes and an expanding customer base. The Greenstone FCS Information Services team turned to Microsoft Dynamics CRM to centralize customer service across the entire organization. Sales teams were able to obtain a holistic view of every customer through automated case files, improving customer responsiveness and maintaining the intimate relationships that Greenstone FCS clients had come to expect.

Other farm lending organizations such as AgVantis have achieved similar efficiency and customer service improvements through deployment of Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Customer service personnel at AgVantis are leveraging real-time access to essential customer data through one centralized solution, enabling staff to focus on solving customer challenges rather than searching for client information in multiple applications.

"AgVantis is implementing Microsoft Dynamics CRM on behalf of our farm credit lending customers not only as a CRM tool, but as a basis upon which to develop a comprehensive front-office solution," said Dennis Hunsberger, vice president of Application Systems at AgVantis. "We've been able to easily customize Microsoft Dynamics CRM based on the specific needs of the farm credit industry and our customers."

"Government organizations of all sizes are seeking technology solutions that reduce cost, increase efficiency and improve citizen satisfaction," said Radu Burducea, federal director of Microsoft Dynamics CRM at Microsoft. "This momentum illustrates how Microsoft Dynamics CRM solutions are helping lending businesses of all sizes improve accountability to customers."

More about the benefits of Microsoft Dynamics CRM can be found at http://crm.dynamics.com/en-us/industries/government.aspx.

About Microsoft Dynamics

Microsoft Dynamics is a line of simple to learn and use ERP and CRM solutions that work with your existing technology and scale as your grow to give you long-term value. By using software and online services that work the way people and organizations work, businesses are better able to make informed decisions and adapt to rapid change. Microsoft Dynamics helps your people be more productive and your investments in existing systems last longer, while enabling your business to derive the insights necessary to respond quickly and have a competitive edge in an ever-changing world of business.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

SOURCE Microsoft Corp.