5 artificial intelligence applications that will transform your CRM

It is often said that artificial intelligence (AI) will revolutionize the way companies do business in the years to come. Many companies are already using AI applications that are significantly transforming their opportunities. These companies can now analyze their customer interactions with a depth and speed that has never been seen before. However, not all companies have set the structures needed for them to reap the full benefits of AI. A solid CRM maturity is key to harnessing the great potential AI brings. The reason being is that having real-time access to a large amount of reliable data is the source from which these superpowers arise. Your digital transformation can only continue once this data has been successfully handled by modernizing your CRM, and once its capabilities have been enhanced.

What more can be contributed by applications that are supported by AI? Are they just new futuristic gadgets? This article will demonstrate how each of these tools can work for you in a Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement (CRM) context. Here are 5 solutions that use AI to optimize the data of your CRM:

1 - Power BI: When your data allows you to act more strategically

Power BI is a Business Intelligence application developed by Microsoft. This solution enables you to gather, evaluate and visualize different datasets. Since they are very adaptable, these dashboards can combine several data sources providing you with leading insight on the health of your business.

Example of a Power BI dashboard
Example of a Power BI dashboard

Easily share your reports ➤ Sharing dashboards with the board of directors is much easier using Power BI. This solution connects itself directly to the different data sources providing your decision-making with as much relevant information as possible. It is, of course, possible for the analysis team to produce extensive and in-depth reports. It is impressive to witness the quality of information that can be revealed after only two weeks of working with this platform. This dexterity allows us to keep up with information needs that are currently changing very rapidly. Improve your lead scoring Assess your chances of success more accurately with each opportunity. Mathematical models and artificial intelligence features such as Deep Learning enable your sales team to accurately prioritize prospects. An easy way of getting your employees involved ➤ Its intuitive and easy to use interface, will most likely push your team to quickly embrace and adopt Power BI. In addition, its self-service feature allows employees to easily access data relevant to their work. This will enable them to better understand this data and see their impact on the company.

Recommendation:

Power BI makes it possible to easily generate data reports, view and share. You will then have a better view of your activities allowing you to make the right decisions quickly.

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Minor drawback: The quality of the indicators is as good as the quality of the data it uses. You must therefore ensure that the quality of your information remains intact.

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This is a very affordable solution.

2 - Versium Predict: Enhance your database

Versium is a predictive analytic solution that offers a wide variety of features. Yes, it can predict which of your prospects are most likely to buy your products and services. Yes, it can find new prospects for your marketing campaigns.

Example of a Versium Predict dashboard
Example of a Versium Predict dashboard

None of this would be possible without its ability to enhance the data of your CRM. Versium provides extensive new and pertinent information, all the while “polishing” the old information. You could, for example: Acquire data on new businesses ➤ If you enter the name of a company that you would like to come into contact with, Versium can integrate an array of information on this company into your CRM. The owner, their turnover, the number of employees their profile… More questions? Discover similar companies ➤ Versium tells you which companies are similar to the profile of your prospects. In a single click, you can integrate them into your CRM and receive a lot of information!

Recommendation:

Versium Predict is a good product offering a wide range of features. Its ability to enrich your database, is a particularly beneficial feature. By adding a wealth of quality information to your CRM, Versium Predict helps your company make more informed decisions. Its predictive analysis will also help you make more sales.

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Small drawback: The data sources consolidated by this platform are growing rapidly. If you work outside Canada or the United States, you must ensure that Versium will be able to properly cover your targeted companies overseas.

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This application is currently being offered for free with all Microsoft Dynamics 365 online registrations.

3 - Semeon-Track and influence the public opinion regarding your company

Is it possible to know what people really think of us? Semeon is offering this solution to companies by using semantic analysis of public and private information content such as forums, social media, blogs and CRM data. This Montreal-based company offers a solution that combines the analysis of emotions, intentions and statistics all based on the semantics specific to each language. With the help of an advanced Natural Language Processing system, Semeon is quickly able to assess a large amount of text by differentiating between the favourable and unfavourable opinions made on the Web regarding your brand. The same is possible for private document sources.

Example of content analysis using Semeon Predict
Example of content analysis using Semeon Predict

You could, for example: Find out if your brand is viewed in a positive way ➤ Semeon can review public content on the Web and rank comments about your company, products, employees, competitors, etc. The application groups them by theme and distinguishes negative, neutral or positive emotions. Discover trends and important topics ➤ With this report, you can find out which current topics are related to a specific theme. In addition to pinpointing key concepts and influencers of public opinion, Semeon allows you to compare these trends with buying habits through your CRM data. Optimize your social media strategy ➤ This information will allow you to improve your content development and better communicate with your prospects, influencers and brand ambassadors.

Recommendation:

This application provides a 360-degree view of online comments that are made regarding your company. Its ability to integrate private and public content to establish key concepts and distinguish positive vs negative impacts allow companies to conduct in-depth assessments.

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Small drawback: As in many other cases of artificial intelligence, volume is a key influencer to the impact this solution has. You must therefore seek to analyze many documents to unlock the full potential of this application.

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Costs vary depending on the volume as well as the type of sources. You should contact the company directly to evaluate your specific scenario.

4 - Relationship Insights-Know everything about your relationships

As stated in its name, Relationship Insights specializes in analyzing your relationships. All the information stored in your CRM related to your customer interactions, can be scanned using this solution.

Example of a Relationship Insights dashboard
Example of a Relationship Insights dashboard

You could, for example: Understand the links that bring two people together ➤ Enter the names of two individuals and discover all the links that bring them together. This can be useful in knowing how to approach new prospects or collaborators! Better sustain your relationships ➤ You told one of your prospects that you would contact them again in December, but have forgotten about this overtime? Your smart assistant can detect it by reading your emails and notify you immediately. Automate incident management➤ All of the interactions you have with your customers, are analyzed to facilitate your actions. One of your prospects just sent you an email expressing dissatisfaction? Your assistant will decode the negative words, classify the email as an incident, and automatically assign a customer service employee to resolve it.

Recommendation:

This application can; give you a better understanding of your business relationships, evaluate the success of your activities in relation to your history and help you choose the best approaches.

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Small drawback: Since Relationship Insights in always in Preview mode, Microsoft does not officially offer technical support for this application.

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This application is currently being offered for free with all Microsoft Dynamics 365 online registrations.

5 - Insights—all you need to know about your companies and contacts

Insights offers a wide range of real-time, quality data on more than 13 million companies and 30 million international contacts. You will get an in-depth look at your personal and professional connections giving you an advantage when reaching out to them.

Example of a firmographic search done by Insights

Example of a firmographic search done by Insights[/caption]You could, for example: Know everything about an individual by entering their name ➤ Enter the name of person X and get a full range of demographics on them. Know everything on companies ➤ In the same way, discover the firmographic data of a company and synchronize them on your CRM. Insights may also suggest a list of similar companies. Build connections ➤ Import your LinkedIn, Gmail or Outlook contacts and find out automatically if one of your colleagues knows someone in the company you are trying to contact.

Recommendation:

With access to real-time data on millions of companies and contacts around the world, this application provides the tools to improve the quality of your relationships. It is a complete overview of your ecosystem!

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Small drawback: Information on small enterprises can sometimes be omitted.

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Insight is included at no additional cost in various Dynamics 365 online subscriptions, but a subscription is required if you have the On Premises version.

To conclude, all of these 5 applications can be distinguished by the specific features they each offer. Although every one of these applications have superpowers of their own, all 5 can help you when it comes to:

✔ Saving time

✔ Have a better understanding of your customers

✔ Making better decisions

Want to know more? Feel free to contact one of our experts, who will be able to offer you personalized advice. To stay up to date with the latest news, you can follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter!