The importance of a carefully planned technology strategy cannot be overstated. Yet, many companies skip this step. Why? At xRM.com we think know the answer to that question. Simply put, it’s hard. But it doesn’t have to be.

Most IT decisions are reactive and not proactive. Say you start with a Windows server and then add a mail server and a file server. Add to that some customization, and then over time, as your business grows, a mix of third party applications. This ad hoc approach may be functional, but it certainly won’t deliver the results you need. Efficiency is often compromised by a lack of interoperability, difficulties in scalability, and the introduction of any new applications which may be difficult for your employees to learn to use. What you often end up with are many setbacks, surprises, and worst of all, escalating costs.

So whether you want to maximize your current IT investment or are simply starting from scratch, your technology strategy should consider these action items and address the following questions:

• Define your business requirements. Think about whether you can do this internally or not. If not, you might want to turn to Business Process Consulting.
• Take an inventory and carefully evaluate your current hardware and software environment. Is your technology fully leveraged?
• How will your enterprise grow? Can you meet those growth challenges with your current implementation?
• What are your projected costs, now and in the long term? You can estimate these figures based on your own research or again, with the help of a Business Process Consultant.
• Create a program of implementation projects with a clearly defined timeline. This will allow you to begin thinking about how to close the gap between your current IT provision and your goals.

At xRM.com we believe that xRM is first and foremost a business strategy. It’s a phased approach beginning with Education, followed by the formulation of a strategic vision. The next step is about making the right choice. We recommend Microsoft’s .NET platform and Microsoft CRM. To learn more about how they can help you deploy a unified, comprehensive system that streamlines every aspect of your business, click here.