How to choose the right CRM for university admissions processes
A CRM system is a software application that helps businesses manage customer data. For example, somebody can use it to track leads, customers, and prospects.
When choosing a CRM system for university admissions, there are a few things to remember. First, it's important to choose a system that can scale with your needs. As your admissions process grows, you'll need a system that can handle more data and more users.
Second, you'll want to consider the features that are important to you. Some CRM systems offer more features than others. Make sure to choose a system with the unique higher education features you need, such as student portals, contact management, list segmentation, application staging, plus a way to streamline the gathering of identification and exam evidence.
Another layer of complexity comes when you need to factor in how the system will interface with your university's existing systems, such as your SIS or ERP.
Third, you should consider the system's overall cost, including both the initial purchase price and the ongoing costs of maintenance and support.
Finally, take some time to read reviews of CRM systems before making your decision. Look for systems that have been specifically designed for university admissions and that come highly recommended by other users.
Find a change management partner, not just a CRM system
While there are several strong products in the market, it's worth spending more time finding the right CRM implementation partner. CRM is ultimately about understanding your organisation's unique requirements, translating those needs into technology and then, ultimately, changing your team's behaviour. Change is hard, so a CRM partner with a strong track record of success in higher education is incredibly valuable.
Investment in CRM for university admissions teams inevitably means an investment in the Cloud, with ongoing CRM product updates and new features that can offer additional time-saving benefits. Working with a Microsoft Dynamics CRM Partner such as Crimson can ensure that the skills needed to manage such an 'evergreen' platform can be embedded within your team so that you can become self-sufficient.
By following these tips, you can choose the right CRM system for your university's admissions process. With the right system in place, you can streamline your process and make it more efficient and more automated.
If you need help choosing a CRM system, book a discovery call with Crimson today. We specialise in helping universities implement Microsoft Dynamics CRM, with success in consolidating multiple CRM systems across universities so that institutions can build a single student journey, from application through to alumni.
