[Kathy Kim]

We are in the process of implementing Salesforce (yes, I advocated for Microsoft CRM).  We are looking to hire a Salesforce administrator/business analyst in what would likely be a part-time role.  I am also looking to hire an onsite part time GP administrator.  Ideally, we would like to combine the two into 1 full time position (recognizing the inherent risk of multiple priorities).  Just wondering if this seems like a position that could be combined?  Note:  this is not a job posting and we have an in-house recruiter.  I’m just trying to see if it’s realistic to think we can find someone with the skills for both positions.  Thanks for any input you can provide?

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Kathy Kim
Director of Finance
Donor Network of Arizona
Phoenix AZ
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[Beat Bucher]

Hi Kathy,
not saying it’s impossible, but you’re looking for the golden-egg-laying-milk-cow to top it all 🙂
Our company ditched MS-CRM about 2 years ago and was supposed to integrate SalesForce with GP.. I’m still waiting on the integration specs :-).. Our sales department has been struggling ever since they started the implementation and use of SF.. I’ve never understand the move, as we could have simply upgraded our old CRM 4.0 to the latest build (2013) and keep all our customization that were built over the years..
But someone, somehow was a better seller, and most importantly, the decision was made by IT.. so this explains that. (they didn’t had to maintain anything, as it’s all cloud-based)..
We do own SmartConnect and I know that eOne has also a connector tor SalesForce (and I saw a demo by eOne that was impressive).. So it shouldn’t be that complicated, but again, depends on your requirements and use of SF.
Good luck.

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Beat Bucher
Business Analyst, Dynamics GP MVP
Ultra-Electronics Forensic Technology Inc.
Montreal QC/Canada
+1-514-489-4267
@GP_Beat http://dyngpbeat.wordpress.com/
Montreal QC GPUG Chapter Leader
GP2013R2 / MR2012 CU14
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[Kathy Kim]

Thanks Beat!  We are planning to use SmartConnect for the integrations.  Possible with eOne actually writing the integrations, but maybe the SalesForce implementation company writing the integrations.  Our integrations between our organ and tissue donor management software (SQL based) will be more important than the GP integrations.  I’m thinking of someone who can take care of ongoing needs for security management in both Salesforce and GP, report writing for both, etc.  I’ve pretty much come to the conclusion that we will likely separate these positions.as you are correct – I need too much for each area.

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Kathy Kim
Director of Finance
Donor Network of Arizona
Phoenix AZ
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[David Zamora, MSE, MCP]

The golden-egg-laying-milk-cow Beat referred – to do exist.

🙂

Kathy… let’s talk. I can tell you everything you need to know about this topic.

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David Zamora, MSE, MCP
Process Engineering Manager
American Innovations
Austin TX
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[David Flowers]

Kathy, 

It can be done. But it’s definitely not ideal. I know because I am both the GP Admin AND the Salesforce Admin. I had a full time job being the GP Admin but several years ago when the CRM admin left I inherited his full time job as well, at the same time we dumped CRM 4.0 and moved to Salesforce. Salesforce uses a different form of database language called SOQL that’s just different enough from SQL to be aggravating.

In some ways it’s good because I know how changes in GP will ultimately affect SF & vice versa. But it’s a real drain to be responsible for both – especially when there are major projects going on in both platforms at the same time. 

Ideally, if your company’s big enough to fill two separate positions – hire both. Make sure they can work well together as a team and you’ll really get a return for your investment.

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David Flowers
System Admin -GP and Salesforce Support
RMG Enterprise Solutions
Addison TX
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[Kathy Kim]

Thank you David – that’s great input..

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Kathy Kim
Director of Finance
Donor Network of Arizona
Phoenix AZ
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[Joyce VanJura]

I don’t think you are being unreasonable on this being a one person role.  I’m the Business Applications Manager where I’m at and I’m administrator for most of the Finance applications including GP, Blackline, Corrigo, ICMS, and most of our online banking systems.

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Joyce VanJura
Business Applications Manager
Luby’s Fuddruckers, LLC
Houston TX
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[Kathy Kim]

Thanks Joyce – that gives me hope.  

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Kathy Kim
Director of Finance
Donor Network of Arizona
Phoenix AZ
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[David Zamora, MSE, MCP]

I integrated our GP and Salesforce over 8 years ago. and I still maintain and develop the integrations.
Salesforce is such an amazing platform. I hope you get the enterprise version of salesforce.

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David Zamora, MSE, MCP
Process Engineering Manager
American Innovations
Austin TX
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[Beat Bucher]

David,
That’s good to know :-). The day our sales department will be ready, do you mind if I poke you to chat about the integration ? I wan’t to avoid the most common pitfalls that happen to newbies in SF – GP integration :-)..
Have a great week,

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Beat Bucher
Business Analyst, Dynamics GP MVP
Ultra-Electronics Forensic Technology Inc.
Montreal QC/Canada
+1-514-489-4267
@GP_Beat http://dyngpbeat.wordpress.com/
Montreal QC GPUG Chapter Leader
GP2013R2 / MR2012 CU14
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