Business Applications & Data Solutions

Spreadsheets can work well for relatively simple and infrequent reporting. Power BI becomes worth assessing when teams repeatedly combine information, need shared interactive dashboards or want consistent measures from different sources. The quality and accessibility of data matter more than the visual design of a report. A specialist should establish the business questions, data sources, licence requirements and who will maintain the solution before recommending new tools.

SharePoint can support document management, controlled access, collaboration and information sharing within Microsoft 365. However, simply moving an untidy folder structure online rarely solves the underlying problem. A suitable partner should review how people find and approve documents, permissions, retention and staff training. Changes should be designed around practical working habits and the information security needs of the business.

That depends on the complexity of customer relationships, processes, integrations and your existing systems. Dynamics 365 offers different applications and licensing models, so it is important to define specific needs rather than buy a large platform first. A specialist should compare options, assess implementation effort, explain ongoing costs and plan how users will adopt the solution. The right CRM or business application is the one your team can use effectively.

Many systems offer standard connectors, exports or application programming interfaces that can support integrations, but compatibility varies. The work may involve mapping fields, cleaning data, managing permissions and handling errors reliably. Before investing, identify where information currently gets re-entered or delayed and what improvement integration would produce. Ask prospective providers about maintenance, documentation, security and how changes to connected systems will be managed.

Some training and change management are often worthwhile, even when the technology is familiar. A new dashboard, document structure or CRM workflow changes how people work. Good delivery should include relevant demonstrations, simple guidance and a clear owner for questions after launch. The level of support required depends on the project’s scope and users. Agree training, handover and ongoing support responsibilities with the appointed specialist before work starts.

There is no useful single price. Costs depend on licensing, number of users, data quality, integration, implementation work, governance and ongoing support. A focused reporting project differs substantially from a company-wide CRM replacement. We recommend comparing discovery, implementation, subscriptions, support and training separately, with clear acceptance criteria. Supplier Synergy’s matching service has no additional consultancy fee; the selected provider quotes for the services you buy.

Reliable data and well-designed processes create a stronger foundation for many AI and automation opportunities. For example, structured information and appropriate access controls can make reporting and workflow improvements more useful. But a business does not need AI to benefit from a good dashboard, clearer document management or an effective CRM. Our separate AI and Business Process Automation service focuses on identifying and implementing process improvements; this page focuses on Microsoft business applications and data solutions.

No. We help UK businesses define requirements and compare suitable third-party specialists in Power BI, SharePoint, Dynamics 365 and related business applications. The chosen partner delivers the contracted discovery, configuration, implementation, training and support. Our supplier-funded matching service carries no additional consultancy fee for the business. We can help you identify relevant questions about capability, responsibilities, licensing, project scope and long-term support before selecting a provider.