CRM modernization Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Körber Foundation

Körber Foundation Modernizes CRM with Arvato Systems

The team of experts from Arvato Systems supported the Körber Foundation in migrating the Microsoft Dynamics 365 on-premise CRM system to the cloud - as the technological basis for modern address and event management. From lectures and panel discussions to concerts, readings, exhibitions, symposia and awards: The wide range of events and dialog formats forms the core of the foundation's operational work. Supported by Arvato Systems, the non-profit organization digitized and automated its address and event management processes.

The Benefits

Improved event management

Effective communication: registration confirmations, reminders, cancellation and feedback options by e-mail.
Lower no-show rate: Reduction by a third to less than 20%.
Automated synchronization: Event programs automatically synchronize with websites, newsletters and print publications.

More efficient event marketing

Interest-based content: Individualized e-mail marketing for a targeted approach.
Time saving: Automation of tasks and processes.
Improved data utilization: Well-founded decisions thanks to detailed analyses.
Fast response times: Competent help with questions and problems.

Future optimizations

Continuous further development: Continuous improvement of the CRM platform.
Faster admission: QR code in the registration confirmation for fast admission management.
Extended functions: New options for efficient working.

In addition to the deep understanding of the special features relevant to the foundation, I am particularly enthusiastic about the personal and trusting relationship in the project team: I can hand over IT questions to the experts at Arvato Systems and rely on decisions being made in our interests. As a team, we are working on a shared vision of how the Körber Foundation wants to position itself technologically in order to be prepared for the future - that's fun!

Henning Munz | Head of IT

Körber-Stiftung

Project Overview of the Microsoft Dynamics Migration

Initial situation

The organization of almost 70 public program events with around 13,000 guests each year placed high demands on the Körber Foundation's CRM system. In future, there are also plans to organize closed events to which personal invitations can be sent, as well as smaller events at KörberHaus. As the aging Microsoft Dynamics on-premise solution offered little scope for the further development of digital event management, the decision was made to modernize the CRM landscape in 2021.

Vision

The aim of the project was to professionalize event marketing and attendee management and to optimize the customer experience. In addition, the possibilities of the Microsoft platform should continuously provide impulses for smart new services and simplify their implementation in efficient processes.

The solution

The previously used on-premises solution Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013 not only received a version upgrade, but was also migrated to the cloud and purged of third-party add-ins. In conjunction with the Dynamics 365 Customer Insights Journeys module (formerly Dynamics 365 Marketing), a fully integrated, lean and scalable platform was created for all address and event management processes at the Körber Foundation. The Microsoft platform enables seamless and simple integration with other Microsoft products such as Sharepoint and Outlook, but also with third-party products such as the CMS systems for the websites of the Körber Foundation's various departments.

Our Services

The project team from Arvato Systems planned and supported the migration: In close coordination with Henning Munz - Head of IT at the Körber Foundation - the requirements for the CRM platform were defined, actual processes were recorded, and starting points for optimization were derived. If possible, the manual entry of salutations by title, official designation, and other protocol forms should also be automated in the future.

Following the successful migration to the cloud, Arvato Systems automated manual processes step by step and integrated new digital features into the participant management system, such as the automated sending of registration confirmations by email and an easy way to unsubscribe from events. The IT specialist also equipped the CRM system with a standardized CMS interface to exchange data with the Körber Foundation's websites reliably. In the future, the plan is to evaluate the CRM data pool with the help of Microsoft Power BI to generate new insights into the Körber target groups and their needs.

The next major milestone on the roadmap is the "History Competition of the Federal President", organized by the Körber Foundation every two years since 1973 - a significant project with over 5,000 participants, 1,600 submitted entries, 800 tutors and 150 jury members from 16 federal states. By the time of the next competition, the external portal of the competition is to be linked more closely than before to the Körber Foundation's CRM and cloud data storage to simplify the management of the enormous amount of data and the synchronization of information between the submission and jury phases.

About the Körber Foundation

Founded in 1959 by the successful entrepreneur Kurt A. Körber, the Körber Foundation is now active both nationally and internationally with the mission of "Making society better".
With numerous programs, cooperations, and events, the foundation provides impulses for international understanding, for shaping a vibrant civil society, and for innovative approaches in education and science.
The Körber Foundation, with its 150 employees, has around 25 million euros per year available for its charitable work.

Your Contact for Questions about our Solutions

Achim Reupert

Expert for the Manufacturing Industry

Modern Address and Event Management for the Körber Foundation

Migration from Microsoft Dynamics 365 on-premise to the cloud