The Challenge
Overcoming MS had been using Microsoft Dynamics 365 to manage key operations including donations, marketing, and events. However, the platform wasn’t delivering on its full potential.
Key challenges included:
- Support contract misaligned with evolving needs.
- Manual, time-consuming processes slowing workflows.
- Limited integrations with external platforms, creating silos and inefficiencies.
- A lack of strategic guidance on how to maximise Dynamics 365.
The charity needed a proactive, experienced Dynamics 365 partner who could unlock the system’s full value and better support its mission.
Our Solution
Our approach combined technical expertise with practical strategy, ensuring the system worked harder for both staff and community. We began with a comprehensive audit of the Dynamics 365 environment, assessing the configuration, identifying pain points, and recommending improvements that aligned with Overcoming MS’s operational and strategic goals.
Following the audit, we implemented a series of enhancements to:
- Streamline processes and reduce manual effort.
- Enhance system usability and performance.
- Build strategic integrations with third-party tools.
Collaboration with the Overcoming MS team was central to our approach. By ensuring changes were user-centric and grounded in real-world workflows, we supported strong adoption, long-term sustainability, and lasting value.
As part of the implementation, we also addressed several complex technical challenges. Overcoming MS used Cognito Forms to collect data from their community, which previously required manual transfer into Dynamics 365. Cantarus developed a direct integration, automating data capture and reducing administrative overhead.
Another major challenge was integrating Dynamics 365 with the Live Well Hub – a digital community platform central to Overcoming MS’s engagement strategy. With no open API available, standard integration wasn’t possible. Instead, we engineered a middleware solution – an innovative workaround that ensured Dynamics 365 could capture critical engagement data from the Live Well Hub.
Together, these integrations eliminated duplication of work and created a smoother, more connected experience for staff and supporters alike.
The Results
The project delivered measurable operational and community impact, including:
- Seamless third-party integrations, removing manual processes and improving data accuracy.
- Freed-up resources, enabling staff to dedicate more time to supporting the community.
- Ongoing proactive support, ensuring the platform continues to evolve alongside the charity’s needs.
By leveraging the full potential of Dynamics 365, Overcoming MS has reduced inefficiencies, strengthened data quality, and gained a platform that better supports its mission to help people live well with MS.
