Project Overview
Scottish Equity Partners (SEP), an award-winning venture capital firm behind some of Europe’s most innovative high-growth companies, had outgrown its existing CRM platform. As a specialist investor in the technology sector, SEP needed a sophisticated replacement with full deal flow visibility, intelligent reporting and mobile capabilities — and a delivery partner with proven expertise in the PE/VC sector.
Transparity delivered a Microsoft Dynamics 365 solution powered by the Transparity Private Equity Accelerator, purpose-built for the functional requirements of the sector. The project was delivered rapidly and with minimal disruption, leaving SEP with a modern, cloud-based CRM, real-time analytics and an internal team equipped to manage and develop the solution themselves.
The Challenge
Advanced VC functionality and integration at pace
Scottish Equity Partners knew the benefits of their existing CRM. However, the firm had outgrown its capability and sought a more sophisticated and enhanced replacement for the future. As a specialist investor in the technology sector, Scottish Equity Partners appreciates the value of innovative digital solutions to drive business performance. Therefore choosing a highly regarded, cutting-edge solution with full deal flow visibility, intelligent reporting and mobile capabilities was essential.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM/365 was the most robust and well-developed platform on the market, with strong investment from Microsoft evident in the clear progression and innovation of their offering. CRM/365 was also a good fit with their overall technology strategy for Office 365 and SaaS cloud computing.
To go with the market-leading platform, Scottish Equity Partners needed an expert service provider to manage the implementation. Their priorities were sector expertise in PE/VC and proven capability to deploy rapidly, to reduce disruption to everyday operations and take advantage of data insights quickly.
The Solution
A rapid route to deal flow and performance insight
Industry expertise and the Transparity Private Equity Accelerator were key for Scottish Equity Partners. The Accelerator refines Microsoft Dynamics 365 to the specialist functional requirements of the sector. SEP were keen to benefit from the new platform rapidly. The PE Accelerator meant a faster path to an industry specific solution configured to suit SEP’s individual requirements.
The Transparity team focused first on data migration and activating out of the box functionality to provide the core functions and data that Scottish Equity Partners needed. In the second phase, Transparity integrated third party products and more sophisticated configurations. The final step was to add new investor relations capability.
“We knew we needed to make our systems accessible and relevant to our team so they could respond quickly and effectively to situations in a competitive market. Dynamics fitted well with our Office 365 strategy. The PE Accelerator made Transparity’s solution truly relevant to our activities and was a decisive factor.” — Stuart Paterson, Partner, SEP
The Outcome
Swift deployment and positive user engagement
With its familiar Office 365 interface and intuitive controls, it’s been easy for SEP to introduce the new system and convince the team of its benefits. Transparity worked closely with SEP’s in-house business analyst during the deployment. Effective knowledge and skills transfer means that SEP is now largely self-sufficient in managing and supporting the solution day-to-day.
SEP’s staff use the system both from desktops and mobile devices, meaning they can update and interrogate deal, client and market information wherever they are, and helping SEP make faster decisions and keep ahead of the competition.
With sophisticated real-time reporting and analytics from their new CRM solution, Scottish Equity Partners can access reliable, insightful analysis on past performance and future projections for potential investment opportunities. New investor relations tools also help Scottish Equity Partners to maintain relationships in a timely and relevant way.
“We recognised that an expert partner with a real understanding of our specialist sector was as important as choosing the best technology. After a competitive selection process, we felt Transparity was the best partner to work with, particularly given their track record in Venture Capital.” — Stuart Paterson, Partner, SEP
