We’re thrilled to announce that Stefan Scheer has been awarded the Resco Most Valuable Professional (MVP) title for 27/01/2021 – 27/01/2022. The Resco MVP Award is an annual award that recognizes individuals who are actively sharing their technology, business, and industry knowledge with communities related directly or indirectly to Resco. They do this online (via blog posts, social media posts, webinars) or at local, regional, and international business events. Consultants who played a crucial role in successful Resco implementations and helped us reach new markets are also eligible for the title.
All of us at Resco recognize and appreciate Stefan’s outstanding contributions. And today, we’d like to introduce him and his work to you as well.
Stefan, congratulations on this wonderful recognition! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?
Thank you very much. It’s a real honor to receive this award. I was pleasantly surprised.
I’m a techie, and I love to work with the latest technologies. In 1999, I started my career at an IT company setting up PC hardware and software. I soon realized that programming is also something I enjoy. Luckily, I had the possibility to learn developing as part of my job. In 2002, my employer started selling CRM software from the UK, and I was asked to help. Since then, I work with CRM software as a developer.
Fast forward to 2007, I started working with Microsoft Dynamics CRM (now known as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement). Besides the implementation of the software, I focused on consulting and integration to third party systems.
After many years of consulting, project management, and leading a D365 team, I currently work at Ambit Schweiz AG, specializing in Customer Success Management. I leverage my experiences related to existing system implementations to help users and their companies succeed.
What is your specialization in the business?
I see myself as a translator between the business requirements from various departments and the stakeholders regarding the technical solution, which involves in-depth discussions with the developers. Misunderstandings are common between these groups. Stakeholders often have limited ideas about a solution and its capabilities.
I also consult companies on implementing new technologies or new functions to optimize their processes supported by a system.
How and when did your Resco journey start?
It all started in 2012 when our customer bought 40 iPads for their salespeople and wanted to implement Dynamics CRM. However, that version of Dynamics CRM 2011 did not work properly on touch devices, and it lacked the offline capability. We started looking for a solution that can keep Dynamics CRM data even on touch devices and is equipped with offline capability. We chose Resco Mobile because of the connection to Dynamics CRM, the offline mode, and the additional offline SDK to develop functionality.
Out of all the mobility projects you worked on, which ones stand out the most?
One of them is a project from 2014-15, where we were challenged to add a mobile sales solution with a route planner to the Dynamics CRM 2011 system of approximately 400 salespersons. At this time, Resco added route planning and optimization within the client. We started a three-day workshop with the business stakeholders. After those three days, we had a more than 80% working solution. The implementation resulted in overtime reduction and the satisfaction of the salespeople.
Another highlight was the integration of Resco Inspections to a Dynamics 365 Field Service project with 1800 users. We combined the Dynamics Field Service processes with the new Resco Inspections functionality in 2019. With that combination, we used a standardized and configurable questionnaire within the field service client. The customer had lots of different questionnaires with different field types (checkboxes, numbers, drop-down lists), but also repeatable lists for checking many of the same devices during one site visit. Combined with the dynamic integration of the work orders and related customer assets’ data, the development time was reduced immensely.
Digital signature in offline mode is a hot topic right now. In 2019, my team implemented a Dynamics 365 sales system as part of a project. The salespeople needed to add offline signatures to a contract in a way that fits the European law. Thanks to Resco’s support and a new functionality, the DocuSign integration, we were able to provide the customers with this possibility.
What are some of the first things that come to mind when you hear the word Resco?
Offline, whiskey, support, and new functionalities. 🙂
Offline: When a user is at a place with no or low internet access, reliable offline functionality is a must, and Resco delivers that.
Whiskey: Resco’s customizing tool is named after the famous App Configurator whiskey. During the last two years, me and my son tasted and compared many whiskeys, but the App Configurator Double Oak is still one of our favorites. Alongside with some Scotch, of course. 🙂
Support: Resco’s customer support is always very responsive. It’s the most helpful support I’ve ever experienced.
New functionalities: Resco always brings additional functionalities that we can leverage in our projects. I prefer a tested solution over developing something new, which is often more expensive in the end.
What are some of the best things companies can do to stay successful and competitive in 2021?
Listening to their employees. They are the most valuable members of a company. Especially in this strange time of home offices, split teams, and the immense speed of technological advancements, digital transformation is key.
Easy access to a company’s data to follow its processes is necessary. Providing employees with the right tools that support them every time and everywhere will play a key role in staying successful and competitive in 2021.
What does innovation mean to you?
For me, innovation means that if I see something that can be done in a better way, I start doing it.
I’m working with Microsoft Dynamics CRM/365CE since 2007. When we look at the Dynamics system and Resco Mobile, we can see many changes, improvements, and extensions over the years. I’m often surprised by the new releases. Deprecating some functions or integrations we used many years ago and replacing them with new, better ones is also an essential part of innovation.
You can connect with Stefan on LinkedIn and learn more about Ambit Group here.
Become the next Resco MVP
If you know someone or consider yourself a worthy candidate for the Resco MVP award, please send an email to [email protected] with the subject line “Resco MVP nomination.”
We are looking forward to recognizing more exceptional Resco professionals.
