If you’re here, you probably want to stop wasting time rekeying quotes or watching deals stall out because your quoting process is a mess. Integrating Experlogix with Microsoft Dynamics 365 can help, but getting there is rarely as “one-click” as the sales deck claims. This guide is straightforward, no-nonsense, and written for people who want to get the job done without the usual headaches.
Let’s get you quoting straight from Dynamics 365—no more copy-paste, no more friction.
What You Need (and What You Don’t)
Before you start, make sure you have:
- Admin access to your Dynamics 365 environment (Sales or Customer Engagement, not just a user seat).
- A valid Experlogix license and access to their portal.
- Clear requirements for what you want to automate—don’t start with “let’s integrate everything.” Decide on the types of quotes, products, and users involved.
- IT support on standby (optional, but you’ll want backup if you hit a permissions wall).
Don’t bother yet with: - Custom workflows (until you see what’s out-of-the-box) - Detailed field mappings (until you see the defaults) - Fancy UI customizations (get it working, then pretty it up)
Step 1: Prep Dynamics 365 for Integration
1.1 Check Compatibility
Not every version of Dynamics 365 will play nice with every version of Experlogix. Check what you’re running (Settings > About in Dynamics) and hit up Experlogix’s documentation for supported versions. If you’re on a very old version, upgrades might be needed.
Pro tip: If your Dynamics is heavily customized, flag this to IT early. Custom fields and processes sometimes throw curveballs into integrations.
1.2 Create a Service Account
Don’t use your personal admin login for integration. Create a dedicated service account in Dynamics (and in Azure AD if you’re using it). Give it the minimum permissions needed—usually System Customizer plus access to Quotes, Opportunities, and Products.
1.3 Gather Connection Info
You’ll need:
- Your Dynamics 365 URL (e.g., https://yourorg.crm.dynamics.com)
- Organization ID/Name
- Tenant ID (for cloud deployments)
- The service account’s credentials
Have this ready before you touch Experlogix.
Step 2: Set Up Experlogix
2.1 Log In and Review Your License
Head to the Experlogix portal and make sure your license covers the Dynamics 365 integration module. If you only have a sandbox license, that’s fine for now—just don’t try this in production first.
2.2 Download the Dynamics 365 Solution
Experlogix provides a managed solution file (usually .zip) for Dynamics. Download it from their portal or get it from your account rep.
2.3 Install the Solution in Dynamics
- In Dynamics 365, go to Advanced Settings > Solutions > Import.
- Upload the Experlogix solution package.
- Follow the prompts—don’t rush. If you get error messages, read them. Missing dependencies are common if you skipped earlier steps.
- Publish all customizations when done.
What works: The managed solution is usually stable and doesn’t mess with your other customizations.
What doesn’t: If you have heavy custom code in Dynamics, test in a sandbox first. Some scripts or plugins can clash.
Step 3: Connect Experlogix to Dynamics 365
3.1 Configure the Connection
- Inside Dynamics 365, look for the new Experlogix area (it might show up as “CPQ” or “Configurators”).
- Find the Experlogix Settings panel.
- Enter your Dynamics 365 organization info and the service account credentials.
3.2 Test the Connection
Click “Test Connection.” If it fails: - Double-check credentials and URLs. - Make sure the service account isn’t locked out or missing permissions. - Sometimes, firewalls or security policies block integration. IT may need to whitelist the Experlogix IPs.
3.3 Set Up Data Synchronization
Experlogix needs to know what products, prices, and users are in Dynamics. Use the built-in sync setup: - Select which tables (Entities) to sync: Quotes, Products, Price Lists, Accounts, etc. - Map key fields. Don’t overthink it—start with defaults unless you have custom fields you must sync.
What to ignore: Don’t sync every custom entity unless you’re sure you need it. More isn’t better—it just means more stuff can break.
Step 4: Configure Quote Templates and Rules
4.1 Start Simple
Experlogix is powerful, but it’s easy to go down a rabbit hole of rules and templates. Start by configuring a single quote template that covers your most common quote scenario.
- In the Experlogix admin panel, create a quote template.
- Add your logo, company info, and the fields you need (customer name, products, prices, terms).
- Test with dummy data.
4.2 Set Up Product Configuration Rules
One of the big selling points is the ability to create product configuration rules (for example, “if the customer chooses Product A, only show Options X and Y”). Start with a basic rule or two—don’t try to encode your whole product catalog on day one.
What works: Build rules based on real requests from sales—what they quote every week, not the edge cases.
What doesn’t: Trying to model every exception or custom deal at the start. You’ll get bogged down and probably never launch.
Step 5: Test the Full Flow
5.1 Create a Test Opportunity in Dynamics
- Create a new Opportunity and add a few products.
- Click the Experlogix button or tab (depending on your setup).
- Walk through the quote process: configure products, apply discounts, generate the quote document.
5.2 Check for Data Sync and Accuracy
- Does the quote pull in the right products and prices from Dynamics?
- Is customer info filled in correctly?
- Do changes in Experlogix sync back to Dynamics? (E.g., if you edit the quote in Experlogix, does it update the Opportunity?)
- Open the generated PDF or Word doc—does it look right?
5.3 Loop In Real Users
Before you pop any champagne, have a couple of sales reps run through their usual quoting process. Watch them—don’t just ask for feedback. See what trips them up.
Pro tip: Expect complaints about too many clicks or missing options. Don’t “fix” everything at once. Prioritize the stuff that blocks deals.
Step 6: Roll Out Gradually
6.1 Training and Documentation
- Write a one-page how-to for your sales team. If it’s longer, they won’t read it.
- Record a 5-minute screen share demo—skip the intro music and get to the point.
6.2 Monitor and Tweak
- Watch for errors or sync failures. Experlogix logs are decent, but sometimes vague—check both Dynamics and Experlogix for issues.
- Make small changes to templates and rules as needed. Don’t push big updates during the last week of the quarter.
6.3 Don’t Over-Engineer
Avoid building “perfect” processes nobody uses. Get the basics working, then ask the team what they actually need.
What to Watch Out For
- Licensing gotchas: Experlogix and Dynamics 365 both have user licensing—make sure you’re not double-paying for inactive users.
- Custom fields: If your CRM is full of custom fields, expect to do some extra mapping work. It’s not hard, just tedious.
- Support: Experlogix support is generally responsive, but don’t expect instant answers on custom setups. Keep your IT handy for troubleshooting.
Keep It Simple—Iterate as You Go
Rolling out Experlogix with Dynamics 365 isn’t rocket science, but it’s easy to overcomplicate. Get a basic integration running, see how your team uses it, and adjust from there. Don’t chase every edge case—focus on the handful of scenarios that actually slow down your quoting today.
Start small, stay practical, and you’ll have seamless quoting before your next sales cycle.