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EFA x gorelate: How data facilitates dialogue
02. March 2026
As a specialist for Microsoft Dynamics 365, we have been supporting the European Forum Alpbach (EFA) for over 5 years in using their CRM not just as a database, but as a strategic core, with the aim of transforming complex data volumes into efficient, automated processes. (Here you can find our last joint reference story!)
For Barbara Zimmermann, Managing Director of the EFA, the CRM is much more than just an IT project. It is the place where knowledge about 4,700 participants, partners and actors converges. Whether partnerships, hotel bookings or economic key figures: Dynamics provides the decision-making basis, which Barbara needs to strategically steer the forum.
See what is all possible in the video!
Less effort, more overview - through collaborative partner management
Sven Nelander, who is jointly responsible for the administrative processes at EFA, describes it aptly as „Single Source of Truth“. Even before the actual first contact, potential leads are recorded in the CRM. For opportunities, the CRM is used to record the negotiation status and to make the income planning. And even the contract creation is handled via the Documents Core Pack.
Particularly noticeable is the time saving in the new partner management, which previously required enormous administrative effort. Where guest lists were previously laboriously sent back and forth by email, an automated invitation and visitor management system based on the Power Platform now ensures smooth processes. Partners log in directly via a Power Pages portal and see there in real-time the attendance and the current registrations for their specific sessions. They control their invitations completely independently via the portal and address their target groups precisely, while the utilisation of the sessions is always displayed transparently. The system even enables an automatic, system-controlled „top-up“ of guests as soon as capacities become available. As the entire ticketing tool is directly integrated in Dynamics 365, collected invitation emails can be sent, providing each guest with an individual list of all events to which they have been invited by various organisers, without flooding them with individual invitation emails. This high degree of automation reduces the administrative overhead for the EFA team so massively that the time saved by this tool alone is estimated to be equivalent to the capacity of an entire full-time position.
"We create contracts through the consultation of gorelate fully integrated via Documents Core Pack. With minimal adjustments we build a complete contract in just 5 -10 minutes and even minimise errors."
Sven Nelander, Partnership Employee at EFA
Automated contracts
... are created directly from the system via plugin.
Acceptances and rejections in real time
... are automatically documented
Errors are minimised
... because nobody has to manually transfer data.
With AI and Power Pages to an End-to-End Application Process
Particularly impressive is the commitment to the scholarship programme. Melissa Német manages over 6,000 applications per year through the system – a volume that would be hardly manageable manually. Together, we have set up a seamless digital process in which data quality and AI support go hand in hand.
How does AI help with filtering large volumes of applicants?
Even when applications are received, the system provides support. With the help of filter functions can preliminary criteria be filtered out. Using a specially built AI analysis tool the probability is checked whether a letter of motivation has been created by generative AI, to enable a fair, objective assessment.
How do Power Pages help the jury in their work?
Individual applications can be assigned to external jurors. They access the relevant data records directly via the Power Pages and submit their ratings in a system-controlled manner. In the same system, results can be compared and evaluated. Once the decision has been made, Dynamics 365 takes over the entire end-to-end communication. Acceptances or rejections are sent directly from the system, ensuring maximum transparency and speed.
"It's not just about finding solutions, but also showing how I can apply them myself."
Melissa Német, Stakeholder Manager at EFA
Why gorelate?
Technology is one thing, support is another. We do not see ourselves as a mere software supplier, but as a solution-oriented partner who works closely with the customer.
This is our gorelate promise: We do not build complicated „Blackboxes“, but enable your team to use the tools productively and securely. We are there when it needs to be quick during the „Crunch-Time“ before an event – professional, empathetic and always on an equal footing.
We look forward to accompanying the EFA as a reliable partner on this path in the coming years as well.
The European Forum Alpbach (EFA)
The European Forum Alpbach is a non-profit association and a foundation with the aim of promoting dialogue and cooperation across generations, disciplines and borders in order to strengthen democratic values and innovations in Europe
Nikolaus Matejka
Account Manager
+43 1 3000944-42
Let's talk about your project!
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