With one eye on the cloud and the other on customer service, Microsoft has rolled out the beta release of its new product for cloud-based and on-premise deployments of its CRM product. The new online service is expected to come to market as Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011.
"Microsoft is showcasing that it is not just a hardware platform play -- that it can do cloud services as well if not better than anyone else. This is an important test point for Microsoft," said Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group. "Microsoft has put an awful lot of effort here. When [CEO] Steve Ballmer took over, one of the things he wanted to do was showcase that he could successfully take the company in this different direction. This is his stamp on Microsoft, and that's why it's so critical to the firm."
The Next CRM Wave
The beta version of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online service is available in eight languages and 36 markets. Customers around the world have already started downloading the software to build solutions. The final version will be available by the end of 2010 in 40 markets and 41 languages.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 promises to make the enterprise more productive through familiar, connected and intelligent experiences for users inside and outside an organization. The software offers native Microsoft Outlook client, Microsoft Office contextual CRM Ribbon, RoleTailored design, and user personalization.
"Microsoft Dynamics CRM has tremendous momentum around the world, and we're glad to bring an exciting new wave of technology to our customers and partners," said Brad Wilson, general manager of Microsoft Dynamics CRM. "Our new beta release for cloud-based and on-premises deployments allows customers and partners to try the product and see the benefits from the investments that we've been making."
Business Kudos
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 also offers what the software giant calls "intelligent experiences" through guided process dialogs, in-line data visualizations, performance and goal management, and real-time dashboards.
Finally, the software makes possible connected experiences through cloud development, Windows Azure integration, contextual Microsoft SharePoint document repositories, teamwork and collaboration, and the Microsoft Dynamics Marketplace.
"As an on-demand business , we value the fast deployment, ease of use, and rapid adoption that Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 delivers," said Karen Watts, CEO of Corefino Services LLC. "The flexibility and productivity of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 is a game-changer."
The CRM Marketplace
Microsoft also announced that the Microsoft Dynamics Marketplace will enter beta in late September. The new online service will be available at no additional cost to help partners market and distribute solutions to Microsoft Dynamics customers, including a catalog with more than 700 applications and professional services.
"Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 is the true realization of customer relationship management -- dynamic, open, uncompromising, extensible and fully integrated into the desktop -- as both software and a service," said Doug Zone, CTO of MetraTech. "When it is combined with the Microsoft Dynamics Marketplace, we will now be able to market and distribute our solutions to an even broader audience."
