CRM UK - the official blog of the CRM specialists at TSG

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online – Customer confidence with cloud computing

Recent studies and estimates by Gartner Inc. show that ‘by year-end 2016, more than 50 percent of Global 1000 companies will have stored customer-sensitive data in the public cloud’.

This is primarily because enterprises are reaping great benefits from cloud computing in added business agility and cost savings.

However, even though the number of organisations migrating to cloud based CRM solutions is ever growing, we all know that some still struggle with confidence issues in hosting their businesses data away from their own on-premise environment.

Microsoft have recognised since the launch of their Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online product that data security and compliance are critical key considerations for organisations evaluating cloud services. In act of this Microsoft have recently announced the availability of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online Trust Centre.

The Trust Centre is essentially a website that provides in-depth information about the privacy and security practices for the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online service. It delivers to customers and potential customers high-level information about the privacy, transparency, independent verification and security features of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online.

In order to install further confidence with their customers as well as rival their cloud market competitors, Microsoft announced their registration with the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) Security, Trust & Assurance Registry (STAR) program, making Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online the first cloud CRM service to provide this level of transparency.

Being a Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online partner ourselves, we have seen nothing but positive activity by Microsoft who are really focussed on delivering the strongest cloud CRM solution possible. Not only are they providing a cost effective way of acquiring CRM but are also are making sure that customers are confident that their business data is completely secure.

For further information about Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online and computing with cloud based CRM solutions feel free to get in touch with the TSG CRM team.

Important News about Microsoft Dynamics CRM Mobile and Cross-Browser Support

In case you haven’t already heard, Microsoft is delaying the release of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Mobile and cross-browser support. This functionality was originally scheduled for release some time around the middle of June 2012, as part of what Microsoft refer to as the Q2 2012 service update. It’s now looking like this functionality will now be available towards the end of the year, as part of the Q4 2012 update. 

Let’s be honest, this news is disappointing. Both mobile and cross-browser support have been eagerly awaited by CRM partners and users alike. The benefits it can deliver to some organisations are substantial. Some of these benefits are obvious, such as convenience, flexibility and personal choice. There are also a number of hidden benefits of accessing Microsoft Dynamics CRM on iPads, smartphones and other mobile devices which are not to be underestimated. These include being less intrusive and making face to face sales meetings easier. 

On the positive side, the Q2 2012 release is still going ahead and includes some really useful additional features and functionality, such as some new industry templates. And if accessing Microsoft Dynamics CRM on mobile devices is important to your business, TSG can still help you achieve this by using third-party add-on software. This software has been around for quite some time. It’s tried and tested, works well and we’ve successfully implemented this for a number of clients with excellent results. 

Microsoft won’t have taken the decision to remove mobile and cross-browser functionality from the Q2 2012 release lightly. However, it’s surely far better to act on feedback from people testing the software and postpone the release rather than put out something that still has bugs or issues.

The Q4 2012 service update has a number of specific enhancements planned for inclusion. Microsoft has also stated that these won’t be affected by deferring the mobile and cross-browser functionality until then. Here’s an excerpt of the Q and A from Microsoft:

Question: When will Cross-Browser be supported?

Answer: Cross-browser support will be available with the Q4 2012 Service Update.

Question: Does this new plan result in planned capabilities from the Q4 2012 release being deferred?

Answer: No currently announced Q4 2012 capabilities will be deferred as a result of this decision. As a part of our bi-annual release cadence we work on multiple service updates in parallel. Merging the Q2 and Q4 2012 releases allows us to provide a better overall experience by combining cross browser support with user interface enhancements already planned for the Q4 2012 Service Update. 

In other words it shouldn’t upset the development plan or put back other new or additional features and functionality. So we now really eagerly await the Q4 2012 release of Microsoft Dynamics CRM: it should be massive!! 

For more information about Microsoft Dynamics CRM including using the product on a mobile device in the UK, or any of the other queries you may have, please contact the CRM team at TSG.

Microsoft’s Cash Back Offer to New Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online Subscribers in the UK

As an independent CRM specialist, Concentrix TSG provides a selection of CRM solutions and will only recommend the products that we feel are right for our client’s businesses. This means that the products must be able to deliver what the client is looking to achieve within a reasonable timescale and at a cost-effective price.

There are of course a wide variety of good quality CRM software products available, but Microsoft Dynamics CRM has always been one of the most popular solutions we recommend. The cloud version of the product, called Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, has been growing in popularity since its launch in the UK in early 2011. It offers almost identical functionality and flexibility as the on-premise version (which has been around a lot longer) but is a subscription-based cloud solution.

One of the key advantages of deploying Microsoft Dynamics CRM in the cloud is that it becomes an operational cost rather than an up-front or capital expenditure. It’s charged on a per-user, per-month basis at much less than its competitors. In the UK it’s currently only £29.50 per user per month.

Between now and the end of June 2012, UK businesses can claim a serious amount of cash back if they sign up to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online with 30 users or more. If you’re new to the product (i.e. you haven’t deployed it in your organisation before) Microsoft will give you £101 for every Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online licence you subscribe. So for example if you sign up for 30 users, Microsoft will give you £3030, or 100 users £10100. This continues right up to 500 users, in which case you’ll get £50500!

This is a pretty outstanding offer. You’ll receive real money (as opposed to credits or discounts on other products or services) which you can spend however you want. This could be, for example, on implementation, configuration or training services, to offset the costs of switching from legacy software, or even an extremely good night out!

If you’re thinking of deploying a new CRM solution in your business and have 30 users or more, taking advantage of this offer will deliver a major reduction in the financial risks involved. If you’re using competitive CRM software and you’re finding it difficult to use, that the costs are mounting up or it’s just not doing what you want it to, the cash-back offer provides a strong reason to change solutions to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online.

What’s also great about this offer is that the terms and conditions are straightforward. Your organisation needs to be new Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, and must sign up to a two-year Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online subscription. You have to claim the cash within a fixed time limit, and to have been subscribed to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online for at least 30 days before you claim. You can’t use this offer in conjunction with one or two others from Microsoft, or if you’re a government agency (including educational and military).

For full terms and conditions, to discuss your CRM project, or for more information about the cloud CRM for less offer in the UK please contact Concentrix TSG. Both Microsoft Dynamics CRM on-premise and Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online are great CRM solutions, but this doesn’t mean they’re right for everyone’s business needs. Other popular solutions include products such as Sage CRM and FrontRange’s GoldMine. As we always take a product agnostic approach, please contact us to speak with one of our CRM consultants as they’ll listen to your needs and be able to advise you on the most appropriate product or products for your organisation.

CRM Anywhere: What's New in the next release of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011

There’s a new update to Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 coming soon. The update, called ‘CRM Anywhere’, is due for release in the UK in the second quarter of 2012. CRM Anywhere will provide some exciting new additions and enhancements to both on-premise and online versions of the product.

Microsoft is committed to regularly addressing customer demands and ensuring they keep Microsoft Dynamics CRM in line with (and usually ahead of) industry trends. This is by delivering consistent development and frequent innovation to the product. In practice this means a significant update roughly every six months. Importantly for new and existing users alike, the additional features and functionality in the next release of Microsoft Dynamics CRM are really quite major.

So what’s in stall with ‘CRM Anywhere’?

One of the major features of CRM Anywhere (or the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Q2 2012 service update to be more specific) will be cross web browser support. In other words, you’ll be able to use Microsoft Dynamics CRM on different web browsers including Safari, Chrome and FireFox, as well as Internet Explorer. You’ll also be able to access Microsoft Dynamics CRM on a wider range of smartphones using a cloud-based mobile CRM service called Microsoft Dynamics CRM Mobile.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Mobile will include a range of CRM applications (apps) for the most popular smartphones and tablets. The devices you’ll be able to use it on include the Windows Phone, Apple iPhone 3GS+, Google Android, RIM Blackberry, Apple iPad and iPad2. You’ll have to buy a license for Microsoft Dynamics CRM Mobile, but each licensed mobile user will be able to access Microsoft Dynamics CRM on up to three of these devices. Or, because Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 will soon include cross-browser support, you could access the ‘non-mobile’ or standard version using your tablet’s browser, but it won’t of course be specifically designed or set up for mobile viewing or use.

An enhancement in CRM Anywhere that will help users that need to view information really fast, is called Rapid View Forms. These show information in read-only forms, which load extremely quickly. If a user then needs to edit the form, they just click a button. Users can choose whether or not to load a form in rapid view mode, which in many cases will save a lot of users a lot of time and increase overall business efficiency.

If you’re using Activity Feeds, which are the micro-blogging and social collaboration capabilities introduced in the previous update of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011, you’ll find the CRM Anywhere update has added some more features. These include ‘Likes’ and ‘Unlikes’ and powerful new filtering. This illustrates Microsoft is really on board with the whole social media/social CRM concept.

There are a whole range of other enhancements in the latest update of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 (and nearly all apply to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online as well as on-premise). These include the ability to harness the power of the next release of SQL Server (Microsoft SQL Server 2012) and its powerful Business Intelligence capabilities (with templates), portal framework enhancements for those that use customer and partner portals connecting to Microsoft Dynamics CRM, and industry specific templates.

The name “CRM Anywhere” sums up this latest product update nicely. It means that Microsoft Dynamics CRM will provide more flexibility in mobility than any other CRM software solution available. You’ll be able to access and be productive with it just about wherever you are, using a smartphone or tablet device more or less of your choice.

For more information about Microsoft Dynamics CRM, its features, functionality, more details of updates, or how to successfully deploy the product in your organisation, please contact Concentrix TSG.

Concentrix TSG is one of the UK’s leading Independent CRM Specialists.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online Introductory Discount Ends 31st December 2011

Since its launch in the UK last January, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, the cloud version of Microsoft’s popular CRM solution, has been available at the discounted price of only £22.75 per user per month.

But all good things must come to an end. Concentrix TSG has had confirmation direct from Microsoft that on December 31st 2011 the price of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online will revert to its standard price of £29.50.

So why choose Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online as your cloud-based CRM software solution? Here’s just a few reasons:

• You can access Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online instantly from anywhere you can get an internet connection

• It’s quick and easy to deploy, with low up-front costs and little, if any additional investment needed in hardware

• You’ll work with a CRM-accredited Microsoft business partner such as Concentrix TSG, and run the product on infrastructure that’s managed by Microsoft

• You won’t need an IT department or high-levels of technical skills or resources within your business to get up, running and productive with a powerful CRM solution

• Microsoft supports Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online with a financially backed 99.9% uptime agreement. What this means is if the product is unavailable for more than 0.1% of the time (and it’s their fault), they’ll compensate you with cash

• The price of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online in the UK,even at £29.50 per month compares is still much cheaper than its closest competitors

• If you choose to go ‘on-premise’ in the future, because Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online and the on-premise version (Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011) are effectively the same products, its relatively straightforward to transfer over

• There’s a free trial of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online available, which is quick and easy to access, so you can try before you buy (if you’re asked, don’t forget to put Concentrix TSG as your Microsoft Partner of Record!).

If you’re thinking of signing up for Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, as long as you do so prior to 31st December 2011, you will receive the introductory rate for 12 months. What’s more, any further users you add to that contract after 31st December will also be at the same introductory rate*.

So in other words, if you want the discount, you really do need to hurry! Contact Concentrix TSG for more information.

*Terms and conditions apply, contact Concentrix TSG for full details

Microsoft Dynamics CRM works in Outlook, not just with it. Here are some screenshots.

When Microsoft developed Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011, key components of the design included flexibility, familiarity and ease of use. So, it’s had these features built in ‘from the ground up’ and as a result, it gives you choice in the way you work with it, right from the start.

There are two basic ways you can work with Microsoft Dynamics CRM: either from within Outlook, or through Internet Explorer. You can even do both at the same time. Outlook, Internet Explorer, or both - whatever you prefer.

When it comes to Outlook integration, the main difference between Microsoft Dynamics CRM and other CRM software products is that Microsoft Dynamics CRM works as part of Outlook. It doesn’t just link or  connect to it. This makes it really easy to use. You can perform many actions and activities in one or two clicks, and the system operates much more quickly than many ‘connected’ solutions.

Working within Outlook means people learn to use Microsoft Dynamics CRM very quickly. It also means people are comfortable working with it early on, which in turn makes the typical user adoption rates of Microsoft Dynamics CRM extremely high. That’s because anyone who has used Outlook before (and that’s a lot of people) immediately find the look and feel of Microsoft Dynamics CRM familiar; it’s like Outlook with a few more things added. Or ‘Outlook on Steroids’ as one of our clients once described it.

To give you an idea of what it looks like, here’s a selection of screenshots showing Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 working from within Microsoft Outlook. Note that it doesn't matter whether you use the cloud-based Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online or have the product deployed on-premise, either will work from within Outlook.

 

 
 
Screenshot 1 – The ‘Track in CRM’ Feature in Outlook

 

This first screenshot shows the “Track in CRM” feature, which I think is great. There’s no ‘drag and drop’ or even cut and paste like some other CRM applications. You click on a ‘Track in CRM’ icon in the Outlook Toolbar, and then choose where you want to place the email from a drop down menu (in this case a Lead). Just choose the information you need, and it’s in CRM! And Microsoft Dynamics CRM remembers what you’ve done, so next time you do it, it’s quicker.

 

  
 
Screenshot 2 – Microsoft Dynamics CRM Account Information in Outlook

 

This screenshot shows how you can access your account information in Microsoft Dynamics CRM while working in Outlook. 'Accounts' are the customers, organisations or suppliers you work with. This example shows the Sales section, and if you look on the left hand side, you can also see Contacts, Leads, Opportunities and other information relevant to that role. All easily accessed and navigated.

By default Microsoft Dynamics CRM calls ‘accounts’ companies or organisations you work with. Other CRM applications may call this something different; ‘Company’ for example. Not everyone likes the word ‘accounts’ in this context as it does have the potential get confused with financial accounts. But, because of the flexibility of the product, if you don’t want it to be called ‘Accounts’, your business partner can easily change it to something else.

 

 

Screenshot 3 – Microsoft Dynamics CRM Dashboards in Outlook

 

Dashboards are one of the most powerful features of Microsoft Dynamics CRM. As a user, you can set them up how you like and see at a glance (in real-time and presented in the most appropriate graphical format), the information that’s important to you. This helps you not just keep on top of what’s happening in your business, but really understand it. So, you’ll make quicker, better and more timely and decisions, based on the right information.

When we show Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 to prospective clients, the Dashboards are one of the features they get really enthusiastic about. As you can see from the screenshot, they’re easy to access, read and use from Outlook (just as easy as if you're using Internet Explorer).

These screenshots are just a tiny selection of what you can do when working with Microsoft Dynamics CRM in Outlook. However they show that Microsoft Dynamics CRM really works as a part of Outlook. It’s not just a linked application or an add-on to Outlook, like many other CRM solutions.

There are more screenshots of Microsoft Dynamics CRM on our website. If you want to really get to know the product, there's no better way than trying it yourself, and we'll be happy to arrange a free trial of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 for you, with no obligation.

For more information about Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online or other CRM products supplied by Concentrix TSG, please contact us or visit http://www.concentrix.co.uk/.

ERP and CRM software: Moving to (and from) the Cloud.

Over the past couple of years, there’s been a lot of noise from business management software manufacturers about cloud computing and the impact of the cloud on their products and services. Especially from those that produce CRM and ERP applications.

From a business user’s point of view, whether you choose to implement your software as an on-premise solution or choose a cloud-based option will depend on your business requirements: your aims, objectives, resources, preferred costing or payment methods, and what you need from your CRM software or ERP solution.

With cloud-based CRM and ERP solutions, the application and data is held on a network of computers kept in advanced data-centres, nearly always at a number of different locations. This means your software provider takes care of the running, maintenance and security of the application and servers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

There are a variety of reasons businesses choose cloud-based applications. With CRM and ERP, the key reasons tend to be that a business can be up and running with the software relatively quickly. There’s also less need for in-house IT staff or high levels of technical skills, and things like security and upgrades are looked after by the vendor.

Probably the most common deciding factor between cloud and on-premise is that cloud-computing makes your software an operational expense rather than a capital spend. There’s usually little or no financial outlay in terms of hardware and IT infrastructure, and you pay a monthly fee to use the product, which is based on the number of users you have. That works both ways; some businesses prefer a capital spend and to ‘own’ the software. Others prefer an operational cost, as with the cloud. For cloud-based applications, you also need a reliable internet connection, and in some sectors there can be issues with the geography in which the data is actually held.

Many mainstream business software vendors are working to transfer their traditional on-premise applications in to the cloud. From a technical point of view, however, it’s not as straightforward as it may first appear. Although, once it’s achieved, the results are arguably superior to applications that have been developed as purely cloud-based applications. Why? Because they give customers choice. Not just for the initial implementation, but as their business grows, develops and changes, it’s easier to move from or to the cloud. Businesses can also move from the public cloud to their own private cloud, with the same application.

This is one of the unique benefits of Microsoft Dynamics CRM and its cloud-based version Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online. Both Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online are effectively the same products; they’re built using the same code base. So it’s not that difficult to move a company that’s using the on-premise version to the cloud version, or vice versa. Compare this with many of Microsoft’s cloud-based competitors (such as SalesForce) which are cloud-only applications. Because they are cloud-only, you can’t go on-premise even if your business strategy dictates it in the future.

Although there have been a few cloud-based ERP solutions around for a while, ERP in the cloud has been taking off at a slower pace than CRM. In April 2011, nearly three-quarters of Microsoft Dynamics CRM seats were sold for the cloud version. Concentrix TSG has been offering mid-market sister product Microsoft Dynamics NAV as an on-premise solution for several years. We started offering Microsoft Dynamics NAV as a cloud or software as a service option about a year ago, and although it has generated interest among a range of customers, the on-premise version remains more popular.

In a recent independent survey commissioned by Concentrix TSG, 67% of senior finance professionals said that they have no current interest in using a cloud-based ERP solution. The same survey cited concerns about security and a lack of information and understanding about cloud technology as the main reasons organisations are staying away from cloud ERP. For the vast majority of businesses, modern commercial cloud applications provide exceptionally high levels of security, including data protection and back-up, and are usually more secure than the majority of on-premise applications.

Sage CRM, the leading mid-market CRM application from Sage, is a web-based product which has had an online version (SageCRM.com) available for a few years. Sage were ahead of many other vendors with SageCRM.com. However, Sage 200, the small and mid-market ERP solution which effectively uses Sage CRM as its CRM module, isn’t due to have a cloud version released for some time. In fact it’s currently looking like the end of 2012.

Sage 200 was built from the ground up as a client-server type application. It also has many add-on products by third-party vendors, so getting it in to the cloud is not going to be straightforward. You could argue that by taking its time getting its popular business management solution in to the cloud; Sage is going to end up playing catch up with other vendors. But according to research carried out on behalf of Concentrix TSG, until ERP buyers agree with the benefits of cloud-computing, and are more convinced of its greater security, there’s actually no real hurry.

Would you consider a cloud-based ERP solution? At Concentrix TSG we’re very interested to hear your thoughts and comments.

By Concentrix TSG – independent CRM and ERP specialists

Don't Miss Out! Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online offer still available until 30th June 2011

Over the past few months Microsoft has been offering Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online for the special price of £22.75 per user, per month. Unfortunately, this price can’t last forever and is due to end on 30th June 2011.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online is ideal for medium to large businesses, but also smaller ones too thanks to the minimal start-up cost. Microsoft Dynamics CRM online is quick and simple to deploy, as it means no new hardware costs and the friendly user interface is easy to grasp. New users will also love the familiarity of a Microsoft system, and what’s even better is that it integrates fully with Outlook!

Since being released in early 2011, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online has taken the CRM market by storm. A CRM system is key to keeping track of new business leads, sales pipelines and customer account information. A no obligation, 30 day free trial of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online is available, so you can try the product before you buy! Microsoft is also offering cash back offers when switching from other CRM providers such as Salesforce.com.

However, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online may not necessarily be right for your individual business needs. As we always take a product agnostic approach, please contact us to speak with one of our CRM specialists who will be able to advise you on the best CRM or ERP product for your organisation.

Concentrix TSG to exhibit at TFM&A in Manchester on Thursday 26th May 2011

Concentrix TSG will be attending the Technology for Marketing and Advertising (TFM&A) show on Thursday 26th May 2011. Not only is it the first time TFM&A is being held in Manchester, it is being held at Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United FC!

The exhibition is the ideal place to chat with businesses that specialise in CRM, data, direct and digital marketing. The event will bring guests the latest marketing, advertising and sales solutions and technology combined with helpful seminars.

Make sure you visit our stand where we will be demonstrating Microsoft Dynamics CRM on the iPad! Our friendly sales consultants will also be on hand to answer any questions you may have about CRM, whether you know exactly what you’re looking for or not. The event will bring you the latest marketing, advertising and sales solutions and latest technology combined with helpful seminars.

Here at Concentrix TSG we help all types of companies and organisations with their CRM and ERP needs. We are product agnostic so we take pride in being able to recommend the right product for your business’s needs. Just a few of our products include Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Sage 200. For optimum performance of your business software, we also offer a full range of managed IT services, IT security, and infrastructure.

The last TFM&A show at Earls Court attracted 11,000 visitors, so it is a valuable and worthwhile visit. On top of this, it is free for you to come along! Doors open at 9am until 5pm. To register, click here. If you are not attending but you are interested in CRM or ERP solutions, feel free to visit the Concentrix TSG website where there’s lots of information to help you get started.

We look forward to seeing you in Manchester!

The Real Reasons UK Businesses are Moving to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, the cloud-based version of this leading CRM solution, is rapidly establishing itself as a key player in the cloud CRM market. Considering it was only released in January, here at Concentrix we’re seeing a high level of interest in the product from new and existing clients alike. We already have a number of new clients that signed up for the thirty-day free trial of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online and thought the product was great. They've now incorporated the software into their business strategy and have it actively up, running and delivering productivity and efficiency gains for them.

Cloud-based CRM software is a great choice for businesses that have limited in-house IT resources or don’t want to manage their own hardware and IT infrastructure. There’s usually little or no financial outlay for new computers or equipment, and you just pay a monthly fee per user. In this way you make your CRM system an operational cost rather than capital expenditure.

Once businesses have decided to go down the cloud CRM route, they’re choosing Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online because it’s easy to use, it has a familiar look and feel, it’s quick to get up and running and you don’t need to be a technical expert to understand it. It’s also possible to migrate from Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online to the on-premise version of the product Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011. The features and functions of the online and on-premise versions of the product are almost identical, and the ability to migrate between the two deployment options is probably unique in the world of CRM software.

As well as its great features, functionality and flexibility, the price of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online and some of the current offers around it are key reasons behind its rapid up take among UK organisations.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online is available in the UK for just £22.75 per user per month. That price compares extremely favourably with other cloud-based CRM software applications. In June 2011, the price will increase, but not by much (it will still be less than £30 per user per month). The introductory pricing, combined with its power and ease of use, has been enough to convince many companies that Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online is the right choice for their business.

In addition to the competitive pricing, back in December 2010 Microsoft published an open letter from Michael Park, the company’s corporate vice president of sales, marketing and operations for Microsoft Business Solutions. In this letter Microsoft announced its “Cloud CRM for Less” offer for Salesforce.com and Oracle customers. This offer is still running. So, for organisations with a minimum of 15 users (and that meet some other basic criteria), Microsoft will give you cash back for each user that makes the switch to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online between now and June 30, 2011. It’s not a small amount of cash either; it’s £134 per user. So, for example, if you switch 30 seats, you get over £4000 back. And you can spend that money on anything you like (there are no restrictions).

Here’s some more news to help get you started with Microsoft Dynamics CRM. If your company is a small business, Microsoft recently announced it’s offering the free trial of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online extended to 90 days from the usual 30 days. The aim is to help small businesses develop and manage their customer relationships and sales pipeline. This extension of the 30-day trial is worth £370, and part of Microsoft’s initiative to help StartUp Britain. StartUp Britain has been set up by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs to help enterprises in the UK, and has the full support of the current UK Prime Minister and HM Government.

For more information about Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online or On-premise, and the full range of services available from Concentrix, please visit www.concentrix.co.uk or contact us.