Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 (code named ‘Titan’ during development) is the latest version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM software, due for release in the UK in January 2008. Because Concentrix is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner specialising in Business Solutions, staff have been able to see demonstrations of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0, evaluate the product and receive comprehensive briefings and training, prior to the official release of the software.
As independent CRM specialists, staff at Concentrix have been keen to take a look at this new product in the CRM market. We know that Microsoft has invested a significant amount of resources (even by their standards) into this software, so expectations have been high. Also, the differences between previous releases of Microsoft CRM software, for example, between Microsoft Dynamics CRM 1.2 and Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 (there wasn’t a version 2!) were major.
A number of Concentrix staff visited Microsoft in late October to see the latest version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM. So what did they think?
The opinion of our Dynamics CRM technical experts were, in a nutshell, that Microsoft Dynamics v4.0 is “mind-blowing” – more than just added features, fixes and changes. They consider it extremely well thought out, well developed and programmed, exceptionally well designed and with high levels of functionality. Concentrix sales engineers who saw the product were equally enthusiastic about the new version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM, albeit coming from a different angle. To put this in perspective, they considered Microsoft Dynamics CRM versions 1.x as, well, mediocre – other CRM products on the market were way ahead at the time. Microsoft Dynamics CRM version 3.0 is a good product: much better than its predecessors. However, Microsoft Dynamics CRM version 4.0 has taken a massive step forward and will be a highly competitive product in the CRM market.
So what’s new in Microsoft Dynamics CRM version 4.0? The staff that saw the product came back from Microsoft with long lists of features written in their notes. Rather than list them all, here are some of the features that stood out. It is by no means a list of all the new features of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0, just some of the key ones, (in no particular order and taken more or less straight from staff notes):
§ No need to VPN –when using Dynamics CRM 4.0 it works as if you are in the office
§ Can synchronise all activity types to Outlook
§ Multi-track
§ Auto completes on drop-downs
§ Multi-currency (base currency and alternative currencies)
§ Web access to mail merge
§ Easy data export (choose fields) with reimport (very useful)
§ Device CALs (Client Access Licences)
§ Multi tenancy
§ Uses Windows Workflow Foundation (a very powerful workflow tool to map and automate business processes)
§ Reporting wizard, with scheduling, plus filtered views available offline)
§ Wizard-based imports
§ Better automation of email campaigns
§ Improved dynamic links with Excel
§ Smart stages can be added to any entity
§ Cross-entity views
§ Office client diagnostics (“Fix” button)
§ Scales up extremely well (better than Dynamics CRM v3.0)
§ Template store
§ Multi domain support
We’ll be able to demonstrate the product shortly, so to book a demonstration of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0, for further information about the product or to discuss it, please contact Concentrix.
Note Concentrix is still offering free trials of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0, and aims to offer similar free trials of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 soon after it is released.
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