Microsoft CRM is a ‘future proof’ product. In other words, Microsoft is committed to investing in, developing, supporting and enhancing the product for many years to come.
Recently (in August 2009), Microsoft released their latest Statement of Direction for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0. The document outlines the future direction of Microsoft Dynamics CRM through to its next major release (known as Microsoft Dynamics CRM “V.Next”) which is due in 2010.
The way in which Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 is put together means it supports multi-language and multi-currency requirements as. It also delivers extensive reporting through Microsoft SQL Server® and enterprise workflow through Windows® Workflow Foundation.
Microsoft’s primary goal from the very first release of Microsoft Dynamics CRM has been to deliver a solution that users feel comfortable working with and is a natural part of their daily work activities. Their key objective was, and still remains, to drive maximum user adoption of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM by delivering it through standard and familiar Microsoft desktop applications that users know and understand.
Microsoft remain committed to delivering a CRM solution that:
- Drives maximum user productivity
- Provides business insight and collaboration, no matter what the person’s role is within the business or organisation
- Builds on and enhances the core sales, service and marketing capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics CRM
- Continues to provide a flexible and scalable business solution platform
Some of the areas Microsoft highlighted in the document that they are looking to enhance until the release of ‘Microsoft Dynamics CRM V. Next’ include:
Mobility
There are already a number of mobile applications for Microsoft Dynamics CRM available from Microsoft or Concentrix. They have also released mobile express for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0.
Accelerators
During late 2008 and early 2009 Microsoft released the first wave of accelerators for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0. Accelerators for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 are a range of free-of-charge add-on solutions. Each accelerator extends the functionality of marketing, sales and service capabilities. Additionally, CRM Accelerators provide the building blocks for all kinds of xRM applications. Microsoft will be releasing another group of accelerators during the second half of 2009.
xRM
Many organisations have adopted Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 as a generic business application development platform. It enables you to rapidly configure a tailored business application not associated with the traditional customer relationship management pillars of sales, service and marketing. Examples of these applications include human resource management, vendor management, helpdesks, public sector management, and grant management. Microsoft refers to these types of solutions as “xRM”.
BizTalk® Server Integration
A new release of Microsoft BizTalk® Server Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 is targeted for Q3 2009.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 for Microsoft Outlook
New and enhanced capabilities will be made available for using Microsoft Dynamics CRM through Outlook.
The Next Service Update
The next service update for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 will be made available sometime in November 2009 and will deliver new options in areas such as:
- Access to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online through a range of mobile devices including Windows Mobile and RIM Blackberry (via Mobile Express)
- Extended business intelligence capabilities for further analysis of CRM data
- In-page guidance to provide an even richer experience for new users
- Additional storage capacity for customers to accommodate even larger databases
Concentrix provides Microsoft Dynamics CRM as a hosted CRM solution as well as on-premise (here's a brief guide to hosted or on-premise CRM).
Microsoft Dynamics CRM is part of the Microsoft Dynamics suite of products. Concentrix also supplies Microsoft Dynamics NAV, a fully integrated business management solution. To fiind out more, don’t hesitate to contact Concentrix.
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