The beta version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 has been out for a few weeks now, and as a beta testing partner, Concentrix staff have been trying out the product. Several of our clients were also keen to try out the beta version, and they’ve been giving us their comments and feedback.
A number of Concentrix staff have used the product – including technical developers, senior CRM consultants, marketing and sales staff – and our MD! Among the clients that are beta testing the product, some have used Microsoft Dynamics CRM before (albeit Microsoft Dynamics CRM version 4), some are currently using other CRM software solutions, while others are completely new to the world of CRM. But this means we’ve had a good selection of feedback, and had some good conversations about the product.
So what’s everyone saying about Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011? Well, based on the Beta version it’s a great product and the feedback is really enthusiastic about it. Here’s what people have commented on most:
Multiple Form Configuration is a Surprising Hit!
A new feature which a lot of our clients have commented on, and which to be honest we didn’t expect it to be picked up to this degree, is multiple form configuration. This means admin users can create multiple versions of the same form, with different layouts and fields. Users can see one, or perhaps several different versions of the same form, dictated by their job role. It’s building on the success of role-based functionality already used in products like Microsoft Dynamics NAV.
Multiple form configuration improves security and productivity, and like other role-based features of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011, provides users with the information they need, when they need it. For example, a Sales user may look at a customer record, and be interested in things like credit rating, past sales, product interest and so on. But a user in say, Customer Service could look at the same account and be interested in past support cases, current contract level or service history. So, it makes sense to configure the form so that the Customer Service Rep sees just this information, the Sales person sees the information they are interested in, and admin can easily remove the stuff each user doesn’t need to see and let them get on with their day jobs!
Another Common Theme – It’s Easy to Use
Some of the most commonly repeated comments from throughout our base of beta testers were about the ‘user friendliness’ of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011. A lot of testers mentioned how the use of many standard Microsoft Office and more Outlook type functions, like navigation bar, improved ease of use and they liked the familiar look and feel. They didn’t need to learn how to use these features either because they already knew - they use them in other Microsoft applications.
Many Small Updates Work Together
Although there are many small tweaks and functional improvements, which could almost go unnoticed if they were done on their own, in combination they significantly improve the product. In the words of one of our Beta testing clients who’s known for having a critical eye “I’ve been pleasantly surprised …. some of the changes are quite subtle but the overall effect is dramatic”.
Everyone Mentioned the Dashboards
We‘ve had a lot of excellent comments about the dashboards. People are really impressed by them. Other CRM software has included dashboards for some time (a long time in some cases) and arguably Microsoft has been behind the curve here. But in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Microsoft has delivered with dashboards – in fact leapt ahead of other CRM solutions and everyone we know who has used the Beta version has been enthusiastic about them and highlighted them in their feedback.
The main feedback about dashboards has again been about how easy they are to use – that they show information clearly, the info and graphics can be customised by the user, and they are easy to create (note there are a number of dashboards illustrated on the Concentrix website in the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 screenshots section). Some Beta testers also said that they liked the way Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 makes it easy to quickly arrange dashboard graphics using drag and drop.
Any Issues?
Although nearly everyone’s comments have been positive, there have been one or two bugs and errors reported. But that’s why software companies release Beta software. It means they can find bugs and errors and fix them before the product released officially. And you can be assured all errors uncovered by Concentrix or our testers have been formally reported to Microsoft and will be fixed before Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 is released.
Release Dates
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Online (the cloud version) is scheduled for full release in the UK within the next few weeks (the release date will probably be the end of November – yet to be confirmed), and the on-premise version will be out in the first part of 2011.
We hope this update has been useful. If you need any further information about Microsoft Dynamics CRM, please contact Concentrix.
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