Microsoft Upgrades On-Premise CRM App, Offers Links To Partner Marketplace
The new Dynamics CRM 2011 is integrated with the Microsoft Dynamics Marketplace, launched in September, through which more than 1,400 partners offer their Dynamics ERP- and CRM-related services and add-on applications.
Microsoft showcased an early version of the on-premise application at its Worldwide Partner Conference in July and delivered a beta version in September. It's built on the same multitenant code base as the on-demand Dynamics CRM Online.
While a majority of partners re-sell the Dynamics CRM application, a growing number sell the Dynamics CRM Online service or host the on-premise software themselves for their customers. At WPC, Microsoft offered channel partners incentives such as increased margins and referral fees to encourage them to resell the Software-as-a-Service product.
Dynamics CRM Online competes head-to-head with on-demand CRM applications from Salesforce.com, Oracle and others. In January Microsoft made the service available in 40 markets and 41 languages. Previously the on-demand application was available only in North America.
Other enhancements to the new on-premise product include native Microsoft Outlook functionality and a look and feel closer to Microsoft Office applications. It offers more role-based forms and views, and advanced user personalization; improved data visualization and real-time dashboards; cloud development tools; and flexible goal management and automated process guidance features.
The new Dynamics CRM 2011 release "brings a whole new level of productivity to sales, marketing and customer service departments," said Terje Laugerud, CEO of Ciber International, a systems integration consulting company and Microsoft partner, in a statement. "The focus on familiar, intelligent and connected experiences appeals to our customers and provides an ideal platform for Ciber to deliver innovative CRM solutions to customers in a range of industries."