Recently, Microsoft released a “Microsoft Dynamics CRM Statement of Direction”. This article provides general guidance on Microsoft’s roadmap and some information on the next release of Microsoft CRM. You can click here to download the entire Statement of Direction.
Microsoft CRM Mobility
Using Microsoft CRM on a mobile device has been a hot topic for some time in the Microsoft CRM community, however, in the Statement of Direction Microsoft provides some clarity. CRM Mobile Express will be released in the last half of 2008 and will be fully supported by Microsoft. It will work on virtually any internet capable device and no installation is required on the mobile device. It will also work with the multi-tenant architecture of Microsoft CRM 4.0.
Additionally, Microsoft has formed an alliance with Ten Digits Software Inc. to deliver full featured mobile access to Microsoft Windows Mobile devices and BlackBerry phones. This solution allows offline access and more robust mobile device functionality.
Microsoft CRM Accelerators
Microsoft has released eight “accelerators” for Microsoft CRM. These accelerators are free of charge and enhance and extend the functionality of Microsoft CRM. The accelerators are fully supported by Microsoft and the complete source code is provided to allow customers and partners to future enhance the solutions. The eight accelerators are: analytics, eservice, event management, enterprise search, sales methodologies, extended sales forecasting, CRM notifications and business productivity. You can read a detailed description of each in the statement of direction and for further information please contact us.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM V Next
Microsoft has already begun planning and developing the next version of Microsoft and, of course, everyone wants to know what will be included. The details are closely guarded by Microsoft, but they have released some general guidelines. Complete details are available in the statement of direction, but some improvements include:
Improvement of the Outlook experience
Increased accessibility through the Microsoft Office ribbon interface
Streamlined user interface to reduce clicks and open windows
Increased personalization of the CRM experience
Improved SharePoint collaboration and integration
Team based collaboration