Dynamics 365 – CRM Microsoft Reverses Outlook Client Deprecation

Posted on: February 6, 2018 | By: Jim Bertler | Microsoft Dynamics CRM

Authored by: Don Surma

Microsoft announced last summer that it was deprecating (phasing out) the Outlook Client (Dynamics 365 for Outlook) that we have all grown to love (and hate). This process was to begin with CRM version 9 release, and be gone in about a year with version 10 release. It was a long run for this piece of software, but it was time to move on. In its place, Microsoft said we should begin to use the Dynamics 365 App for Outlook. Never mind that the naming of the new app was so similar to the old one that no one could keep straight what app Microsoft was referring to.

In case you are not familiar with the new app, let’s do a quick refresh. It is installed from within your Settings section with admin privileges. It does not require “install” as an add-in to Outlook. It does require server-side sync to be configured on the CRM server. Overall, it works seamlessly- as long as you are using O365/Dynamics 365 online.

An interesting article was posted on January 29^th, 2018 regarding the CRM Outlook add-in (Dynamics 365 for Outlook). Basically, Microsoft is telling us that due to overwhelming response from Customers that they would now be keeping the Outlook Client, oh excuse me, Dynamics 365 for Outlook for the foreseeable future. They would continue to fix but not add any features. They would also continue to promote and enhance the Dynamics 365 App for Outlook, as this is the future with the rest of their Office Apps.

What does this really mean? More than likely, the Microsoft marketing team for Dynamics 365 got ahead of the Dev team at Microsoft on the announcement last Summer. Don’t get me wrong, the Dynamics App for 365 is a great advance over the Outlook Client. Unfortunately, based on our experience, it was not quite ready for certain situations – one being on-premise CRM with O365 email. I’m sure there are other things that need to be tweaked before it is really ready for prime time. This App will be the future for using Outlook with CRM. It works great today if you are totally online with Office 365/Dynamics 365.

This announcement is more of a reprieve for the Outlook client and really just a delay of the inevitable by a year or two for Dynamics 365 for Outlook.

If you have questions about the use of the Outlook Client – Dynamics 365 for Outlook or Dynamics App for Outlook, feel free to contact Logan Consulting.

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