One month after going global with the on-demand version of its Dynamics CRM application, Microsoft is shipping a new release of the CRM application for on-premise and partner-hosted deployments.
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."
