Microsoft Releases New Version of Microsoft CRM

      Does your company wish to accomplish any of the following goals?

     About a year ago, Microsoft Business Solutions released its initial version of a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) product.  Early this year, version 1.2 was released.  This release builds on the 1.0 release by adding improved usability and performance.  This version improves the development toolset available to customize the product and adds support for Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, Microsoft Office 2003, and Microsoft Small Business Server. 

     Some of the other major enhancements included with version 1.2 include:

     Implementation of new Fast Sync technology enabling synchronization between Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft CRM without syncing with the mail server.  This approach enables faster synchronization.

     Microsoft CRM comes in four major modules: Sales Standard, Sales Professional, Customer Service Standard, and Customer Service Professional.  There are also suites available to get both modules together at a discounted price.  The Professional version adds features such as workflow which allows the setup of rules to automate the selling cycle and business processes.

     Microsoft CRM enables your company to improve both the management of and operations of the customer service and sales functions.  Managers will value using Crystal Reports to analyze sales and customer service information.  Your sales team will benefit from the use of a centralized database containing information such as opportunities, and communication with customers. They will also appreciate the ability to automate steps in the sales cycle.  Your customer service team will be able to manage cases from creation through resolution and enjoy the ability to share a common knowledgebase.  Because you can add user definable tabs and fields to many of the screens, both groups will find the system to be intuitive and hence be more apt to use it consistently.