Microsoft recently announced some updates to the next version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM. I was expecting the next version to be “5.0” but Microsoft seems to like to change naming formats of their products occasionally. So now it’s officially Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011. 

Here’s a press pass with more detail on Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011

The most recent updates include:

• Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Online will be launched by the end of 2010
• CRM Online will be available in 40 markets and 41 languages by the end of 2010
• Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 On-Premise will be launched early 2011
• An updated video overview of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 is now available
• Microsoft will be launching Microsoft Dynamics Marketplace in September 2010
• Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Public Beta will be available in September 2010

There’ve been some recent updates on Microsoft Dynamics CRM 5 release and availability but no solid dates yet. The standard answer has been “second half of 2010”. But it now looks like “end of the year” was mentioned at the Microsoft Convergence event.

Here’s a press release from Microsoft where it says “Availability of the new product will begin in the second half of 2010”.

SearchCRM narrows it down a bit further stating “Meanwhile, the next release of CRM Dynamics on-premise, referred to as “CRM 5″ internally at Microsoft, will be released around the end of the year.”

I’ve updated my Microsoft Dynamics CRM Product Info page to include links to information and videos about CRM 5.0.

Microsoft recently released an updated Statement of Direction for Dynamics CRM.

It covers upcoming Accelerators, Adapters, and XRM. It also gives an overview of the next version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM, aptly code-named “ V.Next”, which most likely will end up being called Microsoft Dynamics CRM 5.0.

Microsoft customers can download the document through CustomerSource.

Revised 07/27/10

I posted an update about the new Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 at http://www.crmdynamics.net/2010/07/microsoft-dynamics-crm-5-0-is-now-microsoft-dynamics-crm-2011/

Revised 04/29/10

The release date supposedly will be around ”end of year” which I did a new post for at http://www.crmdynamics.net/2010/04/microsoft-dynamics-crm-5-0-available-2nd-half-of-2010-part-ii/ 

Revised 10/14/09

In an interview with Brad Wilson, the General Manager for Microsoft Dynamics CRM at Microsoft, ChannelWeb mentioned version 5.0 would be out in the second half of 2010.

“Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT) channel partners are about to get their first look at the next release of the vendor’s Dynamics CRM application, a product that’s targeted for release sometime in the second half of 2010″

“Dynamics CRM 5.0 will sport improvements in the user interface and data visualization features, enhanced sales and marketing capabilities, and tighter integration with Microsoft’s SharePoint Server collaboration platform, according to Wilson, who declined to disclose details.”

http://www.crn.com/software/218500733;jsessionid=KEB1TPSAPTOIWQSNDLOSKHSCJUNN2JVN

From what I remember new CRM version releases were supposed to be on a two year cycle. Version 4.0 was out in January of 2008 so this seems to have been pushed out a bit.

The Dynamics CRM team at Microsoft just released some videos about Dynamics CRM 5.0 (V.Next) from the recent Professional Developers Conference (PDC)

CRM “5″: Chatting with the platform team

http://channel9.msdn.com/posts/benriga/CRM-5-Chatting-with-the-platform-team/

CRM “5″: Deploying Line-Of-Business Solutions

http://channel9.msdn.com/posts/benriga/CRM-5-Deploying-Line-Of-Business-Solutions/

CRM “5” – Secure Code on the Server

http://channel9.msdn.com/posts/benriga/CRM-5–Secure-Code-on-the-Server/

Microsoft Dynamics CRM: The Appealing Business Application

http://channel9.msdn.com/pdc2008/BB08/

Microsoft Dynamics CRM: Building Line-of-Business Applications

http://channel9.msdn.com/pdc2008/BB32/