Overview

There’s a ton of information available for Microsoft Dynamics CRM but it’s scattered all over. So I thought it would help to put more popular information in one place.  And since Microsoft Dynamics CRM 5.0 is getting closer to being released I’ve created separate sections for the upcoming version 5.0 and current version 4.0.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 (formerly Microsoft Dynamics CRM 5.0)

When will Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 be released?

What product information is available?

Publicly, not a whole lot yet. Some of this stuff is a bit old but it’s a collection of what’s available.  

• Updated 7/27/10: An updated video overview of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 is now available
• Updated 7/27/10: Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Public Beta will be available in September 2010
• Microsoft PDC 09 Video: Managing the Solution Lifecycle for xRM Applications (This video covers XRM but Microsoft’s Andrew Bybee uses an early version of Dynamics CRM 5.0 for the demo. If you want the short version, Surviving CRM did a nice summary post with screenshots from the video.)
• Microsoft MSDN Channel 9 video: endpoint.tv – WF4 in the Real World – Microsoft CRM
• Microsoft CustomerSource Statement of Direction for Dynamics CRM (requires customer log-in)
• Microsoft MSDN Channel 9 Video: CRM “5″: Chatting with the platform team
• Microsoft MSDN Channel 9 Video: CRM “5″: Deploying Line-Of-Business Solutions
• Microsoft MSDN Channel 9 Video: CRM “5” – Secure Code on the Server
• Microsoft MSDN Channel 9 Video: Microsoft Dynamics CRM: The Appealing Business Application
• Microsoft MSDN Channel 9 Video: Microsoft Dynamics CRM: Building Line-of-Business Applications

What about news and press?

• Updated 7/27/10: Microsoft Demonstrates Next-Generation CRM Release at Worldwide Partner Conference
• Microsoft: Microsoft Releases Technical Preview of Next Generation of Microsoft Dynamics CRM
• SearchCRM: Microsoft provides glimpse of CRM roadmap, details on CRM 5
• Redmond Channel Partner: Convergence: Microsoft Dynamics Is All about CRM
• MSDynamicsWorld: Microsoft Emphasizes Simplicity, Innovation, and Value in Seeking to Expand Dynamics CRM’s Market Share

 
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0

What is Microsoft Dynamics CRM?

Microsoft Dynamics CRM is Customer Relationship Management database software that can manage your processes, data, and people such as employees, customers, vendors, and partners. It has become very popular because it runs right within Microsoft Outlook which most people like and are already familiar with. It’s flexible enough to run at small companies with a handful of employees to large companies with tens of thousands of employees. Essentially it’s the bigger and way more advanced business sibling of Microsoft Outlook Contacts.

How Much Does the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Product Cost?

See the recent blog post I did about how to estimate the cost of Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

What’s the Typical Time and Cost for Implementation Services?

I’m planning (one of these days) on doing a blog post on some common tasks and approaches for doing a CRM implementation. In the meantime, I’ll give a general answer of “it depends” to the question of “how long” and “how much”. It could take a few days to a few months depending on your needs and a bunch of other factors. Examples of some of those factors include:

• Data: Do you have data you need to get into Microsoft CRM, how much data, how many data sources are there, and what condition is it in (duplicates, blank fields, etc)?
• Customization: How much modification needs to be done for Microsoft CRM to meet the specific needs of your business?
• Integration: Do you have other systems, such as financial software, that you need Microsoft CRM to integrate with?
• Reporting: Is your company a heavy consumer of data analysis and reporting?
• Training: How many people need to be trained? And how many different groups do they belong to such as technical, sales, marketing, service, or executive?

If you need a ballpark cost for implementation serivces the best thing I would suggest is to call me at (219) 561-7180. After I get some information about what you need I can give you an idea of ballpark cost. There are no strings attached and I don’t bite.

Product Documents (I’d suggest right-clicking the link and doing a “Save Target As”)

Top 60 new features in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 (6.8MB XPS document – XPS viewer) http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/8/a/68a51d11-bdea-4c9c-9923-044028bae2e4/MicrosoftDynamicsCRM_Top60Guide.xps

Product Data Sheet (685KB PDF)
http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/5/2/15289678-fe40-4e9a-b98f-092618926f4f/Microsoft_Dynamics_CRM_Datasheet.pdf

Sales Brochure for Microsoft Dynamics CRM
http://image.offers.crmlive.com/members/60625/Sales_Automation_Brochure.pdf

Customer Service Brochure for Microsoft Dynamics CRM
http://crm.dynamics.com/docs/Customer_Service_Datasheet_FINAL_Feb2009.pdf

Marketing Brochure for Microsoft Dynamics CRM
http://image.offers.crmlive.com/members/60625/Marketing_Automation_Brochure.pdf

Online Demos

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Sales Force Automation Demo
http://crm.dynamics.com/demos/salesautomation/default.html

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Customer Service Demo

http://crm.dynamics.com/demos/customerservice/default.html

Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Financial Services
http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/crm/demos/FinancialServices/IPSS_financial.html

Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Healthcare – Patient Relationship Management
http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/crm/demos/healthcare/MSDynamicsCRM_Healthcare_PRM_Silverlight_WEB_072008/default.html

Webcasts

Long list of Microsoft Dynamics CRM webcasts
http://www.microsoft.com/events/series/crm.aspx

Case Studies

http://crm.dynamics.com/customers/allcasestudies.aspx

Customer Videos

http://crm.dynamics.com/customers/videos.aspx

Analyst Reports

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Positioned as a Leader in Customer Service Contact Centers 2009 Magic Quadrant
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2009/apr09/04-29CRMMQPR.mspx

White Papers

CRM and Social Networking White Paper (PDF Document)
http://crm.dynamics.com/docs/CRM_and_Social_Networks.pdf