Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online Evolves

Microsoft's software as a service-based customer relationship management offering has evolved with the introduction of the March 2009 Service Update. The new features and additions to the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online are designed to serve as a breath of fresh air for businesses suffocating from the pressure of the global economic crisis. At the same time, Microsoft indicated that the March 2009 Service Update is set up to keep its CRM offerings in the cloud at the top of the customer relationship management service game. “We continue to be focused on delivering the best value in the industry, and that premise has guided our development efforts for the March 2009 Service Update,” explained Brad Wilson, general manager of Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

As an integral part of the March 2009 Service Update, Microsoft is introducing to Dynamics CRM Online financially backed 99.9 percent uptime service level agreements, internet lead capture and cloud integration services. “By delivering best-in-class availability with new functionality that will help our customers and partners position themselves for long-term success, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online further solidifies its place as a leader in software as a service-based CRM,” Wilson added.

Microsoft is guaranteeing Dynamics CRM Online customers that it will offer a credit equivalent to one month's fees in the eventuality that access to mission-critical systems suffers. This is done through the 99.9 percent uptime service level agreement. At the same time, Dynamics CRM Online now features additional functionality, including the ability for customers to build wizard-generated landing pages and to enjoy new lead tagging options. On top of this, the software giant allows for on-premises or on-demand applications to integrate seamlessly with Dynamics CRM Online via data and metadata APIs.

“The new cloud integration services approach provides flexibility without sacrificing security,” revealed Heidi Tucker, vice president of Business Development, Hoover’s Inc. “The new integration capabilities allow companies like ours to create a seamless and secure experience for the customer, regardless of where the application functionality or data is actually hosted.”