Microsoft has kicked the Cloud version of Dynamics CRM up a notch with the introduction of the first refresh for the service since launch. According to Brad Wilson, general manager of Microsoft Dynamics CRM at Microsoft, the September 2008 Service Update is an indication of the company's commitment to catalyze a rapid pace of evolution for Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online. Wilson underscored the fact that existing CRM Online customers will be able to take full advantage of the new features and capabilities delivered with the update for free. 

"Today’s release underscores our commitment to rapid innovation. Our first service update is significant for its new functionality, scale and additional value it provides our customers at no additional cost," Wilson explained.

With the promise that the first CRM Online update, live at just four months since the service was debuted, is just one of many more to come, Microsoft highlighted the new Internet Marketing capability, as the most relevant aspect of the refresh. With the September 2008 Update, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online users are now able to handle Internet-based marketing and search engine marketing campaigns directly from their CRM environment.

"This update will help customers maximize marketing returns from online advertising spending by allowing them to monitor and measure the effectiveness of online ad campaigns. Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online’s automatic update means we’re able to take advantage of advances like this on a far quicker cycle, so we don’t have to worry about being left flat-footed by changes in business," said David J. Buggy, vice president of Beringer Associates Inc., a Gold Certified Microsoft Partner.

Essentially, the September 2008 Service Update brings building, management, monitoring and optimization capabilities to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online as far as Internet marketing tasks are concerned. On top of bridging Dynamics CRM Online with Internet Marketing efforts, Microsoft has also taken the necessary steps in order to ensure that the service will tailor to large deployments, delivering extended support for a boosted number of users. On top of it all Microsoft Pinpoint acts like a connection gateway designed to offer users not only resources but also the company's own partners on order to make the best of CRM Online.