Microsoft CRM 2013 is coming soon – October 1 to be exact (barring any last minute delays). Microsoft has given it’s preview to partners like us, shown us the new features, the changes, the navigation, the interfaces, the hooks to social media. Having had 24 hours to digest the info, I thought I would share my thoughts.
Microsoft sees future use of CRM being on touchscreen devices
is coming to iPads and iPhones in a big way. It will be a supported app from Microsoft, and yes, you will find it in Apples App Store just like any other app. The look and feel will give quick access to what you want to see. Microsoft understands that users need access from everywhere – in a meeting, at home first thing in the morning, at an airport, at the kids soccer game. Microsoft CRM 2013 will deliver that.
CRM fails when end users don’t like using it
It's the elephant in the room and Microsoft gets it. The best implemented CRM solution will fail if end users aren’t using it. After all – what good is incomplete data in a CRM system? Microsoft CRM 2013 is making a huge step forward in making sure information is delivered in one screen, and that navigation is easy and clean. More importantly, Microsoft CRM 2013 is designed to deliver info end users will want – more on that in the next point.
CRM systems have to go beyond storing data – they need to collect it
The marketplace is full of solutions that will assist businesses in collecting data, combing the web for information, capturing leads from the web, etc. All of them tout how tightly they integrate with Microsoft CRM. Which begs the question: why doesn’t Microsoft CRM do that for you in the first place? Now, it will. With MarketingPilot and Yammer, Microsoft CRM will work with your web site and social media like Twitter and LinkedIn to update information automatically. When users log-in, they will see new leads, or updates to existing ones. Imagine the possibilities if end users are actually excited to open Microsoft CRM and see what has changed since the day before!
SalesForce.com just got weaker
Now that I have typed that name – SalesForce – I have guaranteed that about 10 people from SFDC corporate will read this post. So to our friends in San Francisco, I say welcome.
I have given my reasons in the past for why I think SalesForce does not measure up to Microsoft CRM. With the new navigation, free supported iPad app, social media integration and new support options from Microsoft, the case is even stronger. SalesForce is going to have a very difficult time justifying a high and out of date price point for their solution.
For more information on Microsoft CRM 2013, please visit us at , or call us at 866-504-4357
By Intellitec Solutions, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Partner serving Delaware
Yeah. "All of them tout how tightly they integrate with Microsoft CRM. Which begs the question: why doesn’t Microsoft CRM do that for you in the first place? Now, it will."
Why not let MS do it all for the user, damn the solution providers. Why should anyone make any money beside MS with this CRM?
The "solution providers" who invested into online solutions are the worst in here. Their solutions will automatically be moved up in 90 days to 2013. And guess what. If they have some code that breaks compatibility, being barely updated from CRM 4, tough luck. It won't work anymore.
The Salesforce CRM-powered customer portal provides customers the ability to track their own cases, includes a social networking plug-in that enables the user to join the conversation about their company on social networking websites, provides analytical tools and other services including email
Where is this social media integration you speak of in the email?
"CRM fails when end users don’t like using it"
This is exactly right and one of the benefits Microsoft has with Windows 8. The design language is ultra-simplified which also rubs off on their Dynamics team which badly needed simplification. I'm interested to play around with it as, from what I've seen it looks much improved.