Great info on Dynamics and CRM

Microsoft Announces New Version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM for 2007 Microsoft Office System and Windows VistaTuesday November 7, 2:30 am ET

Microsoft Delivers Powerful New User Experience for Better Sales, Marketing and Service and Introduces New Licensing Options for Microsoft CRM

MUNICH, Germany, Nov. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today at Convergence 2006 EMEA, Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT - News) announced it will release a new version of Microsoft Dynamics(TM) CRM for the 2007 Microsoft® Office system and Windows Vista(TM) that enriches the user experience through enhanced productivity; data visualization; and communications, collaboration, and security features. Microsoft also announced that, in addition to being offered through Microsoft's standard Volume Licensing program, Microsoft Dynamics CRM will be offered through the licensing model that is used with Microsoft Dynamics enterprise resource planning (ERP) products, making it simpler and more convenient for customers and partners to buy and deploy a full Microsoft Dynamics suite solution that spans customer relationship management (CRM), financial management and supply chain management.

Better Together With 2007 Microsoft Office System and Windows Vista

With this new release, Microsoft Dynamics CRM continues its focus on delivering a solution that works the way people do, providing a familiar and intuitive work environment that maximizes user adoption and productivity. The new version will be released at the same time as the 2007 Office release and will ultimately be available in 18 languages for small, midsize and enterprise customers around the world.

"Microsoft Dynamics CRM is committed to delivering the ultimate in business productivity for sales, marketing and service managers and users," said Brad Wilson, general manager of Microsoft Dynamics CRM at Microsoft. "As with prior releases of Microsoft CRM, it delivers the power of choice, enabling customers and partners to deploy this as on-premise software or an on-demand service."

The new version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM, compatible with the 2007 Office release and Windows Vista, enables a range of powerful features:
* An enriched user experience based on the 2007 Microsoft Office system.
The new release of Microsoft CRM picks up on the new Ribbon user
experience of the 2007 Office release, and continues to enable users to
access rich, roles-based CRM capabilities through Microsoft Office
Outlook®, Microsoft Internet Explorer® and a broad range of mobile
devices.
* Richer data visualization with Microsoft Office Excel 2007. Rich data
visualization and business intelligence enhancements to Microsoft Office
Excel® 2007 enable better analysis and decision-making for CRM
managers and users.
* Desktop action and insight using Windows Vista gadgets. New Windows
Vista gadgets allow Microsoft Dynamics CRM activities, analytics and
alerts to be placed directly onto the desktop or home page.
* Unified communications with Microsoft Exchange Server 2007. The new
release of Microsoft CRM enables users to store voice-mail messages in
Outlook and track them automatically in Microsoft Dynamics CRM.
* Enhanced security with BitLocker Drive Encryption in Windows Vista. The
new BitLocker(TM) capability in Windows Vista helps protect confidential
CRM data on laptops from being accessed by unauthorized individuals.

Customers Look to the Next Generation of Innovation From Microsoft

As a National Football League franchise with global brand recognition, the Indianapolis Colts organization puts customer relationship management at the heart of its strategy for building and retaining its base of loyal fans and business partners. Recently, the Colts began an initiative to evaluate replacement options for its current Salesforce.com CRM solution. Citing the need for tight enterprise integration and a complete CRM solution, the Colts worked with Crowe Chizek, a regional Microsoft Gold Certified and Microsoft Dynamics Partner, to evaluate the combination of the 2007 Microsoft Office system, Windows Vista and Microsoft Dynamics CRM.
Pat Coyle, director of Database Marketing and E-Commerce with the Indianapolis Colts, said, "We knew right away this could work for us. We continue to be impressed with the technology Microsoft provides. Having a tightly integrated system that includes Microsoft Dynamics CRM, the 2007 Microsoft Office system and Windows Vista will allow companies like us to remain on the leading edge of sales, service and marketing effectiveness for years to come."

For South African financial group Sasfin Bank Ltd., the decision to upgrade to the latest versions of Microsoft Dynamics CRM, the Microsoft Office system and Windows Vista hinges on two key needs: a true 360-degree view of its customers and an intuitive user experience that enables rapid adoption across the company.

"Managing our clients' financial portfolios demands real-time access to data from numerous sources," said Peter Oeschger, chief information officer, Sasfin Group. "Microsoft Dynamics CRM's ability to integrate technology, coupled with its flexible service-oriented architecture and friendly user experience is the best in the industry, bar none."

The new release of Microsoft Dynamics CRM will work with the 2007 Office release and Windows Vista as well as with previously supported versions of Office and Windows®. Upgrades to the new release will be free for customers on active support agreements.
Microsoft Adds New Purchasing Options for Microsoft Dynamics CRM

Microsoft also announced today that licensing options for Microsoft Dynamics CRM will be increased by adding it to the licensing model that is offered with Microsoft Dynamics ERP products. This includes both Business Ready Licensing and Modular Based Licensing. By adding pricing information for Microsoft Dynamics CRM to the price lists for each of Microsoft's financial and business management solutions (Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Microsoft Dynamics SL), customers will find it even more simple and convenient to buy and deploy full-suite Microsoft Dynamics solutions for their businesses.

For Bill Kinahan, CRM practice lead at Tectura North America, the addition of Microsoft Dynamics CRM to the Business Ready Licensing model enables Tectura to do what it does best: provide expertise in integrating business solutions for its customers.

"Rather than someone from the IT department, it is frequently the vice president of sales, the CIO or CEO who comes to us to purchase Microsoft Dynamics CRM. They are looking to us to make the purchasing easy," Kinahan said. "With Microsoft Dynamics CRM on the Business Ready price list, customers can purchase full-suite Microsoft Dynamics solutions directly from Tectura and benefit from our expertise in delivering end-to-end business processes. That's a smart move on Microsoft's part, putting the purchasing decision back in the clients' hands."
Microsoft Dynamics CRM will continue to be offered through Microsoft Volume Licensing, the same licensing model that is used for Microsoft Office, Windows and Microsoft Exchange.
About Microsoft Dynamics

Microsoft Dynamics is a line of financial, customer relationship and supply chain management solutions that helps businesses work more effectively. Delivered through a network of channel partners providing specialized services, these integrated, adaptable business management solutions work like and with familiar Microsoft software to streamline processes across an entire business.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

NOTE: Microsoft, Microsoft Dynamics, Windows Vista, Outlook, Internet Explorer, Excel, BitLocker and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
For more information about Microsoft Dynamics: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/newsroom/businesssolutions/default.mspx For more information about Microsoft Dynamics CRM: http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/crm/default.mspx