Can: Microsoft CRM 2011 BETA Released

MS CRM is one of the best performing and fastest growing products from the Dynamics suite. Microsoft has just announced CRM 2011 BETA (formerly CRM ‘5’).

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 delivers users the “Power of Productivity” through familiar, connected and intelligent experiences for users inside and outside an organization in the following ways:

Familiar experiences through a next-generation native Outlook client, Microsoft Office contextual CRM Ribbon, role-tailored design, and user personalization.
Intelligent experiences through guided process dialogs, inline data visualizations, performance and goal management and real-time dashboards.
Connected experiences through cloud development, Windows Azure integration, contextual Sharepoint document repositories, teamwork and collaboration and the Dynamics Marketplace.

CRM 2011 has been built on .NET 4 and with out of box Azure, SharePoint, Office & Silverlight integration. Scenarios for Azure integration include:

Extending the CRM user interface with custom ASPX pages within Windows Azure
Connecting CRM to ERP systems running on premises through the Azure Services Platform Service Bus
Developing commerce portals running on Windows Azure and pushing data into CRM Online and self-hosted ERP systems using the Service Bus

CRM 2011 is available immediately both in the cloud (CRM Online) and as on-premises bits. You can sign up for CRM Online at http://www.crm2011beta.com. CRM 2011 is expected to be released in 40 markets and 41 languages by the end of the calendar year. Final pricing and licensing for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 is not yet available and is expected to be announced later in the year.

Microsoft also announced that the Microsoft Dynamics Marketplace will enter beta later this month. The Marketplace provides an easy way for partners to market and distribute solution extensions and vertical solutions for Microsoft Dynamics customers. Customers will be able to access Microsoft Dynamics Marketplace directly from within Microsoft Dynamics CRM to search and download applications as well as directly connect with Microsoft partners. A business needs to invest only once in Microsoft Dynamics CRM and it can build an unlimited number of applications. Competitors like Salesforce.com charge for use of the applications its customers build by user, to the tune of $50/user per month.

More information about Microsoft Dynamics Marketplace can be found at: http://crm.dynamics.com/DynamicsMarketplace/landing.aspx

Download Links

1. Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Beta On-Premises Server and Client Bits

2. Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Beta Readme (includes product key)

3. Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Software Development Kit (SDK)

4. Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Beta Implementation Guide

5. Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online Beta Readme