Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 – preliminary highlights

Microsoft is currently on the way to release Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0.  Current version is MS CRM 1.2.  Why Microsoft Business Solutions skipped one version (2.0 or  the like)?  One of the Microsoft answers was – version 1.2 had too many new features (as developers we may guess – MS CRM SDK redesign – some functionality was deprecated – joke – of course MS CRM 1.2 is very impressive progress comparing to the pioneer – 1.0), so 1.2 was playing the role of skipped 2.0.  This article is targeted to IT departments who do self-implementation and self-customization and we’ll try to give you the info on new release, which is expected in December, 2005.

• Migration Tool.  There will be migration path from MS CRM 1.2 to 3.0.  According to Microsoft it should be relatively straightforward upgrade
• Pre-Callouts.  N MS CRM 1.2 as you probably know – you can use post call-outs to place your custom logic.  In 3.0 you can deploy he possibility to call your custom code before the commitment and so if needed roll-back the change
• Duplicates merge.  Well – you probably noticed the fact that in 1.2 you can’t clean up duplicate records with one or another automation tool.  In 3.0 – duplicates merge is finally realized and you can merge activities and decide which phone number, or address to pick for the consolidated record.
• Marketing Module.  Now you should be able to do marketing campaigns and place criteria to pick the targeted audience.
• Scheduling.  You will see more features, available in MS Outlook to facilitate your work.  Now you should be able to schedule “field service” type of appointments with your customers
• MS Outlook-like interface.  Microsoft Outlook users worldwide count is probably something astonishing and it is logical marketing idea to capitalize on this.  If you make your products to use intuitive (or trained in your alma mater university) Microsoft Office Outlook interface – clients may expect their users to speed up with the learning curve
• Installation, Administration, Support.  These should be a way more simple.  It is hard to believe, because MS CRM uses MS Exchange, Active Directory, etc. – but this is what it is.
• Technical Highlights.  One of the most astonishing should be the possibility to integrate one-to-many custom table relationship, including MS Outlook client synchronization.  Imagine – you have cargo tracking system and you use MS CRM order as shipment object.  Then you can have multiple shipment one-to-many relationships, such as shipment statuses, shipment items, etc.
• MS CRM Suite.  With 3.0 you do not have to purchase MS CRM Sales or Professional to get, say service module.  Now you have the option to add modules in the future.  However if you purchase MS CRM Professional before December 2005 – you will get full set of MS Dynamics CRM 3.0 modules 

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