Microsoft CRM Heads for the Enterprise and Tech-Ed info

Erika Morphy of CRMDaily recently wrote an article about Microsoft CRM, discussing a few topics new and dear to our heart:

• Vertical Emphasis - Erika quoted both Microsoft CRM General Manager Brad Wilson and Yankee Group Analyst Sheryl Kingstone with comments about how the next version of Microsoft CRM will make it easier for partners to build industry specific (vertical) solutions. Of course, Sonoma Partners strongly believes in partners embracing a vertical strategy as evidenced by our focus in the Real Estate industry and our ISV product CRM Elements for Real Estate.

• Broadening Distribution - There was some discussion about Microsoft's decision to allow any partner and software distributor to sell Microsoft CRM. Sheryl Kingstone argued "It also suggested a lack of understanding on the part of Microsoft that CRM is relatively easy software to deploy and then use". With all due respect, we disagree with Sheryl's analysis. In our experience, several customers have called us after a less-than-ideal experience with a partner...but almost none of these customers tried to implement Microsoft CRM by themselves! On the contrary, the availability of Microsoft CRM in the Action Pack and MSDN Subscription allows prospects to install and evaluate CRM in a "sandbox" environment. When the prospects were done with their quick and dirty evaluations, they called a Microsoft CRM partner to actually implement the project. So even though the Microsoft CRM software is easier to purchase in the broadened distribution channels, both customers and partners have a healthly respect for the challenges involved with implementing ANY new system that touches Sales, Customer Service, Reporting and Management.

• Microsoft CRM Next Version - Brad Wilson was quoted saying "There will be 100 new features included" in the next release. Obviously, that's a pretty nebulous statement but we are hoping for some public announcements in the coming weeks.

With the Microsoft Tech-Ed conference coming up June 5 to 10th, we thought that might be an ideal time for Microsoft to release more public information about the Microsoft CRM Next Version. So we researched the conference website and took a peek at some of the breakout Tech-Ed session agendas:

BAP08  Experience the Next Release of Microsoft Business Solutions CRM

Session Type(s): Hands-on Lab

Track(s): Business Applications

A companion to the concurrent technical session entitled "Deep Dive Microsoft CRM 2.0," this lab gives implementers and developers an exclusive sneak peek at the forthcoming release of Microsoft CRM 2.0. Learn about the changes in system architecture, system security, application platform and system extensibility.

BAP237  Customize, Extend, Integrate and Innovate Using the Next Version of Microsoft Business Solutions CRM Solution Developer Kit

Speaker(s): Naveen Garg

Session Type(s): Breakout Sessions

Track(s): Business Applications

Day/Time: Friday, June 10 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM Room: S 320 E

This session centers on new customization capabilities and extensibility mechanisms available with the next version of Microsoft CRM Solution Developer Kit (SDK). Topics covered include the new Microsoft CRM SDK programming model, new add entity feature, new client side SDK, programmatic import, export and publication of customizations, and new features available with pre- and post-callouts. The session also spotlights the .NET assembly integration in workflow.

These sessions look great!