Marketing strikes again, but the new Outlook client is looking good

Posted by Mike Snyder on November 16, 2007  |  Comments (3)

In Microsoft CRM 3.0 there are two types of Outlook clients:

• Microsoft CRM Desktop Client for Outlook
• Microsoft CRM Laptop Client for Outlook

Nice, simple, straightforward and easy to explain to customers. I just saw that there appears to be some new branding for the Outlook clients in Microsoft CRM 4.0:

• Microsoft Dynamics CRM Client for Outlook
• Microsoft Dynamics CRM Client for Outlook with Offline Access

I kinda preferred the simple Desktop versus Laptop distinction, but I guess I had better start practicing how to say "Microsoft Dynamics CRM Client for Outlook with Offline Access". That's a mouthful!

On the plus side, the Microsoft CRM 4.0 Outlook clients are greatly improved over the 3.0 versions. Some of the things I got excited about are:

• CRM can sync all of the activities to Outlook (phone calls, letters, etc.)
• Reminders are automatically generated in Outlook
• You can track multiple emails at one time!
• You can un-track an email after you track it
• You can access ALL of the web functionality in Outlook (including settings and customizations)
• Company names are sync'd to Outlook! Yes!

The list goes on and on...