TIDBITS on Microsoft Dynamics CRM

XRM makes the big time

Microsoft takes off its xRM platform-as-a-service gloves 

Microsoft has been buzzing about Dynamics CRM as an XRM platform for development and it is a natural fit for the application - Twist on your Dynamics CRM hat and power users can do amazing things including solving complex business needs, add in developer energy and wow! Speedy Ramp Up

The concept is not without risks; (people do have to learn to work differently) however with the right level of training, the right twist to the Dynamics CRM hat and some outside the box thinking and learning by all - many new people can be flying down the relationship management and organizing highway.

Convergence is Coming

Convergence is just around the corner and I am planning on being there. If you are planning to be there and want to try to meet up to attend a session together, have breakfast or just catch up drop me a note.

Extending Dynamics CRM (new offer)

Redware has been busy.

They have a new Dynamics CRM User Manual (available here) and

they are now testing their new text messaging module for Dynamics CRM v4.0. This two-way text messaging for CRM 4.0 allows you to text message to the mobile phones of users, contacts, and leads and receive a reply directly into Dynamics CRM (as an incoming phone call record). 

It is amazing what is offered through some of the many third party vendors when it comes to enhancing and extending Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

The Rand Group, Inc has a partnership with SalesCentric for instance. This add-in offering GRAPHICALLY shows relationships so you can build org charts, and relationship maps visually. A picture really is worth a 1000 words.

New Categories

I have added a few new categories to this blog which will be role/job specific resources. These categories organize blog posts that are designed for a specific person, in a specific role who is using Microsoft Dynamics CRM to get the job done.

The Authenticity of Relationships

The Rand Group, LLC and Microsoft Houston are sponsoring a new Executive Lunch in May.

The Authenticity of Relationships

will be presented by a professional speaker from the Houston Speaker's Bureau and offers a chance for some interested Shared Knowledge and discussion on the whole concept of "relationship" and business relationship tracking using such software as Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

RSVP is required

They changed the name!

For those of you who have heard about CRMLIVE you might want to make a little note that Microsoft has changed the name to be a bit more descriptive. Microsoft Dynamics CRMLIVE is now called Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online.

Your other choices for Dynamics CRM v4.0 include

• Dynamics CRM OnPremise (Installed into your environment)

and

• Dynamics CRM Hosted (hosted by a third party not related to Microsoft)

No matter which version you choose The Rand Group, LLC can help you configure, modify, extend, customize and utilize the Power of Microsoft Dynamics CRM!   

Microsoft Dynamics CRM v4 Launch in Houston

I am spending the morning at the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Launch in Houston! Despite the fact that Houston is not one of the Official Tour stops, the local team stepped up to the plate and has a packed room!

Congratulations to Microsoft Houston and the Houston Partners for getting the word out.

A great first statement in Mr. Ross Muery opening presentation: "CRM is a Business Strategy, not just an IT strategy". I love it when the presentation is aligned to what the market is experiencing and what the market needs to hear.

CRMLady eNews - 2nd Edition released

New Lunch and Learn Series March People, Process, Technology:    Getting the Right Mix May The Authenticity of Relationships August Sales Process Design October Social Networking:  Technologies Impact Quick Links More About TRG The CRM Lady's Blog Anne's Everything else Blog Current Calendar February 27th: Microsoft Houston: Dynamics CRM v4.0 "soft" Launch March 4 - 5th Houston - Austin Lunch & Learns March  10-14th:  Orlando Convention: Microsoft Convergence March 11 Orlando Convention: The CRMLady hosts partner roundtables on Dynamics CRM archiving best practices. Sign up in Convergence scheduler today! March 20 Microsoft Houston Server 2008, SQL 2008, .. Launch and Fanfare April 1 Microsoft Dallas Dynamics CRM v4.0 Texas Launch April 3 Microsoft Chicago Dynamics CRM v4.0 Lauch April 8 Microsoft Dallas Server 2008, SQL 2008, .. Launch and Fanfare May 5-6th Houston - Austin Lunch & Learns  New Blog Posts Bulk Mail Will you be at Convergence? Using Campaigns in CRM Building your Own Library of Information Thoughts on Relationship Management Business Process CRMLady News February 2008               Issue: II February and the windows are open in Texas and the pictures from New England look like chest high piles of white. Wow, what a change from last year when I was spending my spare time either shoveling or building ice sculptures. All this great weather is wonderful, but I have been very busy at TRG. Recently we have been working on a new series of business lunch and learns. If you are particularly interested in a speaker or a business subject please let me know. The lunch and learns will include some very interesting outside talent!  The focus for each lunch and learn will be on a business subject that touches into the area of Relationship Management technologies. We have also been planning for The Microsoft Launches (and there are many product launches this quarter including Microsoft Dynamics CRM v4.0 (Titan)) which shipped to manufacturing late in December and will be on shelves soon. TRG can work with you on Dynamics CRM v4.0 today, just reach out and ask! In terms of Microsoft Convergence:  what a Convergence it is turning out to be! I have done a sample reach out to many of you to see if you will be in attendance and what great responses. Some items we have been discussing in the e-mails - Consider taking time to visit the CRM support and development team (they are there in force), but also make take time to bring your questions or thoughts to the Dynamics CRM booth. The characters manning the booth are many times consultants who have worked on hundreds and hundreds of Dynamics CRM projects and have responded to hundreds of Dynamic CRM forum e-mails. Other key value points to get from Convergence or from in general in Year 2008!    - Training (It is worth making time for it) - Understanding the Microsoft's Defined Direction - Opportunities (not just sales) - Face Time - Shared Memories (You want to do business in 200x Style? Then get to the next level with those you know) - Shared Resources - Information sources (new books, new white papers, new add-on products) and so much more ................. Lastly Do you think you are too small for Microsoft Dynamics CRM? Contact me about the new Microsoft hosted offering - CRMLIVE! No Installation pain, one low price per user per month with great TRG services to get you started with full integration to Outlook! Sincerely, Anne Anne Stanton The Rand Group  ACRONYMS Defined  What are all those acronyms? For those who actually wonder. CRM : Customer Relationship Management - similar and competitive products include SAP, Siebel, Maximizer, ACT!, Goldmine, Onyx, ContactEase, ResultsCRM, and many, many more. IIS: Internet Information Server - Related to web services (hosting and running websites) and because Dynamics CRM is a Software as a Service application (SaaS), IIS is a key factor  in the installed CRM footprint.   SaaS: Software as a Service - No this is not really the same as hosted software or Application service provider (ASP) for those of you with years of computer experience under your belt.  SaaS applications are programmed and designed to run "as a website. What this means is that capturing and sharing data via the web is built into the application. MOSS 2007: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server - A very complimentary product to Dynamics CRM.  MOSS is positioned as a Content Management System (although it can be many other things) and when installed with Dynamics CRM offers  an amazingly synergistic system of document management and people management. WSS: Windows SharePoint Services - SharePoint without the server. Powerful and yet positioned very differently. Think InTRAnet an internal website for your company. Curious about the 2008 Microsoft Application Stack? Contact your TRG consultant today and ask them for more information! TRG works with more Microsoft products than you might realize! The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer's view in anyway. All postings and code samples are provided 'AS IS' with no warranties, and confers no rights. - Anne Stanton © Copyright 2008

The Rand Group | 6575 West Loop South | Suite 215 | Houston | TX | 77401

First Impressions from afar - Dynamics v4.0

My associate Tim Long, in Wales, UK had quite the battle with Dynamics CRM v3.0 and yet he knows software, understands software, is patient with software and has just posted his first impressions of Dynamics CRM v4.0 here. 

Do you have an MS Dynamics CRM Blog?

Do you have a blog, book or white paper focused on MS Dynamics CRM? If you do send me the link so I can update my link list.

Just drop a note to

astanton (at) thenorwichgroup.com