Microsoft's first upgrade of the CRM applications it
released earlier this year includes improved setup tools and a
simpler and more flexible user interface.
Version 1.2 of Microsoft CRM is available to users in North
America, and will be available outside of North America next month.
The upgrade will support nine languages and is due to be offered in
47 countries next month.
Microsoft CRM is aimed at small and midsized companies, plus
departments or divisions within larger businesses. About 1,000
customers have bought the software since it began shipping last
January.
Jeff Young, vice-president of emerging retail and CRM solutions
at the software supplier, said he and other officials are pleased
with the number of installations so far. He added that Microsoft
has hit its initial target of fielding applications that end users
will actually turn on.
"One of the biggest holdbacks with CRM is the ability to get it
from being 'shelfware' to get people to be able to use it," Young
said.
But Erin Kinikin, an analyst at Giga Information Group, said
Microsoft still has a way to go, both technically and in terms of
CRM market penetration. "Overall, we're hearing customers ask about
Microsoft CRM, but not a lot of people [are] implementing."
Marc L Songini writes for Computerworld
