Microsoft Dynamics CRM online launch shakes up UK CRM Market

The release of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, the cloud version of Microsoft’s leading CRM solution, is set to have a major impact on the UK Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software market. That’s according to UK independent CRM specialists Concentrix. 

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online was launched in the UK on 17^th January 2011. The product, which integrates with Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Office applications, has been priced significantly lower than competitive cloud-based CRM solutions. Concentrix believes the pricing, along with the software’s powerful features, functions and ease of use, will see many organisations convert to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online from other products, as well as increasing interest from businesses new to CRM.  

Asked about the impact of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online on the UK market, Peter Elgar, Head of Marketing at Concentrix said: “Microsoft has made CRM in the cloud a highly attractive option for many businesses. Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online is easy to get up and running, easy to use and delivers powerful CRM functionality at a price much lower than its competitors. This can only accelerate the number of organisations making the strategic shift to the cloud, whether they’re deploying CRM for the first time or moving from different software”.

Although a cloud version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM has been live in the US and Canada since April 2008, this is the first time it’s been available to businesses in the UK. Run on IT infrastructure hosted and managed by Microsoft, the product is also being discounted further during the first few months of its introduction.

Elgar continues: “Over the past couple of years we’ve seen a steady increase in enquiries about cloud and hosted CRM solutions. Microsoft launched the cloud version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 before the on-premise version – a strong indicator of the importance of cloud computing and the way the market is going”.

The on-premise version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 is released in the UK at the end of February 2011.