MSFT: Microsoft Debuts Multitenant CRM Offering to Partner Community

Microsoft Corp. today announced that it is previewing the next major release of Microsoft Dynamics™ CRM — code-named “Titan” — with a broad range of partners through the company’s Technology Adoption Program (TAP). The new version introduces an advanced multitenant architecture, and uses a single code base to support on-premise deployments as well as software-as-a-service (SaaS) deployments through hosting partners and through the upcoming Microsoft Dynamics Live CRM service. It also uses a single code base to support on-premise deployments as well as software-as-a-service (SaaS) deployments through hosting partners and the upcoming Microsoft Dynamics Live CRM service. The “Titan” release is an evolution of the popular Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 product, and will offer a smooth upgrade path for existing on-premise and SaaS customers. It reinforces Microsoft’s long-term strategy to provide customers with the power of choice, with the ability to choose on-premise or SaaS deployments and access rich CRM capabilities within Microsoft® Office Outlook®, through a Web browser, and from a broad range of mobile devices.

“The partner TAP program for ‘Titan’ is another milestone in our strategy to deliver the power of choice to customers,” said Brad Wilson, general manager of Microsoft Dynamics CRM. “Our partners are getting an in-depth look at the power and flexibility of the upcoming release, as well as the terrific upgrade path that it will provide to current customers. With early access to the new release, our partners can develop common offerings that span the deployment options: on-premise, partner-hosted or Microsoft Dynamics Live CRM.”

Partners Laud Usability and Flexibility of Microsoft Dynamics Live CRM
The “Titan” TAP program includes approximately 300 partners in the first quarter of 2007, and will include over 1,000 partners in the second quarter of the year. Partners in the “Titan” TAP program are building vertical applications, SaaS mash-ups, integration connectors and other solution extensions, as well as providing valuable feedback to Microsoft as part of the program.

“Microsoft Dynamics Live CRM gives us another way to address our customers’ needs,” said Jason Hunt, chief technology officer, Invoke Systems. “The ability to write applications once on Live CRM and then run them anywhere allows us to bring vertical CRM solutions to our customers quickly and easily. The choice in deployment models allows us to keep our focus where it should be — on delivering the right CRM solution for each customer.”

“The ‘Titan’ release is going to enable us to deliver a great set of CRM solutions to a broad range of companies,” said Mike Snyder, principal, Sonoma Partners LLC. “We can deliver the right CRM solution for different companies based on their size, their business requirements, their user roles and their IT capabilities. If their needs evolve over time, we can grow with our customers, and provide them with a CRM platform that fits their needs for the life of the business.”

Availability
The “Titan” release of Microsoft CRM and the new Microsoft Dynamics Live CRM service are targeted for mid-2007. The Microsoft Dynamics Live CRM service will initially be available in North America; plans for international expansion of the service will be announced at a later time.

About Microsoft Dynamics
Microsoft Dynamics is a line of financial, customer relationship and supply chain management solutions that helps businesses work more effectively. Delivered through a network of channel partners providing specialized services, these integrated, adaptable business management solutions work like and with familiar Microsoft software to streamline processes across an entire business.