Microsoft Dynamics Introduces 'Cloud CRM for Less' Offer

REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 6, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) today released an Open Letter from Michael Park, corporate vice president, sales, marketing and operations, Microsoft Business Solutions, inviting customers to learn about and evaluate Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online. As part of the letter, Microsoft announced the “Cloud CRM for Less” offer for Salesforce.com and Oracle customers. Through this offer, Microsoft will rebate eligible customers up to $200 for each user that makes the switch to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online between now and June 30, 2011. The offer can be applied for services such as migrating data or customizing the solution to meet unique business needs. More details on the offer can be found at http://www.cloudcrmforless.com. Complete text of the letter from Michael Park is as follows:

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Between economic pressures, technological advancements, and the need to manage growth and scale, businesses are reevaluating their customer relationship management (CRM) systems to ensure that they are getting the most value from their technology investments.

What we hear from customers is that they are looking for increased user productivity, better integration with existing tools and technologies, and more flexibility and affordability when it comes to their CRM systems. They are struck by the overwhelming amount of information and hype in the market, which is leading to confusion and frustration when trying to determine which CRM solution is the best fit for their businesses.

If you are looking for a CRM system that will deliver productivity for your people, offer flexibility to your business and work with your existing IT investments, you should consider Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online.

In making the switch from other solutions, such as Salesforce.com, you will join thousands of companies that have found that Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online is easier to use, adds value to the technology investments they’ve already made and delivers greater business insight.

For instance, Data Reduction Systems switched from Salesforce.com and has since saved more than 50 percent in user costs and reached 100 percent user adoption. In addition, in just one month since switching CRM systems, Smead realized a 75 percent decrease in annual subscription costs and a 20 percent increase in user adoption. Both companies saw improved business intelligence and collaboration.

If you are a Salesforce.com customer attending Dreamforce this week, we encourage you to ask the following:

• In this economy, how can I justify paying two to three times more for an enterprise CRM system than I need to?*
• Microsoft provides a financially backed 99.9 percent uptime commitment for every Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online customer; why does Salesforce.com only provide me with “commercially reasonable efforts” to keep my business running?
• Having access to the most up-to-date information is critical to my business; why doesn’t Salesforce.com provide real-time access to data and dashboards, refreshed whenever I need it like Microsoft does?
• Microsoft works great with Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Office; why does Salesforce.com want me to start from scratch when it comes to productivity tools for my people?
• Microsoft provides the flexibility for my CRM system to work with other systems whether they run in the cloud or on-premises; why does Salesforce.com lock me into one way of doing things?

For more than a decade, Microsoft has run some of the largest, most reliable cloud services in the world. With the combined power of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online and the full depth and breadth of Microsoft’s productivity offerings, we can deliver value in a way that works best for your business. Just ask Microsoft Dynamics CRM customers such as Jelly Belly and Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift Europe, which have won some of the CRM industry’s most notable awards.

In addition, Salesforce.com customers that switch to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online between now and June 30, 2011, are eligible for the “Cloud CRM for Less”** promotion. Through this promotion, Microsoft will pay your organization $200 cash for each user that makes the switch to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online. This rebate can be applied for services to help you switch — such as migrating your data or customizing the solution for your unique business needs. At Microsoft, we do not believe you should be forced to pay a premium to achieve business success.

Please visit DontGetForced.com/CRM8 to see product demos and hear from companies on why they made the switch to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online. You can also join the conversation @MSDynamicsCRM on Twitter and on the Microsoft Dynamics CRM page on Facebook.

We look forward to hearing from you as we work hard every day to earn your confidence in our products.

Michael Park

Corporate Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Operations, Microsoft Business Solutions

About Microsoft Dynamics

Microsoft Dynamics is a line of simple to learn and use ERP and CRM solutions that work with your existing technology and scale as you grow to give you long-term value. By using software and online services that work the way people and organizations work, businesses are better able to make informed decisions and adapt to rapid change. Microsoft Dynamics helps your people be more productive and your investments in existing systems last longer, while enabling your business to derive the insights necessary to respond quickly and have a competitive edge in an ever-changing world of business.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

* Comparison based on Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online vs. Salesforce.com Enterprise Edition.

** Read the complete terms and conditions for the “Cloud CRM for Less” promotion at CloudCRMforLess.com.

SOURCE Microsoft Corp.