Microsoft and Nissan Establish Strategic Relationship for Next-Generation Dealer Management System

New solution based on Microsoft Dynamics CRM to support Nissan's relationships with its customers and partners.

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Dec 12, 2011, 02:00 ET

REDMOND, Wash., and YOKOHAMA, Japan, Dec. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) and Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. today announced a strategic relationship to collaborate and create a next-generation dealer management system based on Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Using the powerful foundation of Microsoft Dynamics CRM and the automotive industry expertise of Nissan, the two companies will blend dealer and customer relationship management and social collaboration tools into a solution that will help Nissan develop a stronger relationship with its customers, drive dealer sales and increase market share on a global scale. The solution will then utilize the Windows Azure platform, taking advantage of the economies of scale and flexibility offered by Microsoft's public cloud offerings.

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"Customer loyalty and retention are essential to the success of any business. Microsoft Dynamics CRM helps businesses better understand and build deeper relationships with their customers and partners," said Kirill Tatarinov, president, Microsoft Business Solutions. "We look forward to working with Nissan to deliver a solution that effectively connects with their customers and to win in today's business environment while also helping organizations such as Nissan meet the specific needs of the automotive industry."

"Nissan delivers some of the most innovative vehicles in the automotive industry, and we bring that same innovation and passion to ensure customer and partner satisfaction," said Andy Palmer, executive vice president, Nissan. "We are delighted to be working with Microsoft to deliver the next-generation dealer management system. Nissan is seeking a solution that will help meet our business needs, especially to better understand our customers and dealers. This will enhance our sales and brand power as we enter a new growth phase under our midterm business plan, Nissan Power 88."

The new dealer management system will initially be rolled out to Nissan's dealership networks in Japan and other strategic regions across the globe. The system will have the flexibility to be customized for the needs of a specific country, region or automotive manufacturer, with broader availability to be explored in the future. Nissan also intends to explore how Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Windows Azure can work together as a platform to deploy applications across the company's global network and to standardize its information architecture on the cloud.

About Nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 248,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4.1 million vehicles in 2010, generating revenue of 8.77 trillion yen ($102.37 billion US). With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of 64 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero-emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades, including the prestigious 2011 European Car of the Year award and 2011 World Car of the Year. For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

About Microsoft Dynamics
Microsoft Dynamics CRM and ERP solutions empower your people to be more productive and your systems to last longer and scale as your business grows, while enabling you to derive the insights necessary to respond quickly 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.

More information about Microsoft Dynamics CRM can be found at http://crm.dynamics.com. Those who want to follow and engage with the Microsoft Dynamics CRM community can do so at @MSDynamicsCRM, using #MSDYNCRM.

More information on Windows Azure can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsazure.

More information on Nissan can be found at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/index.html.

SOURCE Microsoft Corp.