Microsoft Launches Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online Cloud Service Globally

REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) CEO Steve Ballmer today announced the worldwide availability of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, the cloud version of the new Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 release that delivers new levels of productivity to sales, service and marketing organizations. The on-premises and partner-hosted versions of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 will be globally available on Feb. 28, 2011.

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For the first time outside North America, customers can access Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online in 40 markets and 41 languages and signup for a free trial at http://crm.dynamics.com. Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online is available today at a promotional price of $34 per user per month for the first 12 months of service to qualified customers that sign up by June 30, 2011.

"Sales professionals are at the heart of almost every successful business," Ballmer said. "Microsoft Dynamics CRM redefines productivity by offering an industry-leading product that is fully embracing the cloud. The things that make Microsoft Dynamics CRM an industry leader include giving sales professionals a familiar user experience, enabling greater collaboration, streamlining of processes and access to real-time data so they can improve their customers' experiences and effectively compete in the market."

Based on the new Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 release, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online delivers breakthrough productivity by providing familiar, intelligent and connected experiences to users across the organization:

• Familiar experiences for sales, service and marketing users through a next-generation native Microsoft Outlook client, browser-based and mobile access, RoleTailored design, and advanced user personalization, improving user adoption and giving users easy access to the information they need to be successful
• Intelligent experiences through guided process dialogs, inline business intelligence for performance and goal management, and real-time dashboards, providing the most up-to-date information critical to enabling sales, service and marketing professionals to do their jobs effectively
• Connected experiences through flexible cloud development, Windows Azure interoperability, contextual Microsoft SharePoint capabilities and the new Microsoft Dynamics Marketplace, making it easy for customers and partners to configure and customize Microsoft Dynamics CRM to meet specific business needs

More than 11,500 customers and 2,000 partners have used Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 as part of the beta program, including customers that have switched from competing solutions. For example, Magma Design Automation Inc., an electronic design automation (EDA) software development company, switched from Salesforce.com to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online in order to support its key business requirements, including better reporting, insight and flexible change processes, while also being predictably affordable.

"The EDA space can be very complex and business processes can rapidly change. We needed a system that was flexible enough to fit us and our specific business needs," said Vickie Flores, vice president of Information Systems for Magma Design Automation. "With Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online we can quickly change our workflow and business processes. Improving user adoption is a priority for us, and the native Outlook user interface delivered by Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online makes this extremely easy as there isn't a steep learning curve."

Ceridian Corp., a business services company in the human resources, transportation and retail markets, switched from a competitive solution to Microsoft Dynamics CRM to better fit its technology roadmap and cost structure. Microsoft Dynamics CRM enabled Ceridian to get more value from its existing IT technology investments and resources and reduce costs.

"We needed a flexible solution that supported both our back-end technology requirements and the .NET skills of our IT department," said Mike Shea, chief operations officer, Ceridian. "Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 gives Ceridian an extensible contact center application that we can rapidly deploy and extend across multiple business units using the existing .NET skills of our IT professionals."

Salesforce.com and Oracle customers that switch to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online between now and June 30, 2011, can take advantage of the Cloud CRM for Less offer. Through this offer, eligible customers will receive up to $200 per user, which can be applied for services such as migrating data or customizing the solution to meet unique business needs. This offer is available in most markets for Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, and details on the offer can be found at http://www.cloudcrmforless.com.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online Availability

The 40 markets in which Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online is now available are Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Those who attend the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 worldwide virtual launch event can experience the new Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 through on-demand videos and content, including a customer showcase and business productivity, IT productivity, and industry tracks. Availability of the online launch experience begins Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011, at 9 a.m. PST with the broadcast of Steve Ballmer and Kirill Tatarinov, corporate vice president, Microsoft Business Solutions,  launch keynote address. Registration is at http://crm.dynamics.com/2011launch.

Those who want to follow and engage with the Microsoft Dynamics CRM community can do so at http://www.twitter.com/msdynamicscrm, #crm2011.

About Microsoft Dynamics

Microsoft Dynamics is a line of easy-to-use, integrated and adaptable ERP and CRM applications that enable business decision-makers to quickly respond to market shifts, take advantage of new trends, increase their competitive edge and drive business success. Microsoft Dynamics solutions are delivered through a world-class network of reselling partners providing specialized services and additional innovation to help customers excel in their industries.

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.

SOURCE Microsoft Corp.