Dynamics CRM 2013 Next Step on Roadmap

Dynamics CRM has received a major update with an improved browser interface and many other enhancements. The Dynamics customer relationship management (CRM) software and Dynamics CRM Online Microsoft-hosted service help workers manage marketing, sales, and customer service processes and provide a platform for applications in other areas, such as logistics or recruiting. Dynamics CRM 2013, the latest version, arrived for on-premises customers in Oct. 2013 and will be rolled out to Dynamics CRM Online customers from Oct. 2013 through Jan. 2014. Its many user interface and platform changes mean that migration could require user training and updates to customizations.

New Browser Interface, Mobile Apps

Formerly code-named Orion, Dynamics CRM 2013 delivers improvements in the following major areas:

A new browser interface relies less on popups and provides faster ways to enter related information displayed in a main screen (such as entering sales opportunity information for a contact). It also inherits support for the Chrome, Firefox, and Safari browsers, which was introduced in an update for Dynamics CRM 2011 and Dynamics CRM Online in early 2013. A simplified menu replaces the current Ribbon and navigation menu, which could make the interface more approachable on touch devices such as tablets. Dynamics CRM 2013 also delivers native tablet apps for sales on Windows 8, Windows RT, and the Apple iPad. (See the illustration “Dynamics CRM 2013 Tablet Apps“.) Dynamics CRM’s Outlook add-in client offers e-mail integration and offline data access as before and has not substantially changed with this version.