Dynamics CRM 2011 kicks SalesForce.com's Apps!

Are you considering SalesForce.com for your Customer Relationship Management system? Here are a few things you should think about before you make that purchase.

First, make sure you fully understand what is included SalesForce.com’s per user per month price. For example, while the following are all included in the price for Dynamics CRM, they are all extra per user per month fees with SalesForce.com:

• Knowledge Base


• Customer Portal


• Partner Portal


• Mobile Access


• Analytics

Additionally, here are a few key differntiators between Dynamics CRM 2011 and SalesForce.com:

• Outlook Experience
  
  
  
  • Dynamics CRM 2011 is a true Outlook application–not a plug-in
  
  
  • SalesForce.com is repealing Outlook features, for example, you can no longer manage opportunities and leads


• Dashboards
  
  
  
  • Dynamics CRM 2011 inherits authentication and data privilege rights
  
  
  • Dynamics CRM 2011 allows charts, lists and iFrames to be displayed on the dashboards
  
  
  • Dynamics CRM 2011 dashboard data is realtime
  
  
  • SalesForce.com dashboards have a 30-60 minute lag time


• Inline Analytics
  
  
  
  • Dynamics CRM 2011 offers inline analytics
  
  
  • SalesForce.com has no parallel offering
  
  
  • SalesForce.com users must leave what they are doing to go view a chart


• One-click drill downs
  
  
  
  • SalesForce.com has no parallel offering
  
  
  • SalesForce.com users static chart images that drill down to reports–not to detailed data


• UI Customizations
  
  
  
  • Dynamics CRM 2011 offers drag and drop customization
  
  
  • Dynamics CRM 2011 allows you to personalize with most recently used items and pin downs
  
  
  • SalesForce.com personalization is for power users and administrators only

Finally, Microsoft and Microsoft Dynamics CRM give you the widest range of options, including:

• Choice between cloud and on-premise deployment


• Biggest selection of applications, partners and skills


• A wealth of business intelligence and integration solutions


• Largest range of hardware, devices and user interfaces


• Variety of application styles, architectures and methodologies


• All with the best economics and the fastest time to market

Adding new information silos and islands of automation is not strategic. Neither is limiting the control, choices and future options for your business.

In summary, when you really look at both applications, I think you will find that Microsoft Dynamics CRM really does kics SalesForce.com’s Apps!