Speakers on Microsoft CRM software benefits

In late March, the Microsoft Convergence 2006 conference was held in Dallas, Texas. Most important to note from users attending was Microsoft’s current power in enticing CRM customers to switch, particularly those using Siebel. Microsoft Dynamics CRM is becoming more and more popular, thanks to the opportunity of its integration with Microsoft Dynamics ERP, Microsoft Office and other Microsoft applications. Last autumn’s Version 3.0 release won many accolades for its improvement over prior versions of the software; synchronization and performance problems are promised to run smoothly in a way versions 1 and 1.2 never could.

Some speakers’ opinions on the Microsoft software were as follows.

The Stockdorf, Germany, Global Comfort Systems announced the replacement of its current Siebel CRM application with the Microsoft counterpart simply because a whole new installation with Microsoft software is actually cheaper than an upgrade to the current Siebel system. Global Comfort Systems’ Fenton, Mich., branch had been using older versions of that Microsoft product since 2004 as sort of a pilot project.

Oxford, Mass., based Wilson Language Training Corporation switched to Microsoft CRM 1.2 from Siebel 6.0 CRM software just over a year ago, citing superiority of the Microsoft version in its integration with Microsoft applications and its relative lack of IT support problems. At the conference, the speaker describing the Wilson switchover stated that the change was well worth the costs associated with licensing, training and data cleansing. Wilson will upgrade the Microsoft software this year.

CEO Helene Cole of Baskin Ridge, N.J., based Altara, stepped up to the podium to discuss her company’s history with Microsoft, which goes back to 2002. Siebel had been the CRM choice of Altara up to then until its complexity proved too expensive in internal use.

Denver, Colo., based Quiznos Master LLC celebrated the first anniversary of their Microsoft CRM 1.2 implementation in February. An upgrade to 3.0 will happen soon, thanks to successful use by its 550 users.