Microsoft readies Fall Dynamics CRM, Windows 10 compatibility updates

Microsoft is lining up testers for its coming Dynamics CRM Fall releases, and is readying updates to improve Windows 10 compatibility for its more recent, existing CRM releases.

Starting August 6, Microsoft started taking sign ups for the CRM Fall 2015 preview programs for its Dynamics CRM (codenamed "Ara"), Dynamics Marketing (codenamed "Capella"), and Social Engagement (codenamed "Corvus") products.

The preview program for these Fall wave releases starts in September. The Fall Wave will be generally available in the fourth calendar quarter of 2015, Microsoft execs have said previously.

Unlike the Spring Dynamics CRM "Carina" release, which was online only, the CRM update coming later this year will be both online and on-premises, a spokesperson confirmed.

What's on tap for the fall Dynamics CRM release? Here's what Microsoft officials said back in March:

• Offline mobile: Data will synchronize with your mobile device so that you can still use CRM when you are not in a network area.
• Predictive analytics: Predictive capabilities for identifying the best prospects and products automatically.
• OneDrive integration: File management, including support for private files in CRM that are only shared with selected users.
• Search: An expansion of the search capabilities that appeared in CRM 2015 Spring, with more intelligence and flexibility.
• Delve/Office Graph: Integration with Microsoft's Delve and Office Graph technologies that are part of Office 365
• Outlook: More updates for the CRM for Outlook application andmobile email, as well.

Microsoft also is working on a variety of updates to make some of its CRM products function optimally on Windows 10.

According to Microsoft, Dynamics CRM 2011, 2013 and 2015 already are supported on Windows 10 with the web client and IE 11. Support for CRM 2013 via Edge will come with Update Rollup 4 for Service Pack 1 and for CRM 2015 with Update 7.0.2 and Update 1.1 (7.1.1) in September.

Microsoft won't be enabling CRM 2011 to run natively on Windows 10. There is a known issue wih CRM 2011 and 2013 on Windows 10 that prevents the CRM for Outlook client from installing on Windows 10 machines; Microsoft is working on a fix specifically for that issue.