Microsoft CRM for iPhone, Android, Windows Phones due in 30 days
Microsoft is forging ahead with the launch of its latest Dynamics CRM cloud and on-premises products — plus its related cross-platform CRM companion apps.
Earlier this month, Microsoft made available the promised Dynamics CRM companion apps for iPads and Windows 8 tablets. And some time over the next 30 days, the company will be delivering new CRM apps for iPhones, Android phones and Windows Phones, officials are confirming as of October 21. Like the tablet companion apps, the Dynamics CRM apps for smartphones will be free.
Microsoft officials also announced on October 21 that Microsoft is partnering with InsideView Inc. to integrate InsideView's Social Insights offering directly into Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online and on-premises releases. The Social Insights integration is available as of today in the CRM Online Service and will be available for on-premises and partner-hosted deployments as of October 31.
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Social Insights will populate Microsoft CRM with real-time company and contact information from 30,000 sources. Social Insights is available for no additional cost to Dynamics CRM Online customers in the U.S. who have Professional licenses. The broader global rollout of the Social Insights technology is coming "later in 2014," according to Microsoft execs.
Dynamics CRM 2013, codenamed "Orion" is Microsoft's first major CRM platform update since the 2011 Dynamics CRM release. It features Yammer, Lync and Skype integration, an updated, touch-centric user interface and improved performance, among other updates. Microsoft made promised iPad and Windows 8 CRM companion apps available for download from their respective stores on October 8. At that time, the Softies said iPhone and Windows Phone companion apps would be available "shortly."
In other phone-related news, Microsoft execs are now confirming that Microsoft will deliver a Remote Desktop client for Windows Phone at some point. Microsoft recently made available Remote Desktop clients for iPhones and Android phones (as well as an updated Mac OS X version). When I asked a couple of weeks ago whether a Remote Desktop client app was in the works for Windows Phone, company officials said they had no comment.