REDMOND, Wash. — Sept. 8, 2008 — Microsoft Corp. today released the first service update for Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, just four months after it was first made generally available this year. The release includes new features that will enable businesses to create, monitor and optimize Internet marketing campaigns quickly and efficiently, all from within their existing CRM environment. The September 2008 Service Update is available to customers at no charge.
“Today’s release underscores our commitment to rapid innovation,” said Brad Wilson, general manager of Microsoft Dynamics CRM at Microsoft. “Our first service update is significant for its new functionality, scale and additional value it provides our customers at no additional cost.”
The Internet marketing capabilities allow businesses to utilize the Internet as a revenue-generating marketing channel and an integral part of their CRM strategy, especially in conducting search engine marketing (SEM) campaigns. The new Internet marketing functionality will enable organizations to do the following:
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Create and manage online and search engine campaigns
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Research and bid on key words using search engine optimization
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Gain insight into marketing return on investment according to click-through and conversion rates
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Capture sales leads from the Web using pages hosted by Microsoft or the organization’s own Web site
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Unify search engine intelligence with CRM analytics to optimize campaign performance
“This update will help customers maximize marketing returns from online advertising spending by allowing them to monitor and measure the effectiveness of online ad campaigns,” said David J. Buggy, vice president of Beringer Associates Inc., a Gold Certified Microsoft Partner. “Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online’s automatic update means we’re able to take advantage of advances like this on a far quicker cycle, so we don’t have to worry about being left flat-footed by changes in business.”
The service update also will provide customers with increased scale for teams of multiple thousands of employees and provide a direct link from the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Resource Center to the Microsoft Pinpoint marketplace, where they can connect with more than 200 Microsoft Dynamics partners and choose from approximately 250 products and services. Future service updates will provide enhanced enterprise integration, enterprise analytics and extended service benefits.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online is an on-demand customer relationship service, hosted and managed by Microsoft, that comprises a full suite of marketing, sales and service capabilities.
Availability
The Internet marketing module will be available initially to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online customers in the United States with a version extended to customers in Canada in a subsequent update. To learn about Microsoft Dynamics CRM and to sign up for the online service, customers can visit http://crm.dynamics.com or call (877) CRM CHOICE (276-2464).
About Microsoft Dynamics
Microsoft Dynamics is a line of financial, customer relationship and supply chain management solutions that helps businesses work more effectively. Delivered through a network of channel partners providing specialized services, these integrated, adaptable business management solutions work like and with familiar Microsoft software to streamline processes across an entire business.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
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