What's New in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0

The Microsoft Dynamics CRM team spent significant time listening to customers and observing how they use CRM. The results of this research have helped us bring our customers Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0. Here's a quick look at the latest Microsoft Dynamics CRM features.

Improved end-user benefits

User interface improvements make Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 even easier to use and simpler to complete tasks with fewer clicks. And when end users have tools that are easy to use, it not only means they can work more efficiently, it helps make them happier in their work. New benefits to end-users include:
  • AutoComplete – no need to type the same information over and over
  • Faster searching
  • Support for bulk execution and closure of campaigns
  • Improved mail merge
  • Customizable Navigation Pane for fast access to information relevant to a specific work
  • Tools to create reports from CRM data without IT support
  • User-created and implemented workflows

Dynamic Data Connections in Microsoft Office Excel

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 supports dynamic data connections with Office Excel spreadsheet software so users can work with CRM data using familiar productivity tools. Users can import dynamic CRM data into Office Excel from Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 and refresh it from live CRM data while they work using easily accessible controls in the Microsoft Office ribbon. This allows them to take advantage of the data analysis tools of Office Excel for work with their CRM data.

Greater support for global business

Many companies require the ability to work in multiple languages and currencies whether globally or within their own geographical area. The Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 client provides improved support for multiple languages and currencies, making multinational deployments for Microsoft Dynamics CRM much easier.
  • Supports multi-language deployments - work and share data seamlessly in any language
  • Create and store reports in any language
  • Share reports between users working in multiple languages
  • Record transactions in localized currencies
  • Automatically convert currency amounts to a base currency for reporting purposes

Flexible hosting scenarios with multi-tenant installations

Many CRM scenarios require an organization to support multiple groups of CRM software users while keeping their data distinct. In the past, a separate server installation of CRM was required for each customer. Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 supports multiple instances of the product installed on the same physical hardware, so multiple customers or business organizations can have their own distinct Microsoft Dynamics CRM implementation. This not only makes it easier to manage those customers, it makes better use of server hardware and improves overall operations costs.

Improved availability, performance, and scalability

Businesses want their CRM data accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 includes significant enhancements to availability, performance, and scalability to ensure that your CRM data is available when it's needed, without interruption:
  • Supports clustering for solution components - Microsoft Exchange Server, CRM Web Services, load balancing
  • Performance and scalability enhancements to e-mail router - parallel processing of inboxes and better support for enterprise deployment scenarios
  • Better performance in Wide Area Network (WAN) environments, transferring only the data that needs to be transferred over slow connections
  • With support for SQL Server mirroring, an additional copy of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM database is maintained - in case of database failure, the CRM system can switch databases automatically and with minimal disruption