Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 represents another big leap forward in CRM functionality for both new and existing users. Whilst we all take for granted the excellent integration between Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Outlook and Office, this new release takes the seamlessly integrated workplace to new heights.
The ‘New Generation Outlook Experience’
The new Outlook client for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011, shown here in Office 2010, has many enhancements for the end user including the ability to see all CRM information related to an email within a single window. Other features include the new ‘Click to convert’, which converts emails into leads or opportunities as shown below.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 has seamless email tracking and a CRM navigation pane, as expected, but it also has contextual help for working with different types of records, shown here for Lead management.
Reporting and 'Data Visualisation'
Possibly one of the most exciting features of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 is the new 'in-line' data charts for immediate analysis, that can be manipulated and formatted by end users. The analysis of Lead sources below is an excellent example of this enhancement. The chart is a visualisation of the CRM records in the list view. If the end user queries or filters the list, the chart dynamically updates, and conversely, if the end user manipulates the chart, the list view updates.
Personalisation
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 views can be altered by the end user to suit their needs, as is currently possible in Outlook e.g. conditional formatting of records such as colour coding high priority items, adding, removing and moving columns etc. This is shown below whereby hot leads have been colour coded in pink, filtered and the views columns changed to personalise this users CRM interface.
Overall, the new Outlook client is designed to promote personal productivity by giving end users more visual flexibility in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011. As you can see in the examples above, the new interface can be manipulated to enhance the way you work with your information.
The ‘Microsoft Office Fluent User Interface’
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 has been built to leverage the principles and features of Microsoft Office 2010. This includes the way in which Office 2010 users can customise their Office applications to their needs, the simplified and more intuitive user interface and, the seamless flow between Office products. For Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011, Office 2010 presents some exciting new features that we want to show you.
Firstly, Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 has a flatter user interface that can be scrolled to show all related information in a single view, shown here in the Opportunity view. This is something we know customers like and have regularly wanted to achieve in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.
Secondly, the left-hand navigation pane helps end users ‘jump’ to relevant sections of the view as shown below. This ensures the scrolled view is easy and fast to navigate around.
Thirdly, the flatter page layout is can be optimised by arrows that expand or collapse areas of the scrolled view as shown below.
And fourthly, for those who want to customise their solution; access to simple customisation tools within the context of the view so that you can make changes on forms when you need them.
Advanced Personalisation
In Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011, the personalisation of the end user's CRM environment is key.
There are lots of great examples of this throughout the solution. End users can see their most recently viewed items, both views and individual records, which they can then ‘pin’ so that they appear at the top of their list as shown below.
This pinning reduces end user clicks giving faster access to your most relevant data.
Users can also add ‘in-line’ charts to interrogate their on screen records as shown below. This gives instant visualisation of information, and charts can be manipulated and drilled into to understand the underlying CRM data.
The navigation between records is also enhanced through features such as the new record dropdown as shown.
This feature enables users to jump to records without the need to move from the record they are in. The up and down arrows allow you to scroll through CRM records allowing quick location of the information you need to work with.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 also capitalises on the Advanced Find functionality already familiar to Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4 users. Using the Advanced Find tool, end users can query their CRM data to create personalised views, reports and dashboards to further enhance their user experience. Dashboards can be designed by end users, enabling them to bring together charts, list views and websites into a templated viewed like the one shown below.
We think Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 is going to revolutionise the way businesses work.
If you are new to Microsoft Dynamics CRM, or an existing user keen to upgrade to Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 please Contact Us to find out more.