|
|
Choice Model: CRM Online
CRM Online is Microsoft's new program for hosted CRM. The hosting is done by Microsoft and fees are paid to Microsoft. Some companies find security with Microsoft and feel that the insurance of having their hosting done by the largest software company in the world is the best choice for them. While Streamline Solutions is involved as a vendor for “CRM Online,” as well as being a developer of CRM tools, we are not able to give personal customization services to “CRM Online” users.
Hosted CRM - CRM Online & Streamline
Pro |
Microsoft |
Streamline |
Storage |
5 GB |
10 GB |
Security-enhanced Access |
Windows Live ID |
Active Directory |
Clients |
Outlook, Web |
Outlook, Web |
Features |
Sales, Services, Marketing, Workflow, and System Customization |
Sales, Services, Marketing, Workflow, and System Customization |
Customer Support |
Included |
Included |
Training |
Included |
Included |
Integration |
Web Services SDK |
Web Services SDK & Customer Development Services |
Virtual Earth |
Unknown |
Included |
Web Gateway |
Unknown |
Included |
External Connector License |
Not Included |
Not Included |
Setup Fee |
$79.00 |
$60.00 |
Cost |
$39.00 (until 2009) |
35.95 |
Pro Plus |
Microsoft |
Streamline |
Storage |
20 GB |
40 GB |
Security-enhanced Access |
Windows Live ID |
Active Directory |
Clients |
Outlook, Web, Offline |
Outlook, Web, Offline |
Features |
Pro Features, Offline Syncronization, Customization, Additional Worflow Rules |
Pro Features, Offline Syncronization, Customization, Additional Worflow Rules |
Customer Support |
Included |
Included |
Training |
Included |
Included |
Integration |
Web Services SDK, Offline Data SDK |
Web Services SDK, Offline Data SDK, Customer Development Services |
Virtual Earth |
Unknown |
Included |
Web Gateway |
Unknown |
Included |
External Connector License |
Included |
Included |
Setup Fee |
$79.00 |
$60.00 |
Cost |
$59.00 (until 2009) |
55.95 |
CRM Online provides an on demand CRM solution for small to medium sized organizations. It allows for configuration of simple workflow rules and customization of screens. However, for larger companies or organizations looking to utilize and leverage the full power of a CRM solution, CRM Online has several limitations. Custom assemblies and plugins cannot be appended to the application. Powerful third party applications cannot be installed onto the application either. CRM Online will not allow you to add any custom code onto Microsoft's servers.
For example, suppose that every time a new opportunity is created in your CRM database, you would like to compose a customized PDF document pertaining to the products that are currently attached to the opportunity and e-mail it to the user. This would be trivial in a Hosted or On-premise implementation, but would not be possible in a CRM Online environment due to the limitations of this model.
Or, if you needed spell checking features integrated into the solution, which is available from a third party Microsoft Partner as an add-on, you would not be able to utilize this feature because CRM Online will not allow the add-on to be installed onto their servers.
The projected CRM Online cost for the Professional version will start at $39.00 per user per month through December 2008. This is a promotional cost and will eventually be changing to $44.00 a month. The Streamlines version is projected to start at $59.00 per user per month. This version will have offline data synchronization on top of all of the Professional features. There is also a to-be-determined setup fee. All administrative functions are handled directly through Microsoft.
The Professional version includes customization, sales, workflow, and service features, while the Streamlines version includes all of the features of the Professional version plus the ability to work offline with leads, services campaigns, contacts, and synchronize data automatically when the user goes back online.
From all of us at Streamline, thank you for the opportunity. We look forward to being of service. Please don't hesitate to ask questions. Contact Us
- On Premise
The traditional CRM model whereby a company purchases all necessary software licenses and hardware and installs everything on their local area network. Learn More
- Partner Hosted
This is when a Microsoft Partner who is a member of the Service Provider License Agreement (SPLA) offers hosted Microsoft CRM. Learn More
- CRM Online
This is the hosted offering of Microsoft CRM that is hosted and managed by Microsoft. Learn More
- Hybrid
This is the hosted offering of Microsoft CRM that is hosted and managed by Microsoft. Learn More
|