Microsoft "CRM 5.0" - what's planned?

Microsoft Dynamics CRM program manager, Reuben Krippner, has recently announced a Statement of Direction for the next version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

We met with Reuben a couple of weeks ago at Microsoft Worldwide Partner. He and other Microsoft CRM program managers were keeping tight-lipped about what they were planning for the next version of CRM. So we're delighted to see that they are finally able to let us sneak a peek at what they are planning.

The next version of CRM is planned for release late 2009/early 2010, and it's so early in the release planning cycle that Microsoft hasn't even invented a decent codename to the project yet. We've head CRM 5.0 and the Statement of Direction mentions CRM V.Next, but hopefully a snappier codename will emerge soon. (Our bet is that the final product name will be Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2009 - following the recent change in naming convention of AX and NAV releases).

Here's what's planned for CRM 5.0:

1. Better Office integration – particularly Outlook and Office 14
2. Ribbon UI – easy to find features
3. Streamlined UI – less pop-ups and clicks to complete common tasks
4. Improved personalisation – including views
5. SharePoint integration for document management
6. Improved BI – simple data visualisation for everyone
7. Workload management – for users
8. Contact/Account management – hierarchy and relationship visualisation
9. Team-based collaboration – including team selling
10. Call centre and unified communications enhancements
11. Improved knowledge management
12. Extended outbound marketing – including attachments on email templates
13. Recurring activities
14. Data auditing
15. Extended use of Windows Workflow Foundation
16. Reusable and dynamic picklists
17. Streamlined management of multi-tenanted environments
18. Improved virtualisaiton with Server 2008
19. Improved data management and BI with SQL 2008
20. Updated BizTalk adapter

With the exception of email attachments on marketing emails (which we think has the potential to bring all CRM and Exchange platforms to a griding halt), we're very excited about the new features. Please bear in mind though, this is an early statement of intent and features may be dropped, changed or added.