For an additional cost you can upgrade to the full version of Microsoft SQL Server, which eliminates the 4 GB size limit.
Dynamics CRM 2011 also introduced the Dynamics Marketplace in which customers can search for packaged customization solutions to download and deploy straight to their environment.īusiness Contact Manager for Outlook uses Microsoft SQL Server Express (a smaller-scale version of Microsoft SQL Server) which has a size limit of 4 GB. Dynamics CRM 2011, along with the Microsoft xRM framework, allows almost unlimited customizations and is supported by a wide network of certified partners experienced in customization.
While BCM has made great improvements in the area of customization, it is not as flexible or as easy to deeply customize as Dynamics CRM 2011. The new visual form designer also makes customization much easier for a standard user. BCM 2010 now allows for customization of up to 300 custom fields across all record types, compared to just 40 fields in previous versions. Outlook 2010 with BCM provides huge improvements in the area of customization, allowing for an easier customization interface and deeper customization.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM is also supported by a large network of certified partners available to provide software demos and implementation support. As of this blog posting, the BCM Team blog had not had a post since September of 2010, whereas the CRM Team blog has 12 posts in the last 14 days. Looking at the team blogs alone, the Dynamics CRM team blog is much more active than the BCM blog. Though both are Microsoft products, Dynamics CRM appears to have considerably more support and resources available when compared to Business Contact Manager. Volume licensing prices vary based on licensing agreements with Microsoft. Microsoft Dynamics CRM pricing and licensing is available through volume licensing or through a SAS model at $44/user/month. Previous customers who meet certain requirements can upgrade from a previous version of BCM without going through volume licensing.
For new customers looking to purchase for the first time, Outlook 2010 with Business Contact Manager is only available through volume licensing bundled with Office Standard 2010 or Office Professional Plus 2010. One of the biggest differences between Business Contact Manager and Dynamics CRM is the pricing and licensing model. Dynamics CRM was designed with the needs of large enterprises in mind, but also fits the needs of many smaller companies. Dynamics CRM has extensive customization options and can be widely adapted to meet a company’s specific business practices.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 is a robust and complete customer relationship management solution that helps companies manage marketing, sales and customer service. Outlook 2010 with Business Contact Manager was designed to meet the needs of small companies and individuals who do not have complex CRM needs. BCM provides major improvements over previous versions and allows for customer and contact management with a new interface, new project management and marketing tools, customization. Outlook 2010 with Business Contact Manager (BCM) was designed to provide small organizations a way to manage contacts, sales, marketing and projects. Below I will give a brief overview of the two products and some of the main points I recommend considering when trying to evaluate Dynamics CRM vs.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Business Contact Manager each have their strengths and weaknesses and will fit the needs of a company differently. In our Microsoft Dynamics CRM sales efforts, we often get asked “What about Business Contact Manager? Why can’t we just use that?” The frequency with which we are asked this question convinced me that this would make a good blog topic.