Outlook CRM

Learn about the differences between Outlook CRM 2003 with Business Contact Manager and Microsoft Business Solutions Customer Relationship Management (Microsoft CRM). Outlook CRM 2003 with Business Contact Manager is an add-on to Outlook 2003 that can help small businesses connect with customers by managing contacts and sales opportunities. Microsoft CRM is a full-featured CRM system that can help larger organizations build profitable customer relationships.

Key Differences

Key differences between the two programs include:

• Functionality. Microsoft CRM is a full CRM system while Outlook CRM 2003 with Business Contact Manager is a single-user, desktop business contact management program. Microsoft CRM offers rich CRM functionality, such as account and contact management, order management, account hierarchies, lead management, competitive tracking, workflow support, and customer service. Outlook CRM 2003 with Business Contact Manager gives small businesses rich contact management functionality to help users manage customer contacts, accounts, and sales opportunities.
• Architecture. Outlook CRM 2003 with Business Contact Manager is a single-user desktop program that extends the features of Outlook 2003. Microsoft CRM is a client/server application that works in a multi-user environment.
• Integration. Both Outlook CRM 2003 with Business Contact Manager and Microsoft CRM integrate with Microsoft Office programs. Microsoft CRM additionally offers deep integration with enterprise resource management (ERM) systems and third-party programs by working with SOAP and Extensible Markup Language (XML).
• Configuration and customization. Microsoft CRM can meet a company's particular needs with customizable data schema, forms, and business processes. Outlook CRM 2003 with Business Contact Manager can help meet the contact management needs of small business users out of the box.
• Customer profiles. Microsoft CRM is intended for businesses with 25 to 500 employees and at least $5 million US in revenues. Outlook CRM 2003 with Business Contact Manager is designed for businesses with fewer than 25 employees and less than $5 million US in revenues that need a single-user contact management solution.
• Deployment. Microsoft CRM requires an IT staff or partner to set it up, as well as additional Microsoft technology, such as Microsoft Windows® 2000 Server, the Microsoft Active Directory® directory service, Microsoft SQL Server™, and optionally, Microsoft Exchange Server. Outlook CRM 2003 with Business Contact Manager works out of the box—making it easy for small businesses with limited IT resources and knowledge to get started.
• Distribution. Outlook CRM 2003 with Business Contact Manager is included in Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003 and Microsoft Office Small Business Edition 2003. Customers licensing Microsoft Office Professional Enterprise Edition 2003 have the rights to Outlook CRM 2003 with Business Contact Manager and can obtain the CD from Microsoft on request. A product fulfillment fee will apply. Microsoft CRM is sold separately through Microsoft reseller partners.
• Pricing. A direct pricing comparison is difficult since licenses for the two products are sold under different pricing models. Microsoft CRM follows a client/server pricing model and full deployment can cost $5,000 US to $100,000 US. Outlook CRM 2003 with Business Contact Manager is included in Microsoft Office 2003 Editions.

Functionality Differences

The table below outlines differences in functionality between Outlook CRM 2003 with Business Contact Manager and Microsoft CRM.

KEY: =Included

1 - Microsoft CRM offers richer functionality for Accounts.
2 - Microsoft CRM offers richer functionality for Business Contacts.
3 - Microsoft CRM offers richer functionality for Business Opportunities.
4 – Outlook integration with CRM requires Outlook to be installed on the user's desktop.

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