Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online provides businesses with a fast, flexible and familiar way of managing customer relationships through an online solution managed by Microsoft. With a full-suite of Sales, Service and Marketing functionality – combined with powerful business workflow and point-and-click customization, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online provides businesses an easy way to track and manage customer interactions. Read Crimson Consulting Group's report comparing CRM to Salesforce.

Dynamics CRM Online is a web-based, monthly subscription-based solution managed and run by Microsoft. With this solution, a customer’s data and infrastructure will be run and maintained by Microsoft running from our corporate data center. Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online is based upon the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 release, and leverages new multi-tenant and enterprise scalability features provided to run an internet-scale service for our customers. There are no unique server CAL requirements for the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online service; rather customers pay a monthly fee for each user-access to the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online service.

Dynamics CRM 4.0 is a server-based, business software application that a customer can purchase from a distributor or reseller. The on-premise solution is managed by a customer’s IT department and requires a CRM server CAL and CRM user CALs for each user-access to the Microsoft Dynamics CRM application.

Both versions offer a full-suite of Sales, Marketing and Service functionality - as well as provide workflow automation and system customization capabilities. The functionality of Microsoft Dynamics CRM is the same regardless of how it is deployed.

The two offerings differ in the level of customization available. While Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online offers rich customization and integration capabilities, there are some technical limits enforced on the solution. Such limits include no binary code (Callouts and custom ASP.net) web pages physically within the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online architecture. Deployments requiring use of such desired functionality will need to locate Integration Code or logic and/or custom ASP.net pages on another server and integrate to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online using the platform web services.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online provides businesses with the following features and capabilities:

Support levels and contracts are included within the monthly subscription cost for each user license. There are no additional charges required to gain access to support resources. The following chart illustrates the support levels provided with a Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online subscription:

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online follows a monthly, per-user billing process for both Professional and Professional Plus Editions. Professional is offered at $44 per user per month, and Professional Plus is offered at $59 per user per month. Business customers must sign a service contract with Microsoft – which is offered in 12 month commitment lengths.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online is designed for business workgroups and departments looking for online management of their customer relationships. As a team based solution, a minimum of 5 users is required in order to sign-up for a Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online application. For organizations with less than 5 CRM users, we recommend that your business consider our Office Live or Microsoft Office Business Contact Manager solutions.

There are currently no limits on the maximum number of users allowed per Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online organization.

Microsoft does not require a partner to be associated with a customer for a Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online subscription; however, experience with the implementation of CRM systems indicates that a customer’s experience is greatly enhanced when working with a partner. Partners often have a variety of CRM implementation experiences to draw upon to help a new customer get off on the right foot.