How Prepared Is Your Organization for Dynamics CRM 4.0?

With the January release of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0, many companies that have been evaluating CRM systems are understandably turning their attention to this relatively new market leader. Microsoft has packed a powerful combination of out-of-the-box functionality and extendability into CRM 4.0, leveraging many of its flagship server and database products.

CRM 4.0 introduces a new hosted option as well (recently re-dubbed Dynamics CRM Online), which delivers much of the product's functionality over the web from a Microsoft data center or partner hosting facility. But for organizations with sophisticated integration or data security requirements, the on-premise solution is often the delivery method of choice.

For those organizations opting for an on-premise CRM 4.0 installation, this article provides guidance for how best to prepare your infrastructure and IT team for a smooth deployment. An important first step may seem obvious, but I'll state it anyway: avail yourself of the many resources Microsoft has made available online--white papers and implementation guides. Look for the links to System Requirements and Downloads, where you will find important information for getting started with CRM 4.0. Similarly, an experienced and certified partner can help smooth the implementation process.

It's important to appreciate that an on-premise CRM 4.0 solution will require a full stack of Microsoft technologies, including Windows Server, SQL Server, Exchange Server, Active Directory, Outlook, and Office. CRM also leverages Windows Workflow Foundation and is frequently integrated with other web applications like SharePoint or custom apps. Having these systems in optimal running order is key to a...