Difference between Salesforce and Microsoft CRM
When the subject of CRM comes up, the two names that often come up for contention are Salesforce and Microsoft CRM. With each offering own distinct advantages, it is only fitting that the two should be compared, which is exactly what we have done in this article.
Profile
Although an easy-to-use application, Salesforce has quite extensive SFA capabilities. It is particularly useful in partner relationship management scenarios, as well as those that involve customer service.
Microsoft CRM is a Customer Relationship Management or CRM application that was developed by Microsoft. This product is particularly useful for sales, marketing, and service help desk services, although the company has since marketed a version of it called Dynamics CRM as an XRM platform that allows users to customize it for specific needs.
Services
Salesforce is comprised of a number of services, among which are Sales Cloud, Small Business Communication, Financial, Healthcare, Public Sector, Retail, and AppExchange among may others. In addition, Salesforce also offers services via the Force.com Platform, Chatter and Jigsaw platforms.
Microsoft CRM for its part is comprised of a slew of business applications that include Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, and Microsoft Dynamics SL. the Dynamics CRM application is a server-client application based on the IIS web application. This allows it to support a wide variety of web service interfaces. Users may access Dynamics CRM via Microsoft's own Internet Explorer (version 6 or later), or via a client plug-in for Microsoft Outlook. Other browsers may also be used to access Dynamics, although this is not supported by Microsoft, and the results can be unpredictable.
Relative Strengths And Weaknesses
One of the advantages of Salesforce is its fairly large customer base, which is quite established. On the downside, the application does not offer on-premise CRM capabilities, nor does it offer vertical functionality. Salesforce is also hampered somewhat by a limited set of integration capabilities. In addition, Salesforce is quite a bit more expensive than the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online edition. Another drawback is its limited support for marketing, field service, customer analytics, and eCommerce applications.
As for Microsoft CRM, it has the advantage of offering users the choice of a hosted, on-premise, or hybrid deployment model. This gives users a lot more flexibility with regard to usage. The application is also particularly feasible for training purposes, due to its use of a Native Outlook Interface. Microsoft CRM also offers users a choice of clients that include the aforementioned as Native Outlook, as well as Web browser, mobile, and online/offline capability. Microsoft Dynamics CRM is also boosted by a huge network of resellers, integrators, and ISV partners from all over the world. Finally, Microsoft CRM offers up to 20GB of storage space at absolutely no cost.
Similarities and Differences
Salesforce
- An easy-to-use application with extensive SFA capabilities
- Useful in partner relationship management scenarios
Microsoft CRM
- Useful for sales, marketing, and service help desk services
- Comprised of a slew of business applications that include Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, and Microsoft Dynamics SL
