Despite the economic slowdown, some Microsoft partners and other companies experienced significant growth last year, thanks in part to Microsoft Dynamics products.

For example, Chicago-based Sonoma Partners, a reseller and customizer of Microsoft Dynamics CRM, said it realized significant business gains. The company said its consulting revenues increased 44% in 2009.

Sonoma Partners Principal Mike Snyder attributes some of the company's recent success to the growing popularity of Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

"Our company works just with the CRM product, so if the CRM industry is going well then we're doing well with it," he said.

Snyder said more companies are looking to CRM products and Microsoft Dynamics CRM in particular to help their businesses become more efficient. He also said a large part of the company's success can be attributed to its customization efforts, which allow its clients to get the maximum benefit out of CRM.

He said Sonoma Partners is also leveraging XRM opportunities to spur development.

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