Microsoft’s split plan for Parature: Faster core innovation and new Dynamics CRM opportunities

If there is a message to take away from Parature's first public event as a Microsoft entity, it's that the organization will begin this new chapter by creating something of a double life for itself. The top line message from Microsoft was clear: Parature will continue to provide a standalone product while also "offering  more connected experience with Dynamics CRM."

Losing Parature's identity was reportedly one of the most common questions for Microsoft representatives at Parafest this week. Microsoft executives, including Bill Patterson and Bob Stutz, told attendees - both publicly and in private meetings that Parature would continue to serve its customer base. But Microsoft also made it clear that the Parature organization will be expected to innovate quickly, perhaps more quickly than it has until now, and to contribute in key areas that Microsoft and its Dynamics CRM partners can strategically leverage.

The Parature roadmap: Progressing knowledge management

For the uninitiated, there is a lot to learn about Parature's platform and its outlook on the world. The latest product roadmap, shared Tuesday at Parafest, focuses on a high level goal of improved knowledge management through building more and stronger customer self-service features and reaching into more customer channels.

Portal solutions will continue to be the flagship Parature offering, according to product manager Steve Klein. It is "the cornerstone of web self-service," he said today in a roadmap session.

One of the key updates is something it calls Omni Portal, an enhancement that looked a little dull on the surface, but solves a key architectural challenge that some of the company's key enterprise ...