Behind some key Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013 design decisions

For Dynamics CRM partners and existing customers, there is a lot of change packed into the upcoming Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013 release.  Many design decisions in the new release are focused on accelerating the way users get work done, making tasks both more streamlined and more enjoyable in an effort to boost productivity and user adoption. Dynamics CRM CVP Bob Stutz has previously described his plans for the product as "building a different kind of CRM in a world focused around consumerization."  

The scale of the changes in the new version will undoubtedly be outside the comfort zone of some existing customers. Those with on-premise or partner-hosted Dynamics CRM systems will have plenty of time to evaluate CRM 2013 and plan their moves to the new release.  CRM Online customers will not have the luxury of delaying their upgrade beyond the early months of 2014, it seems, as plans for quarterly enhancements beyond Orion will force them to keep moving forward with the platform.

In a presentation to CRM users at a recent CRMUG event, Microsoft senior product marketing manager Stephanie Dart discussed some of the efforts that went into the design decisions for the new release and how Microsoft believes those choices will result in positive outcome for customers.

How Microsoft  wants Orion to change Dynamics CRM

Dart described three main areas of improvement the CRM team was has pursued in the 2013 release - process, mobility, and enterprise collaboration.  And at a more basic level, they also wanted to be able to say they have added value for the end ...