Growing the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Opportunity, Part 2: Stepping up partner channel development and goals

Microsoft and its partners have high expectations for the growth of Dynamics CRM in fiscal year 2016. With new channel programs ramping up and CRM Online expanding its reach into 130 markets, Microsoft is expected to guide many more partners toward selling CRM. Meanwhile, strong license and revenue growth in FY 2015 means that existing CRM partners will see goals rise as Microsoft looks to scale the product and gain market share.

In part one of this series, we explored the experiences of several Microsoft partners who chose to add Dynamics CRM to their portfolios. In part two, we hear from Microsoft on its aggressive Dynamics CRM channel sales plans, as well as specific observations from several of Microsoft partners about their experience in adopting Dynamics CRM as a part of their own portfolio.

Positioned for Growth

Victor Morales, vice president of Microsoft Dynamics' Partner Sales & Programs, is bullish on CRM's prospects.

In a new interview, Morales points to several programs as evidence of Microsoft's efforts to expand and improve the CRM partner channel: Path to Partnership, Cloud SureStep, Cloud CRM Competency, the Open Licensing Program, and the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) Program. The last of those, for example, allows partners to own the customer relationship, manage and configure the service, and bill on behalf ...