How the First Windows 8 Apps for Microsoft Dynamics CRM Serve as Both Products and Showcase

Microsoft has plans for a Windows 8 tablet interface for Dynamics CRM in conjunction with the Orion release in 2013, but don't count on the partner community to wait around while the CRM team finishes up its own app development. 

Some Dynamics CRM shops are already well into their own Windows 8 app release cycles, developing publicly available solutions that serve two purposes - to offer the new vision on Dynamics CRM today, and to position their firms as Windows 8 development shops in a  market that will demand both off-the-shelf and custom line of business apps designed to optimize the CRM user experience.

One of the more comprehensive Dynamics CRM app for Windows 8 to launch so far is Power8CRM from PowerObjects, a free app that covers aspects of sales, marketing, and contact management and bears something of a resemblance to Microsoft's early Orion previews. But it also has the distinction of launching at least 6 months earlier.

Screenshot from the Power8CRM Sales Hub

A preview screenshot of Orion's Windows 8 interface for sales

"Power8CRM was a way to show people our expertise in building out Win 8 apps," explains PowerObjects COO Jim Sheehan. "...