Microsoft Addresses Dynamics CRM UG Summit on the Future of Mobile Devices, Windows, Web Technology

Microsoft Dynamics CRM users can expect a variety of important changes in the next year and beyond as Dynamics CRM team attempts to ride a wave of changes driving Microsoft's product direction. A panel of Microsoft Dynamics CRM representatives took to the stage at last week's CRMUG Summit 2011 to discuss how they are adapting both the product and their understanding of the needs of the enterprise customer, including around issues like the evolution of devices, user interface technology, as well as Windows 8.

Dynamics CRM mobile capabilities and the evolution of devices

Microsoft has already clarified its intention to go to an HTML 5-based user interface, something they had previously talked about in published statements.  Program manager lead for Dynamics CRM Bill Patterson positioned the team's view of mobile as a shift from companion applications to contextually aware applications.

"The world we live in today is one of mobility as a companion to the user experience," said Patterson. "Where we see technology going in terms of form factors and the proliferation of smart devices, and the evolution of technology with things like HTML 5, Windows 8, and the like, is that we see things converging in the space. The world we will live in in two years is not one of the smartphone as a companion app experience.  What we will have is CRM that is context aware whether you are on the desktop, a mobile device, or on a big projection scale screen. 

The investments we're making in the product group are to be one of screen sizes.  You'll hear us talking about computing optimized for work-life optimization.  This means no matter where I am or what I'm working on, I need access to my corporate data.  The big evolutionary shift ...