Microsoft gets social with Dynamics CRM Online update

Microsoft has updated its Dynamics CRM service with social networking and collaboration features designed to improve the way businesses use web platforms to connect with customers.

Dynamics CRM Online November 2011 includes new activity feeds and micro-blogging functions, as well as mobile data feeds and automatic feed update features.

Microsoft said that the update is part of a larger effort to integrate Dynamics CRM into the social networking components used by the Office 365 platform.

"Across Microsoft we deliver social capabilities that help customers and businesses build more productive relationships," said Brad Wilson, Microsoft Dynamics CRM product management group general manager.

"By bringing together new social collaboration capabilities in Dynamics CRM with familiar collaboration technologies such as Office, SharePoint and Lync, businesses will be able to expand their relationships with customers and gain even deeper insight and understanding."

Microsoft has also improved the support for Dynamics CRM disaster recovery, along with enhanced in-region replication services allowing faster restoration in the event of a system failure or natural disaster.

The update is the latest in Microsoft's effort to establish itself in the web-based CRM space. The company introduced Dynamics CRM Online internationally in January, later updating the service to improve availability and uptime.