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CRM Online compared to on-premise or partner-hosted RRS feed

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    Hi all, I'm interested in hearing from Microsoft partners with experience implementing CRM with Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online compared to their previous experiences implementing on-premise or partner-hosted. 

    I was just wondering if some of the supposed limitations of CRM Online (no server-side custom code, no custom reports, etc.) is actually guiding you to recommend on-premise/partner-hosted, or whether these supposed limitations aren't a big deal and CRM Online projects are going well? What are the main benefits/drawbacks for CRM Online for you as a partner, and for your customers?

    Also interested in hearing the thoughts of CRM Online customers too.

    Regards, Neil
    Monday, February 23, 2009 9:23 PM
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    Neil,

    The answer to your question depends on the requirements of the client.  Yes, not supporting custom reports or server-side ISV customization is an issue for many clients.  If the project has any requirements that require extending the reports or ISV customization, that would push us to go with on premises or Partner Hosted.  Most of our implementations include some form of ISV customization, such as integration to SharePoint that require some form of server side customization, so that rules out CRM Online.  Over 50% also have some form of custom reports, such as a quote report, that are not viable doing via mail merge or report wizard (such as showing a grid of quote products along with quote header information).  That also rules out CRM Online.

    For smaller implementations that just need CRM functionality, we would recommend CRM Online, as long as there are no requirements that will require otherwise.
    Tuesday, February 24, 2009 1:31 PM
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    We focus on Microsoft CRM for small medium businesses (SMB).  After completed numerous Microsoft CRM Online deployments, Online Business Applications are a better strategy going forward in most cases.

    Microsoft CRM Online should be the initial evaluation option for most SMB unless it is pretty clear that certain ISV (one not available for Online) or Server side coding is an absolute requirement.

    The good thing is the "Power of Choice" that Microsoft provides and it is a very valid one.  If Online doesn't work out, can always switch to On Premise/Hosted.

    http://www.workopia.com/Links.htm
    Thursday, April 2, 2009 6:39 AM
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    While it's true that Online doesn't support some of those features (server-side code, custom reports specifically) there are practical ways to get around those limitations.  We do almost exclusively CRM Online projects and have developed functionality to do custom reporting, dashboarding, back-office integration, and have a plugin infrastructure for running serverside-type code through Online.  Most requirements can be met via Online, including SharePoint integration.  And as Frank mentioned, Online is the ideal way to pilot and evaluate CRM without incurring a lot of up front cost.  If you are considering Online, make sure you partner with a firm that has specific experience dealing with some of the unique challenges and opportunities that platform provides. 



    http://www.zero2tencrm.com

    Monday, April 13, 2009 2:13 PM
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    One thing to add, the new Cloud Integration Services in the SDK make CRM Online a more viable choice for companies who want to do more custom development for CRM Online.
    Monday, April 13, 2009 2:33 PM
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