Dynamics CRM 2011 is a CRM (customer relationship management) server application designed to run on Windows Server 2008 or Windows Small Business Server 2008 in conjunction with Exchange Server. Dynamics CRM provides users with a shared database of customer records and communications, ensuring that all departments have access to up-to-date customer information, as well as a unified system for scheduling contact with customers and other CRM duties.

CRM Server is one of two editions Dynamics CRM 2011: CRM Workgroup Server 2011 and CRM Server 2011. Workgroup Server includes licenses for a maximum of five users to access the server from any number of computers or other devices. CRM Server 2011 supports multiple, distinct CRM databases on a single server and has no user limit.

Users can access and work with Dynamics CRM customer records and reports through an Outlook toolbar or by using Internet Explorer to access a customized, internal website. Reports are available with on-demand, scheduled, or event-based delivery, and can be generated by users without IT assistance.

Users can integrate contacts, emails, tasks, appointments, or OneNote notes with the appropriate customer records; track email correspondence; and schedule and automate tasks such as customer contacts. Replies to tracked emails are automatically tracked as well, allowing users to quickly see all pertinent correspondence with or about a customer. Contact can be assigned for customers personally or in groups; and can be scheduled individually, recurrently, or as triggered by other events.

Both the web and Outlook interfaces are highly customizable. Access rights and interface settings can be set at all levels and departments so that personnel can access records in an appropriate and intuitive form.

Dynamics CRM supports SQL Server Mirroring, which ensures that a backup copy of the database is consistently available in case of damaged files.

Other capabilities include the following:

• The improved offline user experience in Dynamics CRM allows for offline reporting and customization, with automatic synchronization when an Internet connection becomes available.
• Multi-tenant architecture lets organizations maintain multiple, distinct CRM databases on a single server.
• CRM data and reports can be exported in Excel format. After making edits to CRM information in an Excel spreadsheet, the user is given the option to re-import edited information back into the CRM database, thus allowing CRM data to be altered and recalibrated using the familiar tools and functions available through Excel.
• The highly flexible structure lets developers add components using the .NET framework.
• Users can customize the Dynamics CRM dashboard, selecting what data appears on it and from which sources.

Additional Information

For a summary of the available editions of Dynamics CRM 2011 and licensing alternatives, see the Guide to Dynamics CRM Editions and Licensing.

Obtaining This Product

Installing this product requires you to download the software from the Volume Licensing Service Center and enter a license key. You can download any available version or language for your product. After you download the software, learn how to install it or burn it to a disc for later use.

The license key allows you to install the product on as many computers as you have received licenses for. This quantity is specified in the first email you receive from TechSoup after requesting this product.

Expect three emails:

1. When your donation request has been approved, TechSoup will send a message to your organization email address confirming the number of licenses you have requested.
2. Microsoft will send an email welcoming your organization to the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC).
3. TechSoup will send an email with information about obtaining your license key and managing your donation at the VLSC. If you are new to the VLSC, you should wait for this email before you register there.

Software Assurance

Under the Software Assurance program, you have the right to install any new release of products covered in the agreement during the term of your coverage.

• Hardware:
• 1.5-GHz (or higher) dual-core x64 processor; 2-GHz quad-core x64 processor recommended
• 2 GB or more RAM; 8 GB recommended
• 10 GB available hard-disk space; 40 GB recommended
• 10/100-Mbps network card; dual 10/100/1000-Mbps recommended
• Software:
• Windows Server 2008 SP2 Standard x64, Enterprise x64, Datacenter x64, Web x64; Windows Small Business Server 2008 Standard, Premium
• SQL Server 2008 SP1 Standard x64, Enterprise x64, Datacenter x64; Developer x64 (non-production environments only)
• Exchange Server 2003 SP2/2007/2010
• E-mail Router:
• Windows Server 2008 x64 editions; Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit)
• Exchange Server 2003 SP2/2007/2010 Standard, Enterprise; Exchange Online
• Web Client:
• Windows XP SP3 Home/Professional/Tablet/Media Center Edition; Windows Vista (32-bit or 64-bit); Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit)
• Office 2003 SP3/2007 SP2/2010
• Internet Explorer 7/8 or later
• Outlook client:
• Windows XP SP3 Professional/Professional x64/Tablet; Windows Vista (32-bit or 64-bit); Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit)
• Office 2003 SP3/2007 SP2/2010
• Internet Explorer 7/8 or later

• This donation is available to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) designation and to public libraries. Public libraries must either have valid 501(c)(3) nonprofit status or be listed in the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) database.
• Organizations that are not eligible: Not all 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are eligible for participation in the Microsoft Donation Program. Those that are not eligible should visit Microsoft Volume Licensing for Industries for more information about charity licensing; they may still be eligible for discounted software from Microsoft. The following types of organizations are ineligible for Microsoft software donations:
• Governmental organizations or agencies.
• Educational institutions, including K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and trade schools.
• Healthcare organizations and networks, including hospitals, specialty networks, ambulatory healthcare services, home healthcare and assisted living healthcare organizations, research organizations, and laboratories. Exceptions: Community health clinics, medical research groups, behavioral healthcare nonprofits, women's health centers, and blood banks are eligible to request Microsoft software donations.
• Political, labor, and fraternal organizations; commerce and trade associations without charitable aims or activities; sponsorships of events, tables, exhibitions, or performances; fundraising events such as luncheons, dinners, walks, runs, or sports tournaments.
• Religious organizations not registered as a charity and without a secular community designation that is separate from the church or religious organization. A secular designation is defined as an organization that provides services to people regardless of their religious beliefs and does not propagate a belief in a specific faith. Example: A food bank with nonprofit or charity status that is run by a church but is a separate and unique organization that provides food and meals to anyone who qualifies for services, regardless of religious beliefs. Religious organizations without secular designations can visit Programs for Charitable Organizations for information regarding licensing options; they may be eligible to receive discounted Microsoft software through these programs.
• Refurbishers that will be installing the donated software on refurbished computers to be distributed or donated to nonprofits or schools. Please visit the Registered Refurbisher Program.
• Nonpublic libraries, including private libraries, school libraries, specialty libraries, armed forces libraries, and libraries in government agencies.
• Eligible organizations receive an allotment of Microsoft software donation requests that is reset every two years. An organization’s two-year cycle begins with its first donation request after July 27, 2011. After two years, a new cycle begins, and a new allotment becomes available. The organization does not need to request the full amount of its allotment. There is no limit to the number of separate requests the organization can make and no minimum quantity requirement.
• During its two-year cycle, an organization can request products from up to 10 title groups. For title groups that contain applications that run on an individual computer (like a desktop or laptop PC), there is a 50-license maximum. For title groups that contain client access licenses or other licenses that provide for connection to or management of a server, there is also a 50-license maximum. For server products, there is a five-product maximum, regardless of title group. For further details, see Quantity and Frequency of Microsoft Requests on the Microsoft Donation Program — Eligibility and Allotments page.
• Public libraries may request Microsoft software donations through this program only for use on public access computers or on computers used to directly manage either the public access computers or the library's public access program. Participating libraries must also make their collection and basic services available to the population of their legal service area without charges to individual users (excluding incidental fees such as printing charges). If they so choose, libraries may impose charges on users outside the legal service area and may provide products and services (beyond basic services) to the public at large, with or without individual charges.
• Organizations that engage in discrimination in hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination, and/or retirement based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, political affiliation, union membership, or veteran status, other than as allowed by law, are not eligible to participate in this program. Organizations must be willing and able to attest that they do not discriminate on any of these grounds in order to receive donations.
• Microsoft products may not be transferred between separate legal entities or resold. Additionally, Microsoft products may not be installed on computers that will be given to or sold to other organizations or individuals, even as part of a charitable program.
• Donated product will be distributed under this program to qualifying organizations and libraries only, not to individuals.