14th April 2008
Microsoft has announced a collaboration with the Institute of Directors (IoD) to offer its 52,000 members a subscription-based service to a hosted version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 from £35 per-user, per-month.  The announcement marks a first for the IoD in offering a CRM service that enables members to compete more effectively and succeed in today's competitive and fast changing marketplace.

Andrew Main Wilson, Chief Operating Officer for the IoD said, “As the business environment becomes ever more competitive, our members need the tools and support to attract new customers while retaining and nurturing their existing ones.  We already provide a number of business products and services – from car rental to insurance - to our members through carefully selected partnerships and we're pleased to add business IT services to this list”.

The service will be hosted by Rackspace, a Microsoft partner with many years experience offering hosted services. Doug Loewe, Managing Director of Rackspace EMEA said: “This collaboration offers a great opportunity for businesses to access world class IT services.”

Microsoft says that the offering to IoD members will mean UK businesses can have access to an advanced enterprise level CRM offering without the risk associated with up-front implementation costs, as well as the flexibility to add and remove users depending on business need.  They will also have the option of moving to an “on-premise” version of Dynamics CRM 4.0 at any stage if their requirements change.

The service will be managed by Microsoft partner IncreaseCRM. The CRM offer costs IoD members £35 per user, per month as well as access to the IoD developed relationship mapping templates.  Non-members will be able to subscribe to the basic Microsoft CRM 4.0 offering for £45 per user, per month.  If purchased before 30 June 2008, IoD members receive the first month free.

Hosted Microsoft Exchange Email will cost members £11.50 per user, per month and non members £13.50 per user, per month. If purchased before 30 June 2008, the first month is free for IoD members.