Microsoft CRM 3.0 Beta Now Available

A public beta release of Microsoft CRM 3.0, the second major revision of the company's customer relationship management software, is now available for Microsoft registered members and partners. A final launch is scheduled for the first quarter of 2006.

MS CRM 3.0 will replace the 1.6 release as Microsoft's front line solution to battle with more established vendors including Oracle, Siebel Systems and SAP for a more sizeable share of the market. For 3.0, Microsoft will roll out a subscription-style pricing model and provide its CRM tools to customers over the Web.