Microsoft: Role-Based Approach to Enterprise Apps
June 6, 2008
Colin Barker, ZDNet UK, wrote an interesting article “Microsoft Launches Connected, Role-Based CRM.” You will want to read the full story here. The key idea is that Dynamics AX 2009 (one of the different flavors of customer relationship management software Microsoft sells) supports roles. The idea is that a user, once assigned a role, interacts with the system from the point of view of the role. The article quotes Microsoft’s Gary Turner, who makes this point:
This is different from the way in which ERP systems have worked in the past, where everyone has one ‘vanilla’ front end… A chief executive will look at the information differently from someone in marketing or whatever. Your needs and requirements will be different.
The system also supports direct connections to eBay (the troubled online retailer) and PayPal. The system, if I understand Mr. Turner correctly, supports smartphone access. The default Dynamics user-facing interface is a dense, detailed beastie. Presumably, the smartphone interface will be stripped down to fit the smartphone screen real estate. Support for Microsoft’s business intelligence tools is included.
Why’s this important in search?
My research indicates that role-based interfaces may be one of Microsoft’s weapons as it tries to expand the market for its different enterprise systems. Applied to search, each user would “see” an interface and search results tailored to his or her role. This personalization of the system allows Microsoft to shift from a one-size-fits-all interface to a more specialized approach to a complex system.
With announcements about the integration of Fast Search & Transfer with Microsoft’s own search technology, there is little hard information about role-based interfaces available. In my opinion, competitors can offer similar functionality if the feature gets traction with customers.
Oh, the other products in the Dynamics line up are Dynamics NAV, Dynamics GP and Dynamics SL. I have difficulty keeping each straight in my mind. Microsoft’s preference for multiple versions of products like five flavors of Vista, SharePoint’s ESS and MOSS, and four ERP systems sends me to Google’s Microsoft search here to keep track of the differences. I rely on Google to locate Microsoft information. Response seems quicker and the index appears to be refreshed more frequently.
Stephen Arnold, June 6, 2008
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